Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-10-24
WASHINGTON, July, lG, 1861.

DEAR SIR: Your favor with the con-
tinuation of the historical sketch was
duly received. Last evening Judge
Black and General Dix met at my house
and consulted together in regard TO it.
We concur IN opinion that publication
at present would accomplish no good.
The public mind is too much excited on
other topics to give attention to the
past, and it would only afford occasion
for fresh malignant attacks upon you.
The narration appears to me
to be clear and accurate statement OF
the events of the period to which it re-
lates, with one exception of no material
consequence, in respect to which the
recollection of Judge Black, General Dix
and myself is somewhat different from
the statement Speaking of the order to
the BROOKLYN not to disembark the forces
sent TO Pickens unless that fort were at
tackled, you mention it as having been
made with the entire unanimity of your
Cabinet and the approval OF General
Scott. That he approved it is fully
shown by Mr.. Hollis note TO you, but
our recollection is that in the Cabinet it
was opposed by. Judge Black, General
Dix and myself. | do not know that
there is now any reason to question the
wisdom of the measure. 1t may have
saved Pickens from immediate attack at
that time; and | have understood that
General Scott saws that Pickens could
not have been successfully defended if
il had then been attacked, and then he
speaks of this as a blunder OF the con-
federates. In this view the wisdom of
the measure is fully yindicated, and at
the time it was supported by the Secre-
tary of the Navy, to whose department
the subject appertained. So far, how
ever, as your Administration is concern
ed its policy in reference to both Sum-
ter and Pickens is fully vindicated by
the course of the present Administra-
ton for forty days after the inaugural
ton of Lincoln.
General Dix is still here. He has
Deen shameiully treated by the Admin
istration. We are expecting a general
battle To be commenced at Fairfax to-
day, and conflicting opinions of the re-
suit are entertained. With sincere re-
gard, remain as ever, truly yours,
EDWIN NJ. STANTON.
HIS Ercellency James Buchanan.
WASHINGTON, July %, 1861.
EDEAR SIR: Three days ago l received
the inclosed letters under cover address
ell to me. Upon reading the first sent
enCe l perceived there must be some
mistake, and turning over the leaf saw
that the address was to Judge Black, and
therefore return them unread. should
have handed them to him, but have not
seen him since they were received and
am informed that he left here some days
ago. The dreadful disaster of Sunday
can scarcely be mentioned. The imbe-
cility of this Administration eliminated
in that catastrophe-dn irreirierable ms
fortune and national disgrace nerer % b. for
gotten are added 10 the ruin Of all peaceful
pursuits and national bankruptcy as The re-
slth of Lincoln, running the machine" for
IRE months. You perceive that Bennett
is for a change of the Cabinet, and pro-
poses for one OF the new Cabinet, Mr..
Holt. 1t is not unlikely that
some change in the War and Navy de-
partments may take place, but none be-
yond these two departments until jeff
erson Davis turns out the whole concern.
The capture OF Washington seems now
TO be notwithstanding the whole of
Monday and Tuesday it might have
been taken without any resistance. The