The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-02-27
The Surrender of the United States Arsenal
at Little Rock

The Arkansas Gazette of the 18th inst
publishes in full the correspondence !h,t
passed between Gov. Rec tor, of that STATE"
and Captain Totten, of the Tnitei States
Army, prior to the surrender Of the latter OF
the Little Rock Arsenal. The corresp Judynye
for the surrender OF the arsenal was opputd
by Governor Rector, who informed Captain
Totteu that he had received reliable inforu.:.-
ton that large force Of citizens Were then
on the march to Little Rock, with the iivow'-
"d purpose OF taking possession OF the fnitrd
States Arsenal there. The Governor declares
it 10 be his duty, under the circums tances, al
though the movement was not authorized by
him, TO prevent a collision between the peu-
pie of the State and the Federal troops, end
therefore demanded the delivery of the arse
nal in the name of the State of Arkansas, 10
be held subject TO the action of the Conyen-
ton. TO be held on the 4th day of March next.
This is the only way which can possibly pre-
vent the efusion of blood and the destruction
of property of the citizens and the Govern
ment.
Capt. Totten, in reply to this demand con-
tesses that he feels himself in trying circum-
stances, but before agreeing to the surrender
of the arsenal ut Little Rock, he quests TO
know from the Governor the conditions of
surrender.
To these interrosa tories Governor Rector
answered rs follows After mature rplec-
ton, propose to accept your first, second and
third PROPOSE tiouS, with the following under
standing That, being Informed your coIa-
mand brought no cannon, none are to be ia
ken away. You shall have safe passage out
OF the State III any direction you may please,
with your command: provided, ho viewer, you
do not station yourself within the limits Of
the State OfArkaGSas on the borders the reOf.
a memorandum was subsequ uently drawn
up, i'll which the Captain agreed TO surrender
the arsenal, part OF which reads thus And
the said Captain Totten protes is that he has
thus acted because in the presence of q greatly
superior armed force, and which he became
satisfied would sOou become overW helming by
reiniOrceneEts, in case OF resistance, involving
the sacrifice OF his command, without regard
TO the probable loss OF life on the part of the
assailants because any defence of the arsenal
ii the city OF Little Rock, whether successful
or unsuccessful would necessarily involve, to
II greater or lesss extent the dies true ton OF
property III the city, ald the loss of lives of
the peaceful citizens and families dwelling
therein: because being without instructions
from his Government, he took the res pousi-
blity Of doing what he thought proper and
best under all the circuDls time es des iriEg to
avoid cause of civil war IN this Government,
by the first instance of hostile and bloody
collision, yet protesting for himself, and in the
name OF his Government against events be-
yoId his control, which have actuated him TO
this course.
The ladies of Little Rock, as an expression
of their feelings of Kindness and consiuera t,on
for Captain Iotten, present tied that gall inl and
meritorious officer with a handsome and ostiy
sword.