Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-11-20

truce during IFS existence? IF be did, am not now
and never was, aware of the fact Indeed, think be
would have been one of the last men IN the world TO
propose such measure.
ColonCl Hayne did rot deliver the letter which he
bore from Governor Pickles. demanding the surrender
of the fort to the President until the 3lst OF january
The document containing the for this worrying
delay, were communicated to Congress in special mes
sage of the 9Th OF February TO which refer the reader
Ga the 9Th OF February. the Secretary of War; under
the instructions of the President gave peremtory re-
fusal this demand able and comprehensive let
ter reviewing the whole subject explaining and justify
ing the conduct of The President threaghont Its con-
Guiding sentenced both the eloquent and emphatic.
"I1slys Mr.. Holly with all the multiplied proofs
which exist of the Presidents anxiety for peace and of
the earuestness with which he has pursued it, the au
thorities of that State shall assault Fort Sumter and
mper the lives of the handful of brave and loyal men
shut up within its walls and thus plunge country
into the horrors of civil war, then upon them, and
those they represent must rest the responsibility.
The truce was then ended. and General Scott Is ln-
correct in stating that it lasted to the end of that ad
mnisration."
An expedition was quietly fitted out at New York,
under the supervision OF General Scott to be ready for
any contingency. He arranged its deais and regard
ed the reinforcemens thus provided for sufficient
This was ready TO sail for Fort Sumter on five houls
notice. # is of this expedition that General Scott thus
speaks:
a At that time, when this 1.-THE truce) had passed
the navy, aud myself, with the knowledge OF the Iresi
dent, settled upon the employment, under the Captain.
OF three four steamers belonging to the Coast Sur
veg, but be was kept back by the truce"
7. A strange inconsistency. The trace had expired
with Mr.. Hollis letter to Col. Hayne On the 5th OF
February and General Scott in his statement says -:
1t would have been easy to reinforce this fort down
to about the l2Ch of February" Why, then, did not
the reinforcemeuts proceed? This was simply be-
cause of communications from Major Anderson, 1t
was most fortunate that they did not proceed because
the three or four small steamers which were to bear
them would have rescued the fort al 10 the at
tempt must have been captured destroyed The vast
uade qaacy OF the force provided to accomplish the OBJ
ject demonstrated by Information received from
Major Anderson at tie War Department on the last
day OF the aduuistratOn.
purpo3aly forbear present to say more the
suit 9ct, lest mi ht however Internationally, do njus
tic CT oreef the parties concerned, in conse-
quence OF the brevitY required by the nature OF this
communication. he facts relating to it, with the ap-
proprate accomplishments, have been fully presented in
historical review, prepared year ago, which will ere
long be published. bis review contains sketch Of
the last four months of my administration 1t is i'm
partial at least such is my honest conviction. Tbat il
has not yet been published has arisen solely from ap
prehuson longer entertained that something there
in be perverted into interference with the Govern
ment in vigorous prosecution of tie war for the main
tenar of the constitution and the restoration Of TIL
Unon, which was tar, very far, from my intention
After careful retrospect, can solemny d clare, be
lore God AID my country, that L cannot reprOacl my
self with any act OF commission omission since th
existing troubles commenced. I have never doubte
that my c0untTymen would yet do me Justice II n
SO ciai message Of the 9Th January, 1861 presented
full AMI fair exposition of the alarming condition
he country and urged Congress either to adopt meas
uFe5 0t compromise, Or failing in this, to prepare TO
the 4s alternative II BORN aspects my recommends
tn d'srrgardel. snail close this document witt
a GlOtafIln the last sentences tf that n