The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-11-14
The Old Public Functionary's Reply
70 Gen. Scott. t-f

WASHINGTON, Nov. -Ex-President
Buchanan, through the National hteli-
gencer, replies at length to Lieutenant
General Scott, whose recent publication he
considers an undisguised censure of his
conduct, during the last months of his ad-
ministratiOn, in regard to the seven cotton
States now in rebellion. In noticing the
first and most prominent of the charges,
namely, his refusal Immediately to garrison
nine enumerated Notifications, scattered
over six of the Southern States, according
to SCOTS recommendation, he says: "This
refusal is attributed without the least cause
to the influence of Gov. Floyd. All my
cabinet must bear me witness that l was
myself responsible for all the acts of the
administration, Certain it is that during
the last six months previous to the Goth of
December, 1860, the day on which he re-
signed his office, after my request, he exer-
cised less influence on the administration
than any other member of the cabinet.
Mr.. Holt was Immediately thereafter trans
ferred from the Post Office Department
to that of the War, SO that, from this
time till the 4th of March, 1861, which
was by far the most important period
of the administration, he performed the
duties of Secretary of War to my entire
satisfaction" He then proceeds to show
that there is an answer both easy and
conclusive, if other valid reasons did not
exist, namely: there was no available troops
within reach which could be sent to these
Notifications. To have attempted military
operations on scale so extensive, by any
means within the Presidents power, would
have been simply absurd. Of this he says,
referring to his supplemental views of the
Goth of October, Gen. Scott himself seems
to have been convinced These views,
both original and supplementary, he says,
were published by General Scott in the
National LatelHge'acer on the 18th of Jan
uary, 1861, at a most important and criti-
cal period of the administration. The pub
lication at that time could do no possible
good, and might have done much harm.
To have published them without the Pres
ident's knowledge and consent was as much
in violation of the sacred confidence which
ought to prevail between the commanding
general of the army and the commander
in chief, as it would have been for the Sec
rotary of War to have published the same
document without authority. What is of
more Importance, their publication was cal
culated injuriously to effect the compromise
measures then before Congress and the
country, and to encourage the secessionists
in their mad and wicked attempt to shatter
the Union into fragments.
From the great respect | then enter
tanned for Gen. Scott passed it over in
silence. Mr.. Buchanan then explains
why he refused to send 800 men to rein
force Major Anderson at Fort Moultrie.
Among other reasons he says, he believed
as the events proved, that Major Ander-
son was then in no danger of attack. In
deed he and his command were treated
with marked kindness by the authorities
and people of Charleston. Under these
circumstances to have sent such force there
would have been only to impair the hope
Of compromise, to provoke collision, and
to disappoint the country.
Having treated of the charge of having
kept back reinforcements from Pensacola,
Mr.. Buchanan replies to the charge of
having also kept them back from Charles
ton, saying that neither truce nor qua
81 truce, nor any thing like it, was ever
concluded between the President or any
human authority concerning Charleston.
On the contrary, the South Carolina COM
missioners, first and last, and all the time,
were informed that the President never
could and never would surrender Fort
Sumter, nor deprive himself of the most
entire liberty to send reinforcements to it
whenever it was believed to be in danger,
or whenever it might be requested by Maj.
Anderson.
Mr.. Buchanan then alludes to other
points in General SCOTS views, and says
that he can solemnly declare before God
and his country, that he cannot reproach
himself with any act of commission or
omission to endanger the happiness, pros
perity, and its safety, since the existing
troubles commenced.