New-York daily tribune., 1861-05-28

will send one back So far as judge oy the tenn
p4r exhibited bv our officers and men, do not think
they urs di-mayed by these odds. But do you not
think our Government sometimes expects little too
mncb from ia troops Leaving them to work their
way ou, Of difficulties with very great obstacles and
too numerous odd against themi There enough
here 10 defend the place against al the troops the nth
can briny. but the armament and munitions (phy
elements quite as essential as soldiers seem to be In
adequate for the emergency, and are certainly dspro-
poronae to the work which the country expects from
this garrison.
Information has been received confirming the state
heretofore made concerning tie scarcity OF pro-
vsons in the camp Of the CoBfederates 1t '7 only Uy
draining the surrounding country OF everything ea'a
Bile, and by occasional drafts upon Mobile aDd 'e"-
Orleans that they ire not reduced TO absolute staa-
ton. AL which only demonstrates the necessity Oh
bocGcng the Gulf ports and of cutting oil the snppy
of provisions from the Great West upon which New
Orleans and Mobile depend and thence disspsng the
forces Of the Secessionirts without perhaps hrn2
shot. We have been aware for several days that
orders for the blockade have been issued and 1t might
be supposed that knowledge Of the fact would, IN
times Of imperative necessity, constitute sufficient war
rant for executing its material provisions, without wait
ing for formal official notification. But unfortunately
the officer in command Of the feet does not view the
matter III that light and if by any accident or faisy
the Minnesota. now under way for this place with
new Naval Commander and with the Presdents in
strucrons should happen to go under or be captured
by the enemy, or any other of detention take
place, presume our shp,-of-war will still lie idly by,
for want Of official orders in black and white and thus
remain week after week in the face of vast prepara-
nj dlv of N
make no pause in Difference to technical formaes
even TO positive requirements Of law or rules Of war
fare. 1t is good thing sometimes to get an executive
officer whose code and guidance ARE his written nstruc-
tIons but it does not necessarily follow that
ing, thinking creature should make machine of him
self and shrk the responsibility which his official posi-
ton imposes.
Bu, IL statements Of facts, let be absolutely just
Two steamboats, from Mobile, loaded down with pro-
visions and perhaps other supplies, were yesterday
prevened firm entering the barbor, and sent back in
the direction from which they came. Perhaps this was
better than nothing But at precisely the same time,
two scbooners, in company with the steamboats,, also
freighted with supplies, were permitted TO enter and
discharge their cargo ut the enemys dock. The half
and-hali principle is good in certain paces-but as
rule Of action it is hardly adequate for greater emer-
gepces than whisky toddies.
The health of the command is generally good, con-
sderng tie intense heat Of the climate the hard work
and exposure of the men, and their orowied condition
in damp easements. A cheerful disposition prevails
among the sodiers and il they fight as well as they
work they will cast no disgrace upon tie American
arms, or regular army. All desirous Of holding
th- place at all bszsrds-but they also hope it is the
policy Of Government to ,end an additional force here
aud reake Forts McCrea and Barrancas and the Navy
Yard as well march TO the capital Of the Seces-
sionss, and carry the war into the heart of the enc
my'- country. Nobody doubts the power of the Gov
ernnent to maintain its pride and integrity, if only
true 10 Itself.
MosDAY, May H. 1861.
The L. S. mail steamship Water WITCH arrived last
night from Havana, bringing, among other mail mat
ter, tie Presidents Proclamation and orders for the
blockade OF Southern ports. The utmost satisfaction
prevails. The stirring war news from the North acts
Ike "a cham upon our troops