Year: 1861

SAN Francisco, Jan. 2S


The following is the latest news 10y the
Pony, taken from the Bulletin:


ST. LOUIS Jan. II.


Forty U. S, soldiers arrived here this morn
ing from Jefferson barracks for the purpose
of guarding the sub-treasury in this city,
They are stationed around the Custom
House.


The communication to Major Anderson is
as follows:


To his EXcellency the Governor of South
Carolina, Sir-Two ofyour batteries fired this
morning on an unarmed vessel bearing the
flag of my government As | have not bee
notified that war has been declarnd by South
Carolina against the United States | cannot
but think this hostile act committed with
out your sanction or authority. Under that
hope refrain from opening fire upon your
batteries. | have the honor, therefore, res
pectfully, to ask whether the above mention
ed act, one which believe without parallel
in the history of our country or any other
civilized Government was committed in obe
dience to your instructions, and to notify to
| you that if 1t is not disclaimed, | regard
it an act of war and shall, after a reason
able time for return Of my messenger, not
permit any vessel to pass within the range of
the guns of my fort, in order to save, as far
as it is in my power the shedding of blood
| beg you will take due notification of my
decision for the good of all concerned. ho-
ping, however, that your answer may iusti-
fy me i'll further forbearance on my part.


remain respectfully yours,
ROBERT ANDERSON.


Gov. Pickens in his answer after stating
the position of South Carolina to the United
States, says that any attempt to send U S
troops into Charleston harbor to reinforce
the Forts will be regarded as an act of hos
tility; says any attempt TO reinforce Sumter
or to retake the Forts within the waters of
South Carolina, which Anderson abandoned
after spilling the guns and doing other dam
ages, cannot but be regarded by the author
tiles of South Carolina as indicative of no
other purpose than the coercion of the State
10y the armed force of the Government. The
special agents of the State have been off the
bar to warn vessels, having troops to reinforce
Fort Sumter aboard, not to enter the harbor
Special orders have been given to commaL-
ders at the Forts not to fire on such vessels
until shot across their bows should warn
them of the prohibition of the State. The
Star of the West attempted to enter the har-
Dor with troops, having been notified that
she could not enter and consequently she was
fired into. The act is perfectly justified by
me. In regard to your threat about vessels
in the harbor, it is only necessary for me to
say that you alone must be the Judge of your
responsibility. Your position in the harbor
has been tolerated by the authorities of the
State and while the act Of which complaint
is made is in perfect consistency with the
right and duty of tie State, it is not per-
ceived how far the conduct you propose to
adopt can find parallel in the history Of
any country OF be reconcled with any other
purpose than that of your government inn
posing on this State the condition of an ac-
quired province


A second communication from Mai. Ander-
son was as follows:


To His EXcellency, Gov. Pickens-Sir: |
have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of
your communication and to say that, under
the circumstances, have deemed it proper
to refer the whole matter to my Government,
and intend deferring the course | Indicated in
my note this morning until the arrival from
| Washington of such instructions as | may re
eeive. | have the honor also to express tn e
| hope that no obstruction will be placed in
the way and that you will do me the favor
Of giving every facility for the departure and
return of the bearer, Lieut. Talbot, who is
directed to make the journey.


Signed, RoBr. ANDERSON.


Gov. Pickens granted the permission desir-
ed, and directed Lieut.. Talbot to have every
facility and courtesy extended to him as
bearer of dispatches to the U. S. Government
both in going and returning.