The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-05-06
New York, Monday, May o, 1851.
THE SITUATION OF AFFAIRS.

Washington. Troops are being rapidly moved to
different points in the vicinity. 1t is thought that
the government is about to take possession of
mond, without delay. Our dispatches last night
from Perryville and Washington mention that
il was rumored in the former place that fighting
was going on all day at Alexandria, and that the
city was in the possession Of the government
troops, while it was reported at Washington
that terrible conflict was going on in Baltimore
between the Unionists and secession mob about
the passage of the Pennsylvania troops through
the city; but neither of these reports appear to be
confirmed 1t seems evident from the disposition
and movements of the troops in and around the
capital that no attack has yet been made on Alex
andria.
Col Ellsworths Zouaves had regimental drill
in the Capitol garden yesterday morning. The
Twelfth regiment paraded also, and had Divine
service. To-day they go into barracks in Franklin
square the barracks are being put up by number
Of carpenters attached to the regiment and the 60
pIONlue TIE tLHUcT. 1Ac oiAiS 7uiutu
are comfortably located in Georgetown Col
lege, wbere the Sacrifice of the Mass was
offered up yesterday by The Rev. Mr..
Mooney, the chaplain; while the Seventh still
remain under canvas the heights, in
q camp which they have .christened Camp Came
ron. They arc to remain there TO guard the roads
from Harper's Ferry. The Seventy first will not
be removed from the Navy Yard. The Zouaves
and the Twelfth regiment are to march on Alex
andria this week, the Zouaves probably to-day.
The Sixth Massachusetts, regiment moved
from the capital yesterday to Annapolis, from
which they proceeded to take up position at the Re-
lay House. and there command the railroad TO Har
per's Ferry Two regiments, with the Boston Flying
Artillery left Annapolis last night by order of
Gen Butler for the same point, to cut of all COM
munica alton with Harper's Ferry Gen. Keim has
possession Of the Northern Central Railroad from
Harrisburg; all communication by the Susquehan-
ma has been cut off and Gen. Butler has strong
fierce in readiness to send by feet to Baltimore,
SO that that city is completely hemmed in on all
sides.
Advanced posts are TO be established at once
within circuit of twenty miles round Washing
aon extending into Virginia, in order to protect
The agricultural districts which supply the capital
with provisions, a picket guard Of secessonists
having heretofore been intercepting supplies at
the long bridge.
A feet Of five steamers came up the Potomac
last evening together with three tugs, containing
provisions and camp equipments from Annapolis.
The steamer Star of the South, supposed to con-
tain the Second and Twenty-eighth New York re-
gimcnts was coming up.
The policy of the government is plainly intima
ted in its instructions to our ministers abroad.
Mr.. Seward has sent letter TO our new minis
ter o, Paris, w. L. Dayton, directing him empha-
ticsly TO declare to the French government that
there is not now, nor has there been, nor will
there be, any or the least idea existing in this
government Of suffering dissolution OF the Union
to take place in any way whatever; and that no
member Of the administration entertains any
other opinion than that there shall be bit one
government IN his country. We give Mr.. Sew
ards letter in another column. It's sentiments
are forcbe and decisive.
II was universally believed in Washington yes
terdsy that the President would issue another
proclamation to-day or tomorrow, declaring the
intention Of the government to repossess all the
federal property seized by the rebels and to deal
summarIy with all persons found resisting its au.
1hori,y. The theatre of war is TO be
at once shifted to the soil of Virginia,
and il is thought that whatever may
be the result Of the war, the government are
resolved 10 maintain the regular army at its pre-.
sent standard increase as il has been by the add.
lion of volunteers
II is said that all the foreign ministers at Wash.
ingtou have expressed the strongest sympathy
with the cause Of the administration and are not
slow in expressing their opinion that the rovo.
lutionis,s will receive no comfort Whatever rom
ibeir respective governments.
The Union Convention at Baltimore sent com.
mittec to the Legislature at Frederick, with pro
test against the passage Of the Committee Of Safe
ty Bill, and passed strong resolutions against the
secession movement which We give in another
column.
The city Of Washington was placed under mar
tal law yesterday, and a Provost Marshal ap
pointed. The law does not extend TO civilians,
Although close Supervision q kept o7sr Their