The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1866-03-31


| reneated the statement made to him by
M. Lincoln, and asked him how in the
name of God he could take the respon-
sibility of withdrawing the knowledge
of such an interview from the Conven-
ton. Mr.. Baldwin looked at his watch
and replied that it was then near the
hour for the meeting of the Convention;
that he had to be there, and thatsh
would see him (Botts) again.
The narrative of the same transaction
given by Mr.. Baldwin is this:
After relating the circumstances of a
special messenger being sent to Rich
mond by Mr.. Seward, with request
that Judge Summers, or some other
leading member should come to Wash
Lincoln; of his (Air. Baldwin'sl being
sent and accompanying the member to
Washington the same night; of his be-
ing introduced next morning by Mr..
Seward to Mr.. Lincoln; of Mr.. Lin
coin taking him into a private bedroom
that they might be more free from In
terruption; he gave narration of the
conversation which was opened by Mr..
Iincoln's remarking:
Mr.. Baldwin, am afraid you have
come too late.
Too latei for whatf
lam afraid you have come too late,
said he; wish you could have been
mere three or ago.
Why? replied Mr.. Baldwin. Allow
me to say, Mr.. President, that do net
understand your remarks. You sent a
special messenger to Richmond, who
arrived there yesterday. I returned
with him by the shortest and most ex-
peditious mode of travel known.
Why do you not adjourn the Virginia
Convention? said Mr.. Lincoln.
Adjourn It'll How !? Do you mean
sine dieg SID 5:i,
Yes; sine die. 1t is standing menace
to me which embarrasses mo very
much. ri
am very much surprised, said Mr..
Baldwin, to hear you express that opin-
ion. The Virginia Convention Is in the
hands of Union men. We have in it u
clear and controlling majority; we are
controlling it for conservative results.
We can do it with perfect certainty, If
you will uphold our hands by a con-
sentative policy here. II we were TO
adjourn sine die, leaving these questions
unsettled, itwould place the Union men
of Virginia in the attitude of confesSlng
an inability to meet the occasions The
result would be that another Conven-
ton would be called which would be
under the exclusive control of Seces-
sionists, and an ordinance of secession
would be passed in less than six weeks.
Our true policy is to hold the position
hands by conservative, conciliatory,
National course. The Union men of
Virginia would not be willing to adj
| journ that Convention until we either
effect some settlement of this matter, or
ascertain that it cannot be done.
Mr.. Baldwin then went on to sketch
| out plan of policy which he thought
the President should pursue, embracing
a conciliatory and assuring proclama-
ton, call for a great National Conven-
ton, 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.. Bald
win no pledge and no promise. and
making no offer ofany sort.
MIR. Baldwin visited Mr.. Seward the
same afternoon, and found him e1-
tremely earnest in the desire to settle
the matter, and, apparently, shrinking
from the idea of "a clash of arms. Mr..
Baldwin went on to Richmond, and re-
ported to the gentlemen who had sent
him.
Further on in his testimony he added
that he understood Mr.. Lincoln had
given d somewhat different version of
the interview. representing that he had
offered, ifthe Convention would adjourn
sine die, to withdraw the troops from
Sumter and Pickens. I am as clear,
said Mr.. Baldwin, in my recollection,
MS IL Is possible 10 De, LDhG Nc ulaue no
such suggestion as understood 1t, and
said nothing from which could infer It.
Mr.. John Minor Bolts gave his YER
sion of the interview, as it was related
to him by Mr.. Lincoln. He says that
on Sunday afternoon, April Z, 1861, be-
ing then in Washington, he received a
note from Mr.. Lincoln, saying that he
would be glad to see him during the
evening, and that he went the same
evening to the White House and re-
manned in conversation with Mr.. Lin
coin from Z o'clock until IL o'clock,
during which time Mr.. Lincoln related
the particulars ofthe visit of Mr.. Bald
win, substantially as follows:
"ohl Mr.. Baldwin, )" said Mr.. Lincoln,
'swhy did you not come sooner? 1 have
been waiting and expecting some ofyou
gentlemen of the Convention to come TO
me for more than a week past. L had a
most important proposition to make to
you, and am afraid you have come too
late. However, will make the propo-
sition now. We have in Fort Sumter,
with Major Anderson about so men, and
learn from Major Anderson that his
provisions are nearly exhausted. Ihave
not only written to Governor Pickens
but have sent special messenger to