The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-02-07

lances which Major Anderson left Fort Moutrie
and entered Fort SUMTER with the forces under
mand, it not taken and is held any h stile
unfriendly purpose towards your State merely as
property of the United States which the President deems
it his duty to protect and preserve you correctly
stated what the President deems his duty His sole
object is and has been, tricy on the def.r-
sive and tc authorize no movement against the people
South Carolina, unless clearly justified by hostile move
ment on their part lie could have given a better
proof Of his desire to prevent the euson of blood than
by forbearng to resort to the force under the
strong provoc tion of attack thappy without fatal
RESULT unarmed vessel bearing the flag of the Uni
ted States
am happy to observe that In your letter to Colonel
Hayne you express the opinion that it is especially due
from South Carolina our States TO saw notin cf or
slaveholdng States that she should as far as She
consistently with her honor, avoid initiating hosttes
between her and the United States any other power
10 initiate such hostiliteS against Fort Sumter would
beyond question, be an act Of against the United
States
In regard to the proposition of Col Hayne that no re
Inducements will be sent to Fort Sumter in the interval
and that the public peace will be disturbed by any
act OF hostility towards South Carolina, it is impossible
for me to give You any such The President
has no authority to enter into such agreement or
derstanding As executive officer, he is simply bound
to protect the public property far this may prac
tcable and it would be manifest violation of his duty
to place himself under engagements that he would not
perform this duty either for an indefinite limited
period At the present moment it is not deemed
ry to reinforce Major Anderson, because he
sqch request and feels quite secure in his position
effort will be made to supply them.
In regard to an assurance from the President hat the
public peace will not be disturbed by act of hostility
towards South Carolina the answer will readily occur
to yourselves. To Congress, and to Congress alone,
belongs the power to make war; and it would be
ofusupalion for the Executive to give any assurances
that Congress would not exercise this power however
strongly he may be convinced that such intention
exists
glad to be assured from the letter of Col Hayne
that Major Anderson and his command do obtain all
necessary supplies, including fresh meat and vegetables
and believe fuel and water from the city of Charleston
and do noW enjoy communication by post and special
messenger, with the esdent AMI will continue to do
10. q
closed" trust that these facilities may still be afforded
to Major Anderson This is it should be. Major An
derson is not menacing Charleston; and am convinced
that the happies result which be attained is, that
both he and the authorities of South Carolina shall
main their present amicabe footing, neither party be
ing bound by any obligations whatever except the high
Christian and moral duty to keep the peace and to avoid
all causes of mutual irritation.
Very respectfully your obedient servant,
j HOLT.