Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1861-03-27

NASHlNGT ON, MarCn l9.-I0ercl is no IN
tention ofabandoning Fort Pickens, whatever
may be the necessity in regard to Fort Sum
ter. On the contrary, since the recent mill
tary preparations by the reyolutionists, or
ders have been seen sent to land the troops
from the Brooklyn and other sloops-o Of war,
to reinforce Lieut.. Slemmer's command. That
was Mr.. Hollis order at the first sign of a
hostile purpose. The reinfOrceInents were
not actually landed, because assurances were
given that no attack was mcditated, and to
satisfy the Peace Convention.
Jefferson Davis has recently sent secret
orders to the commander of his troops at
Pensacola.
WASHINGTON, March 19.-The Commits
sioners from the Southern Conlederacy ex-
pect no answer to their official conmunica
ton to the Administration for ten or twelve
days meantime they feel confident that there
will be no collision or change in the military
status in the seeded States. They have
telegraphed assurances from Montgomery that
ample arrangements have been made to
avert all troubles for the present at Fort
Pickens.
MARCH 20-Despatches under this date to
the Wilmington On. CO. Herald, say A
special message has gone to Fort Sumter,
~Ni'S ihS AK OluCl. y Il Odlu, IOI IItG cNdC-
uation.
A special Washington dispatch to the Bal
timore Sun says it is understood that orders
have gone to Pensacola to reinforce Fort
Pickcns.
Commenting on the above despatch, the
Baltimore Sun says:
This is, perhaps only the announcement
OF a purpose already in process of fulflment,
and would explain the departure of the mys-
FERROUS fleet from the port of New York the
other day. If so, our next intelligence will
possibly be of strife in the South. And the
attempt to reinforce Fort Pickens may be
~deSignedly made before the withdrawal of
Major Andersen-the latter proceeding to
depend upon the result of the former. If
this IS so, We find another evidence of infirm-
iy OF purpose in the administration with the
prospect of immediate conflict.
We have no confidence whatever in the
judgment or discretion of the authorities in
Washington and 1t is, moreover apparent
that they arc actuated by no settled princi-
pie of action. If it should prove true that
Fort Pickens is to be reinforced, then, for
the time being w. shall have the assurance
that the policy of the government is war. -
The issue cannot be disguised-the recogni.
ton of the Confederate States is peace any
other policy must, sooner or later, involve US
in ciyiI Udr.
WASHINGTON, March 2O.-The two in
dictmentS against ox-Secrctary Floyd, have
been dismissed as unite nable. The fist was
for c~onspiring to dcfraud the government.
The District Attorney stated in open court
that there was no evidence to sustain the
charge, and entered a nOU prosequi. The
second was for malfeasance in office in issu.
ing the acccptanccs. The act of 1857 prohibits
a prosecution when the party implicated has
testified before a committee of Congress,
touching the matter charged. This has been
judicially decided to be not the privilege oil
the witness, but a mandate Of law, and the
case would have come to an abrupt conclu
sion on this fact appearing in the course o.
the trial. But being submitted to the cour
in advance, by the consent of counsel or
both sides, the indictment is ordered to bt
quashed, as it could not be maintained.
WASHINGTON, March 21.-In Admisistra
ton circl es it is reported with an air of au
thority that no reinforcements will be sen
) South, and that no orders have been issue,
, to reinforce Fort Pickens. This intelligenc
l may be considered reliable.