New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-01-15
TIE PRESIDENT AND THE SOUTH CARO-
LIMA DELET,ATION
STATEMENT OF MESSRS. MILES AND KEITr.

From The Chdrle,toa Eresing Ners, Jan. IT,
In compliance with the request Of the Convention,
we beg leave to make the following statement:
On Saturday, Dec. g. several of the South Carolina
Delegation, including ourselves waited upon the Pres
dent. At this time there was growing belief that re-
endorsements the of being sent 10 the forts
IN Charleston Harbor Ii known that the subject
was frequently and earnestly discussed il the Cabinet
IL was rumored that Gen. Cass and Mr.. Holt were
urgent that reenfOrcements shoud be sent.
Upon our being announced, the President, who was
then in Cabinet Council came out 10 ns III the ante
room. We at once entered into conversation upon
she topic which 80 closely occupying his thoughts
as well as The President seemed much disturbed
snd moved He told MS that he had had painful in
terview with the wife of Major Anderson who had
come ON from New-York to see him She had mani
tested great anxiety ana distress at the situation of her
husband, whom she seemed to consider in monetary
danger of attack from an excited and awlcss mob
The President protested deep responsibility resting
upon him to protect the lives of Major Anderson and
bis command. We told him that the news that reel-
forcements their way to Charleston would be
the tarest Ct provoking what Nrs. Anderson a-
pretended, and what he 50 much deprecated. We
said further, that did not believe that Major Ander
IN danger Of such an attack that the general
sentiment OF the State against any such proceed
ing. That, prior TO the act Of the State Conven-
ton, then only ten days OF, we felt satisfied that
there would oe no attempt TO modest the fOrt6 IN
any way. That, after the Convention MELVILLE
could not possibly undertake 70 say what that body
would zee fit TO dove vet hoped and believed that
nothing would be done until we had first endeavored,
by duly accredited Commissioners, to negotiate for
peaceful settlement of all matters including the delv
cry of the forts, between Souh Carolina and the Fed
rsl Government At the same time, we again reitera-
ted our solemn belief that any change in the then
hting condition of things in Charleston habor, would
IN the excited state of feeling at hone, inevitably pre-
cipitate collision. The impression made upon us was
that the President was waverDg and had not decided
what course be would pursue. He said he glad 70
have had this conversation with us, bat would prefer
that should give him written memorandum of the
substance Of what we had said This We did ON Mon
.loxy ho txxyoo IN fhaco
II. he E.rcp JAMES BrcaASsS, President Of ne United
pres 70 Jon our strong conyction that neither the cOns
sosh csasns win ei.Sey ssst or The United
fort. in the hsIsoI Of CheSn previously the Gn Of the
ss ssisS s an az nessea
Fssss Government provided rosnOrcensnts shall be
into ho. Forts and their relr o,,, %ta5y ,,s shall re-
|, NJ L. BoNHaM, '-'0~'
.,,..,.. n. ,.so " W BSycE xrrr
The President did not ike the word provided"
because it looked as if we were binding him while
ayowipg that we Lad no authority TO commit the Con-
veDton. We told him that we did not SO understand
n We were exI pressing our convictions and belief,
predicted upon the maintenance of certain condition
Of things, which maintenance was absolutely and
entirely his power. If be maintained such condition
them we believed that collision would be avoided until
the attempt at poaceabe negotiation had failed. Ii
he Did not, then solemnly assured him that we be-
Heved collision must inevitably, and at once, be
not his I'M ention send reenfoFcemens make any
change.
We explained to him what we meant by the words
"relative military status" as applied to the forts;
mentioned the difference between Major Auderson's
occupying his then position at Fort Moultrie, and
throwing himself into Fort Sumter. We stated that
the latter step would be equivalent to reinforcing the
garrison, and would just certainly as the sending
Of fresh troops, lead to the result which we both de-
sired to avoid. When we rose 10 60, the President
said 10 substance cater ALL this is matter of honor
among gentlemen. 1 do not know that any paper or
writing is necessary. We understand each other.
One Of the delegation Just before leaving the rcom
remarked, Mr.. President, you have determined to
Ret things remain they are, and not to send re-
endorsements; but, suppose that you were hereafter
70 change your policy for any reason, what then
That woald put us, who are willing to personal
influence to prevent any attack upon the forts before
Commissioners are sent on 70 Washington in rather an
embarrassing position" "Tben, said the President,
AT would first return you this paper" We do not
pretend to give the exact words on either side but we
are sure We give the sense OF both.
WM PORCHER MILES,
IkWRYNCY EEIQT