CHAP. X. Holt to Buchanan, Feb. 18,1861. and arsenals of the South, fallen into the hands of revolutionists, who have found this great Government weak only because, in the exhaustless beneficence of its spirit, it has refused to strike, even in its own defense, W. Vol lest it should be the aggressor. I., Series III., pp. 399-401. Curtis, "Life of Buchanan," Vol. II., pp. 492, 493. But Mr. Buchanan's nerves were too weak for such a healthy response to Mr. Burnett's resolution, and though Mr. Holt, on February 20, wrote him a private note, asking that his report should be allowed to reach the country "simply as the views entertained by the War Department," even this request was not granted by the timid President, who substituted for it a very mild special message, Ibid., p. 494. the transmittal of which he delayed till Saturday, March 2, and Mr. Holt's report did not come to the public until specially called for by a House resolution of July 27, 1861. Meanwhile Representative Daniel E. Sickles, of New York, had offered a resolution providing for celebrating Washington's birthday in the Hall of Representatives, which the House passed, after changing it by an amendment to recommend to the people of the United States to keep the 22d of February as a national holiday. Secretary Holt and General Scott naturally took advantage of the occasion to make a military display, which they specially desired for its political influence, being determined to show plotting secessionists as much of the pomp and circumstance of war as their very slender resources in soldiers would allow. A grand parade of flying artillery, of infantry, of the marine corps, of every scrap and detachment in the city was therefore arranged. On the afternoon of the 21st Secretary Holt issued the necessary orders therefor, СНАР. Х. and having sent them to the "National Intelligencer" with injunctions to be properly published, left the department at an early hour and went to his dinner. 1861. Ex-President Tyler was at this time in Washington in attendance on the Peace Convention, of which we shall speak hereafter, and was making himself officious in spying out and thwarting military demonstrations in support of the Government; and he now hurried to the Executive Mansion to protest against this parade. About 8 o'clock that night Secretary Holt was surprised to receive a visit from President Buchanan, who, after some casual talk, formally requested his Secretary of War to revoke the orders to the Federal troops to join in the following day's celebration. Holt expressed his unfeigned regret. "However," said he, "you are the Commander-in-Chief of the army and navy, and your wishes in the matter must be obeyed. But I greatly fear that the notices have been printed, and that it will be impossible to recall them; nevertheless, I will do all I can to that end." The revocation was duly communicated to the officers, but could not reach the public, for, as Holt explained, the notices had been printed; and on the morning of the 22d the streets of Washington showed an unusual degree of activity. The feverish state of the public mind, the notice of the parade, and the prompt appearance on the streets of companies of the District militia, whose movements the President's order did not affect, drew out a large concourse of people. Secretary Holt was sitting at his desk in the СНАР. Х. War Department about 10 or 11 o'clock in the forenoon conversing with the President, who had come to him on some business, when Mr. Sickles, the author of the House resolution for the observance of Washington's birthday, brushing unceremoniously past the ushers, rushed into the room and said: "Mr. President, there are ten thousand people out on the streets of Washington to-day to see the parade which was announced, and I have just heard that it has been countermanded, and the report is exciting great indignation; I came to ask whether it is true, and if so whether the parade may not yet be carried out." The President, by this time ashamed of what he had done, turned to Secretary Holt and said to him: "Mr. Secretary, can't you get up this parade?" Mr. Holt promised to try, and hurried to General Scott with the new direction, who was, as might have been expected, also indignant. "What can we do at this late hour?" asked he. "The officers have gone home, and the men are probably scat-versation, tered." "Well," said Holt, "do the very best you can, and let us make all the display possible." In the afternoon the parade, though diminished in proportions, took place, the column marching past the Executive Mansion, where Buchanan, Scott, Holt, and so much of the Cabinet as still remained loyal appeared and received the marching salute. An official record of the incident might have been lost to history had not Mr. Buchanan on the same day felt it necessary to write a formal note to Tyler, excusing himself for changing his mind and his J. G. N. Personal Memoranda. MS. CHAP. X. orders, and apologizing for having permitted the army and navy to carry the flag of the Union through the streets of the national capital on Washington's birthday.1 1 THE PRESIDENT TO MR. TYLER. everywhere else join such pro "WASHINGTON, cessions, in honor of the birthday of the Father of his country, and it would be hard to assign a good reason why they should be excluded from this privilege in the capital founded by himself. They are here simply as a posse comitatus to aid the civil authority in case of need. Besides, the programme was published in the 'National Intelligencer' of this morning without my knowledge. "From your friend, "Very respectfully, "JAMES BUCHANAN." [Curtis, "Life of Buchanan," Vol. II., p. 495.] CHAPTER XI THE SUMTER AND PICKENS TRUCE H AVING briefly grouped together the more important measures of defense adopted by the Cabinet régime, we must recapitulate the events already described, namely: the firing on the Star of the West and her retreat; Anderson's threat of retaliation and his failure to keep it; Governor Pickens's demand for the surrender of Sumter and Anderson's refusal; Anderson's proposal to refer the question to Washington and the Governor's acceptance; and finally the departure of the two messengers, who arrived in Washington on the evening of January 13. The Star of the West had returned to New York; and the commander of the unfortunate expedition was on the same day writing his official report. Colonel I. W. Hayne, the Governor's envoy, called on President Buchanan on the following day, the 14th. The President, doubtless already fully informed by Anderson's messenger, appears to have made no difficulty about receiving him in an "informal and unofficial" interview; he declined, however, to hold any conversation with him, and insisted that their transactions must be in writing. Colonel Hayne thereupon gave him notice that he "bore a CHAP. XI. 1861. |