Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1866-04-06


that it cannot be done.
Mr.. Baldwin then went on to sketch out a
plan Of policy which he thought the Presi-
dent should pursue, embracing a conclliatory
and issuing proclamation, calling great
national convention, and the withdrawal of
the forces from Forts Sumter and Pickens.
This was about the substance Of the inter
view Mr.. Lincoln giving to Mr.. Baldwin no
pledge and no promise, and making no offer
of any sort.
Mr.. Baldwin visited Mr. Seward the same
afternoon, and found him extremely earnest
in the desire to settle the matter, and, APP
parently, shrinking from the idea Of clash
Of arms. Mr.. Baldwin went on to Richmond
and reported to the gentlemen who sent him.
Further on in bis testimony he added that
he understood Mr. Lincoln had given a some
what different version Of the interview, rep
resentlng that he had offered, if the Conven-
ton would adjourn SINE die, to withdraw the
troops from Sumter and Pickens | am as
clear, said Mr.. Baldwin, in my recollection
as it is possible to be, that he made no such
suggestion as understood it, and said moth
ing from which I could infer it.
VERSION OF THE HON. JOHN MINOR Bolts.
Mr.. John Minor Bolts gave his version Of
the interview, as it was related to him by
Mr.. Lincoln. He says that on Sunday af-
ternoon, April I, 1861, being then i'll Wash
ington, he received note from Mr.. Lincoln,
saying that he would be glad to see him dur
ing the evening, and that he went the same
evening to the White House and remained
in consultation with Mr.. Lincoln from 7
o'clock until IL o'clock, during which time
Mr.. Lincoln related the particulars Of the
visit of Mr. Baldwin, substantially as fol-
lows: .3 r# 1e.
ooh! Mr. Baldwin," said Mr.. Lincoln,
"why did you not come sooner? l have
been waiting and expecting some Of you gen.
tlemen of the Convention to come to me for
more than week past. I had a mostimportant
proposition to make to you, and am afraid
you have come too late. However, I will
make the proposition now. We have in Fort
Sumter, with Major Anderson, about eighty
men, and [ learn from Major Anderson that
his provisions are nearly exhausted. | have
not only written to Gov Pickens, but have
sent a special messenger to him to say that
if he will allow Major Anderson to obtain his
marketing at the Charleston market, Or will
have it sent to him, I will make no effort to
provision the fort, but that if he does not do
that | will not permit these people to starye,
and shall send a, vessel laden with bread, and
if he fires on that vessel he will fire on an
unarmed vessel But shall at the same
time send feet with her with instructions
not to enter the harbor of Charleston unless
that vessel is fired into; and if she is, then
the fleet is to enter the harbor and protect
her Now, Mr.. Baldwin, that feet is lying
in the harbor of New York, and will sail this
afternoon at O'Clock; and, although [ fear
it is almost too late, yet ! will submit the
proposition which intended, when [ sent for
Mr. Summers Your Convention in Rich
nond has been sitting nearly two months,
and all that they have done has been to shake
the rod over my head. You have recently
taken vote in the Virginia Convention on
the right Of secession, which was rejected BY
ninety to forty-five-a majority of two thirds
showing the strength of the Union party
in that Convention. If you will 60 back to
Richmond and get that Union majority to ad-
journ and go home without passing the ordi-
nance of secession, so anxious am | for the
preservationo of the peace Of this country, and
to save Virginia, and the other border States
from going out, that will take the respon-
sibility of calculating Fort Sumter and take
the chance of negotiating with the cotton
States which have already gone OUT e
Well, Mr.. Lincoln, y inquired Mr.. Bolts
'.how did Mr.. Baldwin receive that propo-
sition 2"
Sir" said Mr. Lincoln, raising up his
hands, g he would not listen to it for mo-
ment; he hardly treated me with civility.---
He asked me what | meant by an adjourn
mcnt. Did mean an adjournment sine de?
Why, of course Mr.. Baldwin said, mean
an adjournment sane de- ] do not mean to
assume such responsibility as that Of sur
rendering that fort to the people Of Charles
ton upon your adjournment, and then for you
to return in a week Or ten day and pass your
ordinance of secession after | have given up
the fort"
Mr. Bolts was very much incensed, as he
SAYS, that Mr. Baldwin should have rejected
the proposition, and asked Mr.. Lincoln to
authorize him to make it to the Union men
of the Convention, assuring him that they
would adopt it willingly and cheerfully. 10
which Mr.. Lincoln replied: " OH it is too
late; the feet has sailed and have no means
of communicating with it."
MIR. Bolts then asked permission to men
ton the circumstances for Mr. Lincoln's own
benefit; but Mr. Lincoln said g Well, not
just now, Bolts; after a while you may"
Mr. Bolts inference was that Mr.. Lincoln
was assuming responsibility which would
at that day have been extremely distasteful
to those who had elevated him to the Presi-
dency but he thought it due now to history
and to the character Of Mr.. lincoln to make
it known. iaA 4s
Mr.. Bolts was here asked .lt@4 VIZ
Q. Are you perfectly sure, according to
your best recollection, that Mr.. Lincoln told
you that he had made that proposition to Mr..
Baldwin to eyacuate Fort Sumter? A. L
know it as well as I know you are standing
before me and that | am answering your
question. ..a