The surrender of the United States Arsenal at Little Rock.
The Arkansas Gazette of the 16th inst., publishes in full the correspondence that passed between
Gov. Rector, of that State, and
Captain Totten, of the United States Army, prior to the surrender of the latter of the
Little Rock Arsenal.
The correspondence for the surrender of the arsenal was opened by
Governor Rector, who informed
Captain Totten that he had received reliable information that a large force of citizens were then on the march to
Little Rock, with the avowed purpose of taking possession of the United States Arsenal there.
The Governor declares it to be his duty, under the circumstances, although the movement was not authorized by him, to prevent a collision between the people of the
State and the
Federal troops, and therefore demanded the delivery of the arsenal in the name of the
State of Arkansas, to be held subject to the action of the
Convention, to be held on the 4th day of March next.
This is the only way which can possibly prevent the effusion of blood and the destruction of property of the citizens and the
Government.
Capt. Totten, in reply to this demand, confesses that he feels himself in trying circumstances, but before agreeing to the surrender of the arsenal at
Little Rock, he requests to know from the
Governor the conditions of surrender.
To these interrogatories
Governor Rector answered as follows:--After mature reilection, I propose to accept your first, second and third propositions, with the following understanding: That, being informed your command brought no cannon, so none are to be taken away.
You shall have a safe passage out of the
State in any direction you may please, with your command: provided, however, you do not station yourself within the limits of the
State of Arkansas or on the borders thereof.
A memorandum was subsequently drawn up, in which the
Captain agreed to surrender the arsenal, a part of which reads thus: And the said
Captain Totten protests that he has thus acted because in the presence of a greatly superior armed force, and which he became satisfied would soon become over whelming by reinforcements, in case of resistance, involving the sacrifice of his command, without regard to the probable loss of life on the part of the assailants; because any defence of the arsenal in the city of
Little Rock, whether successful or unsuccessful, would necessarily involve, to a greater or lesss extent, the destruction of property in the city, and the loss of lives of the peaceful citizens and families dwelling therein: because, being without instructions from his Government, he took the responsibility of doing what he thought proper and best under all the circumstances, desiring to avoid cause of civil war in this Government, by the first instance of a hostile and bloody collision, yet protesting for himself, and in the name of his Government, against events beyond his control, which have actuated him to this course.
The ladies of
Little Rock, as an expression of their feelings of kindness and consideration for
Captain Totten, presented that gallant and meritorious officer with a handsome and costly sword.
