New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-02-28
The Dernand for it's Delivery 70 Sonsh
Carolina.
REPORT OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE
r0 COMMUNICATION WITH TRAITORS
eEhsuRE OF THE PRESIDENT.
The Treason Of Floyd and Others.

day Submitted TO the House OF hepTetentUuNer III par
hal discharge of the duties imposed upon them, the
seaowipg Report:
Aeeompau wing the message of the President referred
% this Committee ia copy Of certain corresponcepee
had between the President and Messrs. X w. Barn
we'll, j. ii. Adams, and j. l.. Orr, claiming TO De
Commissioners Oh the part Of South Carolina, anthor
lied and empowered 10 treat with the Government OF
tho United States for the delivery of the forts maya
xines light houses and other real estate, with their
sppurie nances, within the limits OF South Caronna,
and aso for the apportionment Of the public debt and
division of all other property held by the Govern,
nent Of the United States agent Of the Conedeateo
States of which South Carolina was recently menu
ber and generally 10 negotiate as to all other meas
uzes and proper TO be made and adopeo
tn the existing relations OF the paries ana LOT e
continuance of peace and amiiy between the common
wealth tof South CarOlns) and the Government I'll
Washington. ,s
A further Messacp # the President under date OF
February g. 1861 80 referred 70 the Committee, COM
municales col i" IA correspSSnSSen n. Sor,b
Carolina to the President Of the United States, having
for is object demand upon the Government OF the
Unied States for the delivery Of Fort sumter IN lhe
bartor Of Charleston, TO the constituted authoHeso VI
the State of South Carolina.
The correspondence above referred TO Is suomtied
by the President without comment, or any suggestion
as 20 the propriety necessity Of any action by Con-
Qress IN respect TO il TO the various subjects 10
which i. refer. Ii important to be submitted 10 Con
errts ut all, 1t certainly TO be OF character
demanding grave consideration and the fact That IL mas
hep pacsd before By the President implies that IN
hi. olinon at least, i. involved considerations when
might properly engage the attention OF Inc Legislative
branch of the Government, In connection WIN ;. tne
various other matters forced upon by the necessities
of the iines The Committee has, therefore, thought
expedient and proper 10 direct attention 10 tnese
special embassies, cir object, the action OF the
Pefident thereon and incidentally 10 the ehhrhceT Vi
the correspondence.
The first communication to the President by heasIs
Barnwell, Adams and Orr, under date OF Dec -,
1860 communicates an official copy Of an ordinance OF
seeerion adopted by the State OF South Carolina on
the 2Oth of the same month, by virtue OF winch that
State assumes 10 have withdrawn from the Fsderai
Union and taken the petition of an entiely'Iudepen-
dent nation. That such an attitude was assumed by
South Carolina in attempting negotidiions WIN me
Government of the United Siates, is not only obvious
from the history of current events, but 1t was most
Siainetly asserted by her "COmmi-sioners in their
communication TO tho President. The movement OF
Major Anderson from Fort Moultre to Fort Sumter,
aier their arrival in Washington seems 10 have been
regarded Obsaee OH their part to the opening OF
any discussion, touching the object OF their missions
until the circumstances attending that movement should
be explained in manner which would relieve item oi
al doubt as TO the spirit in which the contemplated
negotiations sbonld be conducted They, however,
urge upon the President the immediate wnhdrIwm
Of the troops Of the United states sso IRON , sns
harbor of Charleston, upon the a1sganoh Una.
they are standing menace when reheoeIeu
negotiations impossible, and which, as they
express it, threaten speedily 70 D,ing ,an,nsr
snce and Judgment" This communication was received
y the President and the subject OF formal ana
ltR rpDlV
the Prvtdent in lis annual message in respect to the
right of State 20 withdraw from the Unon and the
fetal absence of power ON the part OF the Executive
20 recognize the validity ofaDy such attempt the Jo-
ittee cannot but regard tie mis- ion itself as well as
the 10 which has been treated by the PIsi-
dent among the most remarkable events OF the ex,
trAoIdinary times III which we 1--we. In his Annual
Message, comm uncaed 10 Congress at the beginning
of The present session, the pos ton ID most distinctly
affirmed by the President that State has the cOnsi
sutiobal right TO Withdraw from the Union, and ttat
tharo ia in fl.p
Government 10 give the slightest couptenanee or en-
poangemeIt to any such attempt. In this opinion We
fnlly concur and believing it TO be the true theory of
Che Constitution, have been unable TO perceive upon
what principle the President, representing the dgn ty
Of the Government Of the United States hss assumed
10 entertain hold any official communication Of tie
character disclosed with the representatives Of the
State of South CaIolna. For it seems 10 us obvious
enough, that upon the prnd pies enunciated In the
Annual Message, the gentlemen compofing this Com
mission acting under the sanction Of disloyal State,
could be regarded in no other light than engaged in
revolutionary effort to subyen the Government Of
the United States, and being regarded, 1t woah
appear TO have been the plain duty OF the Executive TO
enforce the laws against any individuals, however
eminent and respectable, known or suspected OF com
plcity in any movement Of treasOnnble character.
We not able 10 imagine any circumstances under
which the President If the United States would be
justified in entertaining diplomatic intercourse with
the State of South Carolina, ia her present attitude ~
the General Government, except npon the assumption
that by the action OF her auhOe les she had succeeded
IA acquiring tie position Of an independent power,
oviSg no duty whatever 10 the Government of the
United States
Az before stated it IL claimed by her, and in her be-
halt, that che occupies such position, and Ler
agents are itter upon that asgumptioD charged
with most extraordinary and insoent demands UPON
the PresdeI The reception by the PTeslJeIt Of such
n commuBi alton under such circumstances, and award
ing the dignity OF official reply, involves 10 some
extent the recognition If The assumed position OF the
rebeliOus State and implicitly adni that the ndi-
viduas engaged in tire revolutionary movements
against tie Federal Government have acquired a pc.
Eica pos ition which entities them to other
sderstiOn than is commonly due 10 those VINO in
vie collision with established authority. Ii il this
attitude OF the President that the Committee paIiicu
Ia y desire 10 expess dissent FROM and 10 af most
emphaicaly the doctrine that 20 long as tie Fedenl
G0vernloent exits it, Constitution and laws operate
with inl V9or upon the people OF every State ana that
90 action Of State authority Of les degree than
full revolution can justify any Department Of the Gov
eminent III treating any persons engaged in tie effort
10 throw off all FeGeTsl obligations utler than rebels
and trait ors and entitled 10 be dealt with as such.
Even IL from any considerations growing out of the
structure Of Government, the dangerous tend
sncy Of the Secession mQveIneh In several States Of
4he Union, the anxiety TO prevent the shedding o.
ood and Of avoiding The evil Of civil war; great for
bcarance in the actual enforcement OF the laws against
Rolitical offenders may 10 pardoDed and perhaps ust
Aed We are not prepared 10 give our assent to any
notion Of the Executive Department which, in express
ferLs, or by Necessary inIlicetion may lace
zbe responble actors and abettors OF Secession in any
histe Of the Union IN any other aspect THAI that of
tracTs % the Constitution VI tie Uuited States il il
beieved that the Insertion aud maintenance Of this
position essential TO the existence OF the Federal
tSovernDAeDt and without which 1t neither can have
cor deserSe obedience at home or respect abroad II
@n$ Perhaps toT lime be- tolerated that offenders !
nsat.at Tue LiHs may be permitted 70 60 "unwbM of
3wilce. The for,3ble seizure OF public prouery bv
ton Ia.