The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1861-05-08
THE NEW YORK SUN.
WEDNESDAY MORNING, MAY 8, 1851.


The following extracts from MIR. RrssEtL's
letter to the London Times, dated Washing g.ou,
April ., arc interesting, as giving the first in.
dications to the English people of the decided
policy which the administration has since
adopted:
Never before under any Administration was
so little Of the Councils Of the Cabinet kno rn
to the public or to those Who arc supposed 10
be scquaintcd with the opinions Of the states.
men in ot'ico. The sources Of the fount ain of
knowledge, from which journalists drew 40
freely are stopped without fear, favor, or affec.
tion towards any. The result has been much
irritation in quarters where such interference"
IL regarded As unwarrantable, or, at least, as
very injurious. The newspapers which enjoyed
the privilege Of free access to dispatches are
Matching cdadrds, which they lot dy along the
telegraph wires with amazing prcductiyeness
and fertility Of conception and incubation.
Hence the monstrous and ridiculous rumors
which harden isto tyFe every dsy-hence the
eIamors for a policy, and hence tho contend.
ing accusations that the Government is doing
nothing, and that II Is also preparing to plunge
the country into civil war.
When landed in New York the first news
leant was that Fort Sumter would be evacuated
next day II not, that the supplies would DO
cut of, and that the garrison wruli he starved
out. have learnt nov to distrust prophecy.
and am goirg South in the hops that the end
Il not yet. The Southern Comm issioners state
that the Government here has promised them
no efforts shall lie made 10 reinforce Fort
Sumter without previous notice to them-a
very singular promise. The Government, how
ever, denies that IL has been in communicate ION
with them. The operations Of relieving force
would have TO be conducted on a very large
scale by troops dissmbLrking on the shores and
taking the batteries in reverse, in conjunction
nil Il e. Al.
such an expedition would be futile, unless Il
were intended to occupy Charleston and try tho
fortune Of war in South Carolna-an intention
quite opposed to the expressions, AMI believe
the feeliogs OF the Cabinst Of Washington, not
to speak Of the people Of the Border States and
OF large remnants Of the Union.
II anything is clearer than another in the
dozbt and perpexity which prevail il is that
the Government will do nothing whatever to
prtcipitate a conflict
OF this be assured--not ship, or gun or q
man will be directed to make any attack, or to
begin an offensive movement against the Con-
federated States. II any promise was made
by the Buchanan Administration to inform tho
members Of Abe Southern Government or its
representatives OF their course Of action, IL will
not he considered binding on the conscicnces of
DIR. Lts' oIN's Cabinet, composed as II Is of
men who look on their predecessors as guilty of
treason 10 the state. An attempt may be made
to reinforce Fort Pickens, and neither that nor
any position occupied by the Federal authori-
ties will he voluntarily aban ioned.
Once for all, let II he impressed on tbs minds
Of the English people that, whatever reports
they bear, and however they may cme-no
matter whence or In what guise-there is no
Truth in them If they indicate the smallest in
tention on the part Of Mr.. LINCOLN 10 depart
from the policy indicated in his inaugural al.
dress. have dwelt in previous letters on the
obvious policy Of the Government of the United
States, end beg your readers 10 have firm
faith that there will be no departure from II.
BY concentrating forces At Key West AMI Tor
tugas very valuable political results are oh
tained In face Of the present disputes, and ma,
ttrial strategical advantages in c,se thosc dis
putes should lead to rupture which will not
be initiated by the Cabinet a Washington. By
q confusion Of metaphor which events may jus
tify, the eve to watch may be turned into an
arm to strike.