Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-02-09
From WashinGtOn-The Correspondence
Between MIR. buchanan and Colonel

spoke against compromise. Adjourned.
From Washington-The Correspondence
Between MIR. buchanan and Colonel
HayBe.
WASHINGTON, February 8.-The President,
in a message transmitted to both Houses
to day, gives the correspondence between
himself and Col. Hayne. Much of it has
already been published. The following is
the substance Of the concluding part:
Col. Haynes letter of January 81, after
stating the refusal to surrender Fort Sumter
to be the occasion for war, and stating the
question to be one of mere property, says
if the evils of war are to be encountered,
especially calamitous civil war, elevated
craftsmanship would seem to require it
should be accepted as the unavoidable alter
nation of something still more disastrous
such as national dishonor, or measures ma
terially affecting the safety or permanent
interests of the epeople-should be deliberately
made and entered upon, and of set purpose,
but that war should be the incident or acci-
dent attendant on policy professedly peace
full and not required to effect the object which
is avowed as the only end intended, can
only be excused when no warning has been
given as to the consequence. South Caro-
lima by her silence appears to acquiesce in
the imputation that she is guilty of an act of
dHRIGeoluu III Oh IuO DtuT
of the Wesf though an unarmed vessel, she
was filled with armed men, entering her ter
ritories against her.
Governor Pickens's instructions to him
accompany Col. Haynes letter.
Secretary Holt replied on the 9th ac-
knowledging the Presidents receipt of Col.
Haynes letter. He first gives summary of
Colonel Haynes instructions, which are to
this effect: II do not come as military
mar, TO demand the surrender ofa fortress,
but as q legal officer of the State-its Attor.
ney. General-to claim for the State the ex.
eIcise Of its undoubted right of eminent do.
main, and to pledge the State to make good
all injury to the rights of property which
arise from the exercise of the claim"
The proposition, therefore, is to buy Fort
Sumter, sustained by the declaration, to the
effect that if South Carolina is not permitted
to make the purchase, she will seize the fort
by force of arms. AS an invitation for ne
gOtiation to transfer property between
friendly Governments, this proposal i'm
presses the President as having assumed a
most unusual form.
He has, however, investigated the claim,
on which it processes to be based, apart from
the declaration that accompanies it; the title
of the United States to the fort is complete
and incontestible. Were its interest in the
ordinary acceptation of the term it might
probably be subjected to the exercise of the
act of eminent domain, but it has political
relations to it of a much higher and more
imposing character than those of mere pro-
prietorship. 1t has absolute jurisdiction
over the fort and the soil on which it stands,
which is clearly incompatible with the claims
of eminent domain. This authority is de-
rived from the peaceful cession of South
Carolina herself under the provisions of the
Constitution Of the United States. South
Carolina can no more assert the right of en-
inent domain over Fort Sumter than Mary
land can over the District of Columbia.
The President, however, is relieved of
the further necessity of this inquiry by the
fact that he has not the constitutional power
to cede or surrender it; "The question of re
enforcing Fort Sumter, so fully disposed o.
ator Slidell a copy of which accompanies
this that its discussion need not be renewed
/ then said, AT the present moment it i!
not necessary to re-enforce Major Anderson
because he makes no such request should
| his safety, however, require re endorsements
every effort will be made to supply then.
/ can add nothing to the explicitness of thi:
language, which still applies to the existing
| status.
to yourself they say 1T is especially du,
|
nothing of other slaveholding States, tina
she should, as far as consistent with he
honor, avoid initiating hostilities between
her and the United States, or any othe
power, and you now give the President tn
| gratifying assurance that South Carolini
has every disposition to preserve the publi
| peace, and since he is sincerely animated b,
the same desire, it would seem this commoI
and patriotic object must be of certain at
| -, T. I,vr 20
Gle this with the declaration, on your part
that South Carolina's own dignity, as
sovereignty, and the safety of her people
prompts the demand that this propert,
should not longer be used as a military pos
by the Government she no longer &C
knowledges."
After stating that in case an attempt wa
made by foreign power TO capture Charles
ton, the batteries of Fort Sumter would b
exerted for her protection, he says: "HoV
the presence of a small garrison, actuated b.
such a spirit, can compromise the dignity O
honor of South Carolina, the President is q
loss to understand. This attitude, tn
Government has SO often declared, is neithe
menacing, defiant or unfriendly. If the az
nouncement SO repeatedly made by th
Presidents paiifc purposes in continuin
the occupation of Fort Sumter until th
question is settled by competent authorit
has failed to impress the Government {
South Carolina with the forbearing conduC
of his Administration for the last thre
months, it should be'receiVed asa conclusiV
evidence of his sincerity, and if this fol
bearance be not accepted, then neither Lar
gusge nor conduct can possibly furnish sue
! pledge.
"If with all the multiplied proofs of Ii
. Presidents anxiety for peace, the author
, ties of South Carolina shall assault Fo
, Sumter, and peril the lives Of handful
brave and loval men and thus Dlua0e on