Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-02-14
Item. Tel.sraphed from wa,h,us,ou

WARRINGTON, Feb. Blowing to apprehen.
sion Of conspiracy for the purpose Of seizng the
public buildings, they have been privately guarded
though not in large force, for some weeks past.
In addition to other fears, the blowing up OF the
Capitol was regarded az an event not improbable,
and hence every night thorough examination Of
the cellars and vaults Of that building has been
made bv the Capitol police, to be sure that no
explosive materials had been there clandestinely
deposited for such purpose.
Governor Hicks, Of MARYLAND, was examined
to-day by the Special Committee His belief that
a conspiracy existed In connection with the Fede.
raj Capitol, was, he said, superinduced by private
and anonymous letters and newspaper articles !;
| and that such combination did not exist in Mary.
land, but in other Southern States that at the time
Of his publication, about the beginning Of January
he was satisfied there were existing organizations,
having In view an illegal interference with the
Federal authorities and the seizure Of public
| property, but for some time past, whatever NAV
have been the designs Of any secret considerations
or association he was satisfied that such purposes
had been abandoned.
The Special Committee are unanimously Of
opinion that whatever combinations or Interests
may have existed at an earlier period that for the
last six weeks there has been no appearance or
vestlge of an organization with hostile Intention
against w ashington or the public property therein
The Gaines case was up in the Supreme Court
to-day, MI Perrin opened the argument, stating
| that Mrs. Gaines heretofore appeared as heir at
law, but now as devisee. Messrs Cushing and
Magruder are associated with him. Messrs
yavln and Henner represent the city Of New
Orleans.
In response to the statement of Senator Benia-
min before the Select Committee of the House
that he had Informed the President that Secretary
Floyd was issuing acceptances, 1t is due to the
PRESIDENT TO say that he Immediately thereafter
sent for Mr.. Floyd, and inquired by what au-
thorlty he had issued them. Mr.. FLOYD said
there was no law for or againstit, bnt II had
been the practice Of the Department. The Presi-
dent said the practice was wrong, and instructed
MIN to pay what he had issued, but no more
which Secretary Floyd promised TO do-the
PRESIDENT being under the impression that only
small sum OF money was involved
Governor Hicks arrived in the city last event n.y.
ana has been cordially welcomed to-day by Mr.
Crttenden and the Southern Union members,
especially those from Kentucky, Tennessee and
virginia. He was served with summons to 3D.
pear before the Committee Of Investie ION to tes
Wy In relation TO the alleged conspiracy TO seize
the capitol.
The speech delivered by Mr. Line oln at Indian
apohs on the subject Of coercion, has had rather
an unfdvorable effect OH the Southern members of
the Peace Conference. Mr.. Hutchns, member
OF the Kentucky Legislature, says that Mr. Lin
coin evidently had ailusion in this speech to the
action OF Kentucky, and that he had recently re-
marked In private conversation. that II Kentucky
was In earnest in her ant-coercion resolutions we
had better prepare for war. This is seized upon
oy the extremists, and the project Of settlement
has been somewhat retarded. His speech at Gin
clnnati 10, however, well received Some of the
more moderate republicans condemn the Indian
apons speech as impolitc and uncalled for, though
the full reports Of II by mail deemed less OBJ
Jecuonaole than the telegraphic sketch.