Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1866-04-05
A Rhetorical EpisOde-.The Sc.
cessi0n of Virginia.

We find the following condensed st ate.
ment Of testimony, concerning interviews
between President Lincoln and certain Vir-
ginians, in the N. Y. Tribune. The testi-
mony was taken by the Reconstruction
Committee: -.- r-,..
Outside of these matters of general In
quiry there is one historical episode connect
cd with the secession of Virginia and the
outbreak of the Rebellion, on which the
testimony Of three witnesses was taken.-
This was conference sought for aud held
by Mr.. Lincoln with member of the Vir-
ginia Secession Convention, delegated by
the Union members Of that body, Mr.. John
B. Baldwin, prior to the opening of the
Rebel batteries on Fort Sumter. The first
statement on the subject came from Mr..
John Il. Lewis, an uncompromising Union
man all through the war, and who had been
tion. He testified that on the evening OF
the 10th of April. 1851, he visited John
Minor Bolts in Richmond, and learned from
him that Mr. Lincoln had informed him that
he had had an interview with John B.
Baldwin.
Judge Summers for whom special mes
! senger had been sent, not having been able
to &c to Washington, the Union members
having delegated MIR. Baldwin, and had
made proposition that if the Virginia Con.
vention would adjourn siae die, without pass
ing an ordinance of secession. he, Mr. Lin.
coin, would take the responsibility of with
drawing the troops from Fort Sumter Col.
Baldwin refused to accede to the PROPOSE
ton and did not communicate it to the Con
vention. Next morning, after hearing this
statement, Mr.. Lewis prevailed on Mr..
Baldwin to accompany him to the house ol
Mr.. Bolts, who repeated the statemen,
made to him by Mr. Lincoln, and asked hin
how in the name Of God he could take tht
responsibility Of withhold the knowledge
of such an interview from the Convention.
Mr.. Baldwin then drew his watch and re
piled that it was then near the hour for th'
meeting Of the Convention; that he had t.
be there, and that he would see him (Botts
again. ...
The narrative of the same transaction
given by Mr. Baldwin is this:
After relating the circumstances of spc
cal messenger being sent TO Richmond b
Mr.. Seward, with a request that Judg
Summers or some other leading membe
should come to Washington to have o cor
ference with Mr.. Lincoln Of his Nj
Baldwin's) being sent and accompanyin
the messenger to Washington the sam
night Of his being introduced next morn
ing by Mr.. Seward to Mr.. Lincoln; of MI
Lincoln's taking him into private bedrooI
that they might be the more free from iute
ruption He gave q narration IF the convers'
ton, which was opened by Mr.. Lincoln's re
marking: Mr.. Baldwin. / am afraid 20
have come to late. .rI.fr. .' .
!, "Too late for what2" Hsr !.
~ am afraid you have come too late,
said he; !" wish you coald have been hol
!, three or fonr days aga, aI-
) "Why?" replied Mr. Baldwin. "kllo
me to say. Mr.. President. that do not III
A dsrssand your remarks You sent speci
|, messenger to Ri,hmond, who arrived the
/ yesterday. I returned with him by tt
shortest and most expeditions mode oi tray
l known" Ed l., ...m-.. 1919
0 'sWhy do you not adjourn the Virgin
!. Convention 2" said Mr. Lincoln. J. a
i =, Adjourn it m How p Do you met
!. sine die ?" ts.s o. y ~ lt.s.
Q "Yes; siae dc. II is standing mena
y to me which, einbarassss nae very much.