Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1862-12-06
National Affairs.
Buchauan's Final Reply to Scott

To The Editors Of Utc NaitonaI LateUi-
geHcey:
With few remarks, shall close the
controversy with Gen. Scott, into which |
have been most reluctantly forced by his
voluntary and unexpected attack. This
has nevertheless, afforded me an opportu.
nifty of correcting many unfounded re-
ports which / had long borne in patience
aud 10 silence.
In my answer, have already furnished
clear and distinct responses to all the alle>
cations of 6 90. Scott and in his rcioind-
er he has not called in question any of my
statements, with a single exception
Which of US is correct in this particular
depends upon the question whether his rec
objection of an event which occurred moro
than eighteen months ago, or the state
ment of Mr. Holt, reduced to writing on
tho very day, is entitled to the greater
credit.
The General, in the introduction Of his
rejoiuder, assigns as an excuse for the crit
icism Oh my public conduct that this was
merely incidental to bis alleged official re.
port to President Lincoln on the condi.
ton of our Notifications, and was not pri.
marily intended for myself, From this
statement one would conclude that he had
made such report. But whore is this to
be found For it he refers to the Intel.
| ligoncor of the 2lst of Octobor but there
! discover nothing but his letter Of four
points to Mr.. Seward, dated on the Sd
March, 1861 advising the incoming Pres.
ident how to guide his administration in
face Of the threatening dangers of the
country. In the single Introductory sem
tence to this letter he barely refers to his
printed views dated in October, 1860
which had been long before the public {;
but it contains nothing like an official re-
port on the condition of the Notifications.
Whether the introduction of this letter
to the public without the consent Of Presi-
dent Lincoln, by one of the Generals
friends, in political speech during a highly
excited gubcrnatorial canvass, had inhu-
enccd HIM to prepare his criticism on my
conduct, it is not for me to determine.
At what period did General Scott oh.
tain the six hundred recruits to which he
refers in his reiondor? This was certainly
after the date Of his views, on the 3Uth
October, 1860; because in these he states
emphaticolly that the forces then at his
command were Sin all five companies only
within reach to garrison or reinforce the
(nne) forts mentioned in the views
Did he obtain these recruits in Novcm.
| her If so, had he visited Washington
or written and explained to me in what
manner this military operation could be
accomplished by TIN four hundred 'aen in
the five companies, and the six hundred
recruits, | should have given his represen.
tations all the confederation eminOntly due
to his high military reputation.
! But he informs us he did not arrive in
Washington until the 18th Of December
His second recon mcndation to garrison
these forts must consequently have been
made according to his cwn statement, on
the 18th, 10Th, 2sth, or seth Of Docenl'
Der, or on more than one OF these days
At this period the aspect Of public affairs
had greatly changed from what it was IN
October, Congress was now in session,
and our relations with the Seeding Cot
ton States had been placed before them by
the Presidents message.
Proceedings had been instituted by that
body with view TO the compromise of
the dangerous questions between the
North and the South; and the highest
hopes and warmest aspirations were then
entertained for their success, Under these
circumstances it was the Presidents duty
to take broad view of the condition Of