Year: 1861




South of the sentiments of the majority in several
of the Northern States Let the question be trans
ferred from political assemblies to the ballot-box,
and the people themselves would speedily redress
all serious grievances which the South have suf-
fered. But in Heavens name let trial be made
before we plunge into armed conflict upon mere
assumption that there is no other alternative.
Time is great conservative power.


Let US pause at this momentous point and afford
the people, both North and SoutE an opportunity
for reflection Would that South Carolina had
been convinced of this truth before her precipitate
action. Therefore, l appeal through you to the
people of the country, to declare in their might
that the Union must and shall beNpreserved by all
constitutional means. most earnestly recommend
that you devote yourselves exclusively to the question
how this can be accomplished in peace. All other
questions, when compared to this, sink into in
significance The present is time for palliations
action, prompt action, is required. delay in
Congress to prescribe or to recommend distinct
and practical propositions for conciliation, may
drive US to point from which it will be almost
impossible to recede.


Common ground, on which Cancellation and har-
mony can be pro duced, is surely not unattainable
Propositions to compromise by letting the North
have the complete control of territory above a
certain line, and to give Southern institutions pro-





appreciation In itself indeed, it may not be entire
ly satisfactorily, but when the alternative is be-
tween reasonable concession on both sides, and
the destruction of the Union, it is an imputation
upon the patriotism of Congress, to assert that the
members will hesitate for moment.


Even now, danger is upon us. In several OF the
States which have not seeded, forts, arsenas and
magazines of the United States have been seized
This is by far the most serious step which has
been taken since the commencement of the trou-
bes. This public property has long been left
without garrisons and troops for its protection, be-
cause person doubted its security under the
sides our small army has scarcely been sufficient
to guard our remote frontiers against Indian in
cursions. The seizure of this property, from all
appearances, has been purely aggressive, and not in
resistance to any attempt to coerce States to remain
in the Union.


At the beginning of these unhappy troubles, I
determined that no action of mine should increase
the excitement in either section of the country.
If the political conflict were to end in civil war,
it was my determined purpose not to commence
it, nor even furnish an excuse for it by an act Of
the Government. My opinion remains unchanged
that justice we'll sound policy requires us still
to seek peaceful solution ofthe questions at issue
between the North and the South Entertaining
this conviction, refrained even from sending re-
Inducements to Major Anderson comma nding the
forts at Charleston harbor until an absolute neces-
sity for doing so should make itself apparent, lest
it might un Justly be regarded menace of mill
tary coercion, and thus furnish if not provocation
at least pretext for an outbreak on the part of
South Carolina.


No necessity for these reinforcements seemed to
exist | was assured by distinguished and
upright gentlemen of South Carolina that no
attack upon Maj Anderson was intended, but that,
on the contrary, it was the desire of the State au
thorities much as it was my own to avoid the
fatal consequences which must eventually follow
military collision. And here I deem it proper to
submit, for your information, copies of commu-
nication dated the 2Sth December, 1860, ad-
dressed to me by E. W. Barnwell, j. H. Adams
and James L. Orr, commissioners from South
Carolina, with accompanying documents and copies
of my answer thereto, dated the 3lst December


In further explanation of Major Anderson's re-
moval from Fort Moultrie to Fort Sumter, it is
proper to state that after my answer to the South
Carolina Commissioners, the War Department
read letter from that gallant officer, dated the
9th December, 1860, the day after this move
ment, from which the following is an extract:


al will add my opinion that many things
me that the authorities of the State de-
signed to proceed to hostile act. TReferring to
orders dated December 18th of the late Secretary
of War. Under this impression, l could not
hesitate that it was my solemn duty to move my
command from fort which we could not probably
have held longer than fortyeight or sixty hours to
this one, where my power of resistance is increased
to very great degree"


1t will be recollected that the concluding part
of these orders was in the following terms


"The smallness Of your force will not permit
you, perhaps to occupy more than one of the forts
but an attack or attempt to take possession of
either one of them will be regarded as an act of
hostility and you may then put your command
into either of them which you may deem most
proper to increase its power of resistance. You
are also authorized to take similar defensive steps
whenever you have tangible evidence of design
to proceed to hostile act"


1t is said that serious apprehensions are to some
extent entertained, in which do not share, that
the peace o. this District may be disturbed before
the 4th of March. In any event, it will be my
duty to preserve It, and this duty shall be per-
formed.
In conclusion, it may be permitted to me to re-
mark that have often warned my countrymen of
The dangers which now surround US. This may
be the last time shall refer to the subject official
". 1 feel that my duty has been faithfully,
though ihperfectly performed. and whatever re-
suits may be, shall carry to my grave the con-
.ciousness that at least meant well for my country


JAMES BUCHANAN.
EcLRsEs.-During the year 1851 there will be
four eclipses; two of them-both of the sun-will
be invisible to u.s. On December II, there will
be very small part of the moon eelipsed, visible