New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-04-08
THEIR DESTINATION UNKNOWN.
ARMY AND NAVY NEWS.
THE GULF FLEET.
PlRlTICAL DESIGNS OF THE SECESSIONlSTS.


WASHINGTON April 7, 1861.
The Developments and events of the present
week will be watched with the deepest interest
and anxiety in all circles here. We are fast
| approaching the crisis which recent indications
have foreshadowed. While the Administration
has been charged with nertness and the absence
OF vigorous policy il has been prudcnty prepar-
| ing measures to meet the exigency, and to for
tify itself with the necessary resources. When
Mr.. Lincoln came into Office he found an empty
treasury, q demoralized army, and reasonable
detection throughout the civil service. lie has
had to feel bis way into public confidence against
fastious opposition, and to ascertaiA the extent
of resources at his command, before proceeding
te carry out the principles announced IN hs
Inaugural, which have never been abandoned for
an instant The time has come when they are
to be INDICATED peaceaby, if the revoed States
will permit, or otherwise if they insist upon pro
voking a collision, and forcing the Government
to an attitude Of defense.
Lieut.. Talbot reached here yesterday morning
with dispatches from Major Anderson, and had
full interviews with the President, Secretary OF
War and Gen. Scott. There is no doubt but
the condition Of the garrison requires relief in
many respects. Various necessaries are nearly
or quite exhausted, and must be supplied. While
no official intimatiOn was ever communicated TO
Major Anderson that his command would be with
drawn from Fort Sumter, it is undoubtedly true
that he received such an impression from personal
conferences which were supposed 10 reflect the
purposes here. They we're predicated upon the
belief, however, that the withdrawal was mih-
tary necessity which could not be avoided. Re
cent information has changed that belief, and
other fscts have induced course Of policy con-
sistent with this idea. In word, Major IN
derson is not to be ,oithdrdrn, and he rs 10 be
prorisioaed, as was prefgured an my last dis
patch.
| Lieut.. Talbot will reach Charleston tomorrow
| afternoon, and of course carries back the con-
| elusive decision Of the President. 1t is calm,
but firm, and in harmony with hs former declar-
atoms. The responsibility rests with South Car
DINA entirely, and the country will zee when all
the facts are disclosed that the utmost forbear-
anee and moderation have been practced. There
is no intention to introduce reenforcements vol
unfairly, or 10 change the status. which now
| exists. But the President is unwilling TO strike
! the national flag, and determined not TO permit
the garrison at Fort Sumter to be starved out,
| or abandoned 10 the alternative Of humiliatng
surrender. Whatever is done viii be done in
the broad light of day, and after full and fair
notice, SO that the consequences will fall on
| those who may make the election Of peace or
war.
In reaching this conclusion, il became neces.
sary, Of course, to make extensive preparations
| for carrying the intention into effect, which may
serve in part to explain the recent movements in
| New-YoIk and elsewhere, some Of which refer to
Fort Sumter and others TO Fort Pickens. If
the Admission Of supplies for the former be re.
fused, the Government has no alternative but to
introduce them in the best way it can, and at
! whatever hazard. In undertaking an enterprise
of this nature, it could not afford to incur unne-
cessary ri,ks, or to publish it's purposes for the
benefit of those who glory in the shame Of being
regarded as public enemies. Hence the imposing
extent, the dispatch, and the caution which have
been preserved throughout.
The investment Of Fort Pickens by the Con.
federate troops is nearly perfect As yet the
Government 10 uniformed whether the force on
board the Brooklyn has been landed or not. The
orders were Duplicated by two vessels US to
render the communication more certain. At the
| hat accounts il was ascertained that Gen. Bragg
had succeeded in extending his lines and works
in such manner that the reduction of the fort
is only q question Of tine, unless reenforcements
can be thrown in. 1t is believed that the land
protection, by which il is approached from the
sea, is not in possession of the revolutionsts If
So troops may be landed under cover of the
ships of war, or at night, without serious col
lison, and perhaps without bloodshed at all.
| That depends, however, upon the fact stated,
and is merely speculative opinion.
The conviction grows stronger In military circles
that a collision is nearly inevitable, unless Jefer-
son Davis sends contrary instructions, which are
not expected. While the Southern Commissioners
have been asking the Government here to pre-
serve the status which Mr.. Lincoln found upon
entering Office, their Montgomery President has
been raising and marching armies. investing FORTS
and carrying On the preparatory operations Tor q
condition of actual war, and now, when 1t Is
proposed to put the national Notifications in
condition of defense, merely to prevent surprise
or surrender, they condemn the Adnnp''-
tration without stint. The South has OeeH