New Elements in the THE COMMITTEES IN CONGRESS. 171 made known that the President would not | dered to that effect. The steamer Star of the order Anderson back to Moultrie. Having West, at New York, was commissioned Degot rid of Floyd, he found cember 31st, and, all the week succeeding, in Joseph Holt, a pure-mind- was taking in stores and munitions with ed adviser, whose patriot- which to sustain and strengthen the garrison. ism and energy at once seemed to change the whole current of affairs. General Dix, as Secretary of the Treasury, was equally patriotic and trusted. Mr. Toucey, Secretary of the Navy, if he did not enter with ardor upon the duty of resistance to the conspirators, still, being a Northern man, was not in league with them, and gave his casting vote on the side of his Government. Thus strengthened in his counsels, and encouraged by the indications of the people and 'State authorities of the entire North, Mr. Buchanan would have been worse than weak to have restored Anderson to certain destruction or disgrace by ordering him back to Moultrie. On the 2d of January the President sent in the name of Wm. McIntyre, of Philadelphia, to be collector of revenue for the port and neighborhood of Charleston. Southern members, in this, saw the President's purpose to force South Carolina into submission to the Federal laws for the collection of duties, and of course resisted. With the aid of Southern Democrats, an adjournment was had,-thus refusing to consider the nomination. This "fillibustering was resorted to at every attempt to consider the appointment; and to a few Northern Democrats was the country indebted for that most direct collusion with treason, in tying the President's hands. Anticipating the failure of all propositions for a settlement before the Committee of Thirty-three, a caucus of the Senators and Representatives of the Border States alone was convened, at the earnest solicitations of Mr. Crittenden, Mr. Douglas, the President, General Cass, and others, The Border State Mr. Holt was given the War Department portfolio Dec. 31st. He had assumed its duties upon the resignation of Floyd, and with such unmistakable evidences of fitness for the trust that his appoinment gave the loyal country much pleasure. The disloyal Senate refused to act upon his confirmation for many days, but the growing strength of public opinion towards resistance to, if not actual co-eminent citizens, then at Washington. It ercion of, the rebellious States, finally forced his recognition. General Winfield Scott was tendered the seat, at the earnest solicitation of the best friends of the Government, but the wise old warrior preferred to retain his command of the army, and declined the Cabinet appointment to serve his country in his own department. Mr. Holt very judiciously called the veteran into his counsels, and the country found that, with the mere shadow of an army, the two men were prepared for the threatened emergencies as far as their means at command would permit. held a session Saturday evening, Dec. 29th, and appointed a committee to name one member from each Border State, to sit as a joint committee for the purpose of considering propositions of compromise and adjustment. The following names were reported:— "Senator Crittenden, of Kentucky, Chairman; Messrs. Harris, of Maryland; Sherman, of Ohio; Nixon, of New Jersey; Salisbury, of Delaware; Gilmer, of North Carolina; Hatton, of Tennessee; Pettit, of Indiana; Harris, of Virginia; McClernand, of Illinois; Barrett, of Missouri; Sebastian, of Arkansas; Vandeveer, of Iowa; and Hale, of Pennsylvania." The Border State Committee's Propo sition. in any other that may hereafter be acquired, | protect the interest and preserve the Government of was considered. On Wednesday it was fur- the country, and that an appropriation be made to ther discussed and rejected. Mr. Nelson's defray the expenses of such Convention." resolutions, which Mr. Crittenden offered in The Border State Comthe Senate, were then taken up, and the Committee, appointed under mittee amended them, so as to declare it in- instructions from the cauexpedient for Congress to abolish Slavery in cus of Border State memthe dockyards, arsenals and the like, of the bers, decided, Friday evening (January 4th), United States, instead of being mandatory upon the following propositions: not to do so. A similar amendment concerning the District of Columbia was pending upon adjournment. "First: Recommending a repeal of all the Personal Liberty bills. "Second: That the Fugitive Slave law be amended On Thursday it, for the preventing of kidnapping, and so as to pro also, was adopted. The Committee then considered and adopted the following, offered by Mr. Bristow, of Kentucky: "Resolved, That we recognize Slavery as now existing in fifteen of the United States, by the usages and laws of these States, and we recognize no authority, legally or otherwise, outside of a State where it so exists, to interfere with slaves or Slavery in such States, in disregard of the rights of their owners and the peace of society. Resolved, That we recognize the justice and propriety of a faithful execution of the Constitution, and 'all' laws made in pursuance thereof, including those on the subject of fugitive slaves, or fugitives from service or labor, and discountenance all mobs, or hindrances to the execution of such laws, and that the citizens of each State shall be entitled to all the privileges and immunities of the citizens of the several States. "Resolved. That we recognize no such conflicting elements in its composition, or sufficient cause, from any source, for a dissolution of this Government; that we were not sent here to destroy, but to sustain and harmonize the institutions of the country, and to see that equal justice is done to all parts of the same; and, finally, to perpetuate its existence, on terms of equality and justice to all the States." These resolutions, having the assent of the Republicans, only repeated those previously introduced by Mr. Grimes, Mr. Seward, and others on the Committees. Friday, being fast-day, by proclamation of the President, the Committee was not in session. Saturday, the following was introduced by Mr. Hamilton, of Texas: vide for the equalization of the Commissioners' fee, &c. "Third: That the Constitution be so amended as to prohibit any interference with Slavery in any of the States where it now exists. "Fourth: That Congress shall not abolish Slavery in the Southern dockyards, arsenals, &c., nor in the District of Columbia, without the consent of Mary. land, and the consent of the inhabitants of the District, nor without compensation. Sixth: That there shall be a perpetual prohi bition of the African Slave trade. "Seventh: That the line of 36 deg. 30 min., shall be run through all the existing Territory of the United States; that in all North of that line Slavery shall be prohibited, and that South of that line, neither Congress nor the Territorial Legis lature shall hereafter pass any law abolishing, prohibiting, or in any manner interfering with African Slavery; and that when any Territory containing a sufficient population for one member of Congress in any area of 60,000 square miles, shall apply for admission as a State, it shall be admitted, with or without Slavery, as its Constitution may determine." This scheme, though it favorably met every point raised by the Southern malcontents, did not secure their concurrence, in that it did not positively consign all the Territory South of 36 deg. 30 min., to Slavery. For that little alteration-that mere technicality of construction of the seventh proposition, they rejected all. No further evidence was wanting to disclose the fact that the revolutionists did not desire a settlement or compromise. Here was an adjustment, conceding all the points at issue, meeting practically every demand made by Mr. Toombs, having the assent of the Border States, and yet it failed to satisfy the disunionists. The Republicans SEIZURE OF FORTS. seeing that spirit, gave over every effort for adjustment. If it was necessary to make the Constitution itself recognize Slavery, to protect Slavery, by special enactment, they would not touch the question of Constitutional amendment. Mr. Crittenden visited the President, Saturday, to congratulate with him on the adoption, at length, of a settlement. The pure-hearted and patriotic statesman was yet to be undeceived as to the animus of the Southern Secessionists; his congratulations were premature. Caucus of Republicans. A general caucus of Republican members, Saturday, was called to especially consider that seventh section, which was the proposition of Mr. Hale, of Pennsylvania, on the Border Committee. Mr. Howard, of Michigan, objected to any "compromise" at all, as it would, of itself, be an acdnowledgment of wrong which did not exist. Mr. Lovejoy, of Maine, expressed similar sentiments. Speaking of the malcontents of the Slave States, and the proposed compromise of dividing the Territory between Freedom and Slavery to the Pacific, he said: "There never was a more causeless revolt since Lucifer led his cohorts of apostate angels against the throne of God; but I never heard that the Almighty proposed to compromise the matter by allowing the rebels to kindle the fires of hell south of the celestial meridian of thirty-six thirty." 173 ministration of the Government is resisted by those opposed to Mr. Lincoln, the crime will be theirs. When the Republicans took their position before the election, they knew they would have to meet this state of things, and now they should not put the burden upon posterity. Messrs. Hickman, and Stevens, of Pennsylvania, and Case of Indiana, opposed all compromises, in speeches couched in unmistakable language. Mr. Pettit, of Indiana, from the Committee of Border States, said he had approved all the propositions in that Committee except the one proposed by Mr. Hale, upon which he did not vote. He defended the Border States for their efforts to arrange matters. Mr. Stanton, of Ohio, and Mr. Nixon, of New Jersey, expressed themselves in favor of some compromise. The caucus unanimously agreed to press the business of the country in the House. Mr. Dawes, of Massachusetts, moved that no vote be taken on any of the propositions, and that the caucus adjourn sine die, which was carried. The caucus was fully attended, and was harmonious at the close against all compromise in view of the ultimatum made by the disunionists of a positive cession to Slavery of all territory south of 36 deg. 30 min. They resolved to stand by the Constitution as it is, and to abide the issue. A corresMr. Sherman stated that, "as a member pondent at the Capital, of a leading Repubof the Committee from the Border States, helican (New York) journal, wrote: could neither vote for the proposition pro- "It may be stated that a majority of the Repubposed by Mr. Hale, nor that proposed by Mr.licans would sustain the extension of the old MisCrittenden, to restore the Missouri line and souri line, pure and simple, through the present Terextend it to the Pacific. He was also oppos-ritory as a final settlement, regarding it as a vindied to the compromise to prevent the abolition of Slavery in the District of Columbia. While he did not wish to abolish it now, he was opposed to yielding up the right of Congress to do so at any future period." Mr. Grow, of Pennsylvania, expressed himself decidedly opposed to all compromises. He asked what better platform the North or the South could have to stand upon than the Union, the Constitution and the laws? The Republican party has chosen a President in accordance with the forms of the Constitution, and is entitled to fair play. If his ad cation of the principle upon which the party was Seizure of Forts. The United States Arsenal at Mobile, and Fort Morgan, were seized, Jan. 4th. These seizures were expected by the State Depart eloquent invocation for the Union, for peace, and for fraternal conciliation. It impressed its hearers profoundly. ment at Washington, and added not a little | lain, in the Representatives' Hall, was a most to the gathering sentiment in Congress and throughout the North against the revolution. These acts of violence, and appropriation of the unprotected property of the General Government, eventually awakened the spirit of coercion in the breasts of men of all parties in the Free States a spirit which, except for such overt acts might forever have slumbered.* January 4th was observed at Washington with great solemnity, as a day of fasting and prayer. A sermon, preached to an immense audience, by Rev. Thomas Stockton, Chap * As frequent reference will be made to the forts of the South, we append, from Col. Totten's Report, a table of the Navy Yards and Forts built by the U. S. Government in the Southern States, together with their cost and armament: 66 During the week troops were concentrated in Washington and vicinity to the number of about three hundred. Fort McHenry, in Baltimore, was occupied by one company of artillery, while another company was thrown into Fort Washington, on the Potomac, twelve miles below the Capital. The Navy Yard was placed under a strong guard, and every arrangement made for giving a decidedly warm reception" to the madmen who might attempt to seize the Government buildings. It seems incredible that the design of such a seizure, at that early moment of the revolution, was conceived and entertained; but, there can be no doubt of such a Guns. plot having been concocted. Even papers in Richmond advised the seizure. "Seizures" were, indeed, a potent agency in hastening the revolution. The people were not to be hurried, nor "precipitated" in their steady movement: public opinion was only devel oped slowly by ordinary processes. Therefore it was necessary, if the leaders would instantly create a fever for action, to seize Government property, and to urge, in justification, the "impending dangers of coercion." This is the key to the seizures at Pensacola, Savannah, Mobile, New Orleans, and, at a later day, in North Carolina and Virginia. A dispatch from Savannah, January 5th, said: No. of 74 159 Ft. Delaware, Del. River, Del....... 539,000 151 5,000 31 6,000 14 88 371 224 61 87 5,000 571,000 10 Ft. Washington, Potomac River..... 575,000 The pretext that it was necessary to take the forts here because the people would rise against them is the merest subterfuge. The only trouble was, the people were not forward enough, and it was necessary to create an excitement in order to bring them to the proper pitch. The common talk of the town declares that all these movements are but preliminary to an attack upon the Federal Capital. Having a friendly country through which to march, and having possession of the forts and arsenals, they say that conquest would be easy. They rely on the supposed weakness of the Administration, and are elated with the ease with which they have gained the forts already taken." If Washington were seized, the South would provide an army to retain it. This would the Government de facto, or would, at least, render the proposed Southern Confederacy enable the conspirators to dictate their own THE INTRIGUE EXPOSED. terms to the North. The programme was a brilliant one, it must be confessed, and doubtless embodied the combined suggestions of Messrs. Toombs, Floyd, Governor Wise, Wigfall, and other Southern hot-heads. The President had no army-only a few companies at his immediate disposal; and, having no power to call out troops, twenty-five hundred Virginians and Marylanders were deemed amply sufficient to hold the Federal Capital. Congress should not be disturbed only it should act "circumspectly;" and, as for Mr. Lincoln-why, of course, he could not be inaugurated! Plot to seize Washington. All this performance was thwarted by Gen. Scott's and Sect'y Holt's judicious disposition of their small but effective force at hand, and by the action taken to place the District Military Companies and Militia in a condition for service. The spirit of loyalty grew stronger and, stronger, day by day, after January 1st; and if the seizure had been attempted, after that day, at the call of the President one hundred thousand men would have rushed, in arms, to the Capital, from New York and Pennsylvania alone. General Scott, at no period, we are assured, felt the city to be insecure-so well did he know his own strength and the resources available in event of an emergency. 178 The Intrigue Exposed. of the plot matured, in 1858, to initiate the cation was as follows: "WASHINGTON, Jan. 9, 1861. "I charge that on last Saturday night a caucus was held in this city by the Southern secession Senators from Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas. It was then and there resolved, in effect, to assume to themselves the political power of the South, and to control all polit ical and military operations for the present. They telegraphed to complete the plan of seizing forts, arsenals, and custom-houses, and advised the Conventions now in session, as soon as possible, to pass ordinances for immediate secession; but, in order to thwart any operations of the Government here, the Conventions of the seceding States are to retain their representations in the Senate and the House. "They also advised, ordered, or directed the as sembling of a Convention of delegates from the seceding States at Montgomery, on the 13th of February. This can, of course, only be done by the revolutionary Conventions usurping the powers of the people, and sending delegates over whom they will lose all control in the establishment of a Provisional Government, which is the plan of the dictators. To become possessed of the capital, was, beyond question, the dream of the revolutionists. The seizure of all the property of the Government in the Slave States was but preliminary to the forcible possession of the National Capital itself. The rapidity of action in the seceded States in the formation of a Provisional government-the sudden manner in which an army was brought into the field-demonstrate that the details of the revolution were matured by the leaders long before their movements became public. The filling of Southern Arsenals with rich stores of arms and munitions-the withdrawal of garrisons from Southern forts to send them far off on the Western plains the depletion of the National treasury to the very verge of bankruptcy, so as to leave the incoming ad-ernments in Texas. ministration powerless from want of means— They have possessed themselves of all the avethe disruption of the Charleston Democratic nues of information in the South-the telegraph, the Convention, all were, unquestionably, parts | press, and the general control of the postmasters. 64 This caucus also resolved to take the most effec tual means to dragoon the Legislatures of Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, and Virginia into following the seceding States. Maryland passion as have led to the revolutionary steps which is also to be influenced by such appeals to popular promise a conflict with the State and Federal Gov. 66 |