PRESIDENT BUCHANAN'S MESSAGE.

45

But the right and the duty to use military ficence of nature and Providence in the force defensively against those who resist threatened destruction of the governthe Federal officers in the execution of ment. "The calamity," said he, "would their legal functions, and against those be severe in every portion of the Union, who assail the property of the Federal and would be quite as great, to say the Government, is clear and undeniable." least, in the Southern as in the Northern Recognizing the magnitude of the evils States;" adding,-what was of the utwhich threatened the state-for "the most value as the testimony of an unfact," said he, "cannot be disguised that questionable witness in the case about to we are in the midst of a great revolu- be submitted to the judgment of the tion"-he appealed to Congress, and world-"The greatest aggravation of the cast the entire responsibility of action evil is, as I am firmly convinced, that upon that body. "The Union," was his the secession movement has been chiefly language in words worthy of the occa- based upon a misapprehension at the sion, and the sentiment, though familiar, South of the sentiments of the majority cannot be too often repeated, "is a sa- in several of the Northern States." He cred trust, left by our revolutionary urged peaceful but decided action, and fathers to their descendants; and never advised that the questions at issue should did any other people inherit so rich a be "transferred from political assemblies legacy. It has rendered us prosperous to the ballot box," that the people themin peace and triumphant in war. The selves might redress the grievances which national flag has floated in glory over the South had suffered. "I appeal through every sea. Under its shadow American you," he said to Congress, "to the peocitizens have found protection and respect ple of the country to declare in their in all lands beneath the sun. If we de- might that the Union must and shall be scend to considerations of purely mate- preserved by all constitutional means.' rial interest, when, in the history of all In furtherance of this end, he recomtime, has a confederacy been bound to- mended the compromise line which had gether by such strong ties of mutual been proposed, as though, perhaps, not interest? Each portion of it is depen- entirely satisfactory, yet to be predent on all, and all upon each portion, ferred by "the patriotism of Congress for prosperity and domestic security. to the destruction of the Union. After Free trade throughout the whole supplies vindicating the action of Major Anderthe wants of one portion from the pro- son in transferring his command from ductions of another, and scatters wealth Moultrie to Sumter, and promising to everywhere. The great planting and preserve peace in the District of Columfarming States require the aid of the bia, concerning which there was now a commercial and navigating States, to growing uneasiness, he said: "In consend their productions to domestic and clusion, it may be permitted to me to foreign markets, and to furnish the naval remark, that I have often warned my power to render their transportation se- countrymen of the dangers which now cure against all hostile attacks." surround us. This may be the last time He turns, then, to the disappointment I shall refer to the subject officially. I of these obvious provisions of the bene- feel that my duty has been faithfully.

though it may be imperfectly, performed; a red Palmetto flag flying, opened fire and, whatever the result may be, I shall upon us at the distance of about fivecarry to my grave the consciousness that eighths of a mile. We had the Ameri I at least meant well for my country." can flag flying at our flagstaff at the time, With the infusion of new life into the and soon after the first shot, hoisted a departments, the Government exhibited large American ensign at the fore. We some signs of action, but it was altogether continued on under the fire of the battoo feeble and uncertain to arrest, in any tery for over ten minutes, several of the considerable degree, the strong tide of shots going clear over us. One shot just rebellion which was now setting in at the passed clear of the pilot house, another South. An effort was made, though passed betwen the smoke stack and walkquite inadequate to the purpose in view, ing beam of the engine, another struck to reinforce and provision Fort Sumter. the ship just abaft the fore-rigging and The commercial steamer Star of the stove in the planking, while another came West was prepared at New York, and within an ace of carrying away the rudon the night of the 5th of January, load-der. ed with supplies, and with a picked body of two hundred United States troops on board, left the harbor for Charleston. The preparations were made with secrecy, but not with such privacy as to prevent some friend of the South sending news of the movement in advance by the telegraph, which was then uninterrupted, to her place of destination. When the vessel arrived off the port, early on the morning of the 9th, she found a steamer ready to signal her appearance. "The soldiers," to continue the narrative in the words of the official report of the captain of the steamer, John McGowan, "were now all put below, and no one allowed on deck except our own crew. As soon as there was light enough to see, we crossed the bar, and proceeded on up the channel, (the outer bar buoy having been taken away,) the steamer ahead of us sending off rockets and burning lights until after broad daylight, continuing on her course up nearly two miles ahead of us. When we arrived about two miles from Fort Moultrie, Fort Sumter being about the same distance, a masked battery on Morris Island, where there was New York, January 12, 1861.

At the same time there was a movement of two steamers from near Fort Moultrie, one of them towing a schooner, (I presume an armed schooner,) with the intention of cutting us off. Our position now became rather critical, as we had to approach Fort Moultrie to within three-quarters of a mile before we could keep away for Fort Sumter. A steamer approaching us with an armed schooner in tow, and the battery on the island firing at us all the time, and having no cannon to defend ourselves from the attack of the vessels, we concluded that to avoid certain capture or destruction, we would endeavor to get to sea. Consequently we wore round and steered down the channel, the battery firing upon us until the shot fell short.""

Major Anderson, in consequence of the espionage upon his movements by the authorities at Charleston, was not allowed a knowledge of the sailing of the steamer. As she approached, however, beset by the batteries of the harbor, her purpose to render him assistance became evident, and he was prepared to second

* Captain McGowan to M. O. Roberts, Star of the West

RESIGNATIONS FROM THE CABINET.

47

her advance by opening fire upon the was attended by further withdrawals assailants, when she was driven back. from the Cabinet of members whose His interpretation of the act was shown Southern sympathies or political scruin a letter which he immediately ad- ples would not permit them to acquiesce dressed to Governor Pickens, asking if in this exercise of authority. Mr. Jacob the firing of the batteries "upon an un- Thompson, of Mississippi, the Secretary armed vessel bearing the flag of my Gov- of the Interior, resigned on the 8th of ernment," was authorized, and notifying January, while the Star of the West was the Governor, that if it were not dis- yet on her way, and three days after, claimed "he must regard it as an act of when her mission had proved unsuccesswar, and that he should not, after a rea-ful, Mr. Thomas abandoned his post as sonable time for the return of his mes- Secretary of the Treasury. Greatly to senger, permit any vessel to pass within the satisfaction of the mercantile and range of the guns of his fort."* To this menace, Governor Pickens replied with assertions of the Independence of South Carolina, an interpretation of the visit of the Star of the West, as evidence of a desire to coerce the State by the armed forces of the United States, and his consequent approval of the firing from tue batteries. "The act," he wrote, "is perfectly justified by me. In regard to your threat in regard to vessels in the harbor, it is only necessary to say, that you must judge of your responsibility. Your position in this harbor has been tolerated by the authorities of the State; and while the act of which you complain is in perfect consistency with the rights and duties of the States, it is not perceived how far the conduct which you propose to adopt, can find a parallel in the history of any country, or be reconciled with any other purpose of your Govern- of January, four days after Secretary ment, than that of imposing upon this State the condition of a conquered province."

The resolution shown by the President, in this attempt to preserve the public property in the harbor of Charleston,

Major Anderson to Governor Pickens, Fort Sumer, January 9, 1861.

Governor F. W. Pickens to Major Anderson, January 9, 1861.

financial classes, the place of the latter was occupied by the Hon. John A. Dix, of New York. This spirited citizen, a member of the Democratic party, who had made every exertion to maintain the revolted States in the Union, entered vigorously on the work of repairing the disasters which had been incurred, or at least, of preserving what could be maintained of the rights of the nation. The entire property of the Union at the South was being pillaged or destroyed. The commercial, no less than the military operations, were suspended by the occu pation of harbors, the plundering of custom houses, the desertion of their officers and the seizure of the public vessels. Two revenue cutters at New Orleans and Mobile, which were in especial danger, it was thought, if vigilantly looked after, might yet be preserved. On the 19th

Dix took charge of his Department, he sent Mr. William Hemphill Jones, Chief Clerk in the First Comptroller's Office, to save this property. Arriving at New Orleans, this officer, according to his instructions, ordered Captain BreshWood, in command of the cutter Robert McClelland, to proceed with her to New York; to which the summary answer was

The

jury and defiance on the part of the South Carolinians.

In spite of the deliberate avowal by Governor Pickens of the firing on the Star of the West, Major Anderson, from humane and kindly motives, with the hope of the so long-deferred interposition of peaceful counsels, still hesitated, unwilling to assume the responsibility which his judgment dictated, and pursue the course which he had marked out for himself. Resolving to seek further instruction from the Government, he asked and obtained from Governor Pickens his consent to the passage of Lieutenant Talbot, an officer of the garrison, on the errand. The messenger was permitted to depart, and only two days afterward, before he could return, on the 11th of January, a formal application was made by Governor Pickens to Major Anderson for the surrender of the fort. This, of course, he refused, but again expressed his desire to refer the matter to Washington. Governor Pickens, in consequence, im

returned, "I refuse to obey the order." Upon this, Jones telegraphed to Secretary Dix for further instructions. answer sent by telegraph, ordered the arrest of Breshwood, with this pithy injunction "If any one atterapts to haul down the American flag, shoot him on the spot." The message did not at once reach its destination; it was intercepted at the telegraph offices of the South, and was too late to oe put in execution. But. it did not fail in another direction. It was accepted as the first energetic utterance of the powers of government, and was echoed by thousands of tongues, glad to give voice to one burst of indignant feeling at the gross and repeated insults to the national ensign. The few emphatic words were not forgotten by the public. They helped to make Secretary Dix, Major-General of the United States armies. The people wanted a watchword, and in the midst of the prevailing despondency, were thankful that it proceeded from a high officer of the Government. The deliberate act of hostility and as-mediately deputed the Hon. J. W sault upon the national flag, in the attack upon the Star of the West, strange to say, was attended with no immediate important consequences, though it no doubt had its influence in bringing the public mind toward the conclusion, that the rebellion was something more than a wordy altercation to be settled at leisure by conventions, resolutions, and debates. The Administration, indeed, and the people of the North generally, were reluctant to accept any other than a peaceful interpretation of whatever might occur. Had they not been indisposed to admit an unfriendly conclusion, the assault on the Star of the West would in its effects have anticipated that on Sumter. Certainly, nothing was wanting in it of in- 1861.

Hayne, Attorney-General of the State, to proceed to the National Capital as the bearer of a letter to the President, in which he renewed the demand for the surrender. "The demand," was its language, "I have made of Major Anderson and which I now make of you, is suggested because of my earnest desire to avoid the bloodshed which a persistance in your attempt to retain the possession of that fort will cause, and which will be unavailing to secure you that possession, but induce a calamity most deeply to be deplored."* An interval of about three weeks occurred after Colonel Hayne's arrival in Washington, while an effort

*Governor Pickens to President Buchanan, January 11,

was made by certain Southern Senators, ernor Brown on the 3d of January. including Davis, Wigfall, Slidell, and Fort Morgan, at the entrance to the bay others, to prolong the negotiation, when of Mobile, with the arsenal and its supthe answer of the Government was giv-plies at that city, were similarly occupied en, through the Secretary of War, Mr. the next day. Forts Johnson and CasHolt, to the final demand, which was well were seized by the State troops of somewhat modified by an offer on the North Carolina a few days later. On the part of South Carolina to purchase Sum- 10th, Louisiana seized Forts St. Philip ter and its contents as property of the and Jackson on the Mississippi, and the United States, with the alternative of arsenal at Baton Rouge. The Floridians taking it by force in case this novel ne- secured Fort Barrancas and the navy gotiation were refused. Mr. Holt's reply, yard at Pensacola, on the 12th. The one of the most admirable of his excel- last day of the month the United States lent State papers, combatted this strange Mint and Custom-house, at New Orleans, proposition, pointed out its inadmissible with about half a million of dollars of character, and while it asserted his re- the public money, passed by a bold act solve to maintain the fort in its present of confiscation, into the keeping of the position, and make every effort, if the State. The arsenal at Little Rock, in occasion arose for it was now repre- Arkansas, and the military posts and sented by Major Anderson that he stood property of Texas, fell into rebel hands in no need of immediate aid—to reinforce a short time after. The spoliation of the it also. renewed the President's declara- Texas forts was particularly discreditable, tions of his pacific policy and intentions. since it was accomplished by a prominent "If," was its conclusion, "with all the officer of the United States service. multiplied proofs which exist of the Pres- Brigadier-General Twiggs, who had gainident's anxiety for peace, and of the ear- ed deserved distinction in Mexico under nestness with which he has pursued it, the flag of his country, first deserted his the authorities of South Carolina shall troops who were guarding the frontier, assault Fort Sumter, and peril the lives and not content with this "infamy of of the handful of brave and loyal men treason to his flag, added the crowning shut up within its walls, and thus plunge crime of deliberately handing over to the our country into the horrors of civil war, armed enemies of his government all the then upon them and those they represent public property intrusted to his charge, must rest the responsibility." thus even depriving the loyal men under Whilst this was the condition of affairs his command of all means of transportaat Sumter and at Charleston, the public tion out of the State."* The United property in the other Southern States States soldiers, as they arrived from was also suffering spoliation. Under their distant posts at the seaboard, were plea of danger from popular violence, made prisoners, and though urgently Forts Pulaski and Jackson, the fortifica- solicited, not a man of them would foltions of the harbor of Savannah were low the example of their general and taken possession of for the State by Gov-abandon their allegiance to their coun

*Hon. J. Holt to Hon. J. W. Hayne, War Department, February 6, 1861.

* Report of the Secretary of War, Simon Cameron, July 1, 1861.