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propriety as a soldier, I have taken no part in the pending canvass, and, as always heretofore, mean to stay away from the polls.
My sympathies, however, are with the Bell and Everett ticket.
With Mr. Lincoln I have had no communication whatever, direct or indirect, and have no recollection of ever having seen his person; but cannot believe any unconstitutional violence, or breach of law, is to be apprehended from his administration of the Federal Government.
From a knowledge of our Southern population it is my solemn conviction that there is some danger of an early act of rashness preliminary to secession, viz., the seizure of some or all of the following posts: Forts Jackson and St. Philip in the Mississippi, below New Orleans, both without garrisons; Fort Morgan, below Mobile, without a garrison; Forts Pickens and McRea, Pensacola harbor, with an insufficient garrison for one; Fort Pulaski, below Savannah, without a garrison; Forts Moultrie and Sumter, Charleston harbor, the former with an insufficient garrison, and the latter without any; and Fort Monroe, Hampton roads, without a sufficient garrison.
In my opinion all these works should be immediately so garrisoned as to make any attempt to take any one of them, by surprise or coup de main, ridiculous.
With the army faithful to its allegiance, and the navy probably equally so, and with a Federal Executive, for the next twelve months, of firmness and moderation,which the country has a right to expect--moderation being an element of power not less than firmness--there is good reason to hope that the danger of secession may be made to pass away without one conflict of arms, one execution, or one arrest for treason.
In the mean time it is suggested that exports should remain as free as at present; all duties, however, on imports, collected, (outside of the cities,1) as such receipts would be needed for the national debt, invalid pensions, &c., and only articles contraband of war be refused admittance.
But even this refusal would be unnecessary, as the foregoing views eschew the idea of invading a seceded State.
Lieut.-General Scott's respects to the Secretary of War to say--
--National Intelligencer, January 18, 1861.That a copy of his “Views, &c,” was despatched to the President yesterday, in great haste; but the copy intended for the Secretary, better transcribed, (herewith,) was not in time for the mail. General S. would be happy if the latter could be substituted for the former. It will be seen that the “Views” only apply to a case of secession that makes a gap in the present Union. The falling off say of Texas, or of all the Atlantic States, from the Potomac south, was not within the scope of General S.'s provisional remedies. It is his opinion that instructions should be given, at once, to the commanders of the Barrancas, Forts Moultrie and Monroe, to be on their guard agains surprises and coups de main. As to regular approaches nothing can be said or done, at this time, without volunteers. There is one (regular) company at Boston, one here, (at the Narrows,) one at Pittsburg, one at Augusta, Ga., and one at Baton Rouge — in all five companies only, within reach, to garrison or reinforce the forts mentioned in the “Views.” General Scott is all solicitude for the safety of the Union. He is, however, not without hope that all dangers and difficulties will pass away without leaving a scar or painful recollection behind. The Secretary's most obedient servant,October 30, 1860.
W. S.
