Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1866-04-04
The Fort sumter Garrison.

Mr.. LINCOI.N'S : sCHkMs FOR ITS RELIEF.
From Report Of the Joint Committee Recontruc-
uOn.
Outside OF these m tiers Of general iBqu iry
there ls one historical episode connected with
the secession OF Virginia and the outbreak OF
the rebellion, on which the testimony ot three
witnesses was taken. This was the confer
ence sought for and b Id by MIR. Lincoln
with a member of the Virginia secession con-
venuon, delegated by tue Union members OF
that body, Mr.. John p. BALDWIN, prior TO the
opening OF the rebel batteries on Fort Sumter.
The tIrst statements on the subject came from
MIR. John 7. Lewis, uncoInmoa PROM
Ising Union man all through the war, and
who had been hImseif member Of the fIr
GINA convention. He testified that on the
evening of April l6, 1861, he visited John
MINOR Bolts = Richmond. and learned from
hun that Mr.. Lincoln had informed him that
he had mad an ln1ervlew with John b. Bald
Win.
Judge Summers, for whom special mes
senger had been sent, not having been able 10
20 10 W ashlngt0n the y MON members delegal-
ed Mr. Baldwin, 10 whom ne made PROPOSE
tion II the Virginia Convention would adjourn
sane die without passing an ordinance of Sc
c.ssion, he, Mr. Lincoln would take the re-
sponsIbIliry OF wIthdra wing the troops form
Fort Sumter Col. Baldwin refused TO ac-
nicate it 20 the Convention. The next morn
ing after hearing this statement, Mr.. Sears
prevailed upon Mr.. Baldwin to accompany
nlm &c the house of Mr.. Bolts, who repeated
the statement made to him by Mr.. Lincoln
and asked him how iu the name of 0od he
could take the responsibility of withholding
the knO wledge OF such an interview from the
convention. Mr.. Baldwin looked ut his watch
and replied that il was than near the hour TOR
the meeting of the convention, that he had
to be there and would see him Botts) again
TESTIMONY OF HON. JOHN NJ. BoTTs-
John Minor Bolts gave his version OF the In
terview as it was related to HIM by Mr.. LIN
coin. He says, on Sunday afternoon. April
I, 1861, being IN Washington, he recei. ed a
uote from MIR. Lincoln, saying that he would
te glad 10 zee him during the evening, and
that he went the same evening TO the w bite
House. aud remained in conversation with
Mr. Lincoln from o'clock until IL o'clock,
during which time Mr.. Lincoln related the
particulars of the visit OF MIR. Baldwin sub
stantially as follows "Oh Mr.. Baldwin, ,"
said Mr.. Lincoln, - why did you not come
sooner? [ have been waiting and expecting
some of you gentleman of the Convention to
come to me Tor more than week past. |
had a most important proposition TO make to
you, and am afraid you have come to late.
However, will make the proposition now.
We have In Fort Sumter, with Major Ander-
son, about 80 men, and 1 learn from Major
Anderson that his provisions are nearly ex-
hausted, L have not only written to Governor
PIckens, but have sent q special messenger
| to him, 20 say that if he will allow Maj. An
| derson 10 obtain his marketing at the Charles
ton market, or will have it sent to him, /
will make no effort TO provision the fort but
that if he does not do that will not permit
these people to starve, and shall send vessel