Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-04-12
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WASHINGTON, April 9.
1t is persistently stated in Administration
quarters that the recent preparations are for
defense, and nothing is intended not strictly
Justified by The laws, which it is the duty Of
he President to enforce to the extent of his
ability. If resistance is made, and blood
she'd, the responsibility must fail on those
who provoke hostilities. The assurance of
The inaugural is repeated, that the Admins
tration will not be the aggressor. Various
theories are given in newspapers for the
present military demonstrations among
which is one, that they were stimulated by
the result of certain late elections, but this
is an error, as, ct the commencement of the
Administration, the President and Cabinet
entertained the idea of reinforcing Forts
Sumter and Pickens, but owing to unao-
uuaintance with the means at command of
the Government, the plan now progressing |
was impracticable. In other words, it was |
necessary to ascertain the extent of the |
effects bequeathed to the President BY the |
late Administration. 1t was deemed essen |
tial to keep secret the objects of the military
movements, especially the sailing of vessels
under sealed orders, as under the late
Administration there were persons who
clandestinely communicated its purposes to
the Secessionists, and, as frequently occur
red, before the orders were reduced to off,
cial form. According to remark of an ex-
Secretary. the Administration thus always
found itself embarrassed at the threshold.
The present Administration has limited
such knowledge to the Cabinet and perhaps
several trusty officers, and precautionary
measures were taken SO as to render next to
impossible acquiring forbidden information.
The Administration, while declaring peace
policy, claims that it can only be held to
strict accountability by the people; and,
however speculative may be the publications
respecting its movements, it is under no OBJ
legations to announce its plans. In other
words, that the Administration should be
Judged by its acts.
That Fort Pickens has been or will be re-
inforced admits of no doubt; and the Ad-
ministration will do all in its power to either
relieve Maj. Anderson or secure his evacua-
ton of Fort Sumter without dishonor or
committing the government to the acknowl-
edgement of any right claimed by the Con.
federate States, or in any way recognize the
doctrine of secession. The proceedings in
the Gulf, beyond the relief of Pickens
will be governed by circumstances
The above is from q reliable source, tc
show to some extent the basis of the present
military preparations.
WASHINGTON, April 6.
The President has appointed the following
Postmasters: George B. Roberts at Laporte
John Andrews at Michigan City, Mr.. Wilson
at Loganspor., E. X. Farnam at South Bend
Thos. II. Davis at Unionville, Chas F. Bron
son at Paducah, Ky, Jacob +. Hockstette
at Nebraska City, James 3. Howell at Keo
kuk, VIM. Luce at Xenia, Ohio.
i WASHINGTON, April 5.
John Minor Bolts arrived here with
, large delegation of Virginians, to ascertain
f by personal conference the exact intention
of the Government Bolts visited tho Pres
ident, and advised the evacuation of Sumter
An officer of South Carolina has also arriyet
to recruit the Southern army.
; Washington correspondents assert tina
the President is daily receiving numerou
Geographic dispatches from all parts of til
country, urging no surrender Of any forts
and Offering volunteer attempts on reinforce
ment. One man offered to reinforce Sumte
at ten days notice for five Thousand dollars
; WASHINGTON, April 9.
Special to the Commercial Advertiser.-
Dispatches have been received here, thi
morning; from Charleston, which state tina
X. S. Cheney, one of the Clerks of the Stat
Department, had arrived there. and hac
, brought message from Secretary Seward
to Gov. Pickens. Mr.. Seward in his mes
: sage, directly informed Gov. Pickens tina
Sumter must be supplied with provision
from Charleston markets, and if Mai. A
derson was not furnished regularly the Gov
eminent would furnish him with those thing
) which he most needed.
New YORK, April 9.
A special dispatch to the Herald says tina
, offers of volunteers, from the Border States
5 continue to be sent to Montgomery, and
tender of 1000 men and 1000 Indian wal
r riors has been received there, from tn
West.
A special dispatch from Charleston, to tn
Herald, says that the authorities had recei1
ed official notification that supplies will b
f furnished Maj Anderson at all hazards. I'm
+ mense preparations were Immediately com
menced. Orders were issued for the entir
military reserves to proceed to their tations
Four regiments. of 1000 men each, hav
been telegraphed for from the country Am
balances and other preparations for wounde,
are being made.
At midnight seven guns from the citade
: was the signal for the assembling of all th
reserves, and the city was thrown into th
greatest excitement. Seventeen regiments
3 800 men strong, assembled in an hour, ant
| left for the Notifications
At 3 o'clock in the morning, all the YES
sells in the harbor necessary for transporta
ton will be put in service.
A fleet of seven Government vessels il
reported off the bar. Maj. Anderson dis
played signal lights during the night from
the walls of Fort Sumter.
1t is believed that tho fight will be com
} menced at Stone, twenty-five miles south
} the batteries along the coast being silencet
in turn, and after clearing Morris Island
the Government forces will CROSS to Sumte,
while Anderson engages Fort Moultrie,
u Lieut. Talbot was denied admission to Fl
Sumter by the authorities.
i NEW YORK, April 9.
The Heralds Washington correspondence
states that the Government is determined tt
keep Anderson in Sumter, and supply hin
with provisions forthwith. A portion of the
fleet will reach Charleston, to-day (Tuesday)
for that purpose. There is no desire to put
additional men in the Fort, unless resistance
is offered to the attempt to furnish supplies
The feet will not approach Charleston with
hostile intentions, but the supply vessels &c
prepared to reply promptly to any resistance
of warlike character offered to peaceful
! ~ 10 IN !
instructions to this effect to Anderson, with
orders to open his batteries if vessels are fired
upon.
Recruiting is fast going on, and at least
fifty thousand volunteers will be offered from
the free States in few days. Gov Dennison,
of Ohio, pledges the support of his State to a
vigorous policy, and returns home Immediately
| to execute his pledge