The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-05-20
THE SITUATION OF AFFAIRS.

brought no newspaper mail from England,
a perplexing obscurity still exists relative
10 tie actual declarations Of Lord John
Russell in the House of Commons with re-
gard to the policy which the British gov
ernmeut has decided to pursue towards the South
ern confederacy; but we are disposed to think from
the statements received in few papers which the
Parana brought, that the government of England is
inclined 10 play game of fast and loose npon the
question. For instance, the London Morning
Post. lord Pamerston's organ, from which we
gave an article few days ago, was explicit in de-
csrng that England would remain neutral; that
the -eccssionsts could only be regarded as simple
rcbe-' and that the privateeripg system of the
Southern party was piracy, and nothing more.
But we find in q condensed report of Lord
John RuEsell's speech, delivered on the 9Th
inst. subsequent to the publication of the
Posts artclel, which appears in an English
paper received in Boston, and published
in the transcript of that city that Lord John
Russell il reported to have said:-"As to the
letters Of marque, there was precedent in the
case Of Greece when it separated from Turkey.
The right of that country to issue letters of
marque was allowed and the law officers Of the
Crown, who had been consulted, had declared
that UGH right would belong to the Southern
voufederaey."
Moreover, we find il stated in the Dublin Ne,rs
that TIE Foreign Secretary declared in the same
MI
the blockade of the Southern ports by the fede-
raj government unless it was rendered effective,
but dat il would recognise the privateering sys-
TEN J, Mr. Davis Until we receive full report
ii Lord John Russell's speech it is not easy to
ten shat lie actual intention of the British minis
tn nay be if, indeed, any policy is as yet def.
mtey decided upon.
The government has decided 70 establish two
large camps on the French system, partly for in
structon and for the purposes OF a reserve force.
The camps will consist of from fifteen to twenty
thCus and men each. One viii be formed of Get.
iysburg Pa, near the Maryland border, and the
Other IN the vicinity of New York, most probably
at Staten Island. The troops at Gettysburg are
designed for action on the Southern border when
necessary. and those at Staten Island will
be required for coast service, to DC
used At any moment and at any point the
government may direct. For this purpose
orders have been issued for fleet Of transports
10 be kept in readiness in the harbor.
Gettysburg the location of one of these canton.
,ania on the turnpike road from Philadelphia to
Pitt-burg, one hundred and fourteen miles west of
the former, and thirtysix miles west Of Harris
burg. /. stands on elevated ground, in the midst
of fertile farming country; it selection, there
fore, FL military camp is most judcious. 1t
has an elegant brick courthouse and pub
lie offices, and numerous private dwellings,
built n neat and substantial man
ner The Lutheran Theological Seminary Of
Gettysburg founded in 1926, has library of
1000 volumes. The town is also the seat of
Pennsylvania College, nourishing institution.
The buildings occupied by these institutions are
large and beautiful edfces. The town contains a
bank. seven churches, four newspaper Offices and
ten carriage manufactures. The manufacture Of
carriages il carried on more extensively than any
other mechanical business. In 1851 copper mines
were orened in several places near this town.
The population OF Gettysburg is about 1000.
The garrisons at Fortress Monroe and at Cairo
are also strong aud efficient There are altogeth.
sr not less than 1000 men enrolled in different
quarters in the service Of the government ready to
strike at any point,
The brilliant and successful feat by detatcb
nlents Of the Eight and Thirteenth regiments now
q. the seat Of war, in their expedition TO the Ycom
leo river and the recovery of the lightshps
stolen by the revolutionists from the Chesapeake
Bay, q which we give full details in our despatch.
- IN smother column, has been warmly applauded
The Ycomico ia a small river which rises in Sus
sex county, Delaware, and flows southwcstward
through Somerset county, Maryland and empues
into Flushing Bay, an arm Of the Chesapeake.
The rebel leaders have exhibited great deal OF
rsgeci'y until now in concealing their grand move.
ments from the United States officers; but II has
been discovered within a few days that in addition
10 the occupation of Harpers Ferry and Nor
folk. they ore assembling large columns q troops
al yorktown. Tyncbburg Fredaricksnprg. Stauu-