New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1861-02-14
.rhe prealden.,s Rep1x . Col. Haxne

n
The Charleston Mercury of the sth publishes the
Il following:
WAsHISGTos, Feb. THE President, through
nand for the surrender of Fort Sumter.
i The Secretary says that the proposal of South
4 1arohna, as now presented, was simply an offer
! 70 BUY Fort Sumter. This position, he thinks is
Carolina, that if not permitted to purchase, she
VIII seize the fort by force of arms As an initia-
ton Of gotiations for the transfer of the pro-
perty between friendly Governments the nropnsat
| impresses itself on the President as having d.
sumed most unusual fern. He has however,
Investigated the claims, apart from the contingent
hostile declarations which accompany it. 1t may,
says MI. Holt. be remarked that much stress has
been laid upon the employment of the words
property and public property'' in his several
messages. These are the most comprehensive
terms which can be- used il such connection and
surely when referring to q fort Or other pnblie |
esta blishment, they embrace the entire and und |
vided interest Of the Government therein
The title Of the United States to Fort Sumter ia
complete and incontestible. Were its Interests
purely proprietary, in the ordinary aeceptation
OF the term, II might probably be subjected 10 tha
exercise of the right of eminent domain but il |
haa also political relations towards the fort, Of 4 |
mneh higher and more imposing character than
mere proprietorship. 1t has absolute Jurisdiction
Yer the fort and the soil which it stands. This
Jurisdiction consists in exclusive authority over
me property referred TO-, and is therefore clearly
insisted on by South Carolina. This author
ity was not derived from any questionable or
Revolutionary source, but from the peaceful |
I cesson If South Carolina herself. And she can
no more assert the right of eminent domain over
Fort sumter now than Maryland can assert the
same right over the District of Columbia The
p ,r Gan no more sell Fort Sumter to South
Carolina than he could sell and convey tie capital
OF the United States to Maryland. 80
The right to send forward achievements when.
ID tne OF the President the safety of the
garrison requires them, rests the same unaues-
tonable foundation as the right to occupy the forts
In another part of his answer, Mr.. Holt saws that
Fort Sumter IS now held by the Government of the
United States for the same objects for which ii has
;aa nela ever since Its completion These OBJ
enemies nov to attempt the capture of Charleston
or the destruction of her commerce. the whole
force OF the batteries of Fort Sumter would be ex
srted Tor their protection How the present small
garrison, actuated by such O spirit as This csn !,
compromise the dignity or honor of the State of
south Carolina or become source Of irritation to
Az the PRESIDENT is at loss to understand Il
ieiant, nor nnfriendy. 'HAS' | y"
me Government and people Of South Carolina
must and viii know that they can never receiye E
gut sheiser nom It's guns, unless in tile ab- M
eek its destruction 11t S$s - - nj
The reply closes thus eff, with all the rn,ti.
Ned proofs which exist of the Presidents anxiety
or peace, and of the earnestness with which ~ |
as pursued it, the authorities Of South Carolina i IS
hall assault Fort Sumter and peril Tie lives If
Pc handful Of brave and loyal men shut IN within
4 vans and thns pnnge our common country into Ar
ne noffsrs OF civil war, then upon them and tboss
ney represent, must rest the responsibity.n W
VOL, hayne prepared and delivered a short re- 4 w
Under today, and will leave here for Charleston
! the morning.
dispatch from Col Hayne TO the Governor of
W WASHINGTON, Feb. 1.-THE Presidentis ra,n, 20
rough Holt, is not only fiat refusal Int i H.
lifting in its tone tN'A@'' Due ~ IN KIN
Aly mission would shame me and dispraca t}o in
ate II Sumter is held one moment longer than no an
'ssity compels submission on your part. *7 Re