Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-04-17
Gbt Stan0ar6.
RALEIGH: SATURDAY, APRIL Is, 1851


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The News.
The Wilmington papers of Tuesday, and the Pc
tersburg and Richmond papers Of Wednesday last
contained the most startling reports in relation to
the condition of affairs in Charleston harbor. 1t was
stated that there were seven United States ves-
sells off Charleston harbor; that Fort Sumter was to
be provisoned at all hazards; that new batteries
had been erected Charleston, and five thousand
additional troops called OUT that battle was GER
tain in the course of few hours, &c. &c. The COL
umns of the Petersburg and Richmond papers-es-
pecially those Of the Erpress-were conUutsed with
articles breathing war, alarm, and terror. The Will
mington Journal of Tuesday said:
WAR approaches rapidly. 1t is reported that
Gov. Pckens has been officially notified that Fort
Sumter is to be reinforced; that squadron of steam
ers and war ships is now off the har5or Of Charles
ton, and the fight may now be commencing. All
the talk of evacuation much lying and decep-
ton. The Charlestonians have "watched and wait
ed" and like others who listened to that talk, they
have been deceived. The surfboats, howitzers,
field batteries and forth were as we supposed, in
tended to effect landing on the beach somewhere,
and take the batteries in the rear.
PS-A positire despatch from Charleston teaoes
nothing to mere Inference The par may eoen noao
hare commenced, or if not it will be because the
forces sent out retire The notification that Sumter
would be provisioned peaceably if possible, forci-
ably if necessary forcbly all the time, since
Mr. Lincoln knew perfectly that could not be pro-
vsioned unless by force. And yet this very week,
yea, yesterday, Mr.. Seward gave an answer to the
Confederate Commissioners breathing peace! See
telegraphc head"
Accustomed as we are to the tricks of the disu-
nionists we confess were somewhat startled by
these reports. They appeared to be we'll founded
We began to apprehend that blood would be shed,
and that our unfortunate country would be speedily
plunged into deeper difficulties But still we had
serious doubts to the truthulness of these reports
and so we determined to "watch and wait" This
was Wednesday forenoon but Wednesday afternoon
gentleman in this City received dispatch from
Charleston which by no means confirmed the reports
referred to and just the back of this we received
the Wilmington Journal of Wednesday, containing
fat and unequivoca contradiction of its dispatches
of the preceding day. Of course the Petersburg and
Richmond papers of to-day, which we will receive
this Thursday evening, will also contain contra
dction of these dispatches.
The latest dispatch to the Journal of Wednesday,
dated Charleston April 10TH states that there are
no scar cessels outside thsAarbor, so far known
All is said to be "quiet on the surface at Charles
ton, "but there is deep feeling" The Journal o
Wednesday admits the ncorrectness Of its dispatches
of the preceding day and adds
"Seriously, ho*Sxer as our regular dispatches
show there has been great mistake somewhere
about the vessels off Charleston, and we promptly
state the fact The regular agent of the associated
NkorIa Sc ~ 70 Anc nVf nf
dispatch that there was. We deeply regret being
placed in the position however innocently, of pub
fishing incorrect statements, and we know also that
mere sensation news is bound to injure our cause
SO our readers may be assured that we would moi
publish such, even on party reasons"
That several war vessels containing supplies and
munitions of war, and number of men, have re
Gently sailed from New York is we'll known; bu
no one except the President and Cabinet seems Il
know the object or the destination of these vessels
They may be partly for the waters Of St. Domingo
partly for the Cuban and American Gulf waters
and partly for Brazos Santiago, the mouth of tn
Rio Bravo Under the treaty of Gaudeloupe Hi
dalgo the government of the United States stpu
lated with the government of Mexico to protect tn
frontiers of the latter against the Indians Besides
the Ell Passo route to California must be kept opel
for mail purposes and emigration 1t may be tina
GHpur government has an eye on these duties, an
This may account for portion Of the preparation
referred to- Con6rmatory of these views we fin
the following, which we clip from the Washingto
telegraphic correspondence Of the Charleston As'
curry of the 9th: 1-.
"The commissioners appear to be impressed wit
the belief that the expedition now fitting out
principally intended for Texas. Intelligent Arm
and Navy officers are of the opinion that tac bull
of the New York Expedition is destined for Texas
to operate on the frontier against Mexicans and In
dians, and to re-occupy the Brazos Fort Brown, an
also the forts on the Indian frontier, where, accord
ing TO official information, they will be met with
cordial welcome by the settlers" ......-.. +!
Both the governments 1--WE speak of the Confeo
crate States as a provisional government only,
know how to keep their secrets But that there
some serious difficulty between the government a
Washington and the Southern Commissioners as
the manner of the evacuation Of Fort Sumter, "
think there can be- Vile doubt. 1t may be that ou
government has determined on Withdrawing Ma
Andersoend his command, but insists on holdin
nominal possession Of the Fort-the latter not to
used for offensive or defensive purposes by eithe
government, but to remain unoccupied until tn
present troubles can be settled. 1t may be that tn
government at Washington refuses to transfer tn
property Of the United States in said Fort to tn
Confederate States'-and that it thus refuse.
simply because it believes that it has no power I
make such transfer; but that the real evacuatio
and nominal possession referred to, having bee
tvs decided on, the government Of the "Confet
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