The following is critical information usually omitted by both northern and Southern historians. The word of the U.S. Government is of so little consequence that no one, including Southerners, cares to try to hold them accountable for their words of agreements made in law or contracts. The USA government is no more faithful to American voters than they were and are to treaties with North American Indians.
We often look to the past to examine the evil acts of the USA, but even the most casual historical observer can see in today's news numerous examples of the lies of the politicians and promises unkept. The following excerpt is from an article by Prof. Robert L. Preston of Leesburg, Va., which appeared in the New York Times of 09 May 1926 on the “Title to Governor’s Island---Rights of the Federal Government and the State of New York as Set Forth in the Old Statutes.” This is a most remarkable and interesting statement about the legal status of Fort Sumter in 1861:
“South Carolina in 1805 (Statutes at Large, Volume V, p. 501) provided as follows in regard to the cessions in Charleston Harbor:"
"That, if the United States shall not, within three years from the passing of this act, and notification thereof by the governor of this State to the Executive of the United States, repair the fortifications now existing thereon, or build such other forts or fortifications as may be deemed most expedient by the Executive of the United States on the same, and keep a garrison or garrisons therein, in such case this grant or cession shall be void and of no effect.”
Paul Graham of Columbia, South Carolina reminds us it may be on interest to remember "that Fort Sumter not only was not completed within the three-year limit stipulated in the contract, but was not completed in 1861 when Major Anderson transferred his garrison from Fort Moultrie. Moreover, it had never been garrisoned until he occupied it. So that, having neither been completed not garrisoned according to the contract, either within the three years specified time, or, for that matter, by 1861, Major Anderson occupied a piece of property that the United States had not the vestige of a right to occupy, and which was under the ownership, jurisdiction, and sovereignty of the State of South Carolina exclusively. In other words, he invaded the State of South Carolina with his troops---unwittingly, it is true, and on orders, but in fact, at any rate. Adverse possession even could not lie here in behalf of the United States, since the United States had not garrisoned it.” -- Source: Confederate Veteran. September 1926, page 325.
-- Timothy D. Manning, M.Div. Executive Director Palmetto Heritage Foundation 3018 Charleston Highway Cayce, South Carolina 29172
From the South Carolina archives. This is the contract between South Carolina and the United States government regarding the ownership, building and maintaining the land and fort Sumter. You can clearly see the contract was not honored by the United states. South Carolina was well within her rights to seize the land and take possession of theUNFINISHEDfort. Images have been enhanced for clarity and have been cropped of unnecessary and unrelated content
