New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-07-03

cna' 20 the existing status quo at any
vital point. especially where an armis-
tice exists, by strengthening or arrang-
ing to strengthen such a place, thus
making force necessary, is a treacher-
Gus act of war.
"The United States government and
Abraham Lincoln ordered. and secretly
organized and sent, armed expeditions
under secret instructions, to commit
acts in violation Of existing 'arms-
tees To organize such force, to
mobilize it, for such n purpose, is an
act of war. Where an armistico eY-
lists, such an order is a fragrant act OF
war.
II am stating facts. incontrovertible
truths, and l am citing them from
secret places, to establish who began
war.
II repeat, the United States govern
ment committed an act Of war within
eight days after Lincoln was inaugur-
ated, with approval Of Lincoln; and,
this same day, Lincoln, personally,
committed an act clearly demonstrate
ing his intent and purpose to bring
on war Bear in mind that Captain
Wedges, United States Army, was sent
with an armed force, on the u. s. s.
Brooklyn, to reinforce Fort Pickens.
the 'armistice' on January 90, at Pen
sacola Bar, and that this armed force
remained there, under Captain Vodges,
on the Brooklyn.
CAS- soon as Lincoln became Pres-
dent and commander chief these
facts became known to him officially,
and the following order was sent to
violate the existing armistice, rein
force Fort Pickens and inaugurate
war. 1t is we'll known that General
Scott was opposed to war, bit he
obeyed the commander in chief, Abra-
ham Lincoln. l quote the record:
Quotation From the Record"
" Headquarters of the Army, Wash
ington, March 10, 1861.
Sir: At the first favorable OPP.
portunity you will land your com
pany, reinforce Fort Pickens and hold
the same until further orders, etc, by
command of Lieutenant General Scott.
(Signed) E. D. Townsend, Assistant
Adjutant General, to Captain l. Vodges,
LIST Artillery, U. S. A., on board ship
of war Brooklyn, Pensacola, Fla
"This order was sent by United
States steamship Crusader and re-
ccived by Captain Vodges, off Pensa-
cola, on March 81, 1851. The next
morning he sent to Captain H. A.
Adams the following:
Sir: Herewith / send you copy
of an order received by me last night.
You will see by it that I am directed
to land my command at the earliest
quest that you will place at my dis
posal such boats and other means as
Will enable me to carry into effect the
inclosed ORDER
captain Adams averted open war on
April 1, 1861. by refusing to obey this
order. In his report to the Secretary
Of the Navy Captain Adams says:
1T would be considered not only
declaration of war, but an act of war
and would be resisted to the utmost.
Both sides are faithfully observing
the agreement (armstice) entered into
by the United States government and
Mr.. Mallory and Colonel Chase. which
binds us not to reinforce Fort Pickens
unless it shall be attacked or threat
ended. 1t binds them not to attack it
unless we should attempt to rein
force it,
Upon receipt of this precise report
from Captain Adams the Secretary of
the Navy, regardless of the existing
armistice, sent the following (note its
secrecy):
Navy Department, April 6, 1861.
(Confidential)
Sir: Your dispatch April is re-
celved: The department regrets that
You did not comply with the request
of Captain Vodges. You will immedi-
ately on the first favorable opportunity
after receipt of this order afford every
facility to Captain Vodges to enable
him to land troops under his command,
1t being the wish and intention OF the
Navy Department to cooperate with
the War Department in that object.
"'GIDEON WELLS,
Secretary Of the Navy"