East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1865-12-13

occupancy. But as the counsel ana
acts of rash and impulsive persons
may possibly disappoint these expec-
tations Of the government, he deems
it proper that. you shall be prepared
with instructions 70 meet so unhappy
contingency. He has, therefore
directed me verbally to give you suclf
instructions. You are carefully to
avoid every act which would needless
ly tend to provoke aggression, and for
that reason you are not, without evil
dent and imminent necessity, 70 take
up any position which could be con-
strued into the assumption Of hostile
attitude, but you are to hold possession
Of the forts in this harbor, and if at
tackled you are TO defend yourself to
the last extremity. The smallness of
your force will not permit you, per-
haps, to occupy moro than one of the
three forts, but an attack on or attempt
To take possession of either one of
them will be regarded as act Oh HOS
tility, and you may then put your
command into either Of them which
you may deem most proper to increase
its power Of resistance. You are also
authorized to take similar defensive
steps whenever you have tangible eI-
dence of design to proceed to a hos
tile act" (Ex. Doc, III. r., VOL viz
No 26, p. 10Y
The President having observed that
Major Buell., in reducing to writing at
Fort Moultrie the instructions he had
verbally received, required Major An
derson, in case of attack, TO defcnd him
self TO the last extremity, Immediately
caused the Secretary of War to mod
ify this instruction. This extreme was
not required by any principle of Mill
tary honor or by any rule of war. 1t
was sufficient for him to defend him.
self until no reasonable hope should
remain of saving the fort. The in
structions were accordingly so modi-
fed, with the appreciation of General
Scott.
INTERVIEW WITH SOUTH CAROLINA con-
GREssMEN.
The President having determined
not to disturb the status quo at Charles
ton as long rs our troops should con-
tinue to be Hospitality treated by the
inhabitants, and remain in unmolested
possession Of the forts, was gratified to
learn n short time thereafter, that
South Carolina was equally intent or
preserving the peace. On December
8, 1860, four of the representatives in
Congress from that State sought ar
interview, and held a conversation
with him concerning the best means
of avoiding hostile collision betweeri
the parties. In order to guard against
a ~ misapprehension on either side, he
suggested that they had best reduce
their verbal communication to writing,
and bring it to him in that FORM
Accordingly on December 10, they
delivered to him note dated on the
previous day, and signed by five mem
bers, III which thoy soy 9" In
pliance with our statement to you
yesterday, we now express to you our
strong convictions that neither the
constituted authorities, nor any body
of the people of the State of South
Carolina, will either attack or molest
the United States forts in the harbor
of Charleston, previously to the action
of the convention; and we hope and
believe not until an offer has been
made, through an accredited repre-
sentative, TO negotiate for an aniicab.e
arrangement of all matters between
the State and the Federal government,
provided that no re.nforcements be
sent into these forts, and their relative
military status shall remain as at
present Ex Doc, ii. r., vol. vi,
No. 96, p. 8, &c.) Both in this and
in their pretious conversation, they
declared that in making this state
ment, they were acting solely on their
own responsibility, and expressly dis
claimed any authority to bind their
State. They, nevertheless, expressed
the confident belief that they would
be sustained both by the State author
tiles and by tho convention, after it
should assemble. Although the Pres
ident considered this declaration asI
nothing more than the act of fveI
highly respectable members Of thoI
House from South Carolina, yet bel
welcomed it as happy omen, that byI
means Of their influence collision
might be prevented, and time afforded
to all parties for reflection and for q
peaceabie adjustment. From abun-
dant caution, hewever. he objected to-
the word "provided in their state
ment, lest, if he possibly should accept
it without remark, this might be CON
strued into an agreement on his par.
not to roinforce the forts. Saeh al
agreement, he informed them, he ronld
nerer make. 1t would be impossible.
for him, from the nature Of his official
possibility thus to tie his owl
hands and restrain his own freedom
of action. Still, they might have
observed from his message, that lid
had no present design, under existing
circumstances, to change the condition
of tho forts at Charleston. He must
notwithstanding, be left entirely FREQ
to exercise his own discretion, accord
ing to exigences as they might arise
They replied that nothing was furthel
from tho''' intention than such con
structi.,n of this word they did no
so understand il, and he should not Sd
consider it.
GENERAL SCOTT AGAIN EEcoMNfSDs GAN
RIsoNINe TUE rQRTs.
1t was at this moment, on tho 15tI
of December, 1850, after the Presi
dents policy had been fixed and an
nounced in his annual message; afte
the Brooklyn had been made ready {
go TO the relief of Major Anderson j
case Of need after he hnd receive
instructions in accordance with IL
policy; after the Presidents rttific in
terview with the South Carolina mem