Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1861-04-19
WASHINGTON. AnriI 18th

" ASAA4-NpAONS N pm AOeii'
The following is the reply of President
Lincoln to the Virginia Commissioners.
To MBssRs. PRESTON, STEWART, and RAN
DoLPH:
Gentiemen-As a committee of the Vir-
ginia Convention now in session you pre-
sent me a preamble and resolutions as fol-
lows
WHEREAS, In the opinion of this convention
the uncertainty which prevails in the public mind
10 the policy which theFederal executive intends
TO pursue towards the Confederate States is K
tremely injurious to the industrial and CONNER
oial interests of the country, tends to keep up
excitement which is unfavorable to the adjustment
Of the pending difficulties and threatens dis
turbance of the public peace, therefore,
Resolved, That committee of three delegates
be appoint to wait the President Of the Uni
ted States, present to him this preamble, and re
specially ask him to communicate to this conven-
ton the policy which the Federal Executive intends
70 pursue in regard to the Confederated States.
In answer have to say that having at the
beginning of my official term, expressed my
intended policy as plainly as was able, it is
with deep regret and modification now learn
that there is great and injurious uncertainty
IN the public mind as to what that policy is,
and what course intend to pursue.
Not having, as yet, occasion to change, it
Is my purpose 10 pursue the course marked
out IN the inaugural address. | commend a
careful consideration of the whole doc iment
as the best expression j can give to my pur-
poses.
As then and therein said, now repeat:
The power cOnfded TO me will be used TO hold
occupy, and possess the property and places
belonging to the Government, and to collect
the duties and imposts; but beyond what is
necessary for these objects there will be no
INVASION, no using Of force against or among
the eople anywhere.
BY the words, property and places belong
IN to the government, / chiefly allude to
the military posts and property which were
10 possession of the government when 1T
cine into my hands but if, as now appears
to be true, in pursuit of a purpose to drive
the United States authorities from their
places. an unprovoked assault has been made
on Fort Sumter, | shall hold myself at lib
erty to re-possess it if | can, like places
which had been seized before the Govern
ment was devolved upon me. and in any
event shall, to the best of my ability, re-
pei force by force in case it proves true that
Fort Sumter has been assaulted as is report
ed. | shall, perhaps, cause the United
States Mails to be withdrawn from the
SAteS which claim 10 nave seeded, believing
that actual war against the Government
lustfes and possibly demands it l scarcely
need say that consider the military posts
and property situated within the States
which claim TO have seeded, as yet belong
Ing to the United States Government, as
much as they did before the supposed seces-
son.
Whatever else | may do for the purpose, /
shall not attempt to collect the duties and
revenues by any armed invasion of any part
Of the country, not meaning by this, howev-
er, that may not land force deemed ne
cessary to relieve Fort upon the borders oil
the country.
From the fact that | have quoted part CT
the inaugural addr, IS, it must not he inferred
that | repudiate any other part, the whole 81
which re-afirm. except so far as what now
say of the mails may be regarded as modi
hcation.
LANCASTER, Pa, April Is.
The war news created intense excitement
here aud the stars and stripes are displayed
in honor OF Major Anderson. A call for
meeting to sustain the Government was nu
merously signed-
Volunteers are being enrolled.
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