Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1862-11-19

tons, Secretary Holt did not receive in
I formation OF these events until several
days after their occurrence and then
through letter addressed to Il third per-
SON He Immediately informed the Pres
ldent OF the fact and reinforcements, pro-
visions and military stores were Dispatch
ed by the Brooklyn to Fort Pickens, with
out moments unnecessary delay. She
left Fortress Monroe on the 24th of Jan
uarv.
Nell-foundcd ;pprehcnsions, however,
We're entertained ut the time of her dcpar-
ture that the rcinforcemcnts. with the
vessrle of war al no GREAT distance from
Fort Pickens, could not arrive in time to
defend it against the impending attack.
In this state of suspense and whilst Lieut..
Slcmmer was in extreme peril, Senators
Slidell. Hunter and Bigler received a tele-
graphic dispatch from Senator Mallory,
OF Florida, dated at Pensacola, on the
2S.h January. with the urgent request
that they should lay it before the Presi-
dent. This dispatch expressed an earnest
desire to maintain the peace, a. well as
the most positive assurance that no attack
would be made on Fort PickenS if the
present status should be preserved.
This proposal was carefully considered.
both with view to the safety of the Fort
and to the unhappy effect winch an actual
collision, either at that or any other point.
might produce on the Peace Convention
then about to assemble at Washington.
The result was that Joint dispatch was
carefully prepared by the Secretaries of
War and NAVY, accepting the proposal,
with important notifications, which was
transmitted by telegraph. on the 29th
january, To Lieut. Slemmer and TO the
naval commanders near the station. Ii
! Is too long for transcription: suffice ii TO
say it was carefully guarded at every
point for the security Of The Fort and its
free communication with Washington.
The result was highly fortunate, The
Brooklyn had a long passage. Although
she iytt Fortress Monroe on the 2ith Jan
ua,ry. She did not arrive at Pensacola until
the 9th February. In the meantime Fort
Pickens, with Lieut.. Slemmer (whose
conduct deserves high commentator. and
his brave little band, were placed. by
virtue of this arrangement, in perfect Sc
to defend it against any attack. The
fort l. still i'll our possession. Wei might
/ Gen. :Scu;i have expressed his satisfaction
with this arrangement. The General was
correct in mis- suppoSition that this ar
ran"cmcnt was To expire on the tcrmina-
ton OF the Peace Convention.
'. But We now come TO an important
period. when dates viii be essentially ne
c,.~~arv to- di~cntancle the statement OF
I Ger. Srott. The South Carolina Com
nIi->joaars were appointed on the 22d,
and arrived in Washington ON the 21th
! December The DAY after their arrival it
was announced that Major Anderson had
removed from Fort Mnultrie 10 Fort Sum
! ter. This rendered them furious On
} The same ,lav they addressed an angry
! letter to the President demanding the sur
/ render Of Fort Sumter. The President
I answered this letter ON the 30th Decem-
bcr by peremptory refusal. This brought
! forth a reply from the Commissioners ON
I the 2d January, 1861, of such an insult
/ ing character. that the President instantly
returned II To them with the following en-
/ dorsement: ''This paper, just presented
/ to the President. i Of such 4 character.
/ that he declines TO receive it." From
/ that time forward, all friendly, political
I and personal intercourse finally ceased
! between the revolutionary Senators and
/ the President. and he was severely attack
I cd by them in the Senate. and especially
by Mr.. jefferson Davis. Indeed, theil
intercourse had previously been of tho
coolest character, ever since the Prcsi-
dents anti-secession message at the com
mencement of the session Of Congress.
Under these changed circumstances
Gen. Scott. by note on Sunday, the 3Otl
December, addressed the following inquiry
to the President:
d" VIII the President permit Gen. Scott
without reference TO the War Department
and otherwise as sccrctely as possible
to send two hundred and fifty recruit:
from New i ori harbor to reinforc For
/ Sumter. together with some extra musket:
or rifles. ammunition, subsistence 1t /:
hoped that a sloop o. war and cutter may
be ordered for the same purpose to-mor
row.
The General seems not TO have known
then that Mr. Floid was out of office.
Never did a request meet more promp
compliance. 1t was received on Sunday
evening. December 30th. On Monda,
morning | gave instructions to the Wa
and Navy Departments, and on Monda,
evening Gen. Scott came tn congratulate