Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-04-13

NE VIRGINIA CONVENTION
had an interview with the President shortly after
the S'nr went to press yesterday wherein the state
OF the times and the object of their visit to Wash
ington formed the subject Of their consultation
The recent storm, In interrupting the communI-
cation between this city and Richmond, DELAYED
their arrival here until after the Oligarchy had
virtually defeated the object of their mission, by
assailing ADderson's command. The on dit here
Is that they are much pleased with the Presidents
reception of them though as yet it is hardly pcs.
slble that much OF definite character could have
transpired In the matter between themselves and
the Government
+ S-The Commissioners Of Virginia had
pleasant interview with the President at Q O'Clock
this morning. The result was simply statement
by the President that he will act according to the
Inaugural programme-hold the public property
and defend 1T; waging no war against the seced-
Ing States, and maintaining the defensive. The
Presidents reply was given in writing, as fol-
lows:
Hon MeSSrs. Preston, Stuart and Randolph -
oenuemen-As committee Of the Virginia Con-
Vention, now IN session, you present me a pre
amole and resolution in these words:
Nv hereas, IN the opinion ofthis Convention the
uncertainty which prevails In the public mind as
70 the policy which the Federal Executive intends
10 pursue toward the seeded states ia extremely
luxurious TO the industrial and commercial Irter-
ests OF the country, tends TO keep up an excite
men, whieh is unfavorable to The adjustment of
pending dinculties, and threatens disturbance
OF TIE public peace Therefore
he>otred, That committee Of three delegates
Ge appointed to wait on the President of the
United States, present TO him this preamble and
| resolution, and respectfully ask him TO commnnt.
cate 10 this Convention the policy which the Fed.
erhl Executive intends to pursue in regard to tic
Confederate States -
In answer have to say that having at the be-
ginning OF my official term ex pressed nv intended
policy as plainly az was able il is with deco re-
gfet and some modification now learn that there
sisdt anu injurious uncertainty In the public
Iplnd as to what that policy IT, and what course
| j Htend to pursue
Mosh having as yet seen occasion to change, II is
in III NY purpose to pursue the course marked out
.onsiueiau0h OF the whole document as the best
and t6s,sin od1 give Of my purposes. AS then
anu aT Tbet eow SAID cons 5oS repeat:
occnnv Pa connded 10 me will be used to hold
49, ~ Gnu possess the PROPERTY and places he
longing 10 the Government, ana n collect tbe d.
ues and imPosts; but beyond wba, is nsna.sa.,
ioi tnese OBJECTS there will be no iny,,ion M
where 0"s VIC people any
by the words property and places belonging
70 .ne government chiefly aliude to the milf
SION anu Piopefty which were in the posses
Dur II, as now appears to be true in pursuit of
q purpose 10 drive the United States authorize
hssn r nnese places an unProvoked assault has
W
seu al liberty to repossess, If eau like places
which had been seized before the Goverpmsnt
was devolved upon me-
ana, In any event. / shall To tho hos, y, r,,,
ability, repel force by force "a my
In case IL proves true that Fort Sumter has been
assdulseo, as Is reported, | shall perbans canse
.ne tnlted States mails to be withdrawn nom all
, ,ne Sa'eS which claim to have seeded beliey-
~, ny .na' inc commencement Of actual war against
TAG government justifes and possibly dema 6ds n
scarcely need to say that 1consider the militia
y pOs's ana property situated within the states
wnICh cIhlm TO nave seeded as vet belonainu 10
tne Government OF the United States az mncb Is
'ney alo before the supposed secession
waa'evet else may do for the purpose | shall
not alteinpt to collect the duties and imnos,s hy,
any armed invasion of any part Of the COUNTRY
nov meaning by this, however, that 1 NAV not
land force deemed necessary to relieve a fort
upon the border Of the country AVN
IT,, rom 'he fsct that have quoted part Of the
iaauguiai Address, 1t must not be inferred that |
rePadla'e any other part, the whole of which
req intm, except so far as what now say of the
mails may he regarded as a modification