The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-05-01
From W nslaingtOn.


Philadelphia April %.
Through the kindness of Cornelius Wendell
Esq, of Washington, l am able to send you a
full account of affairs at the National Capital, as
they existed up to o'clock on Monday morning,
and at Baltimore up to l l o'clock the same day,
at which hous Mr.. Wendell left the latter city for
York, Pa Mr.. Wendels tates that he went
to the Office of the Quarter Master General and
examined personally the ration list, from which
he learned that the total number Of men at that
time under arms wos eighty t,co hundred
This force was considered by many, sufficient
for the protection Of the city for the time btang,
while Others were exceedingly anxious for the
arrival of additional force. The secessiOnists
had, as learned before, contemplated an at
tack upon Harper's Ferry, but being forestalled
in that patriotic design marched direct for Alex
andria. A, that point. and on the heights over
looking the city il is estimated that there are about
5000 troops. Martial law has been proclaimed at
Alexandra, and there is no passing allowed at
the Long bridge.
The President has been repeatedly urged to
declare Martial law in the District Ind several
times it has been decided 40 to do, though up to
Monday it had not been. The Secretary OF the
Interior is responsible for the statement, that OH
Monday the President would without doubt, re
for it was too apparent longer to be neglected
The excitement in Washington was most in-
tense The news of the massacre of the Mas
sachusetts volunteers stirred up most righteous
indignation, and tended to cement most thor
Oughly, all sections, shades, and peoples, in their
resolutions to stand by the flag OF their common
country. Loyal men do not fear the taking and
holding of the city by the Secessionists, and,
since the Intelligence referred TO, their faith has
been stronger, and their confidence more secure
ly based in the upcoming of the North. The
sentiment as expressed is, that the blood of those
gallant fellows who were slaughtered at Balti
more will so arouse the nation, that TO power
this side of Heaven can prevail against their
might. There are very many families at Wash
ington who desire to but cannot get away. They
have no funds with which to GO nor safe way OF
retreat if they had the money.
The good people of Virginia thought it would
be pleasant little incident in this raternal strug
gle, if they could succeed in starving out the
citizens of Washington, so they guarded the out
lets and the inlets and would permit nothing TO
be sold in the edible line and Saturday it was
afloat that flour could not be found in the city.
This was carving affairs little too far; and 3
900 barrels of -four which were known to be at
Georgetown, were quietly seized carefully trans
ported, and safely stored in the vaults of the
Capitol building. All the horses, carts, hacks,
For carriages in the city, have been taken by the
Government for its own use, and others are
needed.
The secessiOnists have erected barr ,cades al
| the White House, place about two miles below
Mount Vernon, and also at Indian Head, some ZO
miles lower down, which latter is said TO be one
of the most desirable points on the river. Or
Sunday, heavy cannOnading from the direction OF
| Fort Washington was heard, and all the people
| in Washington rushed towards the Navy Yar6
to ascertain the cause. 1t could not be ascer
tanned, however, whether it was from the fort oI
from the Pawnee. Several large vessels were il
clear view of the city, but it was impossible tC
tell at the time Mr.. Wendell left, what they
we're.
Mr.. Wendell, as did hundreds Of others, think
ing Washington not fit place for his children
started with them by rail to Baltimore. AT al
early hour he reached Calvert street station il
that city. Halt drunken loafers swarmed there
in. They carried costly daggers, revOlvers o
the latest fashion, and knives of glittering polish
while as they staggered throug h the hong pas
sage, they ID the Union, gave maudlin cheer
for Maryland and bOasted of their future PROV
ess. He passed through the 9uetest part of III,
city, finding it everywhere in the hands of
mob. At every corner, in the middle of tn
streets, and around the hotel dOorways, stoo'
and shouted always the same brutal swarm. n
life is safe there unless its possessor will say thei
says, no person is sacred there unless its spirit
agains, the Federal Union, and no property wi
long be inviOlate whose holder does not loud an
long proclaim his devotion to Southern interest
and his zeal for the southern cause. Out of tn
city were going great companies of sorrowers.-
Families flying from their homes, merchants leay
ing hastily their all. aud none rejoicing save tn
!, busy teamsters, hackmen and drivers.
At Cockeysville, seventeen miles from Bait
more, Mr.. Wendell counted one hundred ali
thirty eight vehicles of different sorts and kind
s. filled with people who were fleeing from th
wrath 10 come, and who were hurrying to Philadt
phia, and other cities for refuge. Nopen he lay
can portray, no word can convex the wretchet
ness now existing on the road between Baltimo'
and Cockeysve; many have been obliged |
fee from Richmond who, getting thus far, al
: compelled by the mob to go farther, while the
= are destitute OF means. purposeless and weary
Ii is impossible for the New York papers to 9,
full and reliable information by telegraph, eve
from Phi adelphia. II the dispatches contain il
formation concerning the movements of troop
that information is cut out by a person here d
" : tailed for that purpose, and when the dispatC
= = reaches New York, it the person here detailt
= ;, has not cut out enough, another person detalle
! : at the New York office, " does so some more"
One word more and close. l, has been Il
"" "" svowed intention 20 "catch old Abe and har
!. him" anyhow and at all hazards. This seem
. . from all accounts. to be pet plan of the Sout
= erR gentlemen, but whether t will succeed
=" not, We cannot yet say. Col Msgruder. howe
:. er, said on Saturday that it was not impossib
;, that they might seize the President between th
and Monday, though after that time it would
Ctopian TO attempt il. Many Southern IN
tremble as they see the unanimity with which Il
!. north is acting
in ADvIcEs By GOVERNMENT MEssENGERs.
L. By the arrival of two government messenge
N who left Washington late on Sunday night,
,e have intelligence from the National Capital.
i'll that time they report that no fears were felt
I'd the safety of the city, but the authorities We
IN anxious regarding Fort Monroe, of the reinfort
\. ment of which they had not heard. The III
e, sengers came on to Baltimore rapidly as pos
n ble, reaching there early Sunday morning; /
~ deeming it imprsdent to put themselves viii
v reach OF the mob which now reigns there, th