The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-01-16
Correspondence Between Gov.
pickens and Mai. Anderson.


CHARLESTON, Jan. 9.
About 1 o clock this morning boat from
Fort Sumpter, bearing Lieut., Hall, with a
white flag, approached the city. Lieut.. Hall
had an interview with Gov. Pickens, and was
afterwards escorted to his boat and re.em-
barked for Fort Sumpter. The communica-
ton from Maj. Anderson is as follows:
To his Ercellency the Governor of South
Carolina !:
SIR Two of your batteries fred, this
morning, OH an unarmed vessel, bearing the
flag of my government. As have not been
notified that war had been declared by South
Carolina against the United States, / cannot
but think this hostile act, committed with
out your sanction or authority. Under that
hope I refrain from opening fire on your
batteries have the honor, therefore, re.
spectfully, to ask whether the above men,
toned act, one, which l believe without
parallel in the history of our country, eI of
any other civilized government was CON-
mitted in obedience to your instructions, and
notify you that if it is not disclaimed, that
regard it an act of war, and shall rot, after
reasonable time for the return of my mesen-
ger, permit any vessel to pass within the
range Of the guns of my fort In order to
save, as far as it is in my power, the she'd
ding of blood, beg you will take due notii-
cation of my decision, for the good ofall con-
ccrned. Hoping, however, that your answer
may Justify a further continuance of for
bearance, on my part, remain respectfully,
Signed, ROBERT ANDERSON.
Gov Pickens, after stating the position of
South Carolina to the United States, SAYS
that any attempt to send United States
troops into Charleston harbor to reinforce
the forts, would be regarded as an act of
hostility, and iE conclusion adds that any
attempt to reinforce the troops at Fort Stump
ter, or to retake and resume possession of
the Forts within the waters of South Caro-
lima, which Maj. Anderson abandoned after
spiking the cannons, or doing other damages
State, as indicative ofany, other purpose than
the coercion of the State by the armed force
of the government. Special agents, therefore,
have been off the bar to warn vessels, armed
or unarmod, having troops to reinforce Fort
Sumpter aboard, not to enter the harbor.--
Special orders have been given to comm and
ers at the forts not to fire on such vessels till
a shot across their bows should warn them
of the prohibition of the State Under these
circumstances the Star of the West this
morning attempted to enter the harbor with
troops, after being notified she could not en-
ter, and consequently she was fired into
The act is perfectly justified by me. In re-
gard to your threat about vessels in the har-
Dor, it is only necessary for me to say you
alone must judge ofyour responsibility. Your
position in the harbor has been tolerated by
the authorities Of the State, while the act of
which you complain is in perfect consistency
with the rights and duties of the State. 1t
is not perceived how far the conduct YOU
propose to adopt can find parallel in the
history of any country, or be reconciled with
any other purpose than that of our govern
ment imposing on the State the condition Of
an acquired province. a.......-.. ...
Sigred, F. W. PICKENS.