New-York tribune., 1870-11-03
THE SUMTER EXPEDITION AGAIN.

WASHINGTON, d. c., Nov. 1.-The cOntro-
versy respecting Capt G. v Fox's attempt to relieve
Fort Sumter In April 1861 has broken out at intervals
during the last five years, and might well now be al
lowed to drop. The narrative published by Secretary
Wees in the last number Of The GALAXY only repeats
with many important details and documentary corrobO
ration, charges which made by exSecretary Blair
and Capt. Fox long ago 1865 and the reply which
Gen. Meigs has just printed in Washington newspaper
has done nothing to shake the force OF Mr. Weess
ments. 1t is well known that Mr.. Seward and some
other prominent Republicans were in the confidence of
certain members Of the Cabinet during the last days Of
Mr Buchanans Administrations and 1t has been said that
Mr. Seward, coming into Office under President Lin
coin, undertook to fulfill Of the peaceable
pledges which Buchanan had given to the Rebel Com
missoners. There Is no question, Of course about the
patriotism and sincere devotion to the public good Of the
venerable Secretary Of State but he OF the last
to abandon hope Of peaceful settlement Of the national
difficulties and therefore steadily averse to the at
tempt to reinforce provision sumter to any other
act which might provoke collision of arms. Mr. wees
charges that failing TO dissuade Mr. Lincoln from acting
upon FOxs plan for relieving Major Anderson Mr. Sew
ard rendered the expedition useless first by inducing the
President to give notice Of sailing to tho Governor OF
South Carolina and secondly by causing the flagship,
without the knowledge of tho Secretary OF the Navy to
be detached from the fleet and elsewhere. In doing
this he believed that he only adopting the best
to prevent bloodshed, but also keeping faith
which he had pledged to the Confederate Commission
The facts Of the case disclosed by Mr. Welles
to be these The determination to t out the expedition
arrived at tho 2sth Of March. On the 29th the
President gave Mr. Welles memorandum Of the vessels
TO be employed, which were the Pocahontas Pawnee,
and Harriet Lcle. The PowhataD, Capt. Mercer. was
then at NewYork, having just returned from cruise.
With the consent OF the President Mr. weles resolved
to add this fgate to the feet and the ls Of April he
accordingly telegraphed orders to ht her out with all
possible dispatch Capt. Fox specially commissioned
by the Secretary Of War TO take charge Of the expedition
and received his written instructions the lh Of April
On the 9Th Mr. Welles sent full confidential orders TO
Capt Mercer assigning to him the command OF the feet
with Instructions 10 cooperate with Capt. Fox Tho
latter gentleman went TO New-York to superin-
tend the preparations number Of launches,
necessary 70 effect a landing and force OF 800
sailors, were placed the Powhtan. The vessels
to sail on the 9th. At II o'clock the night OF the 9th
Mr. Seward called upon Mr. wees with telegram from
Capt. NJ. O. Megs and Lieut. d. d. Porter Of New-York,
the purport OF which that "there difficulty in
completing arrangements In consequence OF conflicting
orders from the Secretary OF the Navy and Mr. Wees
then learned for the first time that the Powhatan had
been detached from the expedition, and sent
der command OF Lieut. Porter 20 relieve Fort Pckens,
where there already fleet In waiting, with troops
on board. On inonlrv. 1t was aseertained that the