New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-05-05

STATES oil the UNION AZ uicIent eiectOnsj especlmy m
the elections Of Mr.. Jefferson III 1906 Mr. Madison IN
1909, and Mr.. Pierce in 1852.
In the exercise of a right anCieut, so well ostab-
hhed and 20 Necessary forset preservation the people
Of the Confederate States In their Convention deter,
mined that the wrongs which they had suffered, and
the evils with which they menaeed required that
they shOuld revoke the delegation OF powers TO the
Federal Government which they had ratified in their
several Conventions. They consequently passed
ordinances resuming all their rights aF sovereign ana
independent States, and dissOly their connection Win
the other States OF the Union.
Having done this, they proceeded TO form new
compact among themselves, by new Articles OF Con-
federation which have been also ratified by the Con-
yentous of the several States, with approach TO
unaninty far exceeding that Of the Convention which
adopted the Constitution Of I7 They have organized
their new Government III all Its departments; Inc
functions Of the executive the legislative, aud judicial
magistrates performed in accordance with the will
of the people, as displayed not merely an a cheerful
acquiescenee, but in the enthusiastic support Of the
Government thus established 10y themselves; and bat
for the interference OF the Government OF the United
States in this legitimate exercise Of tie night Of PEG
pie 10 selfg0vernment, peace, happiness and prospo
~ would now smile on our land.
That peace is aIdently desired by this Government
and people, has been manifested every possible form
Scarce had You assembled in February last, when,
prior even to the Inauguration OF the CHEF Magistrate
you had elected you passed resolution expressive Of
your desire for the appointment Of Commissioners to
be sent to the Government Of the United States for
the purpose of negotiating friendly relations between
that Government and the Confederate States Of Ameri
ca and for the settlement Of all questions Of disagree
ment between the two Governments upon principles Of
right, justice, equity ard good flith.'
II was my pleasure, well as my duty, TO cooperate
with Won in this work of peace. Indeed in my address
to you taking the oath OF Office and before receiving
from you the Communication OF this resolution had
SAID "as necessity, rot choice, we have resoried
to the remedy Of separation, and henceorh
ges must be directed 10 the conduct of Our own affairs
thp NJ a. c lox.
formed If just perception Of mutual interest shall
permit us pCaceaby 10 pursue separate political
reer my most earnest desire viii have been fulfilled.
IL in furtherance Of these aceordan views of the
Congress and the Executive, that made choice OF three
discreet able and distinguished citizens who repaired
to Washington. Aided by their cordial cooperation
and that Ct the Secretary Of State every effort COM
patible with selfre5pect and the dignity Of the Con
federacy exhausted before / allowed my self 10
WELD 10 the conviction that the Government of the
United States was determined TO attempt the conquest
of isQeope and that cherished hopes Of peace
were mattainable
On the arrival Of our Commissioners in Washington
on the 9TH of March, they postponed, at the suggestion
of friendly intermediary doing more than giving iE
formal notice of their arrival This done with
view to afford time to the PRECEDENT, who bad Just been
inauguratod for the discharge of other pressing official
duties in the organization of bis Administration before
engaging lis attention in the object of their
mission. Ii not until the 18th OF the
month that they Officially addressed the Secretary
arrival, and stating 10 the language of their ill.,
srugtious their wish 10 make 20 the Government Of
the United States overUes for the opening OF ncgotia
tons, assuring the Government OF the United States
that the President, Congress aud people Of the tonfed
crate States earnestly desire peaceful solution OF these
eat questions; that Is neither their interest
their wish 10 make any demand which Is not founded
sricest justice, nor do any act 20 nuTe their late
coniedcrates'
TO this communication no formal reply was received
until April 4. During the interval the Commissioners
bad consented TO waive all questions of form. With
the firm resolve to avoid war # possible they went so
far eycn hold during that long IeiOd unci Clal
intercourse, through an intermediary, who,e high TO-
-i.ion and character inspired the hope Of success and
through whom constant assuran, were received from
the Government OF the United States OF peaceful luien
tons: of the determination to eyacuGte Fort SUMTER
and further, that no measure, changing the existing
slO5Rs preudicially 10 the Confederate states cspe
cially st Fort Pckens in contemplation, but that
in the event OF any change OF intention on the subject
notice would be gwen to the Commissioners. Inc
crooked Iath of diplomacy scarcely furnish an GA
ample 70 wanting in courtesy, in candor and direct
ness as was the course Of the United States Govern
nent toward our Commissioners in Washington for
proof Of this, | refer 20 the annexed documents
marked -, taken in connection with further iacts,
which now proceed TO relate:
Early in Hptil the attention OF tho whole country,
we'll AZ that OF Commissioners, was attracted 10
extraordinary preparations for extensive military
and naval expedition in New York and other Northern
ports Those preparations, commenced in secrecy.
for an expedition rhoee destinnt 10" "rn o"Seoieu
only became known when nearly completed, ana
on tlre 5,b 9Th and 7th OF April, transports and
vessels Of war, with troops, munitions and mill;
tsry supplies sailed from Northern ports Douno
Southwark. Alarmed by so extraordinary demon,
stration the Commissioners requested The denIeiy Oh
an answer 10 their official communication OF the I'm OF
March and thereupon received, on the 9Th OF April
reply dated on the 18th Of the previous month"; from
which it appears that during the whole interval while
the Commissioners were receiving assurances
L. If nj heir Ia
Secretary Of STATE and the Pfesident Of the United
States had already determined 10 hole no intercourse
with them whatever; to refuse even to listen to any
proposals they bad 10 make, aud had proted by the
delay created by their own assurances a order to pre-
pare secretly the for effective hostile operations
That these assurances were given has been virtually
confessed by the Government Of the United States by
it's sending messenger to Charleston TO give notice OF
It's purpose TO force if opposed III rs intention Of
supnl wing Fort Sumter. No more striking proof of
the absence of good faith in the conduct OF the Govern
ment Of the United States toward this Coniedercy can
he required than is contained In the circumstances
which accompanied this notice. According to the
usual Of navigation, the vessels composing the
expedition detiged Tor the relief Of Fort
Sumter might be expected 10 reach Charleston
harbor on the 9th Of April; yet, with our
Commissioners actually in Washington, detained under
assurances that notice should be given Of any military
movement the notice was not addressed TO them, but
messenger was seLt 10 Charleston 10 give the notice to
the Governor Of South Carolina, and the notice was 30
given at late hour the 9Th of ApI The eve OF the
very dav OH which the fleet might be expected to ar
rive That this msneuver failed IN liz purpose was
net the fault of those who oontnved it. heavy
tempest delayed the arrival Of the expedition and
gave time to the commander Of forces AT Charleston
10 ask and receive the instructions Of This Government
Even then, under all the proyocation incident to the
contemptuous refusal TO listen 10 our COnlnssionefs
and the tortuous cOurse Of the Government OF the
United States, / was sincerely anxious to avoid
tbe efusiop Of blood, and directed a proposal
10 be made TO the commander Of Fort Sum
ter. who had avowed himself to be nearly out OF pro