The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-02-12

view of the circumstances which have SO Sc
yerely tried 1t, be not accepted as a satisfac-
tory pledge of the peaceful policy of this Ad-
ministration towards South Carolina, then it
may be safely affirmed that neither language
nor conduct can possibly furnish one. If,
with all the multiplied proofs which exist of
the Presidents anxiety for peace, and of the
earnestness with which he has pursued 1t, the
authorities of that State shall assault Fort
Sumter, and peril the lives of the handful of
brave and loyal men shut up within its walls,
and thus plunge our common country into the
horrors of civil war, then upon than and
those they represent must rest the responsi-
bility.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. HoLT, Secretary of War.
Hon. 1. ". Hayae, Attorney General of the
State of South Carolina.
coL. HAYNES REJoISDER.
Under date of February eth, Col. Hayne re
Joined. This document was not transmitted
10 Congress By the President, but copy has
been furnished for publication. The Colonel
is bold and defiant. He concludes as follows :
1t was no part of my mission to discuss
the political relations of the United States
Government to anything within the terrific
rial limits OF South Carolina. South Caro-
lima claims to have dissolved all political con-
nection with your Government, and to have
des troyed all political relations of your Gov
ernment with everything within her borders.
She is unques tionabiy at this moment de fucto
u separate and independent Government, eX-
ercising complete sovereignty over every foot
Of her soil except Fort Sumter. Now that
the inten ton is ayowed TO hold this place as
Il military post, with q claim Of exclusive jul
risdcton Oh the part ola Government foreign
to South Carolina, it will be for the authori-
ties to determine what is the course proper to
he pursued. 1t is then to ignore the fact tina t
South Carolina Is to yours q foreign Govern
mcnt. And how, with this patent fact before
you, you can consider the continued occupa-
ton OF the fort in her harbor a pacific measure
and a parcel of peaceful policy, passes, cer-
tainly, my comprehension.
" \ on say that the fort is garriSoned for our
protection and is held for the same purpose
for which it has been ever held since its con-
Structon. Are you not aware that to hold i'll
against her will, ayowedly for the purpose OF
protecting her citizens, is perhaps the highest
insult which one Government can Otfer to ano-
ther? But Fort Sumter was never garrison
ed at all until South Carolina had dissolved
her connection with your Government This
garrison entered i'll the night, with every cir
cumstance of secrecy, after spiking the guns
and burning the carriages, and cutting
down the flag staff of an adjacent fort, which
was then abandoned. South Carolina had not
taken Fort Sumter into her own possession
only because of her misplaced confidence in a
Government which deceived her. fortress
occupied under the circumstances above sta
ted, is considered not only as no cause of irri-
taton, but you represent ii as held for our pro
lection. Your EXcellency's Secretary has in :
dulged in irony very grave subject. As
to the responsibility for consequences, if in
cellency We are happily unconscious of the
fact.
II return to Charleston tomorrow.
with considerations of high regard, am,
very respectfully,
81. W. HAYSE, Special Envoy