Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-01-09
RICHMOND WING.
VOLUME 65.

TgE CORRESPONDENCE OF TIE PRESIDENT OF
THE UNITED STATES AND THE COMMISSIONERS
FROM SOUTH CAROLINA.
The Charleston papers Of last Saturday (he 5tb con-
tain the correspondence between the Commissioners
from South Carolina Washington aud the President of
the United States. We subjon the fullest eompend Of
il our space admits Of
COMMUNICATION or THE COMMISSIONERS.
sUnder date Washington Dec. 29'h" the Commission
ers lNess-s r W Barnwel J. H. Adams and James L.
Ol address a communication to the Presideut acquar'
m him with the authority under which they act and an
forming biu tha, they are authorized
To rea; with the Government Of the United States
for the delivery Of the forts magazines, lighthouses aud
other real estate with their appurtenances in the limits
Of south CaOhua and also for appOrtOument Of the
gbc DEBT and for division Of all other property held
by the Government Of the UUied States agent OF the
oriederaied States OF which South Carolina Ras recent
ly & member aud generally TO negotiate TO all ether
iacasurs aud arrangements proper 10 be made and
adopted in the existing relation OF the parties, and for
tie continuance OF Teace and amy between this Com
moaweaIlh aud the Government at Washington"
They state that they prepared TO upon this
negotiation with earnest desre 20 hostlites and
and establish friendly relations but that since ther
rival ln officer of toe United States" Msor Audersoo)
acting Che COMMISSIONER assured not ouly
m,1t. Que fort aud occupied auotber-tlus altering,
G, a most important extent the cOaii.ion OF und,s'-
TIE authorities OF South Carolina cculi at any tm the
Commissioners say, have taken possession Of the forts in
Charleston hlrbor bGreyiug upon pledges determined to
trust to the honor Of the President rather than to their
own poHcr Under these circumstances the Commission
c.s saw they forced to suspend negotiations until
plantations aren aie aud ,bey urge the immediate with
drlTt OF the troops from .lc hlrtor Of Charleston.
LsrLY o. TitE PRESIDENT.
The President replies under date OF December Soth
C,sr.cou,ly Acknowledge their communication be re-
tess them 10 h, annual message in wEi,h be disayONej
ia tue Executive ala right to decide the relations OF
seeding State aul Ls duty submit the question TO
Congress- he can therefore oay meet the commissioners
.s private Gentlemen OF the highest character Tut ~l
communicate Congress any proportion they desire To
mLe He Is deeply socitou- that Congress uay dis
POS. of The u'jel 70 prevent ths iuaugun.jou OF
ci,j var, and regrets that the commissioners should
have concluded that ,he events OF h last tWeCty-Jur
holrs render this impossible" Inrclrd TO the all ed
ll. l.cs and the manner n which tLey have been Cb-
...,5i the President again refers TO hs message in
g.a he said that .le officer IN command Of iae Char,
t5l forts had orders "to .c, suic, the defensive
ia the protection Of the public prop,r,y under his
charge
This being thg condition Of The pUues SatuJdav.
Sin December four OF the Representative from South
G.l5uua called upon me aud tqleSt,d an interview. We
ilI au earnest conversation the subject of these
.1rs aud the best means OF preventing a Coii'o7 he
tv PARTIES os the purpose OF spring thr illusion
5f blood. I suggested tor prudential reasons, that
would be- be. put writing what they said 20 me v,I-
bl.y. They did accordingly aud on Mnndly mora
,r t.c l1th Instant tree ci ,hem Prc5eot"d 10 M "a
pper seued by l the representative rom South C.o-
bai with "a single exception, OF which ,hc following d.
c1pV.
I, iEs Er,siiepcg IiD,ss buchanan,
P,ssi.LHf ef 'is U,tite{ States.
In compliance with our statement Co Won vest rdty,
We now express 20 vou Que strong convictions that uci
thee the constituted authorities, any body ct the
people OF the St,e OF South Carolina viii either attack
or moI.st the United States forts IN the hsrhor Of
Charleston previously the acton OF the Convention,
aud hope and believe not emil Otlcr has been
tio through accredited representative, 10 uegoutte
tof al amcable arrangement OF al matters between the
State aud the Federal Government provided that no re-
Inducements shall be sent into those forts and their rel
r|irar hail.