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
<he common territory; that the judicial tribunals
ahall be made sectional, and that a war most
be waged against Slavery until it shall cease
throughout the United States.
The guaranties of the Constitution will then
no longer exist; the equal rights of the States
will be lost. Tbe Sfaveholding States will no
. longer have the power of self-government or
•elf-proteetioD, and the Federal Government
will have become tbeir enemies.
Sectional interest and animosity will deepen
the irritation, anO all hope of remedy is ren
dered vain by tbe fact that public opinion at
the North has invested a great political error
with the sanctions of a more erroneous religious
belief. .
We, therefore, the people of South Carolina,
by our delegates in Convention assembled, ap
pealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for
the rectitude of our intention?, have solemnly
declared that the Union heretofore existing
between this State and the other States of North
America is dissolved, and that the State of
South Carolina has resumed her position among
the nations of the world, as a lree, sovereign,
ana independent State, with foil power to levy
war, conclude peace, contract alliances, estab
lish commerce, and to do all other acts end
things which independent States may of right
do.
And, for the snppott of ibis declaration, with
a firm reliance on the protection of Divine
I'rovidence, wo mutually pledge to each other
our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.
For the Bedford Inquirer. |
Ma. OVXB: —A sketch of a successful Bear-hunt
will BO doubt be read with interest by the many
hunters of Bedford County. It had been generally
known that an old Btar with two cubs bad been |
keeping on the Cove Mountain tor some time, and
irequt-nt fcun's after them had proved unsuccess
ful. ho. on Thursday the Ed inst., I, together with
aix others, ull would-be hunters, with a handsome
crew of dogs, equipped ourselves with guns, amn
nition, knives, and "nary ichukey," started for the
mountain. A council was now held, and it was
determined to profit by the present favorable op
portunity, a:.d try our hands at the grand hunting
manoeuvre, calle d "ringing the wild game."
Five of the hrnters stationed themselves at pro
per dislances apart on top of the mouutain, and I,
with another of tbe party, followed by the dogs,
undertook to chase the game. We were soon on
•the track of the Bears, and I left my Bear-dog,
-♦Tog," loose, and off he went, helter-skelter; but
enly one of the rest of the dogs would rua. They
wete not long on the chase til! they brought the
expected game to the top ot the mountain,within rifle
shot of George Colebaugh, who settled the exis
tence of one of the cu'ns by a well directed shot
with hie lifle. It was vtry fat 3nd weighed 65 lbs.
riven meat. This closed the first days hunt..
Tho next day we starled cut, equipped as before.
Ow ing to the inclemency of the weather, we had a
tedious hunt, and for a long time despaired of be
ing successful; but being neteimined to gain sight
ot Bruin, we scound tbe mountain over, but did
net find any fresn trail until 8 o'clock, P. M.,
when we traced him into a hollow tree that bad
been broke iff about twenty five feet from the
bottom. We were altogether, eiger for the game.
Our dogs began to fight around the old hollow
stem, and I held my dog to keep him out of the
fight, and Bruin, (1 presume) not liking the howl
ing and fighting of dogs around bis homely dun
geon, began to make his way up inside the old
trunk. 1 stood ready with my gun to give him a
warm reception when coming to the top. Up he
-cottt'sl I sainted him with a shot from my rifle,
not wounding bini severely, and niy dog jerking
loose, tfartw me upon the snow) and started up
the slantiDg old trunk—met Bruin about ten feet
from the bottom—caught him by the neck, and
down camo Bruin and dog among a set of dogs
Insy fighting, and for a moment I thought Bruin
weald kill my dog, but we soon got the rest of the
dogs to his assistance, and then a fight ensued on
parallelled in the annals of hunter's life. Such a
yelling and howling and barking and scratching
and biting and tumbling and hissing of dogs, that
made tlie welkin ring. Poor Bruin got tho worst
of tbe battle, and alter fighting nearly half an hour
be was shot again, and one of the party undertook
to bleed him, when Bruin not being quite dead
gave him a toss of about ten feet in a pretty ab
rupt manner. He weighed lbs. clean meat.
D. R. IMLER.
BDTCB Couwa.
Secession of Florida.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Jan. 11—The ordi
tiance of secession, declaring tho separation of
Florida from the Federal Union, was passed bw
the State Couvsniion yesterday at 12 20 P. M".
by a vote of 62 yeas to 7 nays.
PROFCSED SECESSION Of WESTERN FLORIDA
FROM THE STATE.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 11.— A private letter
received here from Florida, dated the 7tb iaat.,
says that a number of delegates from Weal
Florida express themselves to the offcet that, if
tbe Stale? shall secede without a proper and
general uttderstuDuing, they will secede from
tbe other part of the State, and all west of the
Apal&cbiuul* river will annex themselves to
Alabama.
SEIZURE OF TFLE FL. FL. ARSENAL AT CHATTA
HOOCHEE FLA.
The arsenal at Ciatiabooebeo, Florida, has
been seized by order -i the Governor, under
the pretext that tbo United States officer was
about to remove the arms.
One of the South Carolina soldiers, named
Robert Little Holmes, was accidentally killed
at Castle Pmckuey, by the dwebatge of •
musket in tbo bauds of a sentinel. A great
loss was made over bim by the chivalry.
BEDFORD INQUIRER.
an. ■ . . ■■ ■ ; —r ■ 1 ■ -
EEDrOKD, Pa.
Friday Ilorntng. Jan. IS, tSttO,
."FEARLESS AMI FREE."
D. OVLR-Editor au<l Proprietor.
Won't some ol our subscribers who never pay
us any money, bring lis some flour, wheal, rye.
corn, buckwheat and wood I We need all these
things, and haven't the money to buy them.
Bedford Classical Institute.
REV. JOHN LYON, PBWCIPAI..
THE second session of tho second school yenr
of this institution, will opon Monday February 4th
1861. No pupil received for less than 2 quarters
or one tessicn-
Jan. 18,1861.
Pennsylvania Legislature.
At tbe Republican caucus for U. S.
Monday evening a week, six ballots wele taken.
as follows:
Ist 2d 3d 4th 6th 6th
Cowan of Westmorel'd 26 34 36 43 49 58
Wilmot of Bradford 23 26 30 33 36 38
Walker of Erie 10 (remainder scattering)
Pollock of Northumb. 7 do
Stevens of Lancaster 7 do
Williams of Allegheny 7 do
Hickman of Chester 6 do
All others 12 do
At tbe Democratic caucus
First ballot—Foster of Westm'd had 17, Witteof
Phila. 8, Biodhead of North'u 7, Magr.-w of Lan
caster 1.
At the election, in joint ballot, on Tuesday
week, the vote stood—
Edgar Cowan, Republican, SB—63 Maj •
Henry D. Foster, Democrat, 85
Every member of tbe Legislature was pres
ent, and voted. Both candidates reside in
Grocosburg, and arc the leading counsel—in
opposition—oti almost every tiial in the coun
*7-
Tbe Committees arc appointed in each brand).
In the Senate—
Uoi. Wharton oar Senator, is on the follow.
iDg Senate Committees: Bauk, Canals, and
Inland Navigation, Militia, and New Counties
and County Seats.
Mr. Ashcom, our member is on the following
House Committees: Education, New Counties
and County Seats. Mr. Sahrock, is on the Com
mittee on Pensions ui Gratuities, sod Mines
and Minerals.
Last Tuesday, occurred the Inauguration of
Gov. (Jortin.
Col. Slifer having accepted the station of
Secretary of tbe Commonwealth, and purposing
to resign as State Treasurer, HOD. Ileury D.
Moore of Philadelphia, was by the Republi
cans unanimously nominated for State Treasu
rer, both for tbe vacancy, and for a year from
let May next. Election on Monday, 21st
in?t.
"Uuion saving" resolutions have been pro
posed in each BraDcb.
In the House, the seat of a Member from
Luzerne, and one froui i'biladelpbia, are con
tested.
P. S. On tbe 10th inst., 001. Slifer having
resigned as State Treasurer. Mr. Moore was
elected for the vaoaney, receiving 95 votes to
35 for Rowe.
The Lyceum will meet at the Court House
on Saturday evening next. Declamation by
J. G. Fisher; Essay by Wm. Fyan. Question
for discussion: "Should Congress adopt tbe
•Crittenden Amendments' as a settlement of
our national difficulties I" Affirmative, C. N.
Hickok; Negative, S. L. Russell.
The Bedford Temperance Organization, will
hold its next regular meeting at the Court
House, on Monday evening next, 2lst inst , at
6| o'clock.
An address will be delivered by Rev- Tbos.
Heyden. The publio are invited to attend.
Judge Smalley, U. S. Court, N. Y. in his
charge to tbe Graud Jury has decided that
Sooth Carolina, is guilty of high treason, and
all who aid eud abet her. Several arrests, it
is thought will be made of persons who have
sold arms to the traitors.
The remains of Mrs. Elizabeth McDowell,
who died in Pittsburgh, in October 1859, were
brought to this place on Friday last, and in
ferred in tbe Presbyterian burying ground, by
tbo side of her husband, tbe late Charles Mc-
Dowell, Esq.
HON. H. D. MOORE. —This gentleman has
been elected State Treasurer, to fill the unex
pired time of Eli Slifer. He will also bo
eleoted for tbo full term. No better man*
oould be eleoted to that important office.
Mr. Seward made a great speech in ths U.
S. Sena'e on Tuesday. It is conoilitory, and
meets with the views of all eooservative men
in tbe country. We will publish it as soon as
we ean find room for it.
Col. 8. S. Wharton of tbe Senate, and Messrs.
Asheom, Sobrook and Sellers of the House,
have our thanks for many favors.
GOOD NEWS FROM LOUISIANA. —A majority
of the delegates eleoted to the Convention in
Louisiana, are opposed to secession.
BEDFORD INQUIRER.
The Bedford Gazette, and other traitorous
organs, are filled with articles in defence of tbe
secessionists, aud condemning all who ar? io
favor of maintaining the Union at all hazards.
For their benefit we publish tbe followiog ar
ticle from that old, conservative paper, the
Washington National Intelligencer. The arti
cle was written by Mr. Eaton, formerly a
member of Congress from Texas, and be atatfes
nothing that he is not able to substantiate
Read bis letter, and pause and reflect:
From the Rational Intelligencer.
DISUNION PROGRAMME.
The subjoined communication, disclosing tbe
designs of tboso who have undertaken to lead
tbe moveineot now threatening a permanent
dissolution of the Union, comes to us from a
distinguished citizen of the South, who form
erly represented his State with great distinc
tion in the popular branch of Congress. Tem
porarily sojourning in this city, he has become
authentically informed of the faots recited to
the subjoined letter, which he communicates
to us under a sense of duty, and for the cou
racy of which be makes himself responsible.
Nothing but assurance* coming from such an
iulelligcut, reliable source could induoe us to
accept the authenticity of these startling
sihteuicnts, which so deeply concern not only
the welfare but the honor of tbe Southern peo
ple. To them wo submit, without present
comment, the programme to which they are
expected to yield them implicit adhesion,
without any scruples of conscience as without
any regard to their own safety.
WASHINGTON, JoDuary 9, 1861.
I charge that on last Saturday mgbt a can
jeus was heid io this city by the Southern Se
cession Senators from Florida, Georgia, Ala
bama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas and
Texas. It was then and there resolved in ef
fect to assume to themselves the political power
of the South, and, to control all political and
military operations for the present, they tele
graphed to complete the piau of seizing forts,
arseDals, and custom houses, and advised the
Conventions now in session, and soon to as
ascmole, to pass ordinances ior immediate se
cession; but, in order to thwart any operations
of tbo (xoveiuuieut here, tbe Conventions of
the SecediDg States here are to rataiji their
representations in the Seuaio and the House.
They also advicd, ordered, or directed the
assembling of a Couveution of Delegates from
the Seceding States at .Montgomery, ou the
12ili of Febiuary This can of course only
be doDe by the revolutionary Conventions
1 usurping the powers ot tbe people and send
ing delegates over whom they w.ll lose all onu
trul in the establishment of a Provisional
Government, which is the plan of the dicta
tors.
This caucus aha resolved to take the most
effectual* means to dragoon the Legislature*
of Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri, Arkansas,
IVxas and V irgiuia into following the Seceding
States. Maryland is also to be influenced by
suoh appeals to popular passion as have lod io
the revolutionary steps which promise a con
flict with the Smto and T edcrul Qovammects
in Texas.
i'hey have possossed themselves at *ll the
avccUfS of information iu the South—toe tel
egraph, the press, and the general control of
the postmasters. They also confidently rely
upon defections in the army and nary.
The spectacle here presented is startling to
contemplate. Senators entrusted with the
representative sovereignty of the States, and
sworn to stJppotl the Ooustitnfioo of the Uni
ted States, wtnla yet acting as the privy oouo
ctllors of the President, and anxiously looked
to hy their coaetitucnts to effect some practi
cal plau of adjustment, deliberately conoieve a
couspirucy for the overthrow of the Govera
meut through the mihtiry organizations, the
dungerons seoret order, the Knights of the
Golden Circle, "Committees of Satety," South
ern leagues, and other agencies at their com
mand; they have instituted as thorough a
military aud civil despotism as ever cursed a
maddened country.
It is not difficult to foresee the farm of
government wtneb a Convention thus hurriod
ly tbrowu together at Montgomery will irrevo
cably tiisteu upeu a dcluJed and unsuspecting
people. It must essentially he "a monarchy
touuded on military principles, *' or it caunot
endure. Those who usurp power never fail to
forge strong chains.
It may be too late to sound the alarm.—
Nothing may be ablo to arrest the action of
revolutionary tribunals whose decrees are prin
cipally in "secret sessions." Bat I oalJ upon
the people to pause and reflect before they are
forced to surrender every principle of liberty,
or to fight those who are boaomiug taeir mas
ters rather than their servants.
EATON.
As confirming too intelligence famished by
our informant, we may cite the following ex
traot from the Washington correspondence of
yesterday's Baltimore SUB;
" 1 be leaders of tbo (Southern movement are
corysultiog aa to the best mode of consolida
ting their interests into a Confederacy under a
Provisional Government. The plau is to make
Seuuior Hunter, of Virginia, Provisional Pre
sident, and Jefferson Davis Commander in
Chief o{ the army of defence. Mr. Hunter
posscssos iu a more eminent degree the philo
sophical characteristics of Jeffersou than auy
other statesman now living. Col. Davis is a
graduate of West Point, was distiriguishsd for
gallantry at Bueua Vista, and served as Sec
retary of War uuder President Pierce, and is
uot second to Gen. Scott in military science or
courage."
The Governor of Pennsylvania has appoint
ed Eli Slifer, late State Tieasuier, Secretary
of the Commonwealth, and Samuel A. Parvt-r
anoe, of Pittsburg, Attorney General.
Gov. Curtm was inaugurated laat Tuesday.
His inaugural addresa is conciliatory. Wo
will publish it nest week.
Hon. Jacob Thompson, Secretary of the In
terior, resigned bis position iu the Cabioet ou
Tuesday—thus relieving the President of
another of his secession advisers. His masons
for resigoioiog are that the Government has
dispatched the Steamship Star of the West to
Charleston to reinforoe May. Anderson.
Philip Frank Thomas-has also resigned as
Secretary of the Treasury. This ia the last
of the traitors in the Cabioet. It is said the
President gave bim a quiet bidt to resign.—
Gen. J. A. Dix of Now York has been ap
pointed in bis place. Buchanan's Cabioet is
now clear of traitors.
MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT.
To the Senate and House of Representa
tives:— At the opening of your present ses
sion, 1 called your attention to tbe dangers
which threatened the exiateooe of the Union.
I expressed my opinions freely concerning the
origioal causes of these dangers, and recom
mended such measures as I believed would
have tbe effect of tranquilizing the country,
and saving it from the peril in which it had
been needlessly and most unfortunately involv
ed. Those opinions and rocomtnendutions Ido
not propose now to repeat. My own convic
tions upon the whole subject remain unchang
ed. The fact that a great calamity was im
pending over tbe nution, was even at that time
acknowledged by every intelligent citizen. It
had already made itself felt throughout tbe
length and breadth of the land. Tbe neces
sary consequences of tbe alarm thus produced
were most deplorable. Tbe imports fell 08
with a rapidity never known before, except in
time of war, in tbo history of our foreign com
merce. The Treasury was unexpectedly left
without tbe means which it bad reasonably
counted upon to meet its public
trade was paralyzed, manufactures were stop
ped, the beat public securities suddenly uuk
in the market, every species of property de
preciated more or less, sud thousands of poor
men, who depended ou tboir daily labor foi
their daily bread, wero turned out of employ
ment. I deeply regret that lam not able to
give you any inform.tion upon the Stale of
the Uuiou which is more satisfactory than
what 1 was then obliged to coinaiuuioate. On
the eoutraiy, matters are still worse at the
present time tuan they wre. Wbou Congress
met, a strong bope pervaded tbo whole public
tutnd that some amicable adjustment of tbe
subject would be speedily made by tbo Ropre*
seutUives of the Status and of tbe people,
which might restore peace between the con
flicting sections of the country. That bope
has been diminished by every hour of delay,
and as the prospect of a 'bloodless settlement
fades away, the public distress becomes more
aud more aggravated. As au evidence of this
it is oniy necessary to say that the Treasury
notes authorized by the act of the 17th of De
cember last, were advertised according to law,
and that no respousiblo bidder offered to take
any considerable sum at par, at a lower rata of
luterest than 12 per ceut. from these fcis it
appears mat, in a government organized Jike
ours, domestic strife, or even a well grounded
tear ot civil hostilities, is more destructive to
our public and private interests than the most
formidable foreign war.
la my anuual message I expressed the con
viction, which 1 have long deliberately held,
aud which reoeut teflectiuu has only tended to
deepen and confirm, that 00 state has tbe right
by us own act, to secede from the Uuion, or
throw off its Federal iilieginoe at pleasure.—
1 also declared uiy opinion to be, that, even it
that right existed, aud should be exercised bv
any bute of the Confederacy, tbo Executive
Department ot the Government has uo autiior
tty, uuder the Constitution, to recognize its
validity, by acknowledging the independence
ot audi a State.
This left uie no alternative as the Chief Ex
ecutive officer uuder the Constitution of the
United States, but to collect tbo public reve
nue, and protect the public property so far as
this might be praciicaLle under the existing
lawe. ibis i> 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 <io¥, Pickens.
Gov. Piekeot in his reply, aft->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 *
-;<j. Auuoraou to his government. Ue gac
Washington for instructions from the Proou.
A party of gentlemen t'UUrtuind Liaut. Talbu*
before he left. There is uo excitement hers.