The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1861-07-10
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Demand for Four Hundred Thousand Hen
and Four Hundred billions OF Dollars

Esllosc Ciixens of the Senate
and of tie House Of Representatives -
Having been convened on an extraordin-
arv occasion, authorized by the Constitu-
lion, your attention il not eaiied TO any or
dinary subject OF Legislation.
AT the beginning OF The present Presiden-
tial term, four months ago, the functions of
the Federal Government were found to be
generally suspended within the several
States oil South CaroIina, Georgia, Alabama,
Mississippi, Louisiana and Florida, except
ing those only of The Postoffice Department.
Within these States all the torts. arsenals,
dockyards, custom houses, and the like, in
cluding the moveable aud stationary prop
ertv in and about them, had been seized
and held in open hostility to this Govern
ment. excepting only Forts Pickins, Taylor
and Jefferson, on and near the Florida coast,
and Fort Sumpter, in Charleston harbor,
South Carolina.
The forts thus seized had been put in
improved condition, new ones had been
bull, and armed forces had been organized,
and were organizing, all avowedly with the
same hostile purpose The forts remaining
in the possession of the Federal Govern
ment in and near these States were either
besieged or menaced by warlike prepaza-
tions, and especially Fort SumPter was
nearly surrounded by well protected hostile
batteries, with guns in quality 10 the best
OF its own, and outRumbering the latter,
perhaps, two 20 one.
disproporiionate share of the Federal
muskets and rifles had somehow found their
way into these States, and had been seized
10 be used against the Government. Accu-
mutations of the public revenue lying with
in them has been seized for the same object.
The navy was scattered in distant seas,
L.. h,,f, <f bo
reach Of the Government. Officers of the
Federal army aud navy had resigned in
great numbers, and of tnUse resigned large
proportion had taken up arms against the
Government.
Simultaneously, and in connection with
all this, the purpose 10 sever the Federal
Union was openly avowed. In accordance
with this purpose an ordinance had been
adopted in each of these States, declaring
these States respectively to be separated
from the National Union. A formula for
insiitutiHg a combined government of these
States had been promulgated, ,and their ille-
gal organization in the character OF Confed-
crate States was already invoking recogni,
lion, aid and Intervention from foreign pow
ers-
Finding this condition of things, and be-
lieving il 10 be the imperative duty upon
the incoming Executive to prevent, if pos
sible, the consummation of such an attempi
TO destroy the Federal Union, choice OF
means 10 that end become indispensable.
This choice was made and declared in
the inaugural address. The policy chosen
looked TO the exhaustion of all peaceable
measures before a resort TO any stronger
ones II sought only to hold the public pla-
Gee and property not already wresied from
the Government, and to collect the revenues,
relying on the rest for time, discussion aud
the ballot-boK.
II promised continuance of the mails at
Government expense 10 the very people
who were resisting The Government, and it
gave repealed pledges against any distur-
bance 10 any OF the people or any OF their
righis-oi all that a President might consti-
tuiioually and iuslifiably do in such case
Everything was foseborne without which il
was deemed possible 20 keep the Goveru-
ment on foot.
On the 5th Of March, the present incum-
I bent's first full day in office, letter from
Major Anderson, commanding al Fort Sum-
ter, written on the 2slh of February. and
received al The War Department on the 4;h
of March, was by that Department placed
in his hands. This letter profered the pro.
fessioHal opinion Of the writer that REIN
ioTcements could not be thrown into that
fort within the time for his release rendered
necessary by the limited supply of provis-
ions, and with view of holding possession
of the same with force of less than 20, 600
good and well disciplined men. This opin-
ION was concurred in by all the officers of
his command, and their memorandums on
The subject were made enclosures of Major
Andersons letter.
The whole was Immediately laid before
Lieut.. Gen. Scott, who at once concurred
with Gen. Anderson in opinion. On reflec-
ton, however, he took full time, consulting
with officers of the navy and army, and at
the end OF iour days came reluctantly but
decidedly to the same opinion as before.
He also stated at the same lime that no such
sufficient force was then at the conlrol OF
:he Government, or could be raised and
brought 10 the ground within the lime in
which the provisions in the fort would be
exhausted
In purely military point OF view this re-
duced lie duty OF The Administration in the
case 10 The mere matter of getting the gar
rison safely out Of the fort 1t was beley-
ed, however, that 10 so abandon that posi-
ton under The circumstances wolld be ut
iery ruinous; that the necessity under which
il was done could not be fully understood;
thai by many il would be considered as a
part oi a voluntary policy; thai al home it
would jisorganize the friends OF the Union,
emboiden its adyersaTies, and 60 far 10 en-
Fure 10 the latter a recognition abroad
That in TACT IT wonId be our national des-
traction consummaled. This could not be
allowed.
Starvation was not Jet upon the garrison,
and ere il would be reached Fort Pickens
might be reinforced
This last would be clear indication oil
policy, and would better enable The country
10 accept the evacuation of Fort Sumpier
as military necessity. An order was al
once directed to be sent for the landing oi
the troops from the Brooklyn into For,
Pickens This order could not go by land,
bui must take the longer and slower route
by sea-