Daily national Democrat., 1861-08-21
Card From Minister Harvey.


The Philadelphia North American pub
fishes card from Mr.. James G. Harvey
dated Lisbon, July I, 1861. 1t will be re-
collected that Dir. Harvey is charged with
having telegraphed to Judge McGrath that
the Government proposed to send PROVISIONS
to Fort Sumter Those who have urged TINS
most warmly probably forget that the Gov
ernment notified the Governor of South Car
olina to the same effect Mr.. Harvey weak
ems his case by talking great deal about his
humble and upright" course. He IS a wen
known lobbyist, and docs not do well to pre-
tend to an excess Ct virtue. We quote the
material passages from his card;
When the seizure of the kilograms IN The
large cities was ordered, a public purpose
was contemplated, which every good citizen
could appreciate. The Government was
properly entitled TO all such information.
board of commissioners WAS appointed to
guarantee the sanctiry of trust involving
many Of the most delicate private interests
and relations and the country was thus salts
fed that while the original design would be
served, the most scrupulous protection would
| be extended to everything else. The hrst
use made of the privilege is an attempt to
strike down and blast the reputation OF an
absent citizen.
have taken the necessary steps to seek
the most searching investigation at Washing
| ton. Besides, do not choose to utter a
word at this time which would in any manner
| impair the action of the government, or sub
ect others to harsh and unjust comment,
| when | know that their motives, like my
own, were the purest and best. 1t is pr per,
however, for me to state right here that the
pretended discovery of any information en-
barrassing to me is deliberate decept on
contIived to give force to the slanders, Ihe
| fact is, the Government was in possession oil
every title of the evidence which had accr-
mulated in Washington long before the pub
| lie seizure was ordered several weeks before
| left there, and before had received or ac~
cepted my commission. If there was any
| thing to know it was known fully and en-
tirely, as will be shown whenever necessary.
| assert the fact distinctly, without condition
or reserve.
1t is perfectly true, as was well understood
by my friends, that la ored zealously, con-
stantly, and honestly, down to the last hour,
to avert the collision at Fort Sumter. had
good reason to Hope that it might be pre-
vented, and adopted the best means to at
tain the end
All the intelligence at the time took tlis
part threatened a daily attack by the St
called Confederate army, the sacrifice of An
derson and his gallant garrison, and the in
auguration of that civil war which the reci-
less conspirators at Montgomery afterwards
precipitated on the country. and for which
tehy and they only are responsible before
God and man.
The state of facts existing tuen at Wash
ington justified my efforts, such as they
were, and which were not only known to
those high in authority. but were commen-
ded as useful and worthy. | submitted 10
their inspection every line received by tele-
graph, and never held any other eorrespon-
dence but that, direct or indirect. My whole
action was voluntary, and, if | know myself,
was inspired by the highest impulses of pat
riotism.
can appeal to Cod truly and fearlessy,
for the rectitude Of my intentions, and for
their purity and Observation-Disclosures And when
we all meet before the bar of eternal justice,
and our hearts are exposed | have an nbd
will plead most successfully for mercy, and
for the forgiveness of many errors and in
firmities, will he that which has so uniustly
provoked this cruel calumny.
STATE PRISONERS SrAMPEDE.-Five truE-
ties from the State Prison, employed as hands
on one Of the brick boats, made their escape
from the vessel at Rncon Point Saturday
morning and although hotly pursued, man
aged to elude capture. They were mostly