Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1861-04-19

Eces10eAt LtucOkn'S Reply TO the
Virginia EGza IL listeners.
The Commissioners Of Virginia had an
interview with the President, at nine o'clock
On Saturday morning. The result was sim
ply statement by the President that he
will act according TO the inaugural pro-
gramme- hold tho public property and de-
fend it; wnging no war against the seced-
ing States, and maintaining the defensive
The Presidents reply was given in writing,
as follows:
Hon. Aessrs. Preston Stuart and Rasdolph:
Gentlemcn As u committee OF the sir-
ginia Convention, now III session, you pre-
sent NE preamble aud resolution i'll these
morCs:
Whereas, in the opiuion ofthis Conven-
ton, he uncertainty which prevails IN the
pab'ie ..ind az to the policy which the Fed
the seeded States is extremely Injurious to
the Industrial aud commercial interests Of
she country tends to keep up an excitement
which is unfavorable to the adjustment OF
pending difficulties, and threatens disturb
ance Of the public peace: Therefore
Resolved. That committee OF three
delee ates be appointed to wait on the Pres
ident Of The Uuited States, present to him
This preamble aud resolution, and respect
fully ask him to eohimhnlcate to this Cor
vention the policy which the Federal Exec
utiye INTENDS 10 pursue III regard to the
Confederate States
Ii answer have TO say that having at
the begiuujae.ss. ny official term expressed
my Intended psjlicy as plainly as | was able,
it is With deep regret and some nort'fication
I how learn that there sgreat aud injurious
uncertainty III The Pablo mind as 10 what
rhat policy is, aud what course / intend to
pursue.
Not having as yetseeli occasion to change,
It ls now my purpose to pursue the course
marked out in the Inaugural Address. l
commend q car ctul consideration of the whole
document. as the best expression that can
give OF nv purposes. AS | then and there
Al SAID, now repeat:
the pv.s er c5nfded to me will be used
TO hold, occupy aud possess the property
and places belonging to the Government,
ANA to collect the duties and imposts; Dat
beyoid what is necessary for these objects
shele viii he no invasion, no using of force
sI&inst OF among the people anywhere. I"
Is the words property and places be
jogging te The Government | chiefly ai.ude
70 th5 military posts and property which
Eare III lie POSSESSION OF the Government
wben It cane 10 my hands.
Blu; If. rs low appears to be true, IN pEr-
sui. Of purpose TO ,dlite the United States
authority s:om these places, an unprovoket
assault, has been made upon Fort Sumter,
shal hold myself at liberty to repossess, if
eau, like places which had been seized be
fore the uoverutuent was devol yed upon
mo.
And, in any event, shall 70 the best Q
MY ability. repel force by force.
In case It proges tree that Fort Sumte
has been assaulted, as is reported. shall
perhaps, cause the United States mails t.
be withdrawn troha ELL the gSssses claiming 4
have eecedsd. believing that the commence
iuent of actual war against the Govvrumen
.justiies and possibly demands it.
! scarcely need TO say that | consider tn
military posts and prnperty situated within
the S4~+~a ,.ioh claim to have seeded. a.
vet belonging to the Government of the U
nited States, as much as they did before
the supposed secession.
Naltve;"gTse may a. for tie purpose
I shall not attempt 10 collect she dates ard
inposts By any armed invasion Of any part
Of tho coustry-not meaning ly this, how
ever, that nay not Land a force deemed
necessary &c relieve a fort upon the border
OF tie country.
FROM the fact MAT hafe quoted part
Of tie Inaugural Address, il must DOT be
Inferred that repiidiate any other part the
Whole Of hich re asfitni except so far as
: has now say CT the mails may BE regar.
dad 50 a uiodifcatiu:l.