The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-03-31
THE DISPATCH BUILDING Is ON Co
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NEARLY OPPOSITE THE OLD DISPATCH
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4 Middle.

bility-of obtaining from any two witnesses
entirely concurrent statements of any event
or any conversation. II is this which has
thrown doubt upon history-one of the
graNest forms of human testimony-and
given 1T so much the character of fable. We
have recently been forcibly reminded of this
by the published testimony given before the
Reconstruction Committee at Washington in
relation TO n conference between Prrsident t
LINCOLN and Mr.. JoHN B. BALDWIN, of this
State. In this published testimony appears
the evidence given in by Mr.. BALDWIN, Mr..
Boris, and MIR. JOHN +. LEWIS, of Rocking
ham. Two of the city press yesterday noticed
the point of difference in the statements made
by MesSrs. BALDWIN and Boris, and we will
help this morning TO add to the confusion of
the case by the newspaper reports of Mr..
BALDwIS's testimony, published Immediately
after the return OF the Virginia Delegation
from Washington, in February last. 1t will
be remembered that it was on the occasion OF
the visit of that delegation TO the metropolis
TO convey to President JOHNSON the legislative
resolutions approving his policy that the gen
tlemen composing ii were called before the
Committee on Reconstruction. Mr.. BALDWIN,
chairman OF the delegation, then gave the tes-
timony in question.
First, then, Mr.. BORIS solemnly teStifes that,
on the eth of April, lS6l, Sunday afternoon
he waited upon Mr.. LINCOLN, on his invita-
tion. Mr.. LINCOLN rccounted 4 conversation
he had had with Mr. BALDWIN. In that con-
versation he (Mr. LINCOLN described the stu
alton of the garrison at Fort Sumter and the
necessity of provisioning it remarking that
fleet had been gotten ready At New York TO
sail that evening at o'clock-that one of the
vessels was loaded with bread, and was 10
enter the harbor TO supply Major ANDERSON ];
and that if it were fired upon, the armed fleet
escorting that one was instructed TO follow her
TO protect her: they 10 remain outside the bar
unless the bread vessel was so fired on. AL
though he feared ii was too late 10 stop this
fleet, he would submit the proposition he had
intended 10 offer when he sent for Mr.. Sum
MERs (AIr. BALDWIN had gone to Washington
instead of Mr.. SUMMERS, 10 meet Mr.. LINCOLN,
by arrangement of their friends.) Remarking
that, by Il recent vote in the Virginia Conven-
ton. he saw that the Union party had a ma
jority of two thirds, Mr.. LINCOLN (as reported
by Mr.. BoTTs) said
"If you will go back TO Richmond and get
that Union majority to adjourn and go home
without passing the ordinance of secession, 50
ANXIOUS am L lDl lle preservation ol tIe
peace of this country, and 10 save Virginia and
the other border States from going out, that
will take the responsibility OF eYacuating Fort
Sumter, and take the chance of negotiating
with the cotton States which have already
gone out
"We!l, Mr.. Lincoln inquired Mr.. Bolts,
chow did Mr.. Baldwin receive that PROPOSE
tion?" Sir" said Mr.. Lincoln, (raisnS up
his hands, che would not listen to ii for a
moment he hardly treated me with cvility.
II Si-n | qIIDnrn-
ment-did mean an adjournment sine dir
Why of course, Mr.. Baldwin, said !, mean
an adjournment sine die. | do not mean TO
assume such a responsibility as that Of sur
rendering that fort 10 the people of Charles
ton upon your adjournment, and then for you
TO return in n week or ten days and pass your
ordinance of secession after | have given up
the fort
Mr.. Boris, incenscd, rs he says, that the
proposition should have been rejected, asked
permission 10 make il known TO the Union
men of the Virginia Convention. Mr.. LIN
COLIN replied that it was too late, adding, "the
feet has sailed, and | have no means OF
:. communicating with it," Mr.. Boris then
asked permission to mention the circumstance;
but Mr.. LINCOLN replied, "Well, not just now,
BorTs after while you may"
Afterwards, in Richmond, Mr.. BoTTs says
he mentioned this conversation TO Mr. LEWlT'
who was 4 member of the Virginia ConNeh-
tiou. and the next day that gentleman ana
Mr.. BALDWIN drove up to his house, ana the
which followed is thus stated by
Mr.. BoTTs:
.Well. Mr. Baldwin," said Bolts, "is 1t
true that Mr.. Lincoln did propose to you tha'
if the Convention would adjourn and go nome
without passing the ordinance OF secession hc
would eyacuate Fort Sumter?
yac said Mr. BALDWIN, - he ana.
"My God, Mr.. Baldwin," said Bolts, why
did you reject such proposition as that!
The only answer that Baldwin made was by
taking out his watch and saying:
at only wants twenty minutes OF the ho"i
of meeting of the Convention, when Il most
important vote is TO be taken, (meahih? tiIe
vote on the ordinance of secession.l - an
obliged to be there punctually ~ the houi ""I
| have not time 10 make the explanation
desire but will avail myself OF the earnest
opportunty To make 4 full explanation OF the
whole OF II"
MIR. Boris states that he never saw Mf
BALDWIN afterwards, and never heard ah
explanation from him. Mr.. LEWIS, III MS les
timony narrates the fact OF Mr LlH'"hH
having sent 10 Richmond for Mr. SUMMERS
and of Mr.. BALDWIN being prevailed upon u
90 in his stead; also, the circumstances OF 'le
interview between Messrs. BoTTs and BALD
WIN IN corroboration of Mr.. BoTTs'S state
ment of the same.
Now, turning to Mr.. BALDwIN's testimony
as reported in the official record of the COM
mittee of Reconstruction, we find a positive
contradiction Of the tenor of the interview
between himself and Mr.. LINCOLN, rs reported
hv Mr.. BoTTs After recounting the facts,
before set forth, of his going 10 Washington
and his introduction into Mr.. LISc0N's bed
room. for the sake of greater privacy NIT.
BALDWIN Observation-Disclosures the remark
of the President:
.Iam afraid you have come too late Wish
vou could have been here three or four days
e WHY ?" replied Baldwin. " ALLOW me 10
saw. MIR. President, that do not lau uhderstnlu u 4
vour remark. You sent special messenger !
10 Richmond, who arrived there yesterday.
returned with him by the shortest ana nios
exneditious mode OF travel known ,-,...
4 Why do YOU not all adjourn the Virginia
Convention - said Mr.: Lincoln. -,-.,;. -,
"Adjourn IL! How DO you mean S'ne ate, =
ayes, sine die. II is "A standing menaee "
me. which embarrasses me very much;
Il am very much surprised, SAID baiuWin' r Win
:" to hear you express that opinion. Inc
tt. IL the hands OF Union