Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1867-09-07

Under the heading of 'The Secret History
ofFort SUMTER" the Times publishes a col
lection of rebel documents, obtained in
South Carolina, which throw some light
upon the movements which Immediately
preceded the war. 1t appears from letter
written by Governor Pickens, of South Car.
olina, addressed to President Buchanan on
the 18th of December, 1S60,' that the rebels
demanded possession of the forts in Charles
ton harbor, three days before the South
Carolina Convention passed the ordinance
of secession. This letter is AS follows:
GOVERNOR PICKENs TO Mr.. BUCHANAN.
COLUMBIA, December II, 1860.
IStrictly Confdential]
My dear sir: With sincere desire to pre-
vent collision of force have thought pro-
per to address you directly and truthfully
on points of deep and immediate interest.
/ am authentically informed that the forts
in Charleston harbor are now being thor
uughly prepared to turn, with effect, their
guns upon the interior and the city. Juris-
diction was ceded by this state expressly
for the purpose of external defence from
foreign invasion, and not with any view that
they should be turned upon the state.
In an ordinary case of mob rebellion per-
haps it might be proper to prepare them
for sudden outbreak But when the people
of the state, in sovereign convention assem-
blcd, determine to resume their original
powers of separate and independent sove-
reignty, the whole question is changed, and
it is no longer an act of rebellion. l there
fore most respectfully urge that all work on
the forts be put stop to for the present,
and that no more force may be ordered
there
The regular convention of the people of
the state of South Carolina, legally and pro-
perly called under our constitution, is now
in session, deliberating upon the gravest and
most momentous questions, and the excite
nicnt of the great masses of the people Is
great, under sense of deep wrongs, and
profound necessity of doing something to
preserve the peace and safety of the state,
TO spare the effusion of blood, which no
human power may be able tn prevent, l
earnestly beg your immediate consideration
of all the points call your attention to. 1t
is not improbable that under orders from
the commandant, or, perhaps from the com
mander-in chief of the army, the alteration
and defences of those posts are progressing
without :he knowledge of yourself or the
Secretary of War.
The arsenal in the city of Charleston, with
the public arms, am informed, was turned
over very properly to the keeping and de-
fence of state force at the urgent request
of the Governor of South Carolina. Iwould
most respectfully, and from a sincere devo-
tion to the public peace, request that you
would allow me to send small force not
exceeding twenty five men aud an officer,
to take possession of Fort Sumter immedi-
ately, in order to give a feeling of safety to
the community. There are no United States
troops in that fort whatever. or perhaps only
four or five at present, besides some addi-
tional workmcn or laborers lately employed
to put the guns in order. If Fort Sumter
could be given to me as Governor, under a
permission similar to that by which the
Governor was permitted to keep the arsenal,
with the United States arms in the city of
Charleston, then think the public mind
would he quieted. under Il feeling of safety
and as the Convention is now in full author
ity, it strikes me that it could be done with
perfect propriety. need not go into par
tlculars, for urgent reasons will force them
selves readily upon your consideration.
IT something of the kind be not done,
cannot answer for the consequences.
send this by private and confidential
gentleman, who is authorized to confer with
Mr.. Trescott fully, and to receive through
him any answer you may think proper to
give to this. have the homer to be, most
respectfully, yours truly,
f. w. PIcKENs.
To the President of the United States.
This letter was taken to Washington by
d. III. Hamilton. who styled himself "Majol
First Regiment South Carolina Volunteers.
On his return he reported to Governor Pick
ems that he sought and procured a private
interview with President Buchanan, through
the aid of Mr.. w. II. Trescott, that the let
ter was read in their presence, and that tc
Major Hamitons request that an answer
was desired at the earliest moment possible
Buchanan replied that an answer would bt
returned on the following day, the 2lst
THE LETTER WITHDRAWN.
In the meantime, however, Mr.. Trescot
became alarmed at the contents OF the letter
| and after consulting with General Sonhan
and General Mcqueen, the three telegraphed
| to Governor Pickens for authority to with
draw the letter. This was Immediately
given; and on the morning of the 21st Mr.
| Trescott received the missiye back from Mr.
Buchanan. The motive for this action OF
the part of Mr.. Trescott and Generals Bon
nam anu Mcqueen WOuiu Oe ieiI III OusCuii
| ty but for q letter of the former to Governor
| Pickens, explaining fully the reasons tina
prompted them. This letter tells Governo
! Pickens that the withdrawal of the lette
was 'most opportune; that President Blu
chanan had removed Colonel Gardiner 9TH,
predecessor of Major Anderson) from com
mand at Fort Moutrie, "for carrying am
munition from the arsenal at Charleston
that Buchanan had refused to send rein
forcements to the garrison there. That n
had accepted the resignation of the oldest
most eminent and highest member of hi
Cabinet General Cass), rather than consen
to send additional force that the write
felt assured that at the moment, Buchanan
could not have gone to the extent of actor
you desired, (to wit, the giving up of For
Sumter,) and that II forced to answer tn
letter then, he would have taken sucl
ground as would have prevented his evel
approaching it hereafter; that the write
was perfectly satisfied ''the status of th
garrison would not be disturbed;" an,
that the withdrawal of the letter twas
great relief to the President, who is mos
earnestly anxious to avoid an issue with th
state or its authorities, and think has en-
couraged his disposition TO 60 as far as b
can in this matter"
ANDERsoS's OCCUPATION OF FORT suMTEI