The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-04-14
IMPORTANT SPEECH OF THE PRESIDENT TO
TIE VIRGINIA COMMISSIONERS.

WASHINGTON, April 10, 1861.
The reception Of the Virginia Commissioners esterday
was only informal To-day thoy formally received
They presented the resolutions under which they were
appointed.
The following s the reply Of Mr.. Lincoln the Com
miesioners from the Virginia State Convention -
To Hen. Messrs PREsroS, STUART and RsspoIPH
GyrT1nKss-As a committee NJ tho Virginia Oosveu-
ton, now In session. you present preamble and re-
solution in these words -
whereas In tho opinion Of this Convention The unoer-
tainty which prevails In The public mnd psicy
which the ederal Executive INTENDS 70 pursue 70 zards
the seceoed States s extremely ibaroos 70 the iodus
trial and commercial ihtere "a Of toe countsy tends
keep up excitement which unfavorabie 70 the ID
jusmen Of the pending difficulties and threatens dis
tuIbapce OF the pubi, peace; therefore,
Resolved, That committee OF three delegates be ap-
pointed The Of the Uniteo States pre-
sent TO him this preamble respectfully AK him to
commuucate tb,s Convention ths polcJ
dera Executive intends 20 pursue IN regard 70 the Comic
federhte states.
In answer have TO say tina. having, at the beginning
OF my official term expressed my intended policy -
plainly able, II Ia with deep regret ami mortiscs
tion learn there is grea. and injurious uncertain
ty In tho public mind as 10 what that policy s.
and that intend pursue. Not having = ret
occa ion 70 change, IL Is purpose psrsoe
the course MAJ ID out the inaugural address. oom
mend careful consideration OF tho whole document
the best expression give 70 my purposes. them
III
me bc used to hold occ,py and POSSESS property aad
places beotr rng IN the government and collect ,no
duties and IMPORTS but beyond what 10 necsssuy fo-
these objects there win DO invasion, using force
against or among the people anywhere" BY The words
"propcrty and places belonging TO the governmsnsp
chiefly aude 70 tho military posts ami property which
were In possession Of the government whom n
came into my hands. But II, a. now Appears
TO be true, In pursuit Of q purpose 70 drive the
United states authority from these places an unp ovoksd
assault has been msde upon Fort sumter, shah h,d
myself at liberty 70 repoesess u, f can, like places
which had been seized before tho government vas de-
volved upon me- and In any event shall 70 the best
my ability repcl force by force 10 case pvoves true
that Fort Sumter has been assaulted, IS reported
sha perhaps cause the United states mails TO be ~ith-
drawn from all the states which claim TO have scoeded
beevpa that the commencement OF actual war against
the government iustdcs and possibly demands ~
scsYcev need 10 say that consider the military posts
d nrcpcrty situated within the States which claim 70
secede yet belonging 70 the Of tho
rncd states much they did before the supposed
.ecesson. Whatever else may do for the purp,se
.n. not attempt TO collect the duties and nposts by
any armed invasion of any part of the oounsry not
meaning by this, however, that may not land force
deemed necessary relieve fort upon tho border sf ts
country From the fact that have quoted part Of tho
inaugural address, must not be inferred that repu
d,ae any other part, the whole Of which realrm,
CONTINUED ON EIGHTH PAGEl