Gov. Pickens, after stating the position of South Carolina towards
the United States, says that any attempt to send United States
troops into Charleston harbor, to reinforce the forts, would be
regarded as an act of hostility; and in conclusion adds, that any
attempt to reinforce the troops at Fort Sumter, or to retake and
resume possession of the forts within the waters of South
Carolina, which Major Anderson abandoned, after spiking the cannon
and doing other damage, cannot but be regarded by the authorities
of the State as indicative of any other purpose than the coercion
of the State by the armed force of the Government; special agents,
therefore, have been off the bar to warn approaching vessels,
armed and unarmed, having troops to reinforce Fort Sumter aboard,
not to enter the harbor. Special orders have been given the
Commanders at the forts not to fire on such vessels until a shot
across their bows should warn them of the prohibition of the
State. Under these circumstances the Star of the West, it is
understood, this morning attempted to enter the harbor with
troops, after having been notified she could not enter, and
consequently she was fired into. This act is perfectly justified
by me.
In regard to your threat about vessels in the harbor, it is only
necessary for me to say, you must be the judge of your
responsibility. Your position in the harbor has been tolerated by
the authorities of the State, and while the act of which you
complain is in perfect consistency with the rights and duties of
the State, it is not perceived how far the conduct you propose to
adopt can find a parallel in the history of any country, or be
reconciled with any other purpose than that of your Government
imposing on the State the condition of a conquered province.