The Placer herald. [volume] (Auburn, Placer County, Calif.) 1855-1991, 1862-12-13

nor any other person ever suggested this
expedent. This would have been to cast a
reflection on Major Anderson, who, beyond
question: acted from the highest and purest
motives Did General Scott ever propose TO
violate this truce during its existence? If he
did am not now, and never was awale OF
the fact Indeed, think he would have
been one of the last men in the world to pro
pose such a measure.
Col. Havne did not deliver the letter
which he bore from Gov. Pickens, demand.
inc the surrender of the fort, to the Presil
dent until the 3lst Of January. The docu.
men,s containing the reasons for this worry
ing delay were communicated to Congress in
special message Of the 9Th of February, to
which | refer the reader. On the 5th of
February, the Secretary of War, under the
instructions of the President, gave a peri
emptory refusal TO this demand in an able
and comprehensive letter, reviewing the
whole subject, explaining and justifying the
conduct of the President throughout. Its
concluding sentence us both eloquent and
emphatic:
If. (says Mr.. Holt.) with all the multiplied
proofs which exist OF the Presidents anxiety for
peace, and OF the earncstneSs with which he has
pursued it the authorities Of that State shall
assault the walls OF Fort Sumter and imperil
the lives Of the handful of brave and loyal men
shut up within its walls, and thus plunge our
country into the horrors OF civil war; then upon
them and those they represent must rest the re-
sponsibility.
The truce was then ended, aud Gen Scott
is incorrect in stating "that It lasted to the
end of that Administration"
An expedition was qnetly fitted out at
New York under the supervision of Gen.
Scott, to be ready for any contingency. lie
arranged its details, and regarded the REIN
forcements thus provided for as sufficient.
This was ready to sail for Fort Sumter on
five hours notice. 1t is Of this expedition
that Gen. Scott thus speaks:
At this time, when this (the truce) had passed
away. Secretaries Holt and Toucy. Capt. Ward
Of the navy and myself with the knowledge of
the President, settled upon the employment,
under the captain. of three or four steamers
belonging to the Coast Survey, but he was kept
back by the truce.
A strange inconsistency. The truce had
expired with Mr. Hollis letter to Col. Hayne
on the 9Th of February. and Gen. Scott, in
his statement. says: ut would have been
easy 10 reinforce this fort down to about the
18th of February" Why, then, did no, the
renforcements proceell This was simply
because of communications from Major
Anderson 1t was most fortunate they did
not proceed. because the three or four small
steamers which were to bear them would
never have reached the fort. and in the
attempt must have been captured or des.roy
ell. The vast nadeqnacy of the force provi
ded to accomplish the object was dem
onstrated by information received from Maj
ior Anderson at the War Department on the
las; day Of the Administration.
Tue Ex PRESIDENT PROPOSES TO PUBLISH A
BOOK.
purposely forbear at present to say more
on this subject, lest might, however un;nten-
tionalIy. do injustice to one or more Of The
parties concerned in consequence of the
brevity required 10y the nature of this conn
municaion. The facts relating TO it.. with
the appropriate accompaniment. have been
fully presented in historical review, prepar-
ed a year ago, which will ere long be publish
ed This review contains sketch of tie
last four years Of my administration. 1t is
impartial; at least such is my honest con
vcion. That it has not vet been published
has arisen solely from an apprehension, no
longer entertained, that something therein
might be unjnstly perverted into an inter
ference with the Government in a vigorous
prosecution of the war for the maintenance
of the Constitution and the restoration of
the Union which was far, very far from my
intention.
HE PROTESTS HIS INNOCENCE
After careful retrospect, can solemnly
declare before God and my country that |
cannot reproach myself with an act of conn
mission or omission since the existing troub-
les commenced. have never doubted that
my country would yet do me justice. In my
special message Of the 9Th of January, 1861,
presented full and fair exposition of the
alarming condition of the country, and
urged Congress either to adopt measures of
compromise, or, failing in this, to prepare for
the last alternative. In both aspects my
Recommendation was disregarded l shall
close this document with a quotation of the
last sentence Of that message as follows:
In conclusion it may be ernitted me to
remark that have often warned my coun
trymen of the dangers which now surround
US. This may be the last time refer to the
subject officially. l feel that my duty has
been faithfully, though it may be imperfectly,
performed; and whatever the result may be,
| shall carry to my grave the consciousness
that at least meant well for my country
Your obedient servant.
JAMES Buchanan.
Whea,land near Lancaster, Oct. %, 1862.