The Van Buren press., 1861-02-15
LATEST BY TELEGRAPH
TO THE VAN BUREN PRESS
by the st. Louis and Western Telegraph
Stebbin's Line.
WAsuIxoroN, Feb. s


Col. Haync, in reply to the President. to.
day. says: Although his emphatic refusal
Of my demand closes my mission. yet he
wishes to correct the impression that South
Carolina wished to purchase Fort Sumter.
She would make compensation for injury
done to property. but the idea Of purchase
is entirely inconsistent with the assertion of
paramount right in the purchase. Carroll
ma claims to have dissolved political con-
nection and destroyed all political relations
with your government, with everything
within her borders. She is n separate aud
independent government, exercising sover.
eighty over every foot o! soil except Sum-
ter. The avowed intention to hold Sumter
as a military fort by foreign government.
leaves authorities there to determine tho
proper course to be pursued. He asks tho
President if he is aware that tho holding Of
fortress by foreign power, against the
will Of the authorities, the highest insult he
can offer. He says Carolina has not taken
Sumter. because Of misplaced confidence in
the government. He has deceived her, and
thinks the reply to his demand that the oc.
cupation Of Fort Sumpter is NO cause Of
the irritation. but for the protection of Car.
olina. He concludes that if responsibility
rests on Carolina. that government ia un-
conscious of the act, and ascertain the
ground of the latters' refusal to surrender
Sumter.
The letter Of Col. Hayne. as rejoinder to
the Presidents reply, through the Secretary
Of war was not received by the President
till after the special message and accompa-
nying documents were ready for transmiss-
ion to Congress. If the President had
deemed it proper to avow the reoinder, it
together with the reply would hsve been
included in the documents. Col Hayne
having left the city early yes sterday morn
ing. his rejoinder was returned to him thro'
the mail, addressed to Charleston, South
Carolina. Tho impression here. among
gentlemen who ara well-acquainted with
the subject. is that no apprehension need
be entertained relative to an immediate at.
tack on Sumter, as it will be carried to tho
Southern Congress. Meanwhile the South
Carolina authorities will keep strict guard
on the Fort and intercept any reinforcements
to Maj. Anderson. All domestic supplies
and mail facilities are to be denied, and all
possible means taken to starve out the gar
rison.
The commissioners Of tho peace Con.
gress were engaged ON measures looking to
adjustment. Nearly all the commissioners
have arrived. including those from Massa-
chusetts and New York. A large number
OF influential gentlemen from nearly all
parts Of the country, are constantly srriv-
ing: embraeina many members Of the Vir-
g'n:a Legislature.
Capt. Elton, Of Maryland. attached tq
the Navy. and member Of tho light hoase-
board. committed suicide. this afternoon.
by blowing ont his brains with pistol.
He had for some time been much depressed
owing to tho political state Of the country
It appears ON inquiry from. the proper
source that the 81 Louis was ordered from
20d. aid Saline. January 9th. three days
before the surrender Of the Psnsaccls Navy
| Yard, leaving tip oEhsr vesssl to composa
that souadros. Ths Pcwhattan. Pocahon'
/ tss and TIA Cumherland 70 obtain prcsN-
ions. The stors ship supply was ssnt b
order Of Gag olRsars Psndsrsast- Capt
i Armstroag 1as ordsssd "a return 70 thl
soaadrsn. bat instsad Of doing 20. Capt
Nalhsr, be- esmuAsdsr took cn board Ii
parols oficors, ana Nsn snd women FROM
1 Fost Picksas 2sd .sosasded 10 Nsw York.
for which disoh1Ai1ana of ou1sn ~ itise b
looust mastialol-- Thes CunbsrlanA h
bsen ordsrsd - HAlpton Rnsds ~ -.
'Powh,t'an to. Saw Yafke Ehseses ssas