The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-08-20

the power it had delegated to the United States
word that she had seeded. Even before the Sc
cession, the President had understood that send
ing reinforcements to the troops in Charleston
harbor "would be regarded as an act of hostility
And if 80, how much more fragrant now that she
had dissolved her connection, &C., &C. &c then
continues
..The attempt to reinforce the troops now at
Fort Sumter, or to retake and resume possession
of the forts within the waters OF this State cannot
be regarded by the authorities of this State in.
dicatiye Of any other purpose than the coercion of
the State by the armed force of the government.
To repel such attempt is too plainly it's duty to
allow it to be discussed. Under these
circumstances the star of the West, it is under
bor with troops on board; and having been notl-
fed that she could not enter, was fired into. The
act is perfectly justified by Die. In regard to your
threat in regard to vessels in the harbor it is only
to say that you must Judge Of your
been tolerated by the authorities of the State.
And while the sct of which you complain is in per-
feet consistency with the rights and duties Of the
State it is not perceived how far the conduct which
you propose to adopt can find parallel in the his
tory OF any country, or be reconciled with any
other purpose Of your government than that OF i'm
posing upon this State the condition of conquer
| ed province"
In what way the Governors logic NAV have ope-
appear; but he certainly lowered his tone, and re-
piled on the day that hehad resolved to defer
the course indicated in his note, and 'srefer the
whole matter to his Government" and that for
| this purpose he had sent Lieut.. Talbot to Wash
! ington.
This seems to have opened up new possibility
to the Governor; for two days afterward, January
| II, find letter to Anderson, in which Pickens
| tells him: 81 have thought proper, under all the
circumstances Of tho peculiar state OF public af-
fairs in the country at present, to appoint Hon. A.
G.. Magrath and Gen. D. F. Jamison, both men,
| bers Of the Executive Council, and Of the highest
position in the State, to present to you consdera
tions of the gravest public character, and OF the
deepest interest to all who deprecate the improper
waste Of life, to adduce the delivery Of Fort Sum-
| ter to the constituted authorities of the State Of
South Carolina, with pledge on its part to ac-
count for such public property as is under your
charge"
Major Anderson, on the same day reolned,
ssdeeply regretting that the Governor had made
demand on him with which he could not comply"
and suggesting that his Excellency should "refer
was promptly accepted by the Governor, who de-
puted, as his ambassador, Hon. I. w. Hayne At
torney-General Of South Carolina, while Major
Anderson sent on his deputy, Lieut.. J. Norman
Hall: These gentlemen! !sr5 arrived in Washington on
prise Of the President, says Buchanan, chad
| truce or suspension Of arms been concluded be-
tween Major Anderson and Gov Pickens, to con-
tinue from it's very nature, until he should again
decide against the surrender Of Fort Sumter"
4 MIR. Buchanan has reproduced in his volume the
letter from Gov Pickens demanding the delivery
of Fort Sumter; but he does not give, nor probably
did he see the letter Of instructions borne by Mr..
Hayne. This letter is dated Executive Office,
State Department., January IL, 1861" and is sign
| ed by A. G. Magrath. It is long and elaborate
too much 30 for reproduction here. may, how
ever, give IN extract or two:
'sYou are now instructed to proceed to Washing
/ in fbo oofk khon no,, 30
the State Of South Carolina, inquire of the Presi
dent Of the United States whether it was by his
order that troops Of the United States were sent
into the harbor Of Charleston to reinforce Fort
Sumter. II he avows that order you will then
inquire whether he asserts right to introduce
troops Of the United States within the limits Of this
| State to occupy Fort Sumter; and you will, in
case Of his avowal inform him that neither will be
permitted, and either will be regarded as his
declaration Of against the State Of South Caro-
lima.
The possession cannot become now
matter Of discussion or negotiation. You will,
therefore, require from the President Of the
United States positive and distinct answer to
your demand for the delivery Of the Tort And you
are further authorized to give the pledge. Of the
State to adjust all matters which may be and aro in
their nature, susceptible Of valuation in money, in
the manner most usual, and upon the principles Of
equity and justice always recognized by indepen-
dent nations for the ascertanment of their rights
| and obligations in such matters"
| Col Hayne, on his arrival at Washington, called
upon the President and stated that he would Pre-
sent the letter from Gov. Pckens on the following
day, Jan. 15 He did not however, do 80, nor did
which is correctly stated by MIR. Buchanan, and
which, he says, CONSTITUTES q curious portion OF
our narrative" It seems that the Senator'S from
the Cotton States yet in Congress fancied-they
knew best what ground they had for SO dogd
Buchanan not to send reinforcements 10 Fort Sum-
ter, provided Gov. Pickens would stipulate not to
attack it. 10 they united in letter, which is
among the documents before me, and which is
signed by Wigfau, Hemphill, Youee, Mallory, JEFF.
Davis, C, O, Clay, Jr, Fitzpatrick, Iverson Sill
dell and BENJAMIN, to Col Hayne, asking him to
defer the delivery OF Pckens letter to the Presi-
| 1ent, Colonel Hayne assented to this, and the
Senators began plying the President but there here
WAS in the War OHice-and when finally the let
ter was presented on the 31st OF January, it was
met with a response that closed negotiations ON
| that lne,
A hiatus now occurs in the documents, and it
lasts to the close OF Mr.. Buchanan's administra-
| ton. The thread OF events is next resumed under
Mr.. Linoons administration, in curious docu-
ment by Gov. Piokens, entitled Secret Cabinet
History in Reference to Fort Sumter" 1t is dated
| "State OF South Carolina, Headquarters August
8, 1861" It is very long, so shall merely make
| an extract
Il know the fact from Mr.. Lincons intimate
friend and accredited agent, Mr.. Lsmon, that the
President Of the United States professed desire
to evacunte Fort unter, and he (Mr. Lamon) ac-
| tually wrote me- after his return to Washington
that he would be back in few days to aid in that
purpose. Major Anderson was induced to expect
the same thing, as his notes to me prove. know
the fact that Mr.. Fox, OF tn, United States Navy,
after obtaining permission from me, upon the ex-
press guarantee OF Q former gallant associate in
/ 90 ,roi Arlo fnr ooiG
purposes planned the pretended attempt to re-
| feve and reinforce the garrison by feet, and
that Major Anderson protested against it. now
believe that it was all scheme. and that Foxs
with Mr.. Lincoln, merely to delude tho Northern
public into the belief that they intended to sus-
tain and protect Major Anderson, when in fact
they decided to do no such thing, and acted with
the deliberate intention to let the garrison perish,
that they might thereby excite the North and
rouse them to unite in this unholy and unnatural
war, by which the desperate and profigate lead
ers of an nfuriated and lawless party might graft
| " their vengeance and lust OF power over the
ruins of their country, and amid the blind passions
| Of maddened people"
Hero is scrap that may be of interest. 1t is
memorandum communicated by Mr.. Chew, Of
the State Department, to the authorities OF South
Carolina, on the 9th Of April, 1861:
"I am directed by the President of tho United
States to notify you to expect on attempt will be
made to supply Fort Sumter with provisions only,
and that If such attempt be not resisted, no effort
to throw in men, arms or ammunition will be made
without further notice, or in case OF al attack
upon the fort"
This bears the following endorsement:
"The above was communicated to us on the
evening OF the 9th of April, by Robert S. Chew,
Of the State Department in Washington and Capt
Talbot stated that it was from the President of the
United States, as did MIR. Chew, and was delivered
to him on the 9th instant at Washington; and this
was read in their presence and admitted.
| F. W. PICKENS.
G. T. BEAUREGARD.'
Gov Pickens' "Secret Cabinet History" that Maj.
Anderson had protested against" Fox's plan.
This is true, as appears frcm letter Of Maj An
derson to Adjt Gen. Thomas, a copy of which is
possession The The letter is dated April and
these transactions, but the narrative OF subse-