CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN GOV. PICKENS, OF SOUTH CAROLINA, AND MAJOR
ANDERSON, COMMANDING AT FORT SUMTER, IN RELATION TO THE FIRING ON THE
STAR OF THE WEST. (_Page 110._)
_To his Excellency the Governor of South Carolina_:
SIR: Two of your batteries fired this morning on an unarmed vessel
bearing the flag of my Government. As I have not been notified
that war has been declared by South Carolina against the United
States, I cannot but think this a hostile act, committed without
your sanction or authority. Under that hope, I refrain from
opening a fire on your batteries. I have the honor, therefore,
respectfully to ask whether the above-mentioned act--one which I
believe without parallel in the history of our country or any
other civilized Government--was committed in obedience to your
instructions? and notify you, if it is not disclaimed, that I
regard it as an act of war, and I shall not, after reasonable time
for the return of my messenger, permit any vessel to pass within
the range of the guns of my fort. In order to save, as far as it
is in my power, the shedding of blood, I beg you will take due
notification of my decision for the good of all concerned. Hoping,
however, your answer may justify a further continuance of
forbearance on my part,