Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1867-09-04

proper to address you directly and truth
fully on points Of deep and immediate in
terest.
l am automatically informed that the forts
in Charleston harbor are now being thor
oughly prepared in turn, with effect, their
guns upon the interior and the city. Ju-
risdiction 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-
bled, determine to resume their original
powers of separate and independent SOW
ereignty, the whole question is changed,
and it is no longer an act of rebellion. |
therefore 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
properly called under our Constitution. is
now in session, celebrating upon the gra-
vest and most momentous questions. and the
excitement of the great masses Of the peo-
pie is great, under SENSE of deep wrongs,
and profound necessity of doing some
thing to preserve the peace and safety of
the State.
To spare the effusion of blood, which no
human power may be able to prevent, I
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
Commander-in-c of the Army, the al
iteration and defences of those posts are
progressing without the knowledge of YOUR
self or the Secretary of War.
The arsenal in the city of Charleston.
with the public arms, l am informed, was
turned over very properly to the keeping
and defence of State force at the urgent
request of the Governor of South Carolina.
| would most respectfully, and from a sim
cere devotion to the public peace, REQUEST
that you would allow me to send small
force, not exceeding twenty FIVE men and
an officer, to take possession of Fort Sumter
Immediately, in order to give feeling of
safety to the community. There are no
United States troops in that fort whatever.
or perhaps only four or FIVE at present. be-
sides some additional workmen 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 be Quoted, under q
feeling of safety; and as the Convention is
now in full authority, it strikes me that it
could be done with perfect proprietv. I
need not go into particulars, for urgent rea-
sons will force themselves readily anon
your consideration.
If 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.. Prescott fully and to receive THROUGH
him any answer you may think proper to
give to this.
L have the honor to be, most respectable
yours truly. F. w. P1cKFNs
To the President of the United States
This letter was taken to Washington bv
D. III. Hamilton, who styled himself Ma
ior First Regiment South Carolina Volun-
teers.' On his return be reported to Gev-
ernor Pickens that he sought and procured
private interview with President Bucba.
nan, through the aid of Mr. W. I'll. Prescott
that the letter was read in their presence,
and that to Major Hamiltons request that
an answer was desired at the earliest mo-
ment possible, Buchanan replied that an an |
swer would be returned on the following
day, the 21st.
THE LETTER WITHDRAWN.
In the meantime, however, Mr.. Treseott
became alarmed at the contents Of the let
ter, and after consulting with General Bon
ham and General Mcqueen, the three tele- /
graphed to Governor Pickeng for authority
to withdraw the letter. This was immedf. |
ately given; and on the morning of the
list Mr. Prescott received the missive back
nom Ar. Buchanan The motive for this
acton on the part Of " Prescott and Gen
erals Bonham and McQsAen would be left
IN obscurlty but for lesger Of the former
10 UoYernor Pickens, explaining fully the
reasons that prompted them. This letter
tells Governor PickeRs that the withdrawal
OF the letter was s'most opportune that
resident Buchanan had removed Colonel
Gardiner lthe predecessor Of Major Ander-
SOM nom command at Fort Moultrie, for
carrying ammunition from the arsenal at
Charleston; that Buchanan had refused to
send reintorcements to the garrison there.
That he had accepted the resignation Of
the Oldest, most eminent and highest mem
Der of his Cabinet General Cass) rather
ehan consent to send an additional force;'
tnat the writer felt assured that at the
moment, Buchanan could not have gone to
.he extent of action you desired (to-wit
Ihe giving up of Fort Suater) ard that
4 forced TO answer the letter then, he would
have taken such ground as would have ;