The Burlington weekly hawk-eye., 1862-11-15

Scoss's Letter on Duehanan.
WASHINGTON, Nov. l9.-General Scott pub
fishes rejoinder to Ex.President Buchanan
He (Scott,) is sorry to perceive that the publi-
cation Of bis official report to President Lincoln
has given offense, that result was purely Incl
dental and did not enter bis (Scotts) purpose in
drawing up the paper; but on reflection, ne sup
poses that under the circumstances the ohense
was unavoidable, Let it be remembered he
says, that the new president had right to de-
mand of me the immediate command of the
army, had it have happened that the incip-
lent rebels had been allowed to coerce several
of these forts, and, from the bad condition OF
others were likely to gain possession OF them
Also that principally the blame rested exclusive
ly on me, here to vindicate my sworn allegiance
to the Union and my professional conduct was
this report submitted to the President at an
early day in his administration, recently to the
world.
First, to account for not having garrisoned
sufficiently the Southern forts named against
anticipated treason and rebellion according to
my recommendations, beginning October 29th
1850, reported the next day, and again earnest
" December 18TH, 18TH, 2Sth and SOth.
The ex President says there were no available
troops within reach. He (Scotp then proceeds
to show that small garrisons would have sutficed
for the twin forts Jackson and st. Philip; also
that SCOTS object was to leave to the Union, by
any means Al hand, all those works until Con-
rress could have time to authorize q call for vol
unteers, q call which the President for such
purposes might no doubt have made without any
special legislation, with the full appreciation Of
every loyal man in the Union.
On the second point Scott says that the Ex-
President almost loses his amiability in having
bic neglect of the forts attributed as be says with
out the least cause to Gen. Floyd, and he adds ::
Gan my Cabinet must bear me witness that
was, the President, myself responsible for all
the acts of the Administration" Now notwith
standing the broad assumption of responsibility
he (Scott) would be sorry to believe that the
Ex-President especially consented to the reno
val by Secretary Floyd Of $4,000 extra mus
kets and rifles with all their implements and
ammunition from northern repositories to South
ern arseuals, go that on the breaking out of the
maturing rebellion, they might be found without
cost except to the o. s., in the most convenient
position for distribution to it among the insur-
gents; so also Of the l20 or 130 pieces of artl-
Jerry which the same Secretary ordered from
Pittsburg to Ship Island in Lake Borgne and
Galveston, Texas, for forts not yet erected.
Accidentally learning early in March that un-
these guns had commenced, communicated the
fact to Secretary Holt, acting for Cameron, just
in time to defeat the robbery. But on this
point we may hear Secretary Floyd himself. At
Richmond he expressly claimed the honor of de-
feating all my plans and solicitations respecting
the forts and received his reward-it being there
universally admitted that but for that victory
over me there would have been no rebellion.
Mr.. Buchanan complains that he published
without permission, Jan. 18th, 1861, my views
addressed to him and the late Secretary of War
Oct 29th, and S0th, 1850, but that act was caus
ed, as explained to him at the time, by the
representation of my views in one of the earlier
speeches of the same Elk Secretary after his re-
turn to Virginia.
4th. One of my statements complaining of the
joint countermands sent through the Secretaries
Of War and Navy to prevent the landing at
Fort Pickens of Captain vodger's company un
less that Fort should be attacked. An attack
cited by the Ex-Presdent to prove singular
want of memory on my Report and note from
Ex-Secretary Holt is adduced to show that
had entirely approved of joint couDtermand
the day that it was repaired.
Few persons are as little liable to make mis-
statement about my account as Mr.. Holt, and no
one is incapable of making one by design. Yet
have not the slightest recollection of our inter.
view with him on this subject. do remember:
however, that Mr.. Holt approached my bedside
on some matter of business About that time,
when l was suffering from an excess of pain,
Mr.. Buchanan, Mr.. Holt and myself were ali
landsmen and could know but little of the DOS
sibity of landing troops in an open sea beach
and surf.
Mr. Toucey, Secretary of the Navy, with Of
hcers OF intelligence and nautical experience,
ought to have said promptly that if Vodges had
not orders to land except in case of an attack
on Fort Pickens, be might as well have remain
ed at Fortress Monroe, as the prohibition placed
the fort, so far as he was concerned, at the mer.
cy, or as the event showed, the want of enter
prise on the part Of the rebel commander at
Pensacola There are other parts of the reply
which is sufficient. The reader may think re-.
quires comment, and indeed there is another
marked by my kind visitor.
oth The ex-President has brought together q
laoarynth OF dates respecting the arrival and
departure OF the rebel commissioners, armisti.
ces, &C., with which had no official connec.
ton. may have made an umimportant mis-
take or two, but as have not by me the means
OF recovering the clue to those writings, shall
not attempt 70 follow WINFIELD WIN 5S'ss;a sGc&2.
NOV. ., 1907. 9th Avenue Hotel.
Dispatches Captured.
BALTIMORE. Nov. l2-The o. 8. euuboat
Hercules, Capt. DUNCAN, arrived here this NOR
ming from the cruise along the border of Vir-
ginia.
On morning Of the Sd inst, just before day
light, Lieut.. Baker, with an armed boats crew.
discovered party on shore signalling to some
rebel soldiers stationed up a small inlet. Find
ing they vas discovered, they took to their boats
and tried to escape. After halt an hours chase
a h0at Haa cantured Hhich Vas found "a eo.x.:..