Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-02-26

that some changes are going on in mounting
the runs ut Fortress Monroe on that account.
know that for years there has been large
establishment there in which munitions have
bpcn preparcd, AMI in which carriages
have beer manufactured know that twas.
fnr long time, in charge Of distinguished
citizen Of South Carolina, Colonel Huger, and
afterwards under charge Of II citizen Of Firgi-
mia Cautain Lee, now Colonel Lee under
stand il ~ now under charge of an old class
u,atc and friend Of mine, Captain Dyer Of the
Ordinance Dcpartlurnt. understand there are
not more ,lIau one hundred and seventy
five puns mounted at that the Fortress en-
IarJeIte. One hundred and twenty-five of
these bear upon the water. One hull OF that
Fort ir not muIe, faces inland. There have
been frequent occasions, during the last eight
or len wears, When we had reason to apprehend
a foreign war, and if we waited unit! the war
begun il would br too late TO arm the forts; and
those forts were intended 10 be fully armed
and equipped They ought TO have been armed
long aro So far, Mr.. President, from there
being any increase Of troops, | understand, ac-
tually, that there has been diminution.
Now, sir, if my friends committee is TO 20
10 Fort Monroe; If he desires il to 30 there; if
he will so amend his resolution as to direct il
to 90 there: # be is not yet satisfied; If he
thinks i, NECESSARY 20 satisfy himself and his
pror,e b; occulur demonstration that this
Fort is not mounted on wheels. | am willing
that he shall 70 there. But sir, must confess
do no, see the proprIety Of this lnvcs,Iga-
ton.
Mr.. President tie indulgence Of the
Conven;on wkilc am up, | will take this &C
casirn, pei haps the most appropriate that
can find, to do Justice 20 an old courade-l
mean Major Eub, Anderson, who now has COM
,uaad OF Fort Sumter first met wth him
in The capacity o! an instructor, and after.
wards met with him in the swamps Of Florida.
For months we walcd together through them
We cncamped within ten feet of each other,
and we messed together. There were three OF
irs-Iiaior Anderson, who now conluansS Fort
Sumter, Captain Dyer, who now has charge
Of the mounting of the guns Mt Fort Monroe,
and myself. The first time ever met with that
stern und gallant soldier. General Taylor, WIS
| when he came to our carnp upon the invitation
of Major Anderson. The Major having former
~ served under him, lac came out OF colnpli-
ncnt to HIM and dincd with Us. We had II
table constructed Oh barrel slaves that were
President, enc has been President Of the Uni
ted States, another is in command OF Fort
Sumter, whose name now is as familiar TO
the cars Of the people OF this country rs any
! ether narnc i'll il; another now has charge Vi
Fort Monroe, whose guns, it is said, are direct.
ed at tire bosom vi Virginia, his native State.
and stand mere as The hulnblest Of the four
to defend those two soldiers against having my
| unlawful or improper designs against their
country.
know Major Anderson, sir, well. In his
veins runs true Yirg inia blood. On his mater.
nal side runs the true blood Of the Marshals.
and on his paternal side
The PKEslDEST-Thc Chair feels bound TO
call the gentleman to order, and 10 remind him
that he is wandering altogether from the sub.
iect under consideration. | would state that
his reiuaikS have no 6curirg whatever upon
the question, whether or not the resolution
shall be adopted or rejected.
Mr.. EARLY-W'c have had grca, deal said
about this question Of ncrcasin. the armament
in The forts Of Virginia, much Of which |
think was as Irrelevant 20 the matter under
consideration rs the remarks which | have
submitted But. sir, aS it is no, the pleasure
Of the Chair that shall continue these re.
! marks will conclude.
The PgEsIDgSr-The Chair feels bound 10
interrupt the gentleman and 10 remind him
that he was no. in order. The Chair will be
happy to allow the gentleman to proceed, il
such should be tho pleasure Of the Conren.
ton.
Mr.. MoS7AorE Il mose that the gentleman
have lra"e 10 proceed.
Tnr motion was agreed To-
Mr. EAKLY-l was proceeding 10 say, that on
the patcrnal side there runs the same blood
that runs in the veins Of Inv friend from the
county Of Prince Edward, Mr.. THoRNroS)
We heard tirat for days the guns Of Fort
Sumter have been pointed 1t the bUsoms Of
the wouun and children OF Charleston. Let
inc tell this Convention that if the women and
children Of SGutl: Carolina have TO other dan
gers 10 arprchcud than those that result from
the guns pointed ut them by Major Anderson,
they are lar beyond tho reach oil harm. IL 1t
shall he his unpleasant duty at any time, to
direct gun against the h,snIa Of any coun-
tryman, however misguided, every Siiot will
wiring his own heart But he will do his duty
he will n.aintan his sudierly faith and honor
to The Inst.
Mr.. JAMES BAREoum-I shall in very few
words, make q statement on subject Involving
VERY great delicacy. But ~ matter Of Justice
10 the Superintendent at llnrper'S Ferry. since
this matter is going ct 10 The public, feel Ii
30 he nv duty TO make 3 statement oil TACT.
happened 20 DC in the city Of Washington
a, the i.nc TINT the superintendent made tho
communication 10 the Executive. which re.
suited in this movement. 1t was 4adc, sir, upon
information communicated 10 me, with desire to
\ irTlt IA i'm a
Virginia member Of Congress, a personal friend
Of mine, and as warm and hitter seceSSioniSt
rs is to ha found within the limits Of the Com.
mcaweaIth. Alter getting posSeSSien OF this
information, | cnnsu!tci SON" gentlemen Of
clear heads and sound hearts, ard told the SUI
r,orintcndcut there tina, as TirSnian, in view
Of the facts that communicated to HIN upon
the high authority upon which did commu-
nicatc them, that it was his business TO c0mmu
nica,e lhcm to the Executive, ard 10 demand
aid which he did, and told him if censure
came upon hl,n that would bear part of it,
say that the Steps which he touli were the
steps which ever Vlrginan, knowing the facts
that he knew, would have taken.
Mr.. TKEDwAY-1n Altering this resolution.
sir, will state that had entirely forgotten
at the time that the gentleman from Jefferson
a. VI. BAREouR) was at all connected with the
arsenal at uarper's Ferry. It was certainly
not dictated by any want Of confidence in his
fidelity to tho State Of Virginia, although he oc-
cupcd the position Of an officer connected with
tha, arsenal. ! ain satisfied, sir, that The effect
Of this resolution will be Ia place HIM where
never doubted he would be placed, in the po-
siton Of true, loyal Virginan.
shall moi detain the Convention with any
remarks in reply to my friend from franklin,
(Mr EAmr) further than 10 say, THAT il this
resolution shall not be adopted, It has had the
effect, ut any rate of cicling some informa-
lion through that gentleman, which is coni-
fartinc to me. and will doubtless be so to the
people Of Virginia It is source of consola'
ton to me. as it must be TO all who love the
South, that, as The gentleman has assured us,
the Fort at Old Point as we'll rs that at Charles
ton, arc under the command OF gentlemen who
haro in their veins Virginia blood nnd from
whose character We have right to infer that
nothing will De done which is not true and