The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1862-10-31
General scott's vindication.

The letter Of General Scott to Secretary
Seward having been made public by John
Van Buren,, another paper by the same
author has been published by authority,
in the Nononoi Intelligeneer. This con.
sis,s in memoranda respecting the occu.
patton and reinIorct ment Of The Southern
forts during the latter part Of Buchsnan's
Administration. By this memoranda. il
appears that ,on the 3Oth Of October, $50.
General Scott called the att, nlion Of the
President TO the necessity Of strongly gar.
risoning the forts OF the Southern coast,
including those al Charleston aud Pensa.
cola. On the next day be urged The
sending Of circular 10 each Of those
ior:s. eau ioning them 10 be on the alert
against all surprises OF sudden assaults.
On the 18Th Of December, (having in the
meantime been confined 10 bis bed Gen.
eral Scott urged upon the Secretary Of
War (Floyd) the same views. The Sec.
reiarv did no; concur IN them, and the
General begged an opportunity 10 present
them TO the President in person. THIS
interview was had December 10 h, al
which Buchanan said the time had mol
yet come for garrisoDing those forts
that he should wait the action Of the Con
vention OF South Carolina, in the expecta.
ton that Commission would be appointed
10 wait upon him TO arrange terms OF Sc
cession that the question Of secession
would bs submitted to Congress, and il
that hody decided against secession, thai
be would reinforce The forts. Genera
Scott urged that It would then be too late
but no action was taken. On the 25th o.
December, after Major Anderson had re
moved his garrison from Fort Moultrie L
Fort Sumter, General Scott again urgeC
the sending Of reiniorcements to him, 10
gelher with several vessel loads OF pro
visions, DC, and also Of strengthening th
other coast forts. On the 30th, havin
failed 10 obtain consent of the Secretary {
War 10 bis plans, he asked OF the Presi
dent permission 10 send secretly ESQ re
cruits from New York TO Fort Sumter
But the President had bound himself by
, sort Of truce or armsice with "certai
principal seceders in South Carolina, Flor
ida, Louisiana. &c, and this truce laste
TO the end OF hat Administration"
was not until the 81 OF January that tn
A permission. which had been solicited o.
t tober 3lst, TO notify the commanders {
b. the Southern forts TO be on their guar
e against surFrbes, WAS granted. Finally
the sloop. Of war Brooklyn left the Chesa
peeke on the 22d of January with sin
gle company Of 80 men, for the reinforce
ment Of Fort Pickens, but was irstructe
not TO Il nd lie men unless that fort shoul
@ be attacked. In all these hesitations an
J.. instructions the sympathy Of :he Pres
II dent with the rebellion is evident. u
y der these instructions, the Brooklyn W
% compelled most Of the lime 10 be SO far {
z the fort, Ito avoid danger in roug
!, weather, )that rebel force might have a
a tackled and taken the fort before her me
i could be landed. Itw only after Pre-
II ident LincohI's Inauguration that the o.
J. der was at length sent, March l2th,)
the Brooklyn, 10 land her men al the for
c and hold il at all hazurds.
!, !. II this whole history, the treachery
d Buchanan stands out IN glaring relief, ar
!, confirms all that has been charged upc
t. him. Cleveland Leader.