January 17, 1861, The New York Herald
WASHINGTON, Jan. 16, 1861.
The President adheres to his position in regard to the forts in Charleston harbor, and emphatically refuses to surrender Fort Sumter, and will so inform Col. Hayne, the special Commissioner from South Carolina, who came here to demand its unconditional surrender.
Lieut. Talbot, one of Major Anderson’s commissioners, leaves this afternoon, with special instructions to Major Anderson. The exact nature of these instructions is not known, but enough is known to state positively that he is to maintain his present status, and defend the fort in every emergency.
The President informed Col. Hayne, in his interview yesterday, that any communication he had to make must be made in writing. Col. Hayne has therefore been engaged today in preparing a letter to the President, setting forth the complaints of his people, and their demands respecting Fort Sumter. I stated yesterday pretty fully what those demands were. Up to eight o’clock this evening the President had not received the letter. When it is received the President will answer it promptly and unequivocally.
As I have repeatedly said, the President has taken his position in regard to the affairs in Charleston, and has deliberately made up his mind as to the course he intends to pursue, and under the circumstances will he surrender Fort Sumter to the authorities of South Carolina. Unless the surrender is made, Col. Hayne says oceans of blood will be spilt.
The instructions to Major Anderson were completed today. Quite a number of Southern men have called upon the President to know what the nature of the instructions were, and to urge upon the President to prevent a collision between the federal and State authorities. The President required no urging to adopt such a policy. In no circumstance, will the government be the aggressor. They will act strictly on the defensive. If, however, the authorities repeat their offences, as in the case of the Star of the West, there will be no alternative left but to open the batteries and silence them at whatever cost. His instructions are clear and explicit. There is no ambiguity in them.
Lieutenant Hall has left for New York. He will return on Friday.