among them of societies whose avowed objeet is to disturb the peace and to endanger the property of the citizens of other States. They have encouraged and assisted thousands of our slaves to leave their homes, and those who re main have been hioited by emissaries, books, and pictures, to servile insurrection. For seventy-five years this agitation has been ateadily increasing, until it has now secured to ita aid the power of the common Government. Observing the forms of the Constitution, a sec tional party has found within that artiole estab lishing the Executive Department the means of subverting the Constitution itself. A geograph ical line baa beeD drawn across the Union, and •11 the States north of that line hsve united in the election of a man to the high office of Pres idout of the United States, whose opinions and purposes are hostile to Slavery. He is to be intrusted with the administration of the common Government, because he has declared that that "Government cannot endure permanently halt alave, half free," and that the public mind must rest in the belief that Slavery is in the oourse ' of ultimate extinction. This sectional combination for the subversion of the Constitution has been aided in some of the States by elevating to citizenship persona who, by the supreme law of the land, are inca pable of beonmiog citizens, and tbeir votes have been used to inaugurate a new policy hostile to the South, and destructive of ita peace and safety. On the 4th of March next this pirty will take possession of the Government. It has an nounced that the South shali be excluded from still my purpose. Mv province is to execute, not to .make laws. It belongs ;to Congress exclusively tj repeal, modify or enlarge their provismus to meet the exigencies as they occur. 1 possess no dispensing power. 1 certainly have no right to make n aggres sive war upon any Stte, and 1 am perfectly satisfied that fho Constitution has wisely with held that power oveu from Congress. Rut the right and duty to use the military force defen sively against those who resist tne Federal of ficers in the execution of their legal fuuctious, and against those who assail the property of the Federal Government, is clear and undeni able. Rut the dangerous aud hostile attitude of Slate* towards each other has already far transcended aud cast into tho shade the ordi nary Executive dutiee already provided for by law, and has assumed such vast and aiaiming proportions as to place the subject entirely above aud beyond the Executive eoutrol. The fot cannot be disguised that we are in tbe midst of a great Revolution. In all its vari ous beariugs, therefore, I commend the ques tion to Caugress as the only human tiinuual under Frovidence possessing tbe power to meet the existiug emergency. To tbern exclusively belongs the power to declare war or authorise the employment of tbe military farce in all uses contemplated by tbe constitution, and they aloue possess the power to remove the grievances which might lead to war, andeeoure peace aud union to this distracted fiouotry.— Ou them, and ou them alone, rests the respon sibility. The Union is a sacred trust left by our Iter olatiouary fathers to their descendants, and never did any other people inherit so rich a legacy. It has rendered us prosperous in peace and triumphant in war. The national flag has floated with glory ovsr every sea. Uuuer its shadow American citizens have found protect,on aud re.tpeot in all lauds beneath tho suu. If we descend to considerations of pure y material interest, wlicu, in the history of U time, has a Confederacy been bound together with such strong ties of mutual interest? Each poiiiou of it iv dependent on all, aud all upou each portion for prosperity aud domestic security. A free -trade througuout the whole supplies the wauts of oue portion from the productions of another, and. stutters wealth everywhere. Tue great planting aud farming Stales require, aud commercial uavigatiug States seua their productions to domestic aud foreign markets, and furnish a naval power to render their transportation secure against ail hostile attacks, Should the Union perish iu the midst of the presuut excitement, we have already had a sad foretaste of the universal suffering which would result froui its destruc tion. The calamity would be severe iu every part of the Uuiou, and would be quite as great to say the least, in the Southern as in the Northern Slates. The greatest aggravation of the evil, and that which would ptaoe UK in a most unfavora ble light, both beiore the world aud posterity u, 1 aui iiruiiy convinced, that the accession movement ba been outeilj baaed upou a mis apprehension at tbe Boutu of the sentiments ut tho majority in several of the Northern States. Lot tbe question be transferred from political assemblies to the ballot box, and the people theuuglves would speedily redress tbe serious grievances which tbe death have suf fered. Bat, ia Heaveu's nam?, let the trial bo made before we plunge into an armed conflict upon tbe mere assumption that there is no otber al ternative. Tims is a great conservative power. Lit u pause at this momentous point, and af ford the people ofboth North and South an opportunity tor reflection. Would tht South Carolina had been convinced of this truth be fore her precipitate action. I,therefore,appeal through, you to the people of the couutry to declare, in their might, tb* *'Tht Union must and shall be preserved" by ait constitutional means. I meat earnestly recommend that you devote yourselves exclusively .to the question, how this can be accomplished in peace. Ail oilier questions, when compared to this, sink into insignificance. The present is no time for palliation. Action, prompt action, is required. A delay in Congress to prescribe and recom mend s distinct, practical proposition for con ciliation, may drive us to a point from which it will be almo.-t impossible to recede. A common ground, on which conciliation and harmony may be produced, is surely not uuat tsiuablo. The proposition to compromise by letting the North have exclusive control of tbe territory above a certain line, and giving Soutuern in stitutions protection below that line, ought to receive universal approbation. Iu itself, 10 deed, it may not be entirely satisfactory, but whan the alternative i* betweeD a reasonable coneessiou ou both sides, tbe destruction ot' the Union, it is an imputation on the patri otism of Congress to asseit that its members will hesitate for a moment. Even now the danger is upon us. In several States which have not seceded, the forts, ar senals aud tuigazines of the United States have been seized. This i* by f*r tbe most se rious step whten his been taken since tbe com mencement of tbe troubles. This public prop erty has long been left without garrison, and troops for its protection, because no person doubted its security under the flag of the coun ts yiu all the States of the Uuion. Beside, our small army baa scarcely been sufficient In guard our remote froutiers against ludisu in cursicns. The seizuro of this property, froia ail ap pearances, has been purely aggressive, and not tn resutauce to any attempt to coerce a State or States to remain iu the Uoion. At the be ginning of these unhappy troubles, 1 deter mined that no act of mice should increase the excitement iu either section of tho country. — If the political conflict were to end iu civil war, it was my determined purpose not to com mence it nor cveu to furnish an excuse for it by any act of this goverutueat. My~ opinion remains unchanged, that justice as well aa a sound policy requires us still to seek a poaoe ful solutiou of the questions at issue between the North and-South. Entertaining this con viction I refrained even from sending rein forcements to Major Anderson, who com manded the fort* iu Charleston harbor, until an absolute necessity for doing so should make it self apparent, lest it might unjustly be regarded as a menace of military coeroioo, and tuus turuish if not a provocation, at least a pretext tor an outbreak ou the part of South Carolina. No necessity for tbeae reinforce ments scorned to exot. I wa* assured by distinguished and upright gentlemen from South Caroliaa, tint no at tack on Major Anderson was intended, but that on the contrary, it was tho desire of tbe State authorities, as much as it was my owo, to avoid the fatal consequences which must iuevitably follow a military collisiou. Aud nero 1 deem it proper to submit, for your in formation, copies of a communication dated the 28tb of December, ISCO, addressed to me by R. W. Bsrnwc:!, J. 11. Adams and James L. Orr, Commissioners from South Carolina, w:tb accompanying document, aud conies of my answer thereto, dated the Slat of Decem ber. In further explanation of Maj. Anderson's removal front Fort Moultrie to Fort Sumter, it is proper to stale that, after my auswer to toe South Carolina Commissioners, the War Depart ment received a letter from tbet gallsut officer, dated on tbe 27t'u of December, 1860, {the day after the movement,! from wbi;b the following is an extract: "I will add, as my opiuioo, that many tbiogs convinoe mo that tbe authorities of the Stale designed to proceed to a hostile aot. (Evident ly referring to the orders dated Deo. 11th, of the Lte Secretary of War.) Under this ub pression, 1 could not hesitate, that il was my solemn duty to move my command frSui a fort which we-oou!d not probably hive held longer than forty-eight or sixty hours, to this oue, where my power of resistance is increased in a very great degree." It will be recollected that tho concluding part of these orders were in tbe following terms. "Tbe smallnesi of your foroe will net permit you, perhaps, to occupy more thau one of tbe three forts; but an attack ou, or aa attempt to take possession of e.tber of them, will be re garded as au act of hostility, and you may then yut your command into either of them which you uiay deem most proper to increase its power of resistance. You are also authorized to take similar defensive stops, whenever you bavo tan gible evidence of a design t> proceed to a hos tile act." It is said that serious apprehensions ate to some exteut entertained that the peace of this district may be disturbed before March next. In any event it will be my duty to proveut it, aad thin duty shall be petformed. in conclusion, it way be permitted to mo to remark that I have often warned my oountry won of the daagers which now surtound us. This uiay be the last ttm* 1 shall refer to the auojeut officially. I feet that uiy duty has been faithfully, though iuiperfeotly performed, and whatevor the result may be, 1 shall oarry to my grave life consciousness that I, at least, tueaut well for my oountry. Signed,) JAAIES BUCUANAN. Washington City, Jan. Bth, 1861. Mr. Howard of Michigan, moved that the message be referred to speoial committee of live, with iDstjuo'.ione to inquire whether any exeoultvo offijets of the United States have been ot are now treating or holding eomrnuni oatiou with any person or pcrsous, for the trans fer of the forts and other public property.— Whether BDJ demand for surrender has been made, and it by whom, aul what answer has been given. Whether auy officer oi officers of the United States have emeied iuto any pledge not to seod reinforcements of troops to the har bor of Charleston; and if so, when, where, -and by whom, and on what ooosideratious. Whether the custom house, post offioj, ur arsenal, at I Charleston have been seized, and by rhoin they | are held in possession. Whether any revenue 1 eutter has been seized, ao i whether any efforts have been made to recover it. That tbe com mittee bare power to scud for persons and pal pers, and report from time to time such facts as may by required by the national honor. The resolution of Mr. Howard was objected to by Houston of Alabama, Crawford of Geor gia. and Garrett of Virginia, but was finally adopted by a large majority. IMPORT*XT FROM CIHULESTOWV. THE FIRIJ\G UPOA THE STJR 0F THE WEST CONFIRMED , Al Jan. 10. I his morning * Charleston Courier the following particulars in relation to • . attack upon the steamer Ster of the West. About half past six o'clock yesterday even ing, the steamer General Church discovered iha steamer Btar of the West, and signalled the fcot Jto the occupants of the battery on Morris Is j laud. As s-jou as the fact was signalled, #ll , Morris Island w>s astir, and the men were at , their posts before the orders were given, j They remained in noxious suspense, but ready j for what they believed was sure to come—name -1 !y, a volley from Fort Sumter, j I'he Star of the Went rounded the point and took the ship channel inside of fbo bar, and pro | cacded straight forward untd she was opposite Morris' Island, three quarters of a mile from the battery, when a bah was fired athwart the bows of tbe steamer. The Star of the West | displayed the stars and stripes, and as soon as j it was unfurled a succession of heavy sluts i fired. : The ve-sol continued at iucreased speed; bu< ; nr > r two shots taking effect, her Captain con cluded to retire. Fort Moultrie fired a feu shots, but they were out of range. The daiuag j doue to the steamer was trifling, only two ou i of seventeen shots taking .ffect, hot there is d j idea *a to tbe ex:ent of the damage. Fort Sua: . tcr uude no deiuonsta*ioa excpt that tbe gun : were run uu' of the embrasures bcsriugonMor ris Island and Fort Moultrie, j Abju- 11 o'clock a boat from Fort Sumter ; bearing Lieut. Hall, witb a white flag, approach !ed the city. He had au interview with Go ! Fiokeos, and was afterward escorted to the fco; jtod re-embarked for Tort Su-ufer. Maj. tndersoa to (.of. Pickens. The communication from Major Anderson • ' as follows: TO IUH EXCELLENCY TOE GOVERNOR 0 j SOUTH CAROLINA: Sir —Two of your batteries fired this morr J ing on an unarmed vessel bearing the flag c !my Government. lam not notified that wt has been decMird by S<-uth Carolina against tii United States, aod 1 cannot but tbiok that tin j hostile act wj committed without your sane 1 lion or authority. Under that hope, I refrain 1 ed from opening fire upon your battery. 1 havt | the honor, therefore respectfully to ask whethet | tbe above mentioned act— one I believe witbotr j parallel :n tbe history of our country, or ac i other civilixed government—was committed is j obedience to your instructions, aud notify yos j that if not disclaimed, that I regard it as at j aot of war; and I shall not, after a reasonable j time for lb* return of any messenger, pormi: j any vessel to pass within range of the guns ol my fort, la order to save, as far as in my i power, the shedding of blood, 1 beg you will j have -due notification made of ray decision tit ; all concerned. Hoping, however, that your | answer any justify a further continuaooeof tor j beuraoce on my part, I am Respectfully, KOBT. ANDERSON. Reply of r stating tbe i position of South Carolina to tfcv United Siatae, j and that any attempt to send Uuitod States troops to Charleston harbor to reinforce the . forts would be regarded as an act of hostility, says iu conclusion: Any attempt to reinforco the troops in Fort Sumter, or to retake and resume possession of the fort* within the waters of this Stato which you abandoned, spiking the guns and doing otherwise mtioh damage, canuot be regarded b\ the authorities of the Statu as indicative of any other purpose than a ooereion of the State bv the armed foroe of the government. Special agent*, therefore, have been placed off the btr to warn approaching vessel*, both armed and unarmed, having troops on board to reinforce •he forts, not to enter the harbor. Special or ders have been given to the comtuandcra of the forts not fco fire at such vessels until a shot across her bow would waru them of the prohi bitum of the State. Under such circumstance* the Star of the West, 1 have understood thi* morning, attempted to enter the harbor witb troops, and having been notified that she could not enter, she was fired into. The aot is perfectly justified by me. In re gard to your threat against vessels in the har bor. it is ouly necessary to ray that you must judge of your responsibility. Your position ia the harbor bus been tolerated by tbe authori ties of this State, and while the aot of which you complain is in perfect consistence witb the rights and duties of the State, it is not perceiv ed how far tbs conduot you purpose to adopt can find a parallel in the history of any country, or reconcile it witb any other purpose of your government than imposing on the State tbe con dition of * conquered province. F. W. PICKEN# Maj. Anderson's Rejoinder. The following is a second communication fir® Muj Anderson: To His Excellency, Gov. Piokons: Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge tb receipt of your communication, and say that under the oircumstancea 1 have deemed it pro per to refer tho whole matter to my government 1 aod intend deferring tho course indicated bf my note of this morning, until the arrival from Washington of the instructions 1 may rcoetve. I have the honor also to express the hope that □u obstructions will be placed in bis way, aod that you will do me the favor of giving every facility to tbe departure and retdru of the bearer Lieut. T. Talbot, who ia directed to make tbs journey. K. ANDERBON. Gov. Pickens granted tho permission desired, aud directed that every faoility and courtesy should be extended to the boarer cf dispatches, Lieut. Talbot, foi his government, both, going acd returning. DEPARTURE OF UEUT. TALBOT— KKTIRTAI.N -MK.VT GIVEN TO HIAI AT CHARLESTON. Charleston, Jd. 10 Lieut. Talbot left Charleston late la-1 night with dispatches fi'etn • f • 4 * -;