The Sun.
London, England, 1861-04-22 00:00:00

out, but it is believed on all sides that it will be
abandoned by Major Anderson this week, although
I heard a member of the Cabinet declare last week
that no orders had been issued to that officer to
evacuate it. If the opinions of some of the Northern
people prevailed, the fort would be retained until it
was taken by assault. The Southern Confedera-
tion, secure of Fort Sumter, are now preparing for
active operations against Fort Pickens, which pro-
tects the entrance to the quondam United States
Navy Yard at Pensacola, now in the possession of
the troops of Florida ; and certain organs of the ex-
treme party in the South have already demanded
that the forts at Tortugas and Key West, which
are situated far out at sea from the coast, should be
surrendered.
The Cabinet of Mr. Lincoln is understood to con-
tain the representatives of three different courses of
policy,—that trinity of action which generally pro-
duces torpid and uncertain motion oecomplete rest.
First there are those who would, at any risk, vindi-
cate the rights they claim for the Federal Govern-
ment, and use force, even though it could only, in
its most successful application, overrun the States
of the South, and
.compel a temporary submission
without leading_ to the re-establishment of Federal
authority or the re-incorporation of the States with
the , Union. Secondly, there are those—men of
intellect and capacity—who, dissenting altogether
from the doctrines propounded by the leaders of
the revolution, and convinced that the separation
will not be permanent, see the surest and safest
mode of action in the total abstinence from all aggres-
sive assertion of rights and in a policy of laissez
aller of indeterminate longitude and latitude. These
statesmen believe that, like most revolutions, the
secession is the work of the minority, and that a
strong party of reaction exists, which will come to
the front by and by, " expel the traitors," and
return triumphantly with their repentant States
into the bosom of the Union. The gentlemen whc
hold these views have either a more accurate know-
ledge than the public, are better read in the signs
of the times, or have more faith in the efficacy of
inaction on the love of Americans for the Union
than is possessed by most of the outer world. The
third party is formed of those who are inclined
to take the South at their word—to cut the cord
at once, believing that the loss would be a gain,
and that the Southern Confederation would
inflict on itself a most signal retribution for what
they consider as the crime of breaking up the
Union. Practically, so far as I have gone, I have
failed to meet many people who really exhibited
any passionate attachment to the Union for its
own sake, or who pretended to be animated by any,
strong feelings of regard or admiration for the Go-
vernment of the United States in itself. The word
" Constitution" is for ever ringing in one's ears, its
" principles" and its authority are continually ap-
pealed to, but the end is no nearer. The other day
I bought the whole Constitution of the United
States, neatly printed, for three half-pence. But
the only conclusion I could draw was that it was
better for States not to have Constitutions which
could be bought at such very moderate prices. It
is rather an inopportune moment for the Professor
of the Harvard Law School to send forth his lecture
on the Constitution of the United States, and on
the differences between it and that of Great Bri•
tain. Just as the learned gentleman is glorying in
the supremacy of the Judicial Body of the United
States over Congress, Presidents, and Legislatures,
the course of events exhibits that Supreme Court
as a mere nullity in the body politic, unable to take
cognizance or unwilling to act in regard to matters
which are tearing the Constitution into atoms. No
one thinks of appealing to it or invoking its deci-
sion. And, after all, if the Court were to decide,
what would be the use of its judgment if one or
other of the two great parties resisted it ? The
ultiina ratio would be the only means by which
the decision could be enforced. In the very midst
of the hymns which are offered up around the
shrines of the Constitution, whether old or
mended, all celebrating the powers of the great
priestess of the mysteries, there are heretic voices
to be heard, which, in addition to other mat-
ters, deny that the Supreme Court was ever in-
tended by the Constitution to exercise the sole
and final right of interpreting the Constitution,
that it is competent to do so, or that it would be
lai►fe to give it the power. Its powers are judicial,

The following appointments were made on Satur-
day at the Admiralty :—Lieut. Herbert Dolphin to
the Marlborough ; Lieut. George V. Phillips, addi-
tional, to the Cumberland ; John Leslie Burr has
been nominated to a naval cadetship ; George E.
Farr, acting assist.-surgeon, to the London ; James
Wilson, third class assist.-engineer, to the Asia, as
supernumerary, for hospital treatment ; and Chas.
J. Edge, acting third class assist.-engineer, to the
Fisgard, as supernumerary.

THE ARMY.

The following order from the Horse Guards was
on Saturday published at Woolwich :—" His Royal
Highness the General Commanding-in-Chief directs
that the minimum standard for all infantry regi-
ments (Rifle Corps excepted) shall be reduced from
Mt. Biu. to sft. 6in. until further orders."
The following official memorandum has been
issued to the various heads of departments at
Chatham Dockyard by Capt. G, Goldsmith, C. 8.,
on the occasion of his relinquishing the command
of that establishment :—" I desire to express to
the principal officers individually my satisfaction
of their zeal and ability, and the efficient manner
in which they have conducted their important
duties during the period of my superintendence ;
and also of the general good conduct of their subor-
dinates."
Capt. E. G. Fanshawe, the newly-appointed su-
perintendent, has commenced the responsible duties
of his office, and has made a general inspection of
the whole of the establishments. It is understood
that he will go on a short leave of absence.
The ceremony of decorating two noncommis-
sioned officers with a silver medal, which, with
money gratuities, had been awarded them by the
Duke of Cambridge for long service and good con-
duct, took place on Saturday on the general parade
ground at Chatham Barracks, in the presence of
the officers and men of the Ist battalion of infantry.
The troops having been formed, the two non-com-
missioned officers—Colour-Serg. Kent, Ist battalion
4th King's Own, and Corporal Jewhurst, 35th
Regiment—were called to the front, and the medals
presented to each by Col. Jervis. Serg. Kent also
received a gratuity of £lO, and Corporal Jewhurst
one of £5.

The A troop of the Royal Engineers will leave
Chatham garrison this morning for Aldershott camp,
where they will go into their summer quarters.
Staff Assist.-Surg. Jones has arrived in the camp
at Colchester, and is now attached to the medical
staff of the 9th battalion. Lieut. Hall of the 6th
Foot is about to join the depot of the 2d battalion
of that regiment at Cork. In the course of last week
the troops in camp had a field-day on the new
ground secured in the neighbourhood. The man-
ceuvres were under the direction of Col. the Hon.
A. Gordon, the two battalions-9th and 10th—
being under the respective commands of Col. Street
and Col. Dixon.

It was officially stated in the House of Commons
on Thursday night that a Royal warrant was about
to issue giving more liberal terms of retirement to
those officers of the army promoted from the ranks.
In addition to what was stated by the Under-Sec-
retary for War, in the warrant we believe will be
found some alterations of importance to the officers
of the army generally. A full-pay service either
in a regiment or on the Staff, of 15 years instead of
21, will in future be considered a qualification to
retire upon permanent half-pay. For retired full-
pay, as heretofore,3 0 years remains the minimum
term of service, while three years' fall-pay service
constitutesarlght to half-pay on reduction from
full-pay, These
llets,
Y are extended to the Artillery
and Engineers co
officers commissioned
et with the Line. As regards
ri from the ranks, none shall be
entitled to full-pay retirement who have not served
30 years altogether, of which
,lp years at least shall
have been in the conaroi,
toned grades, and none to
half-pay who have not served 2
years altogether,
of which 10 must have been passed
asa
commissioned
officer. On reduction, an officer
from the ranks will
have a claim to half-pay after one Year's service,
provided he has passed five years in the no,
WOllll ds or ill-health contractedi
missioned grade.
on service are made a ground of relaxation of the
regulations thus prescribed,—Army and Navy
Gazette.

AMERICA.
THE NAVY.
•
•
When the starboard division —.....--.
of the Channel fleet (From the Times' Special Correspondent.)
left Plymouth Sound on Friday afternoon the WASHINGTON, Aran 1.
Hero, 91, took the lead under topsails, topgallant From all. I have seen and heard, my belief is
sails, and royals, withjib
was,; that the Southern States have gone from the Union,
followed by the Centurion, 80, Aboukir, 90, and the and flying jib. She was
if not for ever, at least for such time as will secure
Conqueror, 101, which had her studding sails on for their Government an absolute independence
the port side. The senior ship, the Donegal, 101,
of internal
till it be terminated by war, or, if their opponents
Captain Henry Broadland, was under all plain sail;
be right, by the certain processes
wind easterly. Port Admiral Sir H. Stewart andi decay arising from inherent vicesn their system,
faulty organisation,
party witnessed the departure of the ships from the
and want of population, vi-
steam tender Avon, in the Sound. They are gone
the Border
goer and wealth. That the causes which have
to relieve the homeward bound, and are expected
led to their secession now agitate
again at Plymouth in the course of a week or 10
States most powerfully with a tendency to follow
days. them is not to be denied by those who watch the
The paddlewheel steam sloop Bulldog, 6, Com- course of events, and, as these powerful neutrals
mander Wilson, from Milford, arrived at Plymouth oscillate to and fro under the pressure of con-
on Saturday, but as the new ship Defiance, 91, had tending parties and passions, the Government at
not arrived, although she left the day before the Washington and the authorities of the revolting
Bulldog, that sloop was despatched down Channel States regard every motion with anxiety—the
to endeavour to meet her, and assist the Lightning former fearful lest by word or deed theymay repel
in towing her to Plymouth. The Defiance has been them for ever; the latter more disposed by active
probably driven by the easterly winds to take she/- demonstrations to determine the ultimate decision
ter in Mount's Bay. in their own favour and to attach them permanently
The paddlewheel steamtug Lucifer, from Ports- to the Slave States by resolute declarations of prin-
mouth, arrived at Plymouth yesterday morning. ciple. Whatever the results of the Morrill Tariff
Admiral Robert Smart will strike his flag on may be, it is probable they must be endured on both
board the Princess Royal, 91, at Plymouth, on the sides of the Atlantic, for there is no power in the
30th inst., and on the Ist May will hoist it on board Government or in the President, as I understand,
which is now in Beyham steam-the Revenge, 91,t0 modify its provisions, and there is a strong feel-
yard, fitting with all despatch. She is to have a ing is Mr. Lincoln's Cabinet against the extra ses-
complement of 800 men.
sion so loudly demanded in New York, and so con-
H.M.S. Vixen, from the Pacific, was paid off on fidently expected in some parts of the Union.
Saturday at Woolwich, the crew and officers receiv- Nothing but some overwhelming.tats necessity
ing the commendation of the authorities. Some of will overcome that opposition, and, as the magni-
the seamen and stokers received sums amounting tude of such an oceasion will have to be estimated
to £lOO and £l2O each, from the circumstance of by those who are vehemently opposed to an extra
having been granted pay and a half while in the Congress, it is not likely that an thin can occur
tropics. g
The steam floating batteries Thunderbolt, 16 which will be considered of sufficient gravity by the
, Government at Washington to induce them to en-
and .Etna, 16, having nearly completed shipping counter the difficulties and dangers they anticipate
their stores, and been partially jury-rigged, will, in consequence of the convocation of an extraordi-
according to; present arrangements, steam out of nary assemblage of both Houses. Until next Decem-
Chatham harbour on Tuesday next, and take -up her, then, in all probability, the President and his
their positions in the Thames, off Coalhouse Point, Cabinet will have such control of affairs as is possi-
Shornmeade, for the protection of the river during ble in the system of this Government, or in the cir-
the reconstruction of those batteries. On the arri- cumstances, together with the far more than co-or-
Val of the /Etna and Thunderbolt in the Thames, dinate responsibility attached to their position as a
the remaining portion of the armaments mounted Federal Government. It is scarcely possible for an
on the two batteries on the Essex and Kent side of Englishman, far less for the native of any State
the river will be immediately dismounted by a possessing a powerful Executive, to comprehend
number of the Royal Artillery who have been sent the limits which are assigned to the powers of the
from Sheerness for that purpose, and the recon- State in this country, or the extent to which re-
struction of the fortifications commenced forthwith sistance to its authority can be carried by the action
by ;the contractors. The authorities were for of the States supposed to be consenting parties to
some time undecided as to the disposal of the large its constitution and supporters of its jurisdiction.
supply of ammunition contained in the batteries Take, for instance, what is occurring within a few
during the progress of the works, but it is now miles of the seat of the central Government, across
ordered that the whole of the powder and the Potomac. At a certain iron foundry guns have
other ammunition shall be deposited in the been cast for the United States Government, which
Belvidere and Amherst redoubt magazines, at are about to be removed to Fort Monroe, in the
Chatham, to which it will be carefully removed in State of Virginia, one of the fortresses for the de-
barges under the immediate direction of the prin- fence of the United States. The Legislature of Vir-
cipal military storekeeper at Woolwich. The /Etna ginia sat all night last Saturday, and authorised
and Thunderbolt were on Saturday partially coin- the Governor of that State to call out the public
naissioned, Lieut. R. S. Batemen and 40 seamen from guard in order to prevent by force, if necessary, the
the Cumberland, 70, Capt. C. F. Schomberg, at 1 removal of those guns, at the same time offering to
Sheerness, having been placed in charge of them. the contractor the price which he was to have re-
The steamship Prussian Eagle, Capt. Ray nes, left ceived for them from the Federal Government.
Plymouth Sound yesterday for Bristol, to embark Again, at Mobile, where a writ of habeas corpus is
troops for Dublin. Yesterday morning three of her sued out on behalf of the master of a vessel, who
seamen—Cornelius Minahan, Daniel Harrington, was seized because he had a cargo of small stores
and John Hart, all Irishmen—had a serious quarrel which he intended to sell to the United States men-
in the forecastle, when Minahan was stabbed, and of-war in observation off Pensacola, the counsel for
died almost immediately. The other two are in the State of Florida resists the application on the
custody,
ground that the prisoner was carrying supplies to
Mr. Thomas Lloyd, engineer-in-chief of the Ad- an enemy, and that a state of war exists in conse-
miralty Steam Branch of the Navy, made an official quence of the acts of the Federal Government ; and
inspection of the Warrior on Saturday, and was ac- the Court, without deciding on the point, discharges
companied by Mr. D. Patridge, Inspector of Steam
the prisoner, in order that it may be freed from re-
Machinery at Woolwich. An order having been sponsibility. On the other hand, the Federal Go-
received at Woolwich for the manufacture of a
number of cupolas for the preparation of liquid iron vernment remits the penalties of forfeiture and fines
on the vessel seized by the Custom-house at New
for the use of the guns to be supplied on board the
York for want of proper clearances from Southern
Warrior, the order was commenced on Saturday in
ports The stereotype plates with the words Eva-
the factory, under the superit tendence of Mr.
Taplin. c-uatiO " n
of Fort Sumter" have apparently been worn