Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-05-24
AFFAIRS IN WASHINGTON,
Nesvs, Gossip, Rumors, ana Lies.

WASHINGTON, May 1.-THE quantity of army
stores brought to this city by way of the Potomac
in government transport steamers, during the month
indicates purpose to retain here large body of
troops for some time. The Marion, from New
York, now unlosding at the long bridge. brings it
is said, two hundred thousand dollars worth of
warlike munitions and stores She was a long time
in getting up the Potomac, was several times
aground, but met with no molestation from any
quarter. No signs of hostility on the yirpinia
shore were visible. A number of armed governs
ment steamers were met in the river. The Poto-
mac is, however it is said. to be guarded soon BY
considerable force of small armed steamers.
There must exist in some of the Northern cities
apprehension that this capital is to be exposed to
ncendiarism either from external or local causes.
Philadelphia FL insurance companies that had in
sured houses and goods here have given notice of
the withdrawal of the policies, under reservation
in the same of right to terminate them. TIE New
York ire department approaching the danger to
which this city is thus believed to be expoSed have
offered the government the loan Of number of
steam fire engines. The danger contemplated is
believed to be emit ely imaginary. The city has
been more free from fires since it became camp
than it had generally been before. The government
has also established mounted military police that
can be augmented at pleasure
tits surmised that Major General Butler will soon
be appointed to an important and active service,
whether at Fortress Monroe on the line of the Bat
more and Ohio railroad as far as Harpers Ferry, is
not known.
The object of sending so large force to Fortress
Monroe is to conduct military operations the land
side in the country between York and James rivers
If the fortress be attacked by the Confederate troops
twill be by means of guarded approaches on the
land side and it is intended to prevent the erection
of batteries by means of a large military force
without the fort. The weak point of the fortress is
landward, between the water battery and the mag
azine.
A considerable number of volunteers have left
Prince Georges county, crossing the ferry to Alex
andria TO join the Confederate army.
If the lockade be made effective, the destruction
Of the British trade, amounting to forty mill
lions sterling year. seems inevitable. Cotton can,
it is true be transported with the assent of the fed
era government by the lnterer routes to Baltimore,
Philadelphia, New York and Portland. and there
shipped But it is said that the Confederate States
will close this outlet, and thus impose upon the
British government the necessity Of forcing the
blockade or of suspending their cotton trade. When
Congress meets we shall have something more def
mite concerning the result of negotiations which will
no doubt be commenced on this subject as soon as
Mr.. Adams shall reach London.
1t is supposed that Congress will impose duties on
the free list of imports and also internal taxes to
meet the interest on the peblic debt.