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You might envy me the quiet of Wheatland were my thoughts not constantly disturbed by the unfortunate condition of our country. The question of the withdrawal of the troops from Fort Sumter at first agitated the public mind in this vicinity; but my impression is that the people are now becoming gradually reconciled to it. There is a general desire for peace. As a military movement, General Scott's name will go far to sustain Mr. Lincoln. After Major Anderson's letter, received on the 4th March, it was very doubtful whether he could be reinforced by the means within the power of the Government. The only alternative would have been, to let the Confederate States commence the war on him, and if the force had been so superior as to render successful resistance impossible, after the honor of the flag had been maintained, then to authorize him to capitulate. Indeed, I presume such, or nearly such, was the purport of the instructions.

It is probable an attempt will be made, as you suggest, to cast the responsibility on me. But I always refused to surrender the fort and was ever ready to send reinforcements on the request of Major Anderson.

I thank God that the revolution has as yet been bloodless, notwithstanding my duty, as prescribed in my annual message, has been performed as far as this was practicable.

With my kindest regards to Mrs. Dix, I remain always, sincerely and respectfully,

Your friend,

JAMES BUCHANAN.

FROM MR. HOLT.'

WASHINGTON, March 20th, 1861.

MY DEAR SIR:

On reaching home last evening, I had the pleasure of receiving yours of the 16th inst., & now hasten to enclose the copy of my letter to the President, as requested. I think you need have no apprehension that either yourself

1 Buchanan Papers, Historical Society of Pennsylvania; Curtis's Buchanan, II. 536.

or friends will be called upon for any elaborate vindication of your policy in reference to Fort Sumter; events are hurrying on too rapidly for that.

You will ere this have seen Breckinridge's speech in the Senate, connected with the movement now making by his friends in Kentucky, through an irregular popular convention gathered from the highways & hedges, to force the Legislature to the adoption of a revolutionary policy. This demonstration on his part is regarded as very significant. Kentucky voted against him, on the suspicion merely that he was a disunionist; after this avowal, I doubt not, her condemnation of him will be far more decided.

I very much fear an early recognition on the part of France of the new Confederacy, which, followed as it would speedily be by others, would go far to consolidate the Southern republic. The bait for the material interests of Europe has been adroitly prepared, & cannot be long resisted. But I think such a step by a friendly government, taken within ninety days after the revolt of the States, ought to be treated almost as casus belli.

Fort Sumter, I presume, is about to be evacuated, which will do much to allay popular excitement in South Carolina, & thus take away the aliment on which the revolution is feeding. Still, there will remain military complications in the South, for the peaceful adjustment of which fears may well be entertained.

You have my sincere thanks for your kind invitation to visit Wheatland. It would afford me the greatest pleasure to do so, & I trust that events may yet place this gratification within my reach.

Very respectfully & truly your friend,

HIS EXCLLY. JAMES BUCHANAN.

J. HOLT.

MY DEAR SIR:

FROM GENERAL DIX.'

NEW YORK, March 28th, 1861.

I intended to have sent you long ere this a copy of my letter to Major Anderson, and his reply. Mine was written on the evening of the inauguration, after the consultation at Mr. Ould's; and it was intended to encourage him if he was true, or to cut him to the heart if he was false. You know, however, that I would not doubt his honor and good faith. I should have sent the correspondence last week, but I was urged to go to Washington to see Mr. Chase in regard to the new loan. The request came from the Government, and I could not decline it. I found the Secretary well informed in regard to the condition of the finances, and think he will acquit himself with credit.

1 Curtis's Buchanan, II. 537.

When I left (on Saturday last), I do not think the administration had any settled policy. It was merely drifting with the current, at a loss to know whether it were better to come to an anchor, or set sail.

There had not been at that time a full cabinet meeting; and I know that the foreign appointments had been made without consulting the Secretary of the Treasury. I believe Mr. Lincoln is acting on the theory of advising, in regard to appointments, with the head of the Department under which they properly fall, and with none of the others.

Will you please to say to Miss

in regard to her nephew.

that I have the assurance she desired

My wife and daughters are in Boston, and I am very desolate.

I think it is decided to withdraw Major Anderson, without holding your administration to any responsibility for it. The attempt, as must be seen, would not only be fruitless, but absurd.

The loan of eight millions will be taken next week on favorable terms. If the bids for the stock are not satisfactory, Mr. Chase has the alternative of issuing Treasury notes, payable in two years, and convertible into stock. This privilege of convertibility will enable him to place them at par. But it would be better, if he can get a fair price for the stock, to take it, and get the eight millions out of the way for twenty years.

I beg to be kindly remembered to Miss Lane, and am, my dear sir, with sincere regard,

Faithfully yours,

JOHN A. DIX.

DEAR SIR:

FROM MR. STANTON.1

WASHINGTON, April 3, 1861.

Although a considerable period has elapsed since the date of my last letter to you, nothing has transpired here of interest but what is fully detailed in the newspapers. Mr. Toucey left here last week. Judge Black is still in the city. General Dix made a short visit at the request of the Secretary of the Treasury. Mr. Holt, I think, is still here, but I have not seen him for several days. You of course saw Thompson's answer and Mr. Holt's reply. I have not had any intercourse with any of the present Cabinet except a few brief interviews with Mr. Bates, the Attorney General, on business connected with his Department. Mr. Lincoln I have not seen. He is said to be very much broken down with the pressure that is upon him in respect to appointments. The policy of the administration in respect to the seceding States

1 Buchanan Papers, Historical Society of Pennsylvania; Curtis's Buchanan, II. 538.

remains in obscurity. There has been a rumor, for the last two or three days, that notwithstanding all that has been said, there will be an effort to reinforce Fort Sumter. But I do not believe a word of it. The special messenger, Colonel Lamon, told me that he was satisfied it could not be done. The new loan has been bid for, at better rates than I anticipated: and I perceive Genl. Dix was one of the largest bidders at the highest rates. The new Tariff Bill seems to give the administration great trouble; and luckily it is a measure of their own. The first month of the administration seems to have furnished an ample vindication of your policy, and to have rendered all occasion of other defence needless. The rumors from Richmond are very threatening; secession is rapidly gaining strength there. Hoping that you are in the enjoyment of good health & happiness, I remain

as ever,

Yours,

EDWIN M. STANTON.

P. S. 12 o'clock. The Secretary of the Treasury has determined to reject all the bids for the new loan under $94. This gives him $3,099,000 only, of eight millions called for. He could have obtained the whole amount at 932. Riggs thinks the Secretary has made a great mistake in not taking the whole sum, and that he will not get as good terms as 93% in future. There are no bids here taken. E. M. S.

FROM MR. STANTON.1

DEAR SIR:

WASHINGTON, II [10] April, 1861.

I am rejoiced to learn by yours of the 8th inst., received this morning, that your good health continues. Mrs. Stanton desires to return her thanks for your kind invitation. It would give her great pleasure to make you a visit, if the care of young children permitted her to leave home. Before long I hope to have the pleasure of paying my respects to you at Wheatland.

Enclosed I send you a copy of General Scott's "views," as published in the Intelligencer. The first I ever heard of them was when they were read in Cabinet by Floyd on the 27th of December. I have been hoping to procure for you a copy of Genl. Scott's "Observations" upon Mr. Holt's last letter respecting Sumter, but as yet have not succeeded. I saw Mr. Holt on Sunday. I had supposed he might have some knowledge of the designs of the administration & the purpose of the recent military & naval movements.

1 1 Buchanan Papers, Historical Society of Pennsylvania; Curtis's Buchanan, II. 538.

VOL. XI-12

But he said he had none. He has received a curious letter from Genl. Twiggs, the substance of which is, "that the power to dismiss an officer of the army without trial has been exercised, and he does not dispute it; but Mr. Holt has assumed the right to apply epithets the propriety of which he will discuss with General Holt whenever he has the honor of meeting him personally." What would he have thought of the epithet "cowardice" which you struck out of Mr. Holt's order? Mr. Seaton, when I called on him this morning, expressed his gratification to hear of your good health, & spoke of you with much kindness. He says he has no knowledge of the movements or policy of the administration but what he finds in the New York papers, has not seen Lincoln since the inauguration, and has no intercourse with the Cabinet. Dr. Gwin has just returned from Mississippi. He speaks with great confidence of the stability & power of the Confederacy, and evidently sympathizes strongly with them. Every day impresses stronger conviction upon the public mind here that armed collision will soon take place. Lincoln has appointed his partner, Col. Lamon, marshal. He is to enter upon the office Friday; & Selden says he gives as a reason for doing so immediately that apprehensions are entertained of a hostile attack upon Washington. But I think that apprehension is as groundless as the rumor that hurried Lincoln from Harrisburg to Washington.

I beg you to present my kindest regards to Miss Lane. The rumor continues rife that she is soon to return to this city. Mrs. Stanton & myself will be happy to welcome her.

I shall continue to keep you advised of anything of interest that may transpire here, and hope that your life may long be spared in health & happiness.

Yours truly,

EDWIN M. STANTON.

HIS EXCY. JAMES BUCHANAN.

P. S. 12 o'clock. It is certain that the administration is panic-stricken for some cause. They commenced this morning an active enrolment of the militia of the District. Chew, of the State Department, was sent last week to Charleston. I have just been told that he went with a formal note to Gov. Pickens-that the administration designed to succor Major Andersonthat 14 ships would be sent that they meant only to supply provisions, but if there was any resistance forces would also be sent in. It is now reported as coming from one of the Commissioners that the batteries have opened on Sumter. Soldiers are also being placed in the Departments. This is the last rumor on the Avenue.

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