Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1862-11-04

Reply Of Ex.Psesident Bschaaaa e.
Gen. 0c0tlso Letter.
WAsnx0fo6, Nov /.
Fx-Presidsst Bueharaa, tArough the Aasios L
isseusgescev, replies 1t length 70 Lieut.. Gen.
Scott, whose recent publication hs considers -
month Of his administration. il regard to the
seven Cotton StsteSno in rebellion. In noticing
the frst and most prominent smone the charges,
namely his refusal to Immediately garrison nine
enumerated Notifications scsttsssd over six OF tbs
Southern States, according to SCOTS recommend
alton, he Gays: "This refusal is attributed
without the least cause 70 the II fluencs OF Gov
Floyd. All Of my Cabinet must bear me witness
that wss mysslf fespopsibls for all the sets Of
the AdminsstsAtion. Csstain, 1t 10, that during
the last q. months previous to the 2s.h Of De-
cember, 1850, the day be resumed his .6ce, after
my reqaest, he exercised less influence on the Ad.
ministration than any other member Of the Cabi.
net. Mr.. bolt was Immediately thereafter trans
ferfed from the Post Ofics Department to that Of
the War Department. 50 that from this tine till
the 18th OF March. 1861 which was by far tn most
important period Of the Adm nistra,iop, he per
formed tbs duties Of Secretary Of War, to my en-
tiro satisfaction."
Tic then proceeds to show that there is IN an
sweH both easy and conclusive, II other valid
reasons did not exist namely here were no avail
able troops within reach, which could be sent TO
these Notifications. To have attempted military
operations on . sca'e SO extensive, By any msans
within the Presidents power, would have been
Simply absurd. "Ofthis," he rays, reterriGg to his
supplemental views of the 3O,h Of October,
"Gen. Scott himself seems to have been convlnc-
3D." These views, both original and supplement-
airy. he says, were published by Gen. Scott in the
NATIONAL Iatelligencer on the 18th Of January,
1861, at most important and critical period of til
Administration. The publicstion At that time
coud do no possible good, and might have done
much harm To have published them with
| out the Presidents know edge and con-
sent, was as much in violation of the %
cred confidence which ought to prevail
| between the comm snding General Of tho army
and the Commander in-Chitf, as it would have
oeea for the Secretary Of War to have publ sh ed
The same document without authority. What is
If more Importance, their publication was ealcu.
| lated irjuriously soa feet tue compromise meas
ure then, before Congress ami the country
| to encourage the secessionists in their mad aud
| wicked attempt to shatter the Union int1 frsg-
ments From the great respect then entertained
| for Gen. Scott, passed 1t over In silence.
| MIR. Buchanan then explains why he refused to
send three hundred men 10 reinforce Major Ander-
| son, at Fort Moultrie. Among other reasons he
says he believed, as the event proved, that Major
Ander on vas then in no danger Of attack. In
deed he and his command were treate with mar r
ed 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 com
mission, and to disappoint the country. Having
| treated Of the charge Of having ept back rein
| forcements from Pensacola, Mr.. Buchanan replies
to the charge Of also having kept them back rom
| Charleston, saying that neither = truce nor any
| thing like 1t, was ever concluded between the
President or any human authority, concerning
Charleston. On the contrary, the Sou, h Carolina
Commissioners FIRST and last, and ali tn. time,
| we're informed that the President never could and
! never would, surrender Fort sumter nor deprive
himself Of the most entire liberty to send rein
| forcements to it, whenever it was believed 10 be
| in danger, or whenever it might be requested by
| Major Anderson.
.ir. nacn anan then alludes to other points in
| Gen. SCOTS views, and says that he can only de-
clare, before God and his country, that be cannot
reproach himself with any act Of commission OF
omission to endanger its happiness, prosperity
and its safety, since the existing troubles com
menced.