Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-05-26
Affairs in w Washington.
News, Gossip. Rumors and Lies.
COrrsspOsdsucs Of he Baltimore San

WAsHINeTos. May 2l.--The British North Amer,
ican and West India squadrens detailed for the par
pose Of watching over the interests of British shin
ping on the coast of the Atlantic and Gulf States =
commanded by Admiral Sir Alexander Milne. and
embraces two ninetygun screw steamships. and
eight small war steamers. 4 French SQUADRON
will undoubtedly be detailed for the purpose of
looking after French commercial rights during the
war. The principal duty of these fleets will be,
has been stated to that neutrals are protect
ed in their national rights not only from piracy or
legal privateering, or from illegal blockades
The declaration of the Paris Conference that
bioekades must be effective in order to be legal,
was nothing but q re-assertion of the American
doctrine as tofblockade. But there has always ex-
ised difficulty IN the application of the principle
What shall constitute an effective blockade has
never been seit ed in regardto British and French
trade with American ports il will cause much DIS
pute and many dthcult cases will no doubt arise
under il. ss1 ~
It has been found almost impossible in wars to
reconcile the rights of neutrals with the interests
of bslllgerents. 1t is probable that neither Eng
land nor France have any design in sending their
fleets to our coast to interfere in our disturbances
and they do not probably entertain any abstract
preference for one party the other. But extreme
JEALOUSY of their commercial rights, as neutrals,
may still plunge them into irritating alterations
with both of the beligerents not only as respects
blockade, but captures the sea, whether by pri-
vateers or public armed vessels.
The federal government holds one powerful
check upon the aggressions of European naval
powers in the reservation of right to employ
volunteer navy for the annoyance destruction Of
an enemy's commerce on the ocean, E
very sharp foreign war may accompany civil
war here, If the latter be protracted for year or
two.
Special Dispatch to tina Cincinnati Gazette.
WASHINGTON, May 23.--Several gentlemen had
long and pleasant intercourse with the President
this morning, during W hch the constant theme of
the times was discussed The President remarked
that he did not think there would be invasion of
the rebel States before autumn. This surprised
those present; but the remark was nevertheless
made. and is given you their authority, with the
remark that the allusion made by the President was
evidently wrongly construed.
The Commissioner of Patents and the War De-
| partment have expressed themselves much pleased
with the invention of A. l.. Ross of Cincinnati for
throwing hot water from the sides of vessel du-
ring an engagement The pressure is obtained from
the boiler without any extra machinery, and is very
simple and effective. The inventor tenders the use
Of his invention TO the Government for nothing.
Capt Bartlett, of New York, left the city on the
three r nj. train to-day, having perfected arrange
| ments concerning the acceptance of the Govern
meDt of his naval br gade, which is ordered for
vice near Fortress Monroe. This brigade is under
stood to be exclusive of the additional forces from
New York recently accepted by the President
Trouble is expected in the vicinity of Fortress Mon
| roe in very few days. The Virginians are
centrating large force there. and even sends
| feet when they come too near.
| Special Dispatch to the Cincinnati Commercial.
! WASHINGTON, May 23-The official report of the
action between the L. S. steamer Star and the Sew
slls Point battery, has been received at the Navy
| Department. The Star fired 1872 shell and other
shots at the battery. Had to stop firing for want of
| ammunition. Was struck by five balls, but only
slightly damaged. Two men were slightly wounded.
From official statements it appears that the Navy
has lost l2S officers since the beginning Of the Sc
cession movement The designations of fifty have
been accepted. The balance including Capts Buch-
| ansn and Magruder, are stricken from the roll.
According TO latest advices at the Navy Depart
ment, the impression prevails that Charleston. Sa-
vannah Mobile and the mouth of the Mississippi are
| all blockaded at this time.
Special Dispatches to the Cincinnati Enquirer.
| WASHINGTON, May 23-I hear it commended in
| some circles that conference of foreign powers
will soon be held to determine what shall constitute
an effective blockade. This it is believed, will be
settled by Great Britain and France before nstruc-
tions are given to the British Squadron dispatched
to this coast to protect British shipping from priva
teering and what they may decide to be illegal
| blockade. The news of the course of foreign gov
ernments is awaited with great interest by this
| Government.
4 special bearer of dispatches arrived yesterday
from Lord John Russell with important Instructions
for the British Minister here 1t is believed advces
from the British foreign Office have some bearing
| upon the delicate questions.
resident OF norfolk, just arrived mere, declares
| that there four hundred cannon mounted the
banks of the river, and that the batteries extend
for five miles below the city. He says that the guns
are of the heaviest caliber. Old Point Comfort he
says, is also impregnable to attack.
| From Baltimore.
Special D spAtch TO the Cincinnati Gazette.
! BALTIMORE, May 23-Passengers from Old Point
to-day say that extraordinary preparations are be-
| ing made at Fortress Monroe to attack SewalIs
| Point where five thousand Southern troops are as
| sembled 1t was expected that the engagement
| would be commenced to-day by land and water.
| General Butler commands the forces outside the
| fortress.
| There is scarcely doubt of a serious conflict in
that region. If it is not already raging very soon
will be- The VirgInians are eager for the fray.
The most authentic accounts represent six killed
by the shots from Sewa is Point at the recent bonn
| bardment and the vessel considerably injured.
A large Secession sword factory in Richmond has
been burnt by parties opposing Secession.
James Allen, John Dreamer, G. Dreamer G. NJ.
Fentou Joshua Bailey, n. o. G. Fitzgerald and J.
Field, were arrested in Baltimore to>day, on the
charge of treason but were subsequently released
by the Commissioner for want of sufficient evil
dence. .sr
Rich developments are expected soon from the
evidence furnished by the seized telegraph dis
patches here. This causes high excitement.
The New York Tibune,S Washington correspond
ent says James Cameron has arrived at Washington
with much important evidence of secession develop
ments procured through these manuscript dis
patches. impicating many prominent citizens of
various places.