The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1861-05-15
LETTER FROM GEN. HARVEY.
WASHINGTON, May |, 1861.

val at Richmond, under military escort, Gov. !
Letcher Immediately directed my release,
with assurances, dsavowing the act of his
subordinaies, and expressing regret at their
mistake or abuse of his authority. The
kind attention and civility received from
him, from the escort that accompanied me,
and other distinguished citizens of Virginia
and esteemed friends whom | there met,
compensated Tor any personal trouble or
annoyance; yet cannot but feel deep NOR
tiicalion and regret that our country should
be in condition TO expose any one 10 such
an incident. Ii has furnished occasion for
mistake or misrepresentation in respect to
my views and sentiments, which a sense OF
duty requires to be promptly corrected. No
better mode occurs TO me than by letter
addressed 10 yourself, as an esteemed per-
sonal friend.
1t has been represented through the pub
lie press that | was a willing prisoner to
the Stale of Virginia that ! designed to
resign my commission in the United Sta'es
Army, throw off my allegiance 10 the Fed
eral Government, and to join The forces of
the Confederate States.
Forty-two years have been in the mill
tary service of the United States, and have
followed during all that time but one flag
The flag of the Union. have seen it pro-
tecting our frontiers, and guarding our coasts
from Maine TO Florida have Witnessed it
in the smoke of battle, stained with the
blood of gallant men, leading on TO victory;
planted upon the strong holds, and waving
in trium ph over :he capital of foreig gn foe.
My eyes have beheld that flag affordina
protection to our States and Territories on
the Pacific, and commanding reverence
and respect from hostile fleets and squad
rons and from foreign governments, never
exhibited TO any other banner on the globe
Twenty stars, each representing State,
/ have been added to that banner during my
service, and under IFS folds have advanced
from the rank of Lieutenant to that which
+ | now hold The Government, whose hon
+ ors have been borrowed upon me, ! shall
serve the remainder of my days. The flag,
I whose glories have Witnessed shall never
be forsaken by me while | can strike a
Slow tor IFS defence. While | have breath
1 / shall be ready TO serve the Government of
the United States, and be It's faithful, loyal
soldier
/ Without condemning, or il any degree
criticising, the course other persons have
+ deemed proper 10 pursue in the present
juncture, my line o. duty is plain TO my
own heart and Judgment. The course of
events that have led 10 the deplorabe con-
diIion in which our country now stands
has been watched by me with painful inter
est. Perceiving that many OF my fellow
citizens in the Southern States were discon-
/ tented with the Government, and desired
some change TO protect them from existing
evils, my feelings have been strongly averse
TO coercion, and anxious for some compro-
mise or arrangement that would restore
peace and harmony. The provisions of the
( Federal Constitution afforded in my iudg-
ment, ample means of redress through a
Convention of all the Slales, which might
adopt amendments that would reconcile all
differences, or if that could not be accom-
plished, might provide for peaceful separa
ton in a manner becoming friends and
brethren. So long this hope OF peaceful
settlement OF our troubles could be INDUCED
have felt il 10 be the wise duty of the
General Government TO bear with patience
outrages that no other Government could
have endured, and 10 forbear any exeriion o
force until the last hope departed.
But when the Confederate States with
seven thousand men, under cover of strong
Notifications, or impregnable batteries, as,
sailed starving garrison of seventy mer
in Fort Sumpler, compelled the banner o
the United States TO be lowered, and boast,
ed OF lis dishonor before the world, the
stale OF the question was Immediately
changed. Instead of the Government CO.
ercing States demanding redress OF griev'
ances by constitutional means, the case
was presented of revolutionists waging wal
against their Government, seeking its over
throw by force of arms, assailing public
properly by overwhelming force, aborins
TO destroy the lives of gallant officers anc
soldiers, and dishonoring the national flag
The question before us is, whether the gov
ernment of the United States, with it,
many blessings and past glories, shall be
overlhrown by the military dictatorship
lately planted, and now bearing sway il
the Confederate States My hand canno
aid in the work.
Finding ourselves in state OF civil wa
actually existing or fast approaching, some
of my brethren in arms, citizens of sece
ding States, and for whom have the high
est personal respect, have considered i
and follow their States. In that view o
duty | cannot concur. AS an officer of the
army and citizen of the United States,
consider my primary allegiance to be due