The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-03-19
FORTS SUMTER AND PICKENs.

lSpcItH6 DtSpitCL L
WASHINGTON, March 1.-THE decision in regard
to the withdrawal of Major Anderson's command
now rests exclusively with the President He has
had the fullest oral and written opinions of General
Scott and the most skillful officers of the army and
the spoken and written counsel of every member of
his Cabinet. No determination was reached YES
terday. Mr.. Lincoln is fully sensible of the impor-
tant responsibility which rests upon him. and will
decide finally with the full knowledge that he is To
bear it before the country.
1t IS known that after deliberate investigation
of all the facts, the Cabinet with one exception
approve the military judgment of Gen. Scott and
yield to it as necessity which cannot be avoided
inns almost unanimous concurrence on the part of
men who have been supposed to regard this subject
from opposite standpoints, and to hold different
views OF .policy for its treatment, is sufficient to
show that there must be the most sufficient reasons
for this conclusion.
Various modes have been suggested for rein
forcing Fort Sumter, but not one of them can
stand the scrutiny of scientific military authority,
and all others are unworthy of consideration
Some emanate from civilians and others from naval
officers OF respectable standing. They propose a
demonstration at night through the shallow parts
OF the entrance to Charleston harbor, sending in
the men and supplies by boats. These plans have
peen discussed Tor some time in naval circles but
with few exceptions they have not been regarded
as practicable, though there are many officers who
would cheertully command such an expedition.
1t Is stated upon the best military authority that
Major AndersOn's present force could not hold out
forty-eight hours in the event of collision with
the batteries now concentrated against him in full
play. The physical endurance required to work
ms heavy guns would be exhausted in that time
lie could, doubtless, DESTROY Fort MOutrie and
sacrifice many hundred lives besides, but would be
compelled to surrender from causes beyond human
control 1t is easy for those who have no RESPONSE
nlty to propose plans and to blame others for not
adopting them; but if an experiment should be
tried against the advice Of the most experienced
soldiers and fail, who would avert the execration
which would follow it Mr.. Lincoln will deIbe
rate well before deciding
FORT PICKENs.
There is no intention of abandoning Fort Pick
ems, whatever may be the necessity in regard to
Fort Sumter. On the contrary, since the recent
military preparations by the revoutionists, orders
have been sent to land the troops from the Brook
yn aad other soops ofwar, to reinforce Lieutenant
Slemmer's command. That was Mr.. Hollis order
at the first sign of hostile purpose. The rein
torcements were not actually landed, because assn
RANGES were given that no attack meditated,
and to satisfy the Peace Convention.
jefferson Davis has recently sent secret orders to
the commander of his troops at Pensacola.
THE GREAT SHIP.-Since the great ship was put
upon the gridiron in Milford Haven she seems to
have passed away from the public mind, but the
announcement of the intention of the share
holders TO hold their annual meeting upon the 2Stb
instant, has again worked general feeling of Gu
riosty in respect to her and the prospect of the
country, which may make the following facts inte-
resting. She has been within the last few weeks
date superintendent Of the Board of Directors
who at present putting in entirely new deck
and In compliance with the requirements of the
Board of Trade, bushing the screws with brass or
rather gun metal bearings. No additional capital
will be required to defray the expenses of these
alterations, which will be completed by the end of
the month, so that the vessel may again go to sea
in March, 1t is probable her next voyage will be
to New York. The three actions which Mr.. Scott
Russell has brought against the company have, by
order of the Court of Common Pleas, been consoli-
dated into one. Mr.. RusselPs claim is in all
100000. The company have against that gentle
man cross action for Gl30 900. Both causes will
come on for trial next term, when it is probable
they may be referred to arbitration. Mr.. Hope
has resigned his seat at the board, and as vet no
one has been nominated to succeed hin. liverpool
Times.
Loss OF LIFE AND Property ON THE LAKES IN
lS60.-The Board of Lake Underwriters have lust
published very complete statement of the loss of
life and property on the Lakes in 1860, of which the
following Is recapituaton:
1860
Loss on steam hulls..., 1885,, 8GS
Do. do. cargoes.,.............. 16O,575
dotal loss a by I Ssean vessels o 1888
To- no. cargoes ,.,.,,.,,,....... 33OS59
Total loss by sail vessels. .................6 COS 633
Total loss by steam and sail obs
Less of life in 1861.
Do. do 1059.......1O5 Increase. ......,..,..473
the STA lives lost during the past year, 400 are
ATTRIBUTED 10 the ulsaster OF the Lady Egin. This
is undoubtedly larger than the reality, though,
from the nature of the calamity it is impossible to
arrive at the number lost with absolute certainty
Parties are still kept up in New Orleans. The
Crescent of the 18th says:
sWe call attention TO a card in another column,
notifying the clubs of the Southern American par
ty to meet on Thursday evening, to select dele
gates to a convention to nominate candidates for
Judges of the District Courts, the election for
which is to take place next month"