Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1861-01-19
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Correspondence betvee N Mai. Ander.
SON and Gov. Pickens.
Charleston, Jan. s

Charleston, Jan. 8.
About eleven o'clock this morning a
boat from Fort Sumpter, bearing Lieut.
Hall, with white flag approached the
city.
Lieutenant Hall had an interview with
Governor Pickens, and was afterwards
escorted to his boat and re embarked for
Fort Sumpter
The communication from Ma Anderson
is as follows:
| To his Excellsncy the Governor of South
Carolina: Sir Two Of your batteries
! fred this morning on an unarmed vessel
bearing the flag of my Governments. As
| have not been notified that war has been
declared by South Carolina against the
| United States, | cannot but think this
hostile act was committed without your
sanction or authority. Under that hope
refrain from opening fire on your bat
ferries. | have the honor therefore res
psctfully to ask whether the above men
toned act-one which | believe is without
parallel in the history Of our country or
any other civilized Goyernment-was COM
mitted in obedience to your instructions,
and notify you that if it is not disclaimed
shall regard it as an act of war, and |
shall, after reasonable Tins for the re.
turn OF my messenger, not permit any
vessel to pass within the range of the guns
OF my fort. In order 20 save, as for as it
is my power, the shedding Of blood, and
for the good of all concerned, | beg you
will take due notice Of my decision Hop.
ing, however, that your answer may Justify
a further torbearance on my part, remain
respectfully, Robert ANDERSON.
Gov. Piekens, after stating the position
OF South Carolina to the United States,
says: Tha. any attempt to send United
States troops into Charleston harbor to
reinforce the forts, would be regarded as
an act Of hostility and in conclusion
adds, THAT any attempt to reinforce the
troops at ft. Sumpter, or to retake. and
resume possession of the forts within the
waters Of Sonth Carolina, which Ma or
! Anderson abandoned, after spiking the
cannon and doing other damages, cannot
but be regarded by the authorities of the
State as indicative of ne other purpose
! than the coercion of the State by the
| armed .orcs Of the government. The
special agents, therefore, have been off
the bar to warn vessels armed or unarmed,
having troops to reinforce Fort Sampler
aboard. not TO enter the harbor Special
orders have been given to com naDderS at
the forts not to fire on such vessels. till a
shot across their bows should warn them
OF the prohibition Of the State Under
these circumstances, thu Star Of the West,
this morning. attempted TO enter the har-
Dor with troops, after having been notified
she could not enter. andSonseq uenilv, the
act is perfectly justified By me
In regard to your threat about vessels
IN she harbor, it is only necessary tor me
to say. you alone must be judge Of your
re>FonsI bllIty.
Your position in the harbor has been
tolerated by the authorities OF the State,
and while the act Of which you complain
Is IN perfect consistency with the right
and duty of the State
1t is not perceived bow far the conduct
you propose to adopt can find a parallel
in the history Of any country, or recon
c'ed with any o,hec purpose than that Of
your government imposing on the State
the condition Of al acquired province.
Signed. +. W. PlCKENs.