Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1861-01-10


lives of authority, which could any time within the
past sixty days have taken possession of the forts in
Charleston harbor but upon pledges given manner that
we doubt determined to trust your honor rather
than its power. Since arrival officer of the
but against your orders has dsmand one fort and occu
pied another thus altering to most important extent the
condition Of affairs under which we came.
Until these circumstances are explained in manner
which relieves of ali doubt to the spirit in which these
all discussion as to arrangements by which mutual
interests might be amicaby adjusted
And, in conclusion, would urge you the mmedi-
ate withdrawal of the troops from the habor of Charleston
Under present circumstances they are a standing
which renders negotiation impossible, and recent
experience shows threatens speedily to bring to bloody
issue questions which ought to be settled with temperance
We have the honor to be-
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servants
R. W. BARNWELL,)
JAMES L. ORR,
To the President of the United States
WASHINGTON CITY, Dec. 80, 1860.
Gentlemen Il have had the honor to receive your
muncaon of 28h ins together with copy Of your full
powers of the Convention of the people of South Carolina
authorizing you with the Government of the United
and also copy of the Ordinance bearing date the Goth
inst, declaring that the Union now subsstng between
South Carolina and other States under the of the
United States of America is hereby dissolved"
In this communication have to say, that my
position President of the United States, clearly
fined in the Message to Congress the Sd inst In that
stated that apart from the execution OF the laws so tar
as this may be practcabe the Executive has no authority
to decide what shall be the relations between the Federal
Government South Carolina. He has been invested
with such discretion He possesses no power to change
the relations heretofore existing between them much less
to acknowledge the independence of that State This would
be invest Executive officer with the power of
cognzing the dissolution of the COnfederacy among
the recognition of foreign de fact0 Government involving
no such responsibility Any attempt to do this would, on
his part be naked act of usurpaton. 1t is therefore,
bearings"
private gentlemen Of the highest character, and
entirely willing communicate Congress any proposition
rninh tn mai tn hOHU fha
OF this you well aware 1t was my earnest desire that
such disposition might be made of the whole subject by
Congress- who alone possess the power to prevent the
inauguration of civil between the parties in regard to
the possession of the Federal forts the harbor of Charles
tom and therefore deeply regret, that in opinion
the events OF the last tWentyiour hours render this
in conclusion you urge upon me "the immediate with
dawa of the troops from the habOr of Charleston stating
that under present circumstances they are standing
which renders negotiation impossible, and
recent experience show threatens speedily to bring to
bloody issue questions which ought be settled with
The reason this change your position that
your arrival in Washington officer of the United States
acting a (yOul assured not only without but
against your (my) orders, has dmanted fort and
the condition of affairs under which (you5 came You
also aege that you here he Representatives of
Authority which could at any time within the past sixty
days. have taken possession of the forts in Charleston har
bor but which, upon pledges given in that
(yOu doubt determined to trust to your my honor
rather than to its power"
This brings me to consideration of the of those
alleged pledges and IN what manner they nave been
observed In my Message Of the Sd of December last
South Carolina, that "has been purchased for fair
equivalent by the consent of the Legislature of the State
for the erection of forts magazines arsenas &C., and
these the authority to exercise exclusive legislation has
been expressly granted by the Constitution to Congress-
not believed that attempt will be made to expel
United States from this property by force; but if in this
should prove to be mistaken the officer in command of
the forts has received orders strictly the defensive
In such contingency the responsibility for consequences
would rightfuy rest upon the heads of the assaians.
This being the condition Of the parties, Saturday Sh
December four of the Representatives from South Carolina
called me- and requested interview. We had
of preventing collision between the pares for the
purpose of sparng the eusion of blood. suggested for
prudential reasons that 1t would be best to put in writing
what they said to me verbally. They did accordingly,
and on Monday morning the 10Th instant three of them pre-
South Carolina with single exception, of which the follow
ing is copy:
s. To HIS Ercelency James Buchanan
president United States:
In compliance with statement to you yesterday we
now express to our strong convictions that neither the
constituted authorities any body of the people of the
State of South Carolina will either attack modest the
United States forts in the harbor of Charleston previously
to the action of the Convention and hope and believe
not until offer has been made through accredited
negotiate amcable
all matters between the State and the Federal Government,
provided that no shall be sent into those
forts and their relative military status shall remain at
present. JOHN MCQUEEN,
n. L. BONHAM,
w. w. BOYCE,
Washington, 9th December, l86O.'
And here must in justice to myself remark that at the
time the paper presented to objected to the word
provided as might be construed into an agreement on
my part which never would make They said that nothing
was further from their ntentonhey did understand
it, and should consider it. 1t is evident they could
enter into reciprocal agreement with the subject
They cid profess have authority this were
acting their individual character considered it as moth
ing more in effect than the promise of highly honorable gen.
temen to exert their influence for the purpose expressed
The event has that they have faithfully kept their
promise, although have since received line from
any member of the Convention, the subject 1t is well
not to reinforce the harbor and thus produce
COLLISION until they had been actually attacked or until
mao certain evidence that they about be attacked
This paper received most cordially and considered it as
happy omen that peace might still be preserved, and that
Time might be thus given Tor reflection. This is the whole
foundation for the alleged pledge But acted in the same
manner as would have done had entered into positive
ana formal agreement with parties capable of contracting
although such an agreement would have been my part
knows that have sent any achievements to the
forts Charleston harbor and have Certainly never au
taorzed any change to be made in their relative military
STATUS Bearing upon this subject, refer you order
Dy t9e Secretary of War; the 18th nst Major
1t is as follows ~ ~ ~ W ~ --
Aea.orGnaH OF Verbal Instructions to Major Anderson
4SL ATtHeTy Conmandng Fort Mottrie South (1rOin1:
GU are aware OF h great anxiety Secretary of
state shat he avodeI snG of IGPs with the people of this
pursue with reference the milarv fnrce oS
forts in this harbor which shall guard against such %
SION He has therefore, carefully abstaned from increas
ing ne force at this point taking any which
au 10 tne present excited state of the public mind
or |mch would throw doubt the confidence feels
Aal carolina Will not attempt by violence to obtain
0A 'ne puDnc works or interfere with their
But as the counsel acts of rash and mpulsive per-
Government, he deems proper that Won sSond h. VI e
ateu Win lntrucuons to meet unhappy Contingency
ne mas therefore, directed me verbally to give you such
You are carefully to avoid every act which would need
s TEND 10 provoke aggression and that Won
are not without necessity, take up any position which
loud De construed into the assumption hostile attitude:
and are 10 hoo possession of the forts in this harbor
tremity. SN" yourself W tne last ex-
Inc smalness Of your force will not permit you per
maps 70 occupy more than one Of the three forts but an