The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-09-16
The Forts Sumter and Pickcns Expedi-
lions.
GENERAL MEIGS DEFENCE OF SECRETARY SEWARD.

ttOES.
GENERAL MEIGs' DEFENCE OF SECRETARY SEWARD.
WASHINGTON, Sept Is, 1855.
NJ c. Mcigs Brevct Major General and late Captain of
Engineers has written letter in the matter of the
Sumter and Pckcns expeditions and In reply to
ments in the New York Tribune and those of Captain
Fox AS he familiar with the inception Of the Pick
expedition he deems proper he should call aten-
ton to some OF the facts in tho case making compari-
Of dates and giving facts to show that the Secretary
OF State is not Liable to tho charge OF having deceived
the President or of having caused the Powbatan to be
diverted from the purpose 10 which the President lad
signed her without his knowledge. He says
myself suggested to tn, President the Of the
des in relation to her for his Signature and
this did the 3ls Of March LIST Of April three
four days before tho Sumter expedition resolved
upon The pickens expedition was planned and ordered
wi the knowledge Of the President, the Secretary
State Lieutenant General Scott, Colonel Il. D. Reyes
and myself. When Lieutenant Porter detailed to
command the naval portion Of the expedition
its object was communicated TO him. When Colonel Har
vcy Brown was assigned to command the troops his in
stlucons made known to him its destination TO none
Others in out OF the expedition, its destination
known until we were really IN sight of the sand hills OF
! Pensacola.
This, the first successful military expedition Of the
war, originated with Mr.. Seward Until it sailed the
hurbos had been lost He carried to the President
merely saying he thought the President ought to see
o vho oI sr & o amu no, cIsu ony WIN
When the President struck out Of the instructions pre-
pared for the commander OF the expedition the antho
rty to declare martial law at Key West and the Gulf
Coast, Mr. Seward induced him to restore II The
tbores Of Florida had In February, arrested and held
to bail for defending the rights OF the Yankee fisher
men Of the orugns against the unconstitutional mpcsi.
tons Of Florida sheriff The secession flag few over
| the court house Of Key West, within musket shot of
| Fort Taylor But on the declaration OF martial law
which shortly followed arrival In the Gulf judges
sheriff, clerk and mayor fed nom Key West to the main
land, and the present loyal Provisional Governor OF
Florida was elected mayor Of Key West, and that i'm
| portant post returned TO its allegiance.
| some interference with the late programme OF an
other expedition, il seems, from the secrecy with
| which both organized But the most important
ports and forrcsscs in the Gulf the hnrbors Of Pensa
cola, Key West aud the Tortugas saved 10 the
United states all well fortified and the fleets which
would have been necessary for their reduction block
ado were made available at other points which had been
lost by the supincncs of the preceding administration
Even IL the victualling OF Fort Sumter thus pre-
vented the United States still mt Fort Sumter asserted
lis desire and determination TO possess that fortress.
which cocd not then have held out long against the
tories by which the rebels had been already permitted
cncrclc IL and who will that few days provi-
sions, more lcss in Sumter, could compare in impor
lance with the retention of the we'll fortified harbors
Pensacola and Florida Reef Secrecy has It's pconve-
nenccs but upon perfect secrecy depended these great
States; and we'll kept the secret that In the
turning steamer Atlantic brought back TO New York NJ
once tho OF the destruction and of the OF
the expedition,