The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-01-15
JOHN MCQUEEN,
WIN. PORCHER MILES,
N. Il BONHAM,
w. w. BOYCE,
LAWRENCE VI. KEITr.

cause II looked as we were binding him while avowng
that We bad no authority 10 commit the Convention We
told him that did not understand IT, We were ex
pressing our convictions and belief predc,ea upon the
maintenance of a certain condition oi things which main
ienance absolutely and entirely his power II he
maintained such condition, then wc believed that col
bsion must inevitably, aud at once be prccptacd He
seemed satisfied and said not his intention 10 send
reinforcemenis or make any change We explained to
him what we meant by the words ''relatve military
status, applied to the forts; mentioned the difference
between Major Andersons occupying his then position at
Fort Moultre, and throwing himself into Fort sumter
We stated that the latter step would be equivalent to
norciDg the garrison and would just AZ certainly the
sending OF fresh troops lead TO the result which both
desired TO avoid. When rose to 20, the President
said in substance Afer ALL this is matter OF honor
among gentlemen. | do not know that any paper or
writing is necessary We understand each ohern One
Of the delegation Just before leaving the room remark
ed .sMr President you have determined to let things
remain they are and not to send renforcemens
suppose that you hereafter to change your policy
for any reasonwhat thenS That would put u.s. who are
upon the forts before Commissioners 10 Wash
iuson, in rather an embarrassing position "rhen"
SAID the President al would first return you this paper
not pretend give the words on either side
but we sure we give the sense Of both.
The above Is fun and exact account Of what passed
between the President and tho delegation. Tho prcs
dent IN ms letter To Commissioners tries TO give the
impression that our understanding or agreement
vcrsed In the wes Of diplomacy TO feel the force OF this
'distinctlon without q difference Nor under
stand how, in ga matter Of honor among gentlemen, in
which no paper or writing is necessary the very party
who Wiling TO put on that high footing honora
bly, descend verbal criticism purge himself OF
what all gentlemen and men of honor consider a
breach Of faith. The very fact that we the representa-
tves from south Carolina, not authorized 10 comm
t'psdge the state, were not treating with the fres
dent rs accredited ministers with fun powers buas gen
temen assuming TO certain extent, the delicate task Of
undertaking to orcshadow the and policy Of the
state, should have made the President the ready
strengthen hands TO bring about and carry out that
and policy which no professod TO have much
heart ne we had. While VIC not authorized 10 say
that the Convention would not order the occupation OF
immediately after Tho
Of Commissioners the President, commander n.chief
OF the Army and Navy Of the United states could po
suvely say. that so long as South Cirolnt abstaned
from attacking and sezng The forts, he world send
reinforcements TO them allow Their relative military
status 70 BE- changed We acting Ia the captct y OF
gentlemen h,lding certain prominent positions, and