The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-04-10


movements meant, did they receive the reply 70 their
note informing them that they could hold oommuni
cation with them If this the real state OF the case,
the administration win not occupy very enviable posi-
tion.
George n Sanders sensation dispatches 10 the
Tribune, in which he charges President Davis
with urging an aggressive policy on the United
States utterly untrue. The Commissioners
have repeated assurances from President Davis
that he meant to act only the defensive and was sim
cereiy anxious for peace. He urged them in private
letters to exhaust every to effect peaceful So
luton of the question, and to do everything possible to
avoid war.
All the public buildings including the White House,
are now nightly guarded by extra watches The Urea
sury Department is the particular object q measures of
precautiQn.
The South Carolina mails win be stopped upon tho first
sign of hostility to the feet of relief.
The Virginia Committee Of Three will fare no. better
than tho volunteer delegation under the leadership Of
John Minor Bolts The President win receive them cour
teousy but win tell them that, although he desires
peace he win not seek to secure it k the violation Of his
constitutional duties.
WASHINGTON, April ., 1851.
Extensive as the military and naval preparations are,
it is perssently stated in administration quarters that
they defensive purposes only and that nothing is
offended not strictly justified by the laws, which
it is tho duty Of the President to enforce to
the extent Of his ability. II resistance by
made to his Efforts in this prrticular ard blooqshed be
the result the responsibility must fa those who pro
woke hostlies and the assurance of the inaugural is
repeatee, that the administration will be the ag
greesor.- :.
Various theories given the newspapers
that they only recently stimulated by the result OF
certain state and municipal elections; but this s
known to be an error, for at the very COM
mencement OF the administration the President
and Cabinet entertained the idea of reinforcing both
Forts Sumter and Pckens but owing to the condition Of
the country at the time, and non acquaintance with
themeans at the command of the government the pro-
secuton Of the plans progressing impraccable
In other words it WAS necessary hrs to ascertain the
extent Of the effects bcqueathed TO the present
by the late administration. As to the score
sy of the objects OF the military movements,
this deemed absolutely necessary especially
the sailing of vessels with sealed orders under the late
administration were persons who clandestney commun-
catcd its purposes from time to tme to the secession
sts and frequently occurred before they were re-
secretary the administration thus always found It.
self embarrassed at the threshold.
The present administration, however, with full APP
probation Of such distractions has limited actual
knowledge of Its purposes TO the members of the Cabinet
and perhaps several trusy officers and taken such pre-
stationary render next to impossible to
improperly acquire the forbidden information.
The administration, while constantly declaring its
policy to be peace, claims that only be held by
strict accountability by the people, and that, however
variant and speculative may be the publications respect
ing Its movements 1t is under obligation to announce
its purposes and plans In other words that the admin
istration should be judged by It's acts.
That Fort Fckeus has will be reinforced admits of
doubt and with regard 70 Fort Sumter the admins
tration will do all in Its power either to relieve Major
Anderson TO his evacuation post needs
BIO, without dshonor committing the government to
the acknowledgment OF any right claimed by the Con-
ederate States in any way to recognize the doctrine
Of secession.
The proceedings in the Gulf, beyond the relief OF
Fort Pickens, will be governed by circumstances.
The above has been prepared from reliable sources:
with view TO show to some extent the basis of the
present military operations.