The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-02-01

will give public information to the condition in which
South Carolina has put the coast.
THE PLOT AGAINST THE CAPITAL.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 81, 1861.
There is no doubt about another difference OF opinion
occurring between the President and Gen. Scott. Gen.
Scott is altogether too fast for the Executive He s de-
sirous Of concentrating large force in this city and
promptly reinforcing the Southern forts; but the Presi
dent has adopted the fena nte policy and has coun-
termanded several orders given by Gen. Scott
The General Is also in favor Of inviting the Seventh
regiment New York 10 here but this PROPOSE
on the President has put his Veto Gen. Scott has told
Mr. Buchanan that be has not enough troops here to
defend it against mob OF our own citizens
General Scott may have good TO feel concerned
about the safety of the capital but 1t is not unlikely his
normants actuated by their fears than their
judgment in forwarding him intelligence Of the move
mens of the malconents General Scott has been cited
to appear before the Committee Of Five Apprehended
Troubles He may throw light the subject, none
having been emitted by the examination Of other wit
nesses thus far
Gen. Scott was before the committe who are invest.
eating matters relative the aledged conspiracy to
seize this city, and examined at great length. He
produced large number OF anonymous and other let
ters from sources which justified him. in the opinion of
the committee, in taking the course he has, although
there may not be particle Of real foundation for the
reports.
Not sintia of evidence, however, has thus been ad
duced that such conspiracy exists here elsewhere
There is no danger any trouble in this city of its
peace being disturbed except in event Should Yir
gnia and Maryland join the cotton and Gulf States and
from the Union the people in these States never
would permit the capital to remain in the hands OF the
republicans. OF this the republicans have been re-
peatedy informed, and OF this fact the committee are
aware.
have the best authority for asserting that among the
highest administrative officers Of the government as well
as among the military, alarm is felt for the immediate
safety OF the capital and those who have the best right
to express themselves astonished that the Pres
dent cannot be brought realizing of the existing
dangers.
Cabinet officer stated to-day that if4vrgnia should
decide to 90 out OF the Union the 4th OF February
raid would be Immediately made upon this city
by the Virginia forces, and he saw no way that
it could be defended except by an immediate call
upon the loyal States for volunteers So impressed
the gentlemen who listened to these startling decara
TONS although they conservative men, that they
wrote Immediately the Governor Of their State recon-
mending place hiS readiness TO answer
requiston at moments warning.
There is no disputng the fact that we are in the midst
of perilous times
WASHINGTON, Jan. 81, 1861.
This has been field day in the Senate Messrs Seward.
Mssou Douglas Hale and wigfa figuring conspicuously,
as the debate win show.
The debate in the Senate to day between Senators
Seward and Mason Of Virginia, on the presentation o:
the petition of New York merchants regarded by the
more moderate men Of the South and North--who are
anxious TO bring about speedy and amicabe adjustment
Of political derencee-as most unfortunate. will
have an Injurious effect and will preciptate the action
of the Convention which meets at Richmond on Monday
next Mr. Mason, by an adroit and cunnngly de-
yised interrogatory, drew out an admission from
Mr. Seward that when all other means fail to
preserve the union Of the States, it was his
policy as well as the policy of the republican party TO
do 20 BY the sword In other words coercion policy is
to be adopted by the incoming administration
In the House the Deficiency bill was laid aside TO give
Mr. Adams OF Massachusetts, an opportunity 10 respond
TO the many appeals that have been made TO him. from
Southern gentlemen express his views on the present
condition OF the country. Southern members, with few
exceptons gathered over toward the republican side In
the centre of which Mr. Adams Stood and some OF the
extreme Southern fre-eaters were attracted 30 I'M
pcrceptbly towards him that they actually tound
themselves occupying the seats oil the oiack re-
pubIcans The galleries were crowded with ladies' and
reutlemen, who listened with breathess attention.
shortly after Mr.. Adams commenced, Edward Everett
was escorted to the former on the republican
side Of the House, by Mr.. Burlingame Ex-Governor
Cn,eord Of Massachusetts was invited TO seat on the
south side OF the House by Mr. Maynard, OF Tennes-
see Mr.. Richardson, N. c. elect, Of Illinois, was
on the floor Of the House under escort Of
Mr. Davidson Of louisiana Near Sr. Adams, occupying
members seats were Robert C. winthrop, OF Massachu
sets Cassus NJ Clay or Kentucky, and George G. Fogg
of New HAMPSHIRE Secretary OF the National Republican
Committee. When Mr.. Adams concluded nearly all the
republican members and several OF the south
Americans arose and congratulated him. After the
crowd left Mr. Everett approached Mr. Adams ank took
him very cordially by the hand, thanked him for his
speech and said he could endorse very nearly
the whole of it. Mr.. Adams expression, that the
proposition of tho Committee Of Thirtythree is fair
one and that he is willing to accede to whatever In
reason will be agreed upon by the border States, is
taken az a generous and Statesmanike offer Upon
the basis Of the border States proposition, or pledge
the one submitted by Mr.. Adams In the Commit
tee OF Thirty-thrce, the country can rest as
sured that Mr.. Adams has not cut himself aoof from
aI his radical friends in New England and made this
s,en forward without consultation with Mr. Seward and
others who have the confidence OF sir. Lincoln.
It is significant fact that Mr. Seward sus-
,ains Mr. Adams in tho speech the latter made.
The recent assurances Of gentlemen who have arrived
here within few days directly from interviews
with the President elect, that he is In favor Of
settling this question upon any fair basis that
his party will be satisfied with, and that
not conflict with the territorial policy Of the Chicago
PLATFORM evident that Mr. Adams speaks by authority
all the dsavowas OF unauthorized journals of ignorant
scrbblers to the contrary. stete what know, aud
time will develope the fact that am right.
The Senators and Representatives from Louisiana have
not Jet received official notice Of the secession OF their
state. They will receive II In to take their leave
OF the Senate and House tomorrow. Mr. Boulgny is an
exception however, he does not recognise the right Of
the Legislature Of Louisiana to interfere with him or
his constituents He says he elected by them, not
by the Legislature Of the State; that he led tho