Year: 1860

.ed States will copsumma,e this declaration
"htch Will inevitably arouse war with the iu-
coming President


THE FoRTs-~OoNvRRsATIos OF THE SOUTH CA


soLlNA ooNGRRssMEN WITH THE pRKsI-


DENT.


Mr. Miles, did not suppose that there
would be any discussion on the various deli
cate matters coming before this Convention
before the rising of the Committees; with ali
ueierence, therefore, to the gentlemen who
nave spoken, may say that this discussion is
quite premature. / desire, however, as the
discussion has progressed thus far, TO say
lew words. l am, as mem bers are already
perhaps aware, very recently from Washing
toh' went there with my colleagues for the
purpose OF informing myself as thoroughly
ana as carefully as possible, of all matters
winch considered as bearing upon the well
fare and prosperity of South Carolina


MY colleagues and myself con sider cd it de-
eirable that we should confer wi tn the mem
bers from the other Southern States that we
might have full Information upon all that con-
Germs the Eterests and domestic affairs of the
Soutn. We went there not spies, but as
visilant sentineis, and to procure all informa-
uon which we could conceive of as valuable
for our people. The remarks of my honored
friend appear TO me calculated to give a very
wrong impression on the minds of the people
Of this State. l have not The reno test idea
that the President of the United States will
send any re-intorcements to the forts in our
Aaroor. would say now frankly, for de-





should be at this time anything of the kind
among the members Of this great body but with
perfect frankness l will state here that and
some OF my colleagues, in conversation with
the President OF the United States, and subse-
quentiy IN written communication address,
Ell TO MIN at his request, We did say this, after
speaking of the great excitement about the
lorts aud preparations and rumors, Mr..
President, 1t IS our solemn conviction, if you
attempt to send q solitary soldier down to
those forts, the instant the intelligence
reaches our peOple-and we shall take care
that 1t does reach them-the forts will GER
talnly be taken. We would urge them to do
II, and would go home TO help in the work, be-
cause that would be a matter of self-defence
1t would be suicidal folly to allow Fort Sum-
tor or the theirs TO be manned" We further
said, "it is our convictio that the people of
:. Carolina would not touch those forts or do
anything TO modest its garrison prior to the
meeting OF the Convention" We were per-
fectly sure of that We also hoped and be-
leved that nothing would be done after that
until we had had formal adjustment with the
Federal Government, or until those forts were
demanded by the State. That was the SUBJ
stance of our communication. And l say
again, that there is not an intention to REIN
force the forts. What do We now see al Wash
ingtOn We see the Premier-the right hand
man OF the Administration, near and dear
personal friend of the President-retiring from
the Cabinet on that precise issue. Gen. Cass
urged vehemently that the forts should be
reinforced. The President has resisted, and
allowed CABINET oHlcer 10 Withdraw, rather
than To yield TO the proposition.


Now, is il natural after such an act that the
President should vascillate and concede TO
other Influences that which he so strongly and
promptly refused TO personal friend in the
Cabinetl | cannot believe it. / cannot think
he would be so weak, so yascillsting, so un-
certain. |, therefore, feel, as said, that there
is not the slightest earthly reason TO expect
that the Administration will reinforce the
garrison, and if he should do it, it is utterly
impossible that he could do it without our
getting ample and timely notice, and autici-
pate the arrival of the troops.


Now, look at it as practical, common sense
men. Do any of you desire any more2 Does
any honorable gentleman or this floor wish to
provoke Il collision with the General Govern
ment, and TO precipitate that collision with
other States involved Do we wish to present
10 the gaze of men in sight of the civilized
tacle of cowardice and weakness. instead of
retiring peaceably and with dignity We owe
it to ourselves before the nations OF the world,
the strength of oar position before the tri-
bunal of the country, the strength OF our po-
sition Before Almighty God, that We do not
strike before We are first assailed.


Now, what is the position OF those fortsl A
handful of Ihen in Fort Moul;rie, numbering
sixfy-tive, musicians and all told, seventy
actually so small that they are, their Com
mander said, actually worn out from physi-
cal labor; yet the President has rot rein
forced them, though urged to do so. Have we
any apprehenslons that these sxty-five men
will inlure the peace and security of the city
of Charleston Have you the least suspicion
that these men will turn their guns and fire
upon the peoplel


We are told that these works are strongly
fortified and entrenched. Ii l was i'll the
same position the officer of that fort, |
would do rs he has done. He is there with
few troops, and is obliged to make these prepa.
rations for his own defence. His preparations
are for the protection of the lives of that
handful Of men. Where is the reason; then,
that we should be excited, or that il should
touch the nerves of the least sensitivel As
to the works at Fort Sumter, so much the
better. Let the General Government spend
as much money as it chooses, and employ
many laborers as are necessary, and put it III
it must eventually be ours. 1t is but an empty
fortress, and We can seize and control it in u
single night.