The New York herald., 1866-03-28
Important Historical Reminiscence-sir.
LincoIn's Offer 10 Evacuate Fort
Gssu

sumter.
Outsida OF the matters OF general Interest testified TO
by other parties thero historical episode connected
with the secession Of Virginia and the outbreak OF tbs
rebellion which the testimony of three witnesses was
taken This a conference sousht Tor and held by
Mr. Lincoln with member Of the Virginia Secession
Convention. delegated by tho Unon members Of that
body Mr. John r. Baldwin prior tho open ing OF tAe
rebel batteries Fort sumter The nrst statement on
the subject from Mr. John " Lewis an ancoTnpro-
missing Union all through the war, and who had
been himself member of the Virginia Conve n'iop He
testified that the evening Of the ioh Of April 1851,
he visited John Minor Bo,ts Ia Richmond and learned
from him that Mr. Lincoln had Informed him that be
had bad Interview with John D. Baldwin.
Judge Summers, for whom a special messenger had
been sent not having been able TO 60 10 Washington,
the Union members had delegated Mr. baldwin and
made a proposition that n the Virginia Convention
would adjourn nine d> without passing ordinance of
secozsion, Mr. Lincoln would take the rcsponsib lily
OF Withdrawing the troops from Fort sumier Colonel
Baldwin refused accede 70 the proposition and did not
communicate Il 10 the Convention Nert morning, after
hearing the statement Mr.. Lewis prevailed on Mr. Bad.
win 10 accompany him 10 the house Of Mr. Bots, Sho
repeated the statement made TO him by x Lincoln AND
asked him how, In the name of God, be could aks we
responsibility Of Withdrawing the knowedse of such an
intsrview from tho Convention. Mr. Baldwin looked ~
hs watch and replied that then near the hoer for
4 and that he would SEQ him tMr. Bot,sl again .
The narrative Of the Transaction, gwen by Nf
Baldwin, ts this After relating the crrumsa sances o.
| special messenger being sent ~ Kichmond ~ hf
Seward with request that Judge sumfn-tA, % ~me
| other leading member should come 70 Washington 70
have q conference with Mr. Lincoln % his thr Bad.
win's beng sent and accompanying ,he membf 70
wshingiou the sans night of his being introin.ed
next morning BY Mr. seward n Mr. Lincoln, ot hr
ISncon's taking him into private bedrom tbai Ibey
might be the more tree from Interruption be ray.
narrsiion Of the converaton which opened ~ Mr.
Linoon's remarking "Mr Baldwin, am h"n you
have come too late I"
4 TOO lsfel for what fn
~ am afraid you have come too late aid he; Il
wish you could have been here three four days go
| "whyf" replied Mr.. baldwin. "hllor me " ny, VIZ
President, that do not understand your remnkA Iou
sent special messenger Richmond rho srnysd ihere
yesterday. return~d with him by the shortest aad
/ most expcftoas mode Of travel kno~p"
"why DO you not adjourn the virsina convenson''
| "Adyourn ~ How Do vou mean f,,'
'Yes: hs> a.. Il ~ standing menace 70 me vhch
~ am very much sarpr sed, ssid Mr. Baldvio, go
| hear you crprcss that OPINION. fhc yrgn@ Conven.
ton s In the hsnfs of Union men We have 10 "a de1
and oonsrolhnE m'ony y. ~. e,no,lns ..I y1 !,
ron will uphold hands by . conservative policy here
III we we're 10 adjourn rN> ds>, leaving bess rhesons
unssssi.d u would plscs ths Unien rsn Of vfsnl. N
the sfttods d oonfe~sng inability 70 mest The cccA
/ non. Tho result would b. that ssotAs convention
would bc called, whrh would be uDf@r the erciu.v .
control % scoe~sicnss and en- crdinsnoe Of secsoe
would be passed IN iess than sr ~esks Our
uus policy n 10 hoid the position thss ve
hsvs. and Tor yoa 20 uphold our hssds By ensSvrs
I'VE oonciilsiosy, national oourss Ths tnIon mes %
Until stber sS~f sos ssssismsri sf shk matter %
secertAin that n cannot Be tons"
Mr. Bsl<win thsn vsns on 70 stssch e.t plsn ~
smsr.eiss s0seiIls,osy ana ssssrng prosismsloa.
esn fcs great nstpssi eosvsnfioa and ths rih1rsse
! q NE forsss ffon Torz ssns0 ssd reassA hs .ss