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BOi«IiTO.\, MSBET & BAltVES, Publishers and Proprietors. I. \INBKT. \ *• Editoi'ii. JO*. If. ESia riDBSAL ursrioKT, /> pub/txhrd JJ cekly. m JIilledgeriJle, Ga. (' r/i, r of Hancock and Wilkinson Sts. ( opposite Court House. J At <S2 a year in Advance, (Unless in Advance, $3 Pkr Annum.) BATES OF ADVERTISINC. Per si/uarr of twelve tines. On i:,-ertion$l HO, and fifty cento for each subsequent , .. jtinuaiK'f. 7 ., -at without the specification of the number of ’ii- 1 will tie published till forbid aud charged Professional Cards, per year, where they ., x e. d Six Links - . . $10 00 'C ■ ' trill Itc mode with those who wish to . I rtisr by the year, occupying a specified space LEGAL ADVERTISEMENTS. S Land and Negroes, by Administrators, Ex- ■ irs or Gnardiana, are required by law to be held n i n -day in the month; between (lie hours of noon and three in the afternoon, at the • •■’ii-" hi the county in which the property is sit- v •• of; h’-sesalea must be given in a public ga- . s previous to the day of sale. - ii’- of personal property must begiv- .i* milliner 10 days previous to sole day. . tin- debtors and creditors of uu estate must „’-11 be published 40 days. V i! li lt application will be made to the Court of <t irvt>r leave to sell Land or Negroes, must be . ithlislieJ for two months. < ' tori ‘tors of Administration Guardianship, -t• published 311 days—for dismission from •i -tnition. monthly six months—for dismission i Gu irdianship, 40 days. .. foreclosure of .Mortgage must be published a lone months—fur establishing lost papers, •• pars of three months—for compelling titles ut'«rs or administrators, where bond lias been _; ’ll by the deceased, the fuil space of thr I’ i’ ttions will always be continued according to —. bn legal n ouirementa, unless otherwise ordered ►,t the following I? A f E S : ( ' . ’iis, on letters of administration, &c. $1173 “ (Lsmissory trom yfdmr’n. 4 30 “ Guardianship. 3 00 ! -.veto sell Land nr Negroes 4 00 Notice to debtors and creditors. 3 00 Saies Of personal property, ten days, 1 sqr. 1 Sale of land or negroes by Executors, &c. pr »qr. 5 00 K«tr..vs, two weeks 1 50 1- .»r a m : ■] ad vertising his wife (in advance.) 5 00 VOLUME XXXI.] MILLED SEVILLE, GEORGIA, TUESDAY, J AN U A R Y 15, 1861. [NUMBER 34. 1860. Fall and Winter, 1860. TINSLEY AND NICHOLS DEALERS IN GEXEItAL A DVE RTISEMENTS. J. A. & AV. W. TURNER, ATTORNEYS AT LAW. Eatonton, Ga. October, 18, 1839. 21 lv. COATES A W00LF0LK (U'tarcliotisc ani (Commission iMERCHANTS, iti lnow open anil prepared for the reception of their NEW FIRE PROOF WAREHOUSE. ■P’lsite Hardeman & Sparks. We will endeavor to ii s-lveaw.irthv of the patronage of those who fiv ir us with tlmir business. Liberal advances in ie on cotton when desired. Al.e-.MI Ga.. Sept. 21, 1859. 18 tf. .70/5NT E. SOWDOIIff, ATTORNEY AT LAW, t-riVTOVI'ON, GA. r.itonton. Ga., Feb. 14, I860. 38 tf. E5ES. IslTTLE’S C VERMIFUGE.! 1 i LARGE Billies and Vials. ^ ** :!i!nsf i- i <(aired to relievo childrou of ^ . ;t :;d o.-si.lfs Wing ouo «»f the chon post and t—j -r gtiiit’uuo.-s ever offered to the public. Its fro- ^ we iu families will nave much trouble and •—s • .j-iisi*. as well as the lives of many children—for ^ _.it out of every ten generally require it. ^ A CARD. ! .T T» HORMAN having extensively used LIT- i VERMIFUGE, takes pleasure in saying it f most valuable remedy to cure children of x S he ever knew. A d-'llat bottle is quite ‘l At *? »TTOX, Ga., Feb. 3, ls60. LITTLE’* AKG3YHE COUGH DROPS. A endttin cure for Cold*, Coughs, Bronchitis, Asthma, Vein in the Breast; also Croup, Whooping Coughs, &c., Ac., a >nongxt Children. This is a pleasant medicine to take, producing im- meuiate relief, and in ain« out of ten cases a prompt wire It exerci.-os* the most controlling influence v. r r.mghs aud Irritation of the Lungs of any re- lv 1;;i i\vn. often stopping the most violent a nu-fi it ay or tv Many . .iecidedly consumptive, have been j: .luplly cured by nsing a few bottles. As anodyne ,rant, without astringing the bowels, it stands ; • mount to all cough mixtures. SjITTLE’S FRENCH MIXTURE. r.:« is prepared from a French Recipe (In the f'Ttiiw ..f N.i, i and 2; the first for the acute, aud ‘J. for ihe chronic stage, 1 and from its unexampled • > is likeiy to supersede every other remedy f r ii;. cure of diseases of the Kidneys and Biadder, . u)irh«eal, Blennorrbceal, aud Leucborrhoeal or Vi'-.-r AI bus affections. This extensive compound * s properties totally different in taste and r .natter fro in any thing to be found in the United >: •>- i’.'.arniacopaeia ; and in point of safety and efli- c • j y h uut rivalled iu America* l. g T 'S' L E ’ s RINGWORM & TETTER OINTMENT. FOKTIS, No. 2. ii iTidreds of cases of Chronic Tetters, Scald Heads, ? i diseases of the skin generally, have been cured ’ / t i!: s remedy; and since the introduction of the j preparation -being stronger; scarcely a case b n found that it will not effectually eradicate ... a h rt time. For the euro of Cancerous Sores * i I'lct-ta it is applied in the form of plasters, aud i- :iliro-s infallible. In l. r<* than two hundred places iu Georgia, and Southern States, they are to be had ; and as * .-Tf are scamps about who are counterfeiting liia •‘difs, by palming off their own or something ' y U'iug the same or similar names ( for no pa- ■ .- want . i MfBTWl amid the ftbsord patents of let all !>e cautioned to look well for tbe * ^nature of the Proprietor, thus:— P3 iNo his uame blown into the class of each bottle. ^ All order* and letters to be addressed to LITTLE & BR0., g* 'A’Lulasal*» I)^ucgi^ts» Macon. Q* 1.1 Ly all Druggists in Milledgeville. 1IERTY & HALL, Ag^nis. (HER0HEE REMEDY! AN UNFAILING CUKE FOR ea ed-3 HI Diseases of the Drinsiy Oimbs, :•; ■ i F.nY . irw wh™ nil «tk*-r pr p«t»ri«n. fall It fa . . V. rv oth’T i-oi.qvi.md; rr.n'miiinu no MIS- ■m.N NAI'SK.OIS DP.LH; os it i. pn-prnd .ul.lv •I', at.it LEAVES, and lm. Imudt^ A", '■•■’ i, ;m l IH OKH IN i . itiiii'i ■ on ii» own intrin-ir merit.. • . • I ,:', ,ro,. s blT. The rNFORTD- - , t re *M bv n'-ini till. REMEDY to- ... . .t,: the mer'ev of . line Uua.-k or Profra- :i I MKItV -Irik, tlievei.V KOOTol the -,. „d the i.’-i-ion. but t” REMOVE • j • _Ki.ll direction!in pbanipblet p. edvaud permauelit relief af- „il foOS< IRK IKEA GLEET. < Ti UK, KH'oR ALBL'S (W HITES IN inftbc Irinanr Orean.. low arton- ol tilease Titfa Reinedv not only SON front ike SYSTEM but INVIGORATES iiutituti Hive received their SPRING AND SUMMER SUPPLIES, and respectfully solicit, not only llu ir former customers, but the public efencrally. to call and examiuo tiieir LARGE- and ^ A- R1ED STOCK. ' * J Extraordinary Inducements! j NEW STORE ! NEW GOODS ! I r MOULD I3ESPECTFULLY invite the atten- I L tion of the citizens of Milledgeville, aud the surrounding country, to my PAI.Ti STOCS. —OF— DRY GOODS! 4boo¥aTd SHoSIfii : zmmhats, & caps. which will be sold as Low for Cash, or Lower, ‘ WAYNE STREET, MILLEDGEVILLE, GA. i hr.n any otlier House in the City; and warranted to 1 ?ive Satisfaction. Iain just receiving my stock of FALL GOODS, Knowing the wants and tastes of my Customers. I have selected with great care, the Latest Style axi> Fashion, of all kinds of DEES3 GOODS, D A J1 ^ i T RI 2VX ItI Z ? J Gr 3 ! SHA ~%R7~ L JS 2 And a I.arge Assortment of Silks, aud all Styles of WHITE GOODS. Also, a Large Assortment of WOKS, AND ALL KINDiTOF I llest made Calicos, from 7 to 10 cents. BOOTS A PI a SHOES! j A Large Supply of GENTS, LADIES, MISSES, and CHILDREN’S. Also a Large Lot of BRO- j GAN’S, for Negro wear, from 89 cts. to s I 3lj cts. i HATS! CAPS HATS A3JJ3 CAPS, a I.arge Assortment of MENS, BOYS, AND CHILDREN. HOOP SKIRTS! 39 Springs, Good Quality, §1 90, aud Finer Grades in proportion. BLAH Z0L ETS ! Fine Bed, Mackinaw, Negio, Horse, Railway, Crib, tSccAc. Iv cw is yonr time ! Come one, Come all ! and look at iny Laige Stock of GENTS, BOYS, and CHILDREN, and SERVANTS L'LL'A'imiLL Also a Laige Assortment of GENTS FURNISHING GOODS! Consisting of Shirts, Collars, Drawers, Unde: Shirts. Ac., Ac. CASH BUYERS, will lied that thpy can save money by making their Purchases here, as my Large Stock must be disposed of during the pres ent Season. J. ROSENFIELD. Wayne st, 2 doors above Grieve A Clare’s DiU'i; Store. Milledgeville, September 5th, 1860. 1C 4ni. WASHINGTON HALL. This House is still open to the public. S PECIAL arrangement will be made fur the accommodation of the Members to the approaching STATE CONVENTION, and the future Sessions of the Legislature., The and terms -at this il< use, will those of the other Public Houses in this citv. X. C. 13AliNETT. Milledgeville, Oa. Dee. 15th, I860. XU dv\ SANFORD'S LIVER INVIGORATE R. Never Debilitates. T IS COMPOUNDED ENTIRELY from GUMS, an'f has become an established iii:9, a Stamlard Medicine, known and ap. | used it, and is now resor- - all the diseases for wliiclilK It lias cured thousands Q who liad given up all _ numerous uusa!icitedcer-|“ show. ! Tlie dose must be proved by af! that hat ted to with contidence in it is recommended, within thelast two years hopes of lelief, as the titicates iu my possess.on adapted to the tempera- rri ' l ,1 _ merit of the individual " | taking it, and used m such quantities as to act Q gently outlie Bowels. Let the dictates of j your judgment guide you n the use of the Liverj^j Invigoratoi*Bind it will •ure Liver f ~ 1 " ■> > ... . iia, Chrouic tiveness,Cholic, Cholera, j Infantum, F1 atu 1 e nee. ses, and may he used inent of attack. >' All who use it are giv- L^ ing their testimony in its favor Lj | Mix irater in thc\ jmouth with the ln- visforator, and swallow both together. Price one dollar per bottle. —ALSO— SANFORD’S FAMILY 1 HIS DEPARTMENT is complete, embracing ail the fttylc* of yiERlXOS, IY<* liAS.NKM, UOPl.l.Xs, French, Kngli^h and American PRINTS, Ac., Ac. I^ace Goods aud Embroideries IN ENDLESS VARIETY, £1 osiery and Oloves of every quality FOR A1EH, BOYS, LADIES, MISSES AND CHILDREN. VELVET and ( LOTH CLOAKS, of various styles and prices. HOUSE-KEEPING AND PLANTATION GOODS. In tins department tliev Itave everytliing usually kept in their line at prices a little less than can be had elsewhere. nATS AND CAPS, OF THE LATEST STYLES, for Men and Bojs. BOOTS AKTD SHOES, OF ALL QUALITIES, for Men, Ladies, Boys, Misses and Children, at low prices. CARPETINGS and RIGS, of all kinds. eiiOSIIS, CASSISSSaSSS and VESSTUaS, Of all Colors and Qualities. mm a mmw m&m wnii A LARGE EOT. AND CHEAP. 20 tf. C I © f ^ C b- O ^ p 7 C 53 M “ es ■?! ft | 2 ® § C7> ri 2LH r.a 5 0 — s zf. 2 ^ _ ^ 2 5 C r: “g 2- H cr? ’rr ^ to ? to to C/71 _o 2^, O - » as ^ c- eg = Jta ■j - 1%, it s U » a *2 - H X o - a ^ _ 3^ 2 X i Summer Cnmpla . i. r nts.Dy- c — Sto muli. Iluhit lal Cos- to > |Ch< lent Morbus. Cholera C5 Jaundice. Femal •YVt-ak- W - j smw \vi! eessfnlly ns an cure Sick lie Ordiua- adaciie, © — J in t tak wenty minutes, if two en at the commence- NS i S s; jn \ \ Cathartic Tills COMPOUNDED FROM Pure Vegetable Extracts, and -put vp in Glass Cases, Air Tight, and will keep in any climate- FT.il LTj m > •2j O rs 5 - % i 5. • * s 5 55 8 I s 1* < & * a r* o m iv 1— H So ii 8 s a n* X 0 m K A VL sa P M ^ ® t » « " o Ir2 x 2 a ^ 3 S C b,. iZ ^ g. % SS 0 SB H % £-< H R _ 2 <C wU 5K ^ pq £2 IS . o ► 8^2 c H hh H n S5 | Pill is a gentle but active prietor has used iu lii • [ty years. Hi ing demand from those ^ Pills, amt the satisfaction j gat'd to their use, lias in- ” within the reach of all. m know that different Ct- nn tics act on different portions of the bowels. The Family Cathartic 1 Pill has, with due refer red o this well estnb- | lished tact,been compoun ded from a variety of the O (purest Vegetable l-.x- acts, which act 'alikeon *. every part of the alimen- ii v canal, and are good t, |and safe in nil cases here a Cathartic is | ( needed, such as Derange ments of the Stomach,!M Sleepiness, Pains in the Back and Loins. Costive- 1 ness. Pain and soreness over the whole body. | from sudden cold, which frequently, if neglected, SB |end iu a long course oi fever. Loss of Appetite, t, a Creeping Sensation of Cold over the body, Rest-j ilessness, Headache, or ight in the Head, ah' 5 ! Inllaraatory D is ease s, inns in Children or q| Adults, Rheumatism, a ' of the I blood, aud many diseases The Family Cathartic Catharti \ which the pro practice more than twen- Tlie constantly increas- -ho liar'e lot>g used the hich all express iu re duced me to place them The Profession we" th \\ great l’uritier to •III J UIIUCI ...V I’MOVU, whicl flesh is heir\ |to, too numerous mention in this adverflSement, I>oeo, 1 to 9. Price Three D i m c s . d. C5AMB & CO. “BAZAAR OF FASHION.” YTTE ARE NOW IN the full tide of successful operation with the largest and most CHOICE } t STOCK OF AW35 37 , ^.3NTC?'E' !• LiverInvigorator and Family Cathartic Pills ..‘tailed by Dtuggpts generally, arid sold wholesale the Trade in all the large towns. S. T. W. SANFORD, M. I>. 50 lv. Manufacturer and Proprietor 208, comer of Fulton st , Broudway, X. Y. Tiit are rt by airb it a*' ,.-b l-)tt! -. ■ ’t 'a KKF.CT the BREATH or INTERFERE '•ss„f BUSINESS, or r»*quin* any deviation trom H-ta.-tni!’** 1 from other mi-di.-iiit. NH VNCES its VALUE, i. the ENTIRE I N UTSEACS TASTE, fa in* a PLEASANT Mt lovssYiiup. ,,r till’s* brittle, for T 1 ■■UTTERk MERtVIN, Sole . n.'Yv HERTY A HALL, and all Drosgiiti CLOTHING. I(2ILL£1>GI>VXL&ZI IKON AND BRASS FOUNERY! V ■ 1 I.LY Sl FEUROWS would respectfully in- ’ in the public that they nrenow prepared to 1 any work in their line with neatness and des lias SUGAR MILL ROLLS, turned or un of any «ize from 20 to 120 dollars per sett, .'•Ait KETTLES from 30 to 120gallons ; Saw and M ill Machinery; Gin Gear of any size. n ins; for House, Harden, Balconies, and Cemeteries, at Eastern Prices. oid Clock Weights, Window Sills and Caps, > i’ ■ -. and Fanning Mill Irons of all desenp- aiado of the best materials. -A W ork Warranted. Hiil.d gev ille, Jan. 24, 1859. 35 *f F. G. DANA, (LATE VASA If fVASHBLRS) Factor and Commission aCB’Js DlFIATf UN SA VANS A H. GA. 1* CONTINI'E the above business at tl»e old stand or £ Dana K. Washburn, 114, Buy street, and am pre pared to make liberal advances on all produce con-igu- ed to mv care. , _ August 1, lSf.0. U6m - 50 Saw Cotton Gin for Sale. ONE of WATSON'S best 50 Saw Cotton Gins, is offered for sale. This Gin is new, and is equal to any in use. Sold for no fault, the present ow ners having no use for it. Any planter wan "'f- r a good Gin, can have a chance to get one at a re duction on the regular price. Apply at this offic . or of N. Tift, or J. H. Watson, at Albany. NOTIONS, tfcc., cAJc., THAT IT HAS EVER BEEN OUR PLEASURE TO OFFER TO THE PUBLIC, IN WHICH WE ARE OFFERING RARE INDUCEMENTS, AS EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT NOBODY CAN UNDERSELL US. BEAUTIFUL, ALL WOOL DELAINE, in neat and Elegant Styles at 50 cts., Worth 75cts. NEW DELAINES, at 25 cents, worth37 SOLID COLOR WORSTED GOODS, at 37 cents, worth 62 1-2 cents. RED, ALL Wt OL FLANNEL, at 25 cents. PANTS GOODS, at 29 cts.. worth 37 cts. BLACK AND FANCY SILKS, at very low figures. ALL LINEN TOWELS, at 12 1-2 cents. CLOAKS of the latest styles, fully 25 per cent below usual prices. Double Shawls at $6, worth *8. EMBROIDERIES, such as Jaconet and Swiss Edgings and Insertions. Jaconet Band and Rich Fionnces COLLARS of the most beautiful needle work. JACONET SET1S without limit. RICHLY worked HANDKERCHIEFS of all patterns. Our superioiity in this line needs no mention. 500 Pair BROGANS, at OOcte., worth §1 25. r,f 0 pair Calf BROGANS, at §1 10, worth $ I 50. 150 ’• Children Shoes (with heels) at 50cts. worth 75cts. 200 Pair Women’s Shoes, at 75 cents, worth $ I 25. 150 Pair Women’s Heel Calf Shoes, at $1 00 worth § I 35. 300 Business Cuats, at $3 50, worth $5 00. 50 Cassimere Coats, at 00. worth fjiSOO. 50 Black Cloth Coats, at $9 00, worth $14 00. 1U0 Over Coats, $5 00, worth $800. ' OUR STOCK IS UNUSUALLY FULL, WHICH IS THE CAUSE OF OUR REDUCTION IX PRICES. COXAE ONE, AND COME ALE, nnd secure the GREAT BARGAIN'S. j. GAXS & CO. January 1st. 1861. 25 Pilot Over Coats, at $9 09, worth $14 00. 25 Garrick Over Coats, at $14 00, worth $20. 50 Assoi ted Vests, at $1 00, worth $1 25. 50 Cassimere Vests, at $1 50, worth $2 2.!. 50 Plush Vests, at $4 50. worth $7 90. 100 pair Punts at $1 00, worth $1 50. 59 ” Satinet Pants, at $1 59, worth $2 25. 50 “ Cassimere Pants, at $2 09 worth $3 90. 50 “ Black Cloth Pants, at $4 50, worth $6. 25 “ Extra Cassimere Pants, at 5 00, worth $7 90. TEE CGES.E&FONDEN3E BETWEKS The foasarfssioRfrs a id she President of the lasted States. P.enili’Ul Harhnunn iScfases :o Kec.-ire one of Die Comasunicatiaas. Ti e following officta! correspondence between the Commissioners and the President of the United States was laid before the Convention in secreet si ssiou last night. Washington, 29,h Dec. 1860. SlR: We have the honor to tianrmit to yon a copy of the full powers from the Convention of the people of Soutli Carolina, under which we are "authorized and empowered to treat w ith the Gov- err.m-nt of the United States for thedt-livery of the fortti, magazines, light houses, and otlier lea! es tate. with their appurtenances, in the limits of South Carolina; and also for an apportionment of the public debt, and for a division of all other property held by the Government of the United States ns agent of the Confederated States of which South Carolina was reci ntiy a member, and generally to negotiate as to all other measures and arrangements proper to he made and adopted in the existing relation of the parties, and for t Ire con tinuance of peace and amity between this Com monwealth and the Government at Washington. In the execution of this trust it is our duty to turnish you, as we now do, with an official copy of the Otdiiiance of SecessionJjy which the State of Soutli Carolina has resumed the powers she dele gated to the Government of the United States, and has declared her perfect sovereignty and inde pendence. It would also have been our duty to have in- rormea yon that we are trapy to frrgottate with honorable gentlemen to exert their influence for the purpose expressed. The event has proven that they have faithfully kept this promise, although I have never since received a line from anyone of them, or from any member of the Convention, on the subject. It is well known that it was my de termination, and this I freely expressed it. not to reinforce the forts in the harbor, and thus produce a collision, until they had been actually attacked, or until I had certain evidence that, they were about to be attacked. This paper I received most cordially, and considered it as a happy omen that peace might be still preserved, and that time miglit be thus given tor reflection. This is the whole foundation for the alleged pledge. But I acted in the same inanndr as I would have done had I entered into a positive and formal agreement with parties capable of contracting, although such an agreement wouM have been, on iny part, from the nature of my official duties, im possible. The world knows that 1 have never sent any reinforcements to the forts iu Charleston harbor, and I have certainly never authorized any change to be made "in their relative military sta tits ” Bearing upon this subject, I refer you to an order issued bp- the Secretary of War, on the 1 Ith inst., to Major Anderson, but not brought to my notice until the 21st inst. It is as follows: “MEMORANDUM OF VERBAL INSTRUCTIONS TO MAJOR ANDERSON, FIRST ARTILLERT, COM MINDING FORT MOULTRIE, S. C. “You are aware of the great anxiety of the Secretary of War that a collision of the troops with the people of this State shall be avoided, and of liis studied determination to pursue a course with reference to the military force and forts with in tLis harl o’, which shall guard against such a collision, lie has therefore carefully abstained from iimroaiirijr tiia f.irce at this point, or Taking J on upon all such questions as are oecessarillp-I *py measures which might add to the present ex raised bp the adoption of this Ordinance, and that j citoJ state of the public mind, or which would vve were prepared to enter upon this negotiation, | throw any doubt on the confidence lie feels that with the earnest desire to avoid all unnecessary South Carolina will not attempt by violence to nb and hostile collisions, and so to inaugurate our | * a ; r i possession of the pub ic works, ur interfere new relations as to secure mutual respect, general advantage, and a future of good will and harmony beneficial to all the parties concerned. But the events of the last twenty-four hours ren der such an assurance impos-ible. We came here the representatives of an authority which could, at any time within the past sixtubiys, have taken possession of the forts in Charlfl^Pi haibor, but. which, upon pledges given in a manner that, we cannot doubt, determined to trust to your honor, rather 1 ban to its own powi-r. Since our arrival here an officer of the United Stat-s, acting, as we are assured, not only without, hut against, p-onr orders, lias dismantled oue foit and occupied an other—thus altering, to a most impoitant extent the condition of affairs under which we came. Until these circumstances are explainnd in a manner which relieves tis ofall doubt as to the spirit in which these negotiations shall be con ducted, we ate forced to suspend all discussion as to any arangements by which our mutual int* rests miglit be amicably adjuste 1. And, in conclusion, we wonld urge upen you the the immediate withdrawal of the troops from the iiarbor of Charleston. Under present circum stances, they area standing menace which renders negotiation impossible, and, as our recent expe rienee shows, threatens speedily to bring to a bloody issue questions which ought to be settled with temperance and judgement. We have the honor to be. Very respectfully, your ob't serv’ts, R. W. Barnwell, ) J. H. Adams ;• Jas. L Ork, ) To the President of the United States. •Commissioners. the president’s reply. Washington City, 30th Dec., 18G3 GENTLEMEN: I have had the honor to receive your communication of 29th inst., together with a copy of ‘your full powers from the Convention of the people of South Carolina,’’ authorizing you to treat with the Government of the United States on various important subjects therein mentioned, and also a copy of the Ordinance l> ar ng date on the 2t th inst., declaring that “the Union now subsist ing between South Carolina and other States, un der the uame of tho United States of America, is hereby dissolved.” In answer to this communication, I have to say, that my position a» I’r^eidcut ot itic United States was clearly defined iu the message to Congress on the 3d inst. In that 1 stated that “apart irom tin- execution of the laws, so far as this may be prac ticable, the Executive has noauthority to decide what shall he the relations between the Federal Government and South Carolina. He has been no power to change the relations heretofore exist ing between them, much less to acknowledge the independence of that State. This would be to in vest a mere Executive officer with the power of recognizing the dissolution of the Confederacy ainongoiii thirty-three sovereign States. It bears no lesenibiancc to the recognition of a foreign de facto government—involving no such responsibili ty. Any attempt to do this would, on his part, be a naked act of usurpation. It is. therefoie, my duty to submit to Congress the whole question in all its bearings. Such is my opinion still. I could, therefore, meet you only as private gentlemen of the highest character, and was entirely willing to communi cate to Congress any proposition you might have to make to that body upon the subject. Of this you were well aware. It was my earnest desire that such a disposition might Lie made of the whole subject by Cong!ess, who alone possesses the power, as to prevent the inauguration ot a civil war betw een the parties in regard to the pos session of the Federal forts in the harbor of Char leston, and I therefore deeply regret that, in your opinion, “the events of the last twenty fair hours render this impossible.” In conclusion, you urge upon me "the immediate withdrawal of the troops from the harbor of Charleston,” stating that 'under the present circumstances they are a stand ing menace, w hich renders negotiation impossible- and as our recent experience shows, threatens speedily to hi ing to a bloody issue questions which ought to bs settled with temperance and judge ment.” The reason for this change in your position is, tl at since your arrival in Washington “an officer of the United States, acting, as we (you) are as sured, not only without but against your (my) orders, has dismantled one fort and occupied an other—thus altering to a most important extent the condition of affairs under which we (you) came.” Y'ou also allege that you came here "the representatives of an authority which could, at any time within the past sixty days, have taken possession of the forts in Charleston harbor, but which, upon pledges given in a manner that we (you) cannot doubt, determined to trust to your (iny) honor rather than to its power.” This brings me to a consideration of the nature of those aliedged pledges, and in what manner they have been observed. In my message of the 3d of December last, I stated, in regaidto the property of the United States in Soutli Carolina, that it “has been purchased for a fair equivalent, by the consent of ti«* -or ttte State, for tne erection of forts, magazines, arsenals, dec., and over these the authority to exercise exclusive legislation lias been expressly grauted by the Con prove to be mistaken, the officer in command of the forts has received orders to act strictly on the defensive. In such a contingency, the responsi bility for consequences would rightfully rest upon the heads of the assailants.” Tliis being the con dition of the parties,on Saturday, 8th December, four of the Representatives from South Carolina called upon me and requested an interview. We had an earliest conversation on the subject of these forts, and the best means of preventing a collision between the parties, for the purpose of sparing the effusion of blood. i suggested, for prudential reasons, that it would he best to put in writing what they said tome verbally. They did so ac cordingly, and on Mi lid ay morning, the Il.th inst.. three of them presented to me a paper signed by all the Representatives from South Carolina, with a .-ingle exception, of which the following is a copy : To His Excellency, Janies Bur/an-in, President of the United States ■' In compliance with our statement to yon yes terday, we now express to you our strong convic tion that neither the constituted authorities, nor any body of the people of the State of South Carolina, will either attack or molest the United States forts in the harbor of Charleston, previous ly to the action of the Couvtntion, and we hope and believe not until an otter has been made through an accredited representative, to negotiate for an amicable arrangement of all matters be tween the State and the Federal Gover.mient, pro vided that no reinforcements shall be sent into these forts, and their relative military status shall remain as at present. John McQueen, M L. Bonham, W. W. B< YJE, Lawrence M. Keitt. Washington, 9th Decembei, 1860. Aud here I must, in justice to myself, remark that at the time the paper was presented to me I objected to the word “provided,” as it might be construed into an agreement on my part, which I never would make. They said that nothing was farther from their inteution—they did not so un derstand it,and I should not so consider it. It is evident they could enter into no reciprocal agree ment wrth me on the subject They did not pro fess to have authority to do this, aud were acting in their individual character. I considered it as nothing more, in effect, than the promise of highly with their occupancy. But as the counsel and acts of rash and impul sive persons may possibly disappoint these ex pectations of the Government he deems it proper that you should be prepared with instructions to meet so an unhappy a contingency. He lias, theretore, directed me, verbally, to give you such instructions. You are carefully to avoid every act which would needlessly tend to provoke aggression, and for that reason you aro not, without necessity, to take up any position which could be construed in to the assumption of a hostile attitude ; but you are to hold possession of the forts in this harbor, and if attacked, you are to defend yourself to the last extremity The smallness of your force will not permit you, perhaps, to occupy more than one of the three forts, but an attack on, r.r attempt to take possession of either of them, will be regard ed as an act of hostility, and you may then put your command into either of them which you ntay deem most proper to iucrea-e its power of resist ance. You are also authorized to take similar steps whenever you have tangible evidence of a design to proceed to a hostile act. D. P. BUTLER, Assistant Adjutant General. SECOND LETTER OF THE COMMISSIONERS TO THE PRESIDENT. Washington, D. 0., January 1st., 1861. Si'-: We have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 30tli December, in reply to a note addressed by us to you, on the 28th of the same month, as Commissioners from South Carolina. In reference to the declaration with which your reply commences, that your “position as “President of U United States was already defined ill the Message to Cm gr.-ss of the 3rd instthat yon possess “no power to eiiniige the n latinos heretofore existing between South Carolina and the United ftites,” “much less to ae- kuowledge the independence of that State,” and that consequently yon could meet us only as private gen tleinen of tiie highest character, with an entire willing ness to communicate to Congress any proposition wt miglit have to make—we deem it only necessary to say tliat the State of South Carolina, having, ill the exercise of that great right of self-government which underlies all our political organizations, declared herself sever eign and independent, we as her representatives, felt no special solicitude as to the character in which you might recognize us. Satisfied that the State had sim ple exercised her unquestionable rinlri, W*.e*-.-- pared, m order to reach substantia! good, to waive the formal considerations which your constitutional scrupli might have prevented you from extending. We came here therefore expecting to be received us you did re ceive ns, nnd perfectly content with that entire w illing ness, of which yon assured ns, to submit any propo sition to’Congrcss which we might have to make noon the subject of the Independence of the State. That wo • «• •f-. 1.. — -*r*-**‘' «■» *'F l1io oonHilinn ::i public affairs, which rendered our presence necessary In this position, however, it is our duty both to the State which we represent and to ourselves, to correct several important misconceptions of our letter, into which you have fallen. Y'oti sav: “It was mv earnest desire that such a dis position might be made of the whole subject by Con gress, who alone possess the power to prevent the in auguration of a civil war between the parties in regard lo the possession of the Federal forts iu the harbor of Charleston; mid X therefore deeply regret that i: your opinion the events of the lust twenty-four hour render this impossible.” We expressed no such opin ion ; and the language which you quote ns ours, is altered in its sense By the omission of a most inipur taut part of the sentence. What we did say was “But the events of tin* Inst twenty-four hours render such an assurance impossible." Place that surance,” ns contained in our letter, in the sentence, and we are prepared to repent it.” Again, professing to quote our language, you say: “Thus the authorities of Soutli Carolina, without wait ing or asking for auy explanation, and doubtless be lieving, as you have' expressed it, that the officer had acted not only without but against my orders," &.C. We expressed no such opinion in reference to the be lief of the people of South Carolina. The language which you have quoted wasappiied solely nnd entirely to our assurances obtained here, and biased, as you well know, upon vonr own declaration—a declaration which, at that time, it was impossible for the authori ties uf South Carolina to have known. But without following this letter into all its details, we propose only to meet the chief points of the argument. Some weeks ago the Slate of South Carolina de clared her intention; in the existing condition of pnb lie affairs, to secede from the United Stutes. She (-ailed a Convention of her people to put her declaration in foroe. The Convention met, and passed the Ordinance of Secession. All this you anticipated, nnd your course (faction was thoroughly considered in your im mm 1 message. You declared you had no right, aud would not attempt to coerce a seeding State, but tliat you were bound by yonr constitutional oath, aud would defend the property of the United States with in the borders of South Carolina, if an attempt was made to take it by force. Seeing very early that this question of property was u difficult and delicate one, you manifested a desire to settle it without eollisaion. Y ou did not reinforce the garrison in the harbor of Charleston. Y ou removed a distinguished and veteran officer from the command of Fort Moultre, because he attempted to increase his supply of ammunition. You refused to send additional troops to the same garrison, when applied for by the officer appointed to succeed him. Y ou accepted the resignation of the oldest and most eminent member of your Cabinet, rather than allow the garrison to be strengthened. Y'oti compelled un officer, stationed at Fort Sumter, to return imme diately fort v muskets which l’<-h—i *«fa — *- «<iu ins • vou expressed, not to one, but to many, of the most distinguished of our public characters, whoa.- testimony will be placed upon the record, whenever it is necessary, your anxiety for a peaceful termination of this controversy, and your willingness not to disturb highest authorities of South Carolina, that no attempt wen’.d be made to disturb y nir p< s ei ion of the torts and property of the United States, if you would not disturb their existing condition until the Commis sioners lmd been sent, and the attempt to negotiate had failed. You took from the members of the House of Representatives a written memorandum that no such at tempt should be made, "provided that no reinforcements shall be sent into those forts, and their relative mili tary status shall remain as at present.” Aud although you attach no force to the acceptance of such a pa per—although you considered it as nothing more in effect than the promise of highly honorable gentle men”—us an obligation on one side, without corres ponding obligation on the the other—it must be re membered (if we aro rightly informed) that you were pledged, if you ever send reinforcements, to return it to tuose from whom you had received it, before you executed your resolution. Y’ou sent orders to your offi cers commanding them, strictly to follow a line ot con duct in conformity with such an uudevstanding. Be sides all this, you had received formal and official notice from the Governor oL South Carolina that we had been appointed Commissioners, and were on our way to Washington. Y ou knew the implied condition under which we came; our arrival was notified to you, and an hour appointed for an intei view. Wear- rived iu Washington on Wednesday, at three o'clock, and you appointed a:i inteview with us at one the next day. Early on that day, Thursday, the news was re ceived here of the movement of Major Anderson. That news was communicated to you immdiatcly, aud _\ou postponed our meertig until half past 2 o’clock on Friday, in order that you might consult your Cabinet. On Friday we saw you, and we called upon you then to redeem your pledge. Y’ou could not deuv i;. With the fi cts we have stated, and in the face of the crowning and ci nclusire fact that your Secietary.at War had resigned hie sent iu the Cabinet, upon the publicly avowed ground that the action of Major An- ib-rson had violated the pledged faith of the govern ment, and that unless the pledge was instantly re deemed. lie was dishonored denial was impossible, you did not deny it. Y’on do not deny it now, but yon seek to escape from its obligation on the grounds, first, that we terminated all negotiation by demanding ae a preliminary, the withdrawal of the United States troops from the harbor of Charleston; and second, that the authorities of South Carolina, instead of asking expla nation and giving you the opportunity to vindicate yourself, took possession of the other property of the United States. We will examine both. Iu the first place, we deny positively that we have ever in any way made any such demand. Our letter is in your possession ; it will stand by this on record Iu it we inform you of the ob jects of onr mission. We Bay that it would have been our duty to have assured you of our readi ness to commence negotiation with the must earnest and anxious desire to settle ill questions between us atmc tbly and to our mutual advantage, but that events had rendered that assurance impossible. We stated the events, anu we said that until some satisfactory explanation of these events was given us, we could not proceed ; and then, having made this request for explanation, we added: “And. in conclusion, we would urge upon you the immediate withdrawal of the troops trom the har bor of Charleston. Under present circumstances, they are a standing menace which renders nego- tion impossible,” &c. “Under present circum stances!” What circumstances 1 Why, clearly the occupation of Fort Sumter and the dis mantling of Fort Moultrie by Major Anderson, in the lace of your pledges, and without explanation or practical disavowal. And there is nothing in the letter which would, or could, have prevented you from declining to withdraw the troops, and offering the restoration of the status to which vou were pledged, if such had been your desire " It would have been wiser and brtU r, in our opinion, to have withdrawn the troops, and this opinion we urged upon yon, bnt we demanded nothing but such an explanation of the events of the last twenty-four hours as would restore our confidence in the spirit with which the negotiations shonld be ctnducted. In relation to this withdrawal of the troops from the harder, we are compelled, however, to notice one passage of your letter. Referring to it you say : “This 1 cannot do. This 1 will not do. Such an idea was never thought of by me in any possible contingency. No allusion to it had ever been made in any communication between myself and any human being.” In reply to this statement we are compelled to say that your conversation with us left upon our minds the distinct impression that you did seri ously contemplate the withdrawal ot the troops from Charleston harbor. And in support of this impression, we would add. that we have the posi tive assurance of gentlemen of the highest pos sible public reputation and the most unsullied in tegrity—men w hose name and fame, secured by long service aud patriotic achievement, place their testimony beyond cavil—that such suggestions had been made to and urged upon you by them, and had formed the subject of more than one eari- est discussion with you. And it was this knowl edge that induced ns to urge upon you a policy which had to recommend its own wisdom aud the might of such authority. As to the second point, that the authorities of South Carolina, instead of asking explanations, and giving you the opportun ity to vindicate yourself, took possession of other property of the United Stsic^, wo would observe, 1st. That even if this were so. it does not avail you for defence, for the opportunity for decision was afiorded you before those facts occurried. We arrived in Washington on Wednes lay ; tho new* from Maj. Andersou reached here early on Tharf- day, and was immediately communicated to you. All that day men of the highest consideration— men who had striven successfully to lift vou to your great office—who had been your tried and true friends through ihe troubles of your adminis tration, sought you and entreated you to act—to act at once. They told you that every hour com plicated your position. They only asked yon to give the assurance that if the facts were so—that if the commander had acted without and against your orders, and in violation of yonr pledges—that you would restore the status you had pledged your honor to maintain. Y’ou refused to decide. Youi Sec retary at War, your immediate and proper ad viser in this whole matter, waifed anxiously for your decision, until he felt that duly was becoming dishonor. More than twelve hours passed, and two Cabinet meetings adjourned, before you knew what the authorities ot South Carolina had done, and yonr prompt decision at any moment of that time would have avoided the subsequent compli cations. But, if you had known the acts of the authorities of South Carolina, should that have preveiit°d yon keeping your faith ! What was the condition of things ’ Fur the last sixty days you have had in Charleston harbor not force enough to hold the forts against an equal enemy. Twio of them were empty; one of those two the most important in the haibor. It could have been taken at Buy time. Y’on ought to know better than any man that it would have been taken but for the efforts of those who put their trust in your honor. Believing that they were threatened by Fort Sumter especially, the people were with diffi culty restrained from securing without blood the possession of this important fortress. After mar-e and reiterated assurances given on your be) alf, which we cannot believe unauthorized, they de termiued to forbear, and in good faith sent on their Commissioners to negotiate with you. They meant you no harm—wished you no i) They thought of you kindly, believed you true, and were willing, as far as was consistent with duty, to spare you unnecessary and hostile collision. Scarcely had these Commissioners left than Major Anderson waged war. No otlier words will de scribe his action. It was not a peaceful change front one fort to another ; it was a hostile act in the highest sense, and only justified in the pres ence of a superior enemy, and in imminent peril. He abandoned liis position, spiked hia arnns. burned his gun carriages, made preparations for the destruction of his post, and withdrew tinder cover of the night to a safer position. This was war. No man could have believed i without your assurance) that any officer could have taken such a step “not only w ithout orders, bnt against orders.” What the State did was in simple seif-defence ; for this act, with alt its attending circuinstances, was As rnnet. war as nnng a voinry ; nnu wifr i>riu K thus begun, until those commencing it explained their action and disavowed tlnir intention, there was no room for delay ; and even at this moment, while we are writing, it is more than probable, from the tenor of your letter, that reinforcements are hurrying on to the conflict, so that when the first gun shall have been fired, there will have been, on your part, one continuous, consistent series of actions, commencing in a demonstration essentially warlike, supported by regular reinforce ment, and terminating in defeat or victoiy. And all this without the slightest provocation ; for, among the many things which you have said, there is one thing you cannot say—vou have waited anxiously for news from the seat of war, in hopes that delay would furnish some excuse tor this precipitation. But this “tangible evidence of adesign to proceed to a hostile act, on the part of the authorities of South Caiolina,” which is the only justification of Major Anderson, you are forced to admit, “has not yet been alleged.” But yon have decided ; you have resolved to hold, by force, what you have obtained through our mis placed confidence; and by refusing to disavow the action of Major Anderson, have converted his violation of orders into a legitimate act of your Executive authority. Be the issue what it may, of this we are assured, that, if Fort Moultrie has been recorded iu history as a memorial of South Carolina gallantry, Fort Sumter will live upon the succeeding page as an imperishable testimony of Carolina faith. By your course, yon have probably rendered civil war inevitable. Be it so. If you choose to force this issue upon us, the Statu of South Caro- linp will accept it: and. relying npon Him who is the’God of Justice m well as the God ot Hosts, will endeavor to peiform the great duty which lies before her hopefully, bravely, and thoroughly. Our mission being oue for negotiationjand peace, and your note leaving us without hope of a with draw. 1 of the troops fiom Foit Sumter,or of the restoration of the stain quo existing at ihe time of our arrival, and intimating, as we think, your determination to reinforce the garrison in the harbor ot Charleston, we respectlully inform you that we propose returning to Chat lesion to-mor row alternoon. We have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servauts. R. W. BARNWELL, ) J. is. ADAMS, >Commissioners. JAMES L. ORR, N To his Excellency the President of the United States. The following is the endorsement upon the document: Executive Mansion, 3.J o’clock, Wednesday. This paper, just presented to the President, ia of sueh a character that he declines to receive it. Fort Moclthix, S. C., December 11, 1860. TliiBisin conformity to my instructions to Major Buell. John B. Floyd, Secretary of War. These were the last instructions transmitted to Ma jor Anderson before liis removal to Fort Sumter, with a single exception, ill regard to a particular wliiih does not in auy degree affect the present question. Ui- ilcr these circumstances, it is clear that Major Ander son acted upon his own responsibility, and without nt - thorily, unless, indeed, he had “tnugibie evidence of a design to proceed to n hostile act” on the part of tl e authorities qf South Carolina, which lia< not vet bem alleged. Still he is n brave and honorable officer,at d justice requires that he should not he condemned with out a fair bearing. Be tliis as it may, when I learned that Major Ander son had left Fort Moultrie aud proceeded to Foit Sumter,my first promptings were to command him to return to Iils former position, and there to await tl e contingencies presented in his instructions. Tl it would only have been done with any degree of safely to the command by the concurrence of the South Car olina authorities. "But Wore any step could possibly have been taken in Hi is direction, we received infor mation that the “Palmetto flag floated out to the breeze at Castle Pinckney, and a large military fori e went over last night (tlx- 27tli) to Fort Moultrie.” Thus the authoritiie of .South Carolina, without wait ing or askiug for auy explanations, and doubtless be lieving, as von hax-e expressed it, that the officer had acted not only without, but against my orders, on tho very next day after the night when the removal was made, seized by a militaiy force two of the threo Federal Forts in the harbor of Charleston, and have covered them under their own flag instead of that of the United States. At this gloomy period of onr history, startling events succeed each other rapidly. On the very day, the 27 th inst, that possession of these two forts was taken, the Palmetto flag was raised over the Federal Custom House and Post Office in Charleston; and on the same day every officer of the Customs—Collector, Naval Officer, Surveyor, and Appraiser—resigned their dffi- ces. And this, although it was well known front the language of my Message, that ns an Executive officer I felt myself bound to collect the revenue at the port _of Chaileston, under the existing laws. In the harbor of Chaileston we now find three forts confronting each other, over all of which the Federal flag floated only four days ago; but now, over two of-them, tins flag has been supplanted, and the Palmetto flag has been substituted in its stead. It is under all these ctrcum- stances that I am urged immediately to withdraw the troops from the harbor of Charleston, and I am in formed that without this negotiation is impossible. This I cannot do—this I will not do. Such an idea 35 tf