Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1861-07-09
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

and read. 1t is as follows
FelloD CitisenS Of the Senate and House
Of RepresentdticeS;--Having been con-
vened in an extraordinary convention. as
authorized by the Constitution, your atten-
tion is not called to any ordinary subject
Of legislation. At the beginning Of the
present Presidential term four months ago,
the functions of the Federal Government
were found to be generally suspended with
in the several States Of South Carolina,
Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana
and Florida, excepting those only of the
Postoffice Department. Within these
States all the forts, arsenals, dockyards,
custom houses, &c, including all the move
able and stationary property in and about
them, had been seized and held in open
hostility to this Government excepting on
ly Forts Pickcns, Taylor and jefferson, on
and near Florida Coast, and Fort Sumter
in Charleston harboE The forts thus
seized had been put in improved condition;
new ones had been built and armed forces
had been organized and were organizing.
all avowedly for the same hostile purpose.
The forts remaining in the Federal possess
sion in and near those States, were either
besieged or menaced by warlike prepara-
tions; especially Fort Sumptcr was nearly
surrounded by well protected hostile bat-
teries, with guns equal ia quality 10 che
best Of its own, and outnUmbering the lat.
ter as perhaps ten to one. A dispropor-
tionate Share of the Federal muskots and
rifles had somehow found their way into
these States, aud had been seized to be
used against the Government Accumu-
lations of the public revcuve lying within
them had been seized for thc same object.
The navy was scattered in distant seas
leaving but very small part of it within
the immediate reach of the Government.
Officers Of the Federal army had resigned
in great aumbers; and Of those resigned a
great portion had taken up arms against
the Government. simultaneously and in
connection with all this, the purpose to
sever the Federal Union was openly avow-
cd.
In accordance with this purpose an ord
nance had been adopted in each of these
States declaring the States, respectively,
to be separated from the National Union.
The formula for instituting combined
government for these States had been pro-
mulgated. and this illegal organization, in
the character of the Confederate States,
was already invoking recognition, aid and
intervention from foreign powers. Find
ing this condition of things, and believing
it to be an imperative duty upon the incom-
ing Executive to prevent, if possible, the
contamination of such attempt to destroy
the Federal Union, choice of means to
that end became indispensable. This
choice was made and was declared in the
inaugural address. The policy chosen
looked to the exhaustion Of all peaceable
measures before resort to any stronger
ones. 1t sought only to hold the public
places and property not already arrested
from the Government, and to collect the
revenue, relying for the rest on time, dis
cussion and the ballot box. 1t promised
the continuance of the mails at the gov
ernmcnt's expense to the very people who
were resisting the government, and gave
repeated pledges against any disturbance
to any Of the people or any of their rights;
Of all that which President might con-
stitutiOnally and justifably do in such a
case everything was foreborne without
which it was believed possible to keep the
government on foot.
On the 9th of March, the present in
cumbent's first full day in Office, q letter
from Major Anderson, commanding at
Fort Sumter, written on the 2Sth of Feb
ruary, and received at the War Depart.
ment on the Fourth of March, was by
that Department placed in his hands,-
This letter expressed the professional opin-
ion Of the writer that reinforcements could
not be thrown into that fort in time for
his relief, rendered necessary by the limit
ed supply of provisions, and with view
of holding possession of the same, with a
force of less than 10000 we'll disciplined
men, This opinion was eoncurred in BY
all the officers of his command and their
memoranda on the subject were made in
closures of Major AndersOn's letter. The
whole was Immediately laid before Lieut..
Gen. Scott, who at once concurred with
Maj. Anderson IN his opinion. On reAec.
tiOn, however, he took full time in consult
ing with other officers, both of the army
and navy, and at the end of four days
cane reluctantly, but decidedly, to the
same conclusion as before. lie also stated
at the same time that no sufficient force
was then in the control of the government,
or could be raised and brought to the
ground within the time when the provis.
ions of Fort Sumter woul | be exhausted. In
purely military point of view this rcduc-
cd the duty Of the Administration to the