The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-04-25


lower 10 Lserpco sors S. 90 81 oc0 tusssls Of coro
AMI wheat were saA = "A 7ald aaa a. u hdik &C
bags, ard $500 anis Of Hover :. D. and tqo 90 =.
Is I5.d.
Startling uesrs-Washington in Ia ns~r
By the important telegraphic intelligence
which we publish In our columns this morning,
we are placed in possession Of the startling fact
that the federal capital on Tuesday after
noon was in peril of capture. owing TO the
fact that the expected reinforcenents had
not arrived from the North in consequence
of the interruption of the passage through
Maryland, and there is an earnest ur-
gent appeal from Washington for more
troops and for field pieces. The Seventh regi-
ment of New York and the Eighth Of Massa-
chusetts had arrived after some fighting and
much suffering; but as many troops as can be
sent forward are needed Immediately, and
they ought to take their provisions with them
There Is not moment to be lost. 1t appears
that in addition to the Virginia troops in the
vicinity Of Washington, Jefferson Davis and
Beauregard are of Richmond with twenty
seven thousand men, and for all we know to
the contray, may now be in possession of the
federal capital
The motive Of the obstruction of the Northern
troops ht Baltimore and other points in Mary
land is now fully developed. 1t is evident
that the design was to cause such delay rs
would enable the invaders to be present
in force at Washington before the fed
eral troops could reach the scene Of
m IL .e oil inn
OF time The city has no natural or artificial
strength to enable it to hold out against supe-
rior ODDS, and II has so many approaches that
a small body Of troops cannot effectually pro-
tect it long. We learn that the long bridge is
well secured BY General Scott, and that he has
broken down the bridge at Georgetown; but
by means Of boats, or RATS, ii is possible for
troops to cross the Potomac higher up,
and, perhaps, even below Washington.
So apprehensiye Of danger was the Com
mander Chief that barricades were con-
structed for the windows Of the public build.
ipgs, earthworks were thrown up, women and
children, and even men were fleeing. All
things indicated an approaching con-
Aict But if the Southern troops did
not succeed in effectipg capture yesterday,
they will be met to-day by force large
enough to keep them at bay till fresh troops
arrive from the North; and there is q consola-
ton in the case Of Washington that, even if it
can be retained against superior numbers, and
the ability Of the North to speedily retake it
cannot be doubted.
Now, under these circumstances, what is the
duly CT the Governor Of this State and all
other Northern States? 1t is to send all avail
able troops, regardless Of expense, and with
out waiting for orders. 1t may not be in the
power Of the administration to transmit intelli-
gence in time; but it is the part of the North
ern Governors to take time by the forelock
and forward all the troops they Gan to Wash
ington without delay and IL the isute by An
napolis is not open to cut their way through
Baltimore.
There has been great mismanage4eH on the
part of the government, as we'll AS want of
vigor and determination. The revd1utionists
have been silently acting, while Meksrs. Lin
coin, Seward d Co. have been writing and
talking and vacillating and procrastinating till
ii is almost, If not altogether, too late to save
the capital from capture. We have fighting
men and money in abundance, but we ap-
pear to have no government. There are half
a million Of soldiers ready to take the field,
and two hundred millions of dollars are on
hand if required to sustain them. But where
are the men to lead them to action? 1t is
stated that both Chase and Seward have sue
cumbed. Indeed the letter of the Secretary of
State to Gov. Hicks is the plainest proof of bis
cavipg in, and that he meditatss peaceful
separation Of the States, while Mr.. Lincoln, as
is evident from his parleyipg with the rebel
Mayor Of Baltimore, has also grown weak in
the knees, and does not mean that anybody
should be hurt. A million Of dollars would be
cheap for q President with backbone
q man after the stamp Of Andrew Jackson, who,
being first sure be was right, would take the
responsibility and 60 ahead, looking danger
and death in the eye.