The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1861-05-09

cfdtc SVttcS VI AHerica, ana JOr the SETTLE
ment of all question of disagreement be-
tween the two Government upon principles
Of right, justice, equity and good faith"
| 1t was my pleasure as well as my duty,
to cooperate with you in this work Of
peace. Indeed, iu my address to you On
taking the oath of Office, and before re-
ceiving from you the communication. of
this resolution, had said, Gas a necessity,
not choice, we have resorted to the rene
dy Of separation, and henceforth our ener-
gies must be directed to the conduct OF our
own affairs and the perpetuity of the Con-
federacy which we have formed. II o.
just perception Of mutual interest shall
permit us peaceably to pursue our separ
ate political career, niy most earnest desire
| will have been filed
1t was III furtnerance of this accordant
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 CO.
operation, and that of the Secretary of
State, every effort compatible with self.
respect ami the dignity of the Confederacy
was exhausted before l allowed myself to
yield to the conviction that the government
ot the United States was determined t,
attempt the conquest OF this people, and
that our cherished hopes of peace were
unattainable.
tn the arrival of our Commissioners
in Washington, on the 9th March, they
proposed, Mt the instigation of friendly
intermediary, dong more than giving in
formal notice of their arrival This was
done with view to afford time to the
President, who had just been inaugurated,
for the discharge # other pressing official
duties in the organization Of his Admins
trauon, before engaging his attention III
the object OF their mission. 1t was not
until the 18th Of the month that they OF
ticlally addressed the Scerctory OF State
informing him Of the purpose OF their arri
val, and stating in the language of their
instructions their wish "to make to the
government of the United States overtures
for the opening OF negotiations, aSsurin.
the government Of the United States, that
the President, Congress and people of the
Confederate States earnestly desire peace.
ial solution of these great questions !;
that it is neither their interest ner their
; wish to make any demand which is not
founded on strictest justice, nor DO any act
to injure their late confederates.'
To this communication no formal reply
was received until the Sth April During
the interval the Commissioners had con.
sented to waive all questions OF form.
H,N,a ;he fla! .csJ.'l 70 uvu.I wSf Il POS
siblc, they went 50 far, even, as to hold,
during that long period, unofficial inter.
course, through an intermediary, whose
high position aud character inspired the
hope of success, and through whom con-
| slant assurances were received from the
, Government of the United States of peace
iul intentions; of the determination tu
/ evacuate Fort Sumter and further, that
no measure cha, ging tie existing status
J prejud!cially to the Confederate States, es-
2 pecially at Fort Piekens, was in contcll.
platlon, but that iu the event of any change
? OF Intention on the subject, notice would
be given to the Commissioners. Tie
crooked paths OF diplomacy can scarcely
furnish al example 50 wanting in courtesy,
lniairnces III candor, and DIR, ctnes4, 81
l was the course OF the United States Gov.
; ernmcnt towards our Commissioners at
, Wa.hinetoa. For proof OF this refer to
the annexed documents, mark ed, takcl!
. in connection with further facts which !
) now proceed to relate:
Early In April the attention of the whole
5 country, as Wei as that of our Commission
4 crS, was attracted 10 extraordinary prcpa
r"t.ons FOR al extensive military and naval
expedition in New York and Nuthern ports
5 These preparations commenced in secrecy,
; for an expedition whose destination wa.
concealed, only became known when nearly
NIL. Il -
April, transports and vessels of war, with
9 troops, munitions aud military supplies
sailed 4rom Northern ports bound South
; wards. Alarmed by so extraordinary II
demonstration, the Commissioners request
, ed the delivery OF an answer To- their otiic
i'll communication OF the 18th March, and
thcrcupon received, on the Sth April, 4
reply dated Oh the 10Th of the previous
month, from which 1t appears that, during
r the whole interval, whist the Commission
crs were receiving assurances calculated 10
e inspire hope of the success of their mission
the Secretary OF State and the Presilont
, of the United States had determined to
hold no intercourse with them whatever
20 refuse even to listen to any proposals
they had to make, and had protited by the
dc.ay created by their own assurances, in
order to prepare secretly the means Tor eff.
iective hostile operations.
That these assurances were given, has
, been virtually confessed by the Govern.
ment of the United States by its sending a
; messenger to Charleston, to give notice ol
It's purpose, to use force, if opposed in its
intention of supplying Fort Sumter. Nc
; more striking proof Of the absence of good
ialIh in the conduct of the Government OF
tie United States towards the Conicderacy
5 can be required than Us contained in The
circumstances Which accompanied this 40
uce According to the usual course OF
navigation, the vessels composing the cx.
/. position design for the relief of Fort sum.
ter, might be expected to reach Charleston