Chapter III

CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN GOV. PICKENS, OF SOUTH CAROLINA, AND MAJOR ANDERSON, COMMANDING AT FORT SUMTER, IN RELATION TO THE FIRING ON THE STAR OF THE WEST. (_Page 110._)

_To his Excellency the Governor of South Carolina_:

SIR: Two of your batteries fired this morning on an unarmed vessel
bearing the flag of my Government. As I have not been notified
that war has been declared by South Carolina against the United
States, I cannot but think this a hostile act, committed without
your sanction or authority. Under that hope, I refrain from
opening a fire on your batteries. I have the honor, therefore,
respectfully to ask whether the above-mentioned act--one which I
believe without parallel in the history of our country or any
other civilized Government--was committed in obedience to your
instructions? and notify you, if it is not disclaimed, that I
regard it as an act of war, and I shall not, after reasonable time
for the return of my messenger, 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, I beg you will take due
notification of my decision for the good of all concerned. Hoping,
however, your answer may justify a further continuance of
forbearance on my part,

I remain, respectfully,

ROBERT ANDERSON.

GOV. PICKENS' REPLY.

Gov. Pickens, after stating the position of South Carolina towards
the United States, says that any attempt to send United States
troops into Charleston harbor, to reinforce the forts, would be
regarded as an act of hostility; and in conclusion adds, that any
attempt to reinforce the troops at Fort Sumter, or to retake and
resume possession of the forts within the waters of South
Carolina, which Major Anderson abandoned, after spiking the cannon
and doing other damage, cannot but be regarded by the authorities
of the State as indicative of any other purpose than the coercion
of the State by the armed force of the Government; special agents,
therefore, have been off the bar to warn approaching vessels,
armed and unarmed, having troops to reinforce Fort Sumter aboard,
not to enter the harbor. Special orders have been given the
Commanders at the forts not to fire on such vessels until a shot
across their bows should warn them of the prohibition of the
State. Under these circumstances the Star of the West, it is
understood, this morning attempted to enter the harbor with
troops, after having been notified she could not enter, and
consequently she was fired into. This act is perfectly justified
by me.

In regard to your threat about vessels in the harbor, it is only
necessary for me to say, you 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 you
complain is in perfect consistency with the rights and duties of
the State, it is not perceived how far the conduct you propose to
adopt can find a parallel in the history of any country, or be
reconciled with any other purpose than that of your Government
imposing on the State the condition of a conquered province.

F. W. PICKENS.

SECOND COMMUNICATION FROM MAJOR ANDERSON.

_To his Excellency Governor Pickens_:

SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your
communication, and say that, under the circumstances, I have deemed
it proper to refer the whole matter to my Government, and intend
deferring the course I indicated in my note this morning until the
arrival from Washington of such instructions as I may receive.

I have the honor also to express the hope that no obstructions 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.
T. TALBOT, who is directed to make the journey.

ROBERT ANDERSON.