New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-03-06
HOW THE SOUTH OBTAINED POS.
SESSION OF THE FORTIFICATTONs.
Inside View OF Secretary Toucey's 1nd'f-
Eeremce-Anxiety Of Naval Omcer-
How He was Rebu6ed.

Inside View OF Secretary Toucey's Hndn'
(eremce-Anxiety Of a Naval Omcer-
How He was RebuGed.
Tue following correspondence between Com
mander Craven and Secretary Of the Navy Toucey il
the Fall Of 1860 shows with what Indifference, i
nothing worse, the latter regarded suggestion "a
protect Southern Notifications from being seized by
Rebels:
u. s Steamer MoHAwK, Key West, Nov. Is 1860.
SIR: ! have the honor TO incose to you copy Of
q letter ! have received from Capt. NJ. c. Meigs
U. s. Engineers.
Believing that in the present deplorabe condition
of affairs in the Southern States the interests OF the
General Government will be best subserved by
taking such measures as will prevent the possibility
Of the seizure Of these strongholds by any band
lawles men, l consider IL my duty to guard sgains
that contingency. / will therefore sail tomorrow
for the Tortugas. and have advised Lieut.. Com
Stanley to guard this place.
] need not say to you, Sir, that j have adopted
this msasure only from calm and mature delibera
ton, and with great hore that my fears may not be
realized but that our country may yet recover from
the agitation which seems disturbing it to its center
can assure you that will proceed with the
give onense, nor provoke cavil.
Will you be pleased to furnsh me with instruc
lions for my future guidance under the unforeseen
and melancholy state Of affairs.
Very 'P TS ShsS XVI SSfd .n. .;sans ..s
Hon Isaac ToUoEI. Secretary Of the Navy.
Key WrsT, Fla, Nov. Is, 1860.
CON- A. CRAyyy. Commanding Naroi toroes al hey "ah
SIR: The news received by the steamer Isabel In
dicaes such state Of excitement among portion OF
the people Of the United States that it appears to me
proper that some precautions should be taken TO pre-
vent an attempt by some small expedition TO seize
upon Fort Taylor or Fort Jefferson.
The first | understood, contains a considerable
supply of ammunition and ,ome guns. Fort Jefer.
son, at the Tortugae, 10 without guns or ammunition.
look for no expedition authorized by the consti.
tu,ed authorities " any State but any small partyoi
men anxious to embroi the different sections of the
Union might find tempting bait in either Of these
important forresses.
address to-day Q note 70 Capt. j. NJ.
Brennan OF the Lot Artillery, who, with Is men only
fit for duty, 10 stationed at the Key West barracks,
calling his attention to this subject, and beg leave
respectfully 10 suggest to you the proPrety of 80 dis.
posing Of the Naval forces under your command as
while exciting the least attention 10 make the success
Of any such expedition impossible.
Your obsdisr, servant
CAPTAIN Of Engineers. In charge Il Fort Jefferson.
rs srxlyxn MoHAwx KEY wEsr, Nov. 10, 1890.
Sin. Bv Nm official Communication from Cspt
Msig. L. S. Engineers, my attention Is called 10 the
unprotec,.d condition Of Fort Taylor, which CON-
uapds this harbor.
Iipcloee you copy OF the letter Of Capt. Meigs.
Whatever he the resuli Of the issue now raised
against the General Government by the people Of q
few Southern States the importance Of the posts OF
this place and the Torugas cannot be estimated,
commanding as they do the commerce Of the Gulf OF
Mexico. therefore deem it my duty TO advise you
70 nae the vessel under your command for the de-
feuse Of Fort Taylor while the Mohawk will hold
the Fortress.
II is no, necessary to advise officer Of your dis
cre,ion Of the extreme deeacy OF the positions &C.
cnpied here By the officers Of the United States.
We must beware Of giving any oi'ense 10y which to
pcrpler the questions at issue, while at the same
time we must firmly discharge our duties under the
laws OF III. United States.
Feryently Trusting that the wounds Of our country
may yet be healed, ,n.
am, respectfully, your obedient servant.
4 Auos. CRAVEN, Lieut. Commanding.
Lieut. Commanding =. STANLEY commanding u s. steamer
wyspeO,'s N.rvn,.,,rvvs, Nor "a Ieso
Sir: have received your letter Of the 18th inst,
with Enclosures
The Department does not, from any information in
it's possession deem it necessary that you should re-
main at the Tortugas to guard Fort Jefferson. You
will, therefore proceed to your cruising ground
Ian, respectfully, your 0bedient 'erv.ot ,,cr,
Lieut. T. NJ. CRAvrs, commanding L. 8. steamer Mo
h.~k Key West, Fla