Litchfield enquirer., 1861-04-18

IMPORTANT SPEECH OF THE PRESIDENT TO THE VIRGINIA CoMMIssrosEns.-The following is the reply of Mir. Lincoln to the Commissioners from the Virginia State Convention:
 Hon. Messrs. Preston, Stuart and Randolph | I-Geatiemea-As Q committee of the Virginia Convention, now in session, you present me a preamble and resolution in these words :- | Whereas, in the opinion of this Convention, the uncertainty which prevails i'll the public | mind as to the policy which the federal Execu- ye intends to pursue towards the seeded States, il extremely in urious to the industrial and com mercial interests of the country, tends to keep up an excitement which is unfavorable to the liustment of the pending difficulties and threat ems a disturbance of the public mind therefore, | Rssolred, That a committee of three delegates | be appointed to wait on the President of the United States, present to him this preamble, and respectfully ask him to communicate to this Convention the policy which the federal Execu- tive intends to pursue in regard to the Cenfede- rate States.
 In answer I have to say that having, at the beginning of my official term, expressed my in tended policy as plainly as was able, it is with deep regret and modification now learn there is great and injurious uncertainty in the public mind to what that policy is, and what course intend to pursue. Not having as yet seen oc- casion to change, it is now my purpose to pur- |
 dress. commend a careful consideration of the whole document as the best expression l can give to my purposes. As l then and therein
 said, now repeat, ''The power confded in me
 will be used to hold, occupy and possess proper
 ty and places belonging to the government,
 and to collect the duties and imports but be- yond what is necessary for those objects there
 will be no invasion no using of force against or
 among the people anywhere" By the words
 property and places belonging to the govern
 ment.' chiefly allude to the military posts and
 property which were in possession of the govern
 ment when it came into my hands. But if, as now appears to be true, in pursuit of purpose to drive tue United States authority from these places, an unprovoked assault has been made upon Fort Sumter, I shall hold myself at liberty
 to repossess it, if can, like places which had been seized before the government was deyolved upon me; and in any event l shall. to the best of my ability, repel force by force. In il proves true that Fort Sumter has been assault ed, as is reported, l shall, perhaps, cause the
 United States mails to be withdrawn from all the
 States which claim to have seeded, believing
 that the commencement of actual war against the government justifes, and possibly demands it. scarcely need to say that consider the military posts and property situated within the States which claim to have seeded, as yet be-
 longing to the government of the United States
 as much as they did before the supposed seces sion. Whatever else 1 may do for the purpose shall not attempt to collect the duties and i'm
 ports by any armed invasion of any part of the country not meaning by this, however, that
 may not land force deemed necessary to relieve a fort upon the border of the country. From
 the fact that have quoted part of the inau- gural address, it must not be inferred that ] repudiate any other part, the
 whole part of which l affirm, except 50 far as
 what I now say of the mails may be regarded as : a modification.
 Col. Ripley of Springfield, Mass, who had .
 long leave of absence from Secretary Floyd, re-
 turned from his travels in the steamer Persia or Tuesday. He was known to be true man, and
 being second in command in the ordnance de
 pertinent, we presume that the Washington trai
 tors were very glad to get him out Of the way
 Hearing of the troubles in the country, he has returned and is ready for duty. Col Ripley was in command at Charleston, in the times of the
 Jackson secession, and owes treason no gooo will. There is no truer and no braver ofhcer IT the service than he. and he is "welcome home
 again.