The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-04-05
WASHINGTON RUMORS.
Extracts from the Correspondence ofthc Northe1

ders to leave forthwith all being required to re-
port at Fort Hamilton, New York. That these
troops are destined for Fort Pickens there can be
no DOUBT. In less than week the country will
learn whether we have government or not The
Home squadron is to be increased and ordered
| Sorth, and Pensacola and other Southern ports
viii be biockaded Fort Pickens is not in need of
additional men, but will be in want of sup
plies, which will be furnished forthwith.
IL Is believed that General Sumner has been or
dered to New York, and perhaps South, to direct
the movement OF the troops, as he let here very
suddenly
Cen Scotts private secretary also left Yesterday
on short notice for New York.
Several interviews have been had to-day between
the President and Secretary of War; and the latter
with General Scott
Orders have been issued to day in the Navy De-
partment to the several bureaus to an extent that
almost precluded everything else. Every availa-
bic naval ship will be called home. Those on the
coast OF Africa it is said, cannot be recalled with
out violating the treaty with England requiring
the United States to keep at least eighty guns
there.
The Cabinet were in session to-day for several
hours, and General Scott was present Among the
important questions discussed was the recent affair
IN st. Domingo. The foreign Ministers here ex-
press the opinion that the Spanish government
VIII not countenance the course of the Governor
General OF Cuba in sending troops from Havana to
St Domingo to sustain the Spanish flag. The
Spanish Minister asserts that his dispatches rom
Madrid have contained reference to the sub
ject.
Report saws that the British ami French Minis
ters have indicated to the Secretary of State that
II the United States should interfere in the matter,
their governments will keep hands off.
1t Is argued in high official circles here that the
best policy for the administration is to inaugurate
war with Spain or Mexico, or both, as the best
means for avertiDg internal strife.
A difficulty is said to exist in regard to the ap-
preparation for the construction Of the new
steam sloops 1t is that the money apprOpria-
tod ta-F FhNG G-,1l Ia, I'll.
that it cannot be used until and after that time
This Is one of the reasons why extra session of
Congress cannot be prevented. The administra.
non Is crippled in similar manner BIZ other ap-
propri1 lions.
WhCl it is officially demonstrated that any one
OF the ,hirtyfour States of the United States las
been vaded by Mexico, the government will forth
with take immediate steps to repel the invaders.
The President to-day seemed to be lahoring un-
der depression of spirits. He justly complains
that Congress adjourned leaving him almost pow
erless to act. His only objection to calling them
together now is the fear that they will come here
and proceed to discuss some compromise measure
OF undertake to investigate some unknown m ysterv
or quarrel over the tariff, instead of rausacng the
business actually necessary to carry on the govern
mCnt.
Instructions were to-day given to all the heads
OF BUREAUS in several of thedepartments not to hold
any further official communication with any per
sons residing in the seeded States.
Great activity and commotion are still visible in
poli iue navy ana w ar departments today
Commodore StriDgham and Commodore Case were
ordered his morning to Boston, to take command
OF the steam frigate Minnesota, forty guns, now at
that port. Her officers have been ordered By tee.
graph to report at once to the Commodore. She is
to proceed to the mouth of the Mississippi
The Perry and Powhatau are also ordered to the
same point
This looks very significant There are various
rumors and surmises as to this sudden naval move
mcnt.
Special orders have also been despatched to the
Cumberland, Pocahontas and Dolphin, now at
Hampton Roads.
1t is more than probable that the Government
intends to blockade the mouth of the Missssippi
thus preventing goods from entering that point
What these movements all mean is more than those
outside can determine.
The Secretary of War has been locked in his pri-
vate room all day, refusing to see any one except
bis assistants, who have, however, been in frequent
Communication with the President. Several of
those belonging to the kitchen cabinet pretend that
they know what is going on. They assert that the
Spanish matters are mixed up with it. Quite
number OF the Department clerks have been busy
Tor two days in hunting up matters connected with
the ST. Domingo question.
NEWS FROM FORT PICKENs.
Lieutenant Gilman, one of the officers at Fort
Pickens, arrived here this evening from Pensacola
having left there the 3lst of March. He states
that no Teinforcements had been landed from the
Brooklyn or any other vessel, but that she had
gone to Key West for supplies. He states that the
Confederate troops were arriving there in large
numbers, and in few days they would have five
thousand well provsioned. He says that it is i'm
possible for the government to land troops at Fort
Pickens without the Confederate authorities know
ing it, and whenever they attempt it hostities will
at one commence. He saws he met large numbers
OF troops the route for Pensacola; that General
Bragg will not wait the action of the Washington
Government much longer before they commence
operations. He says the impression there was that
Fort Pickens to be abandoned Such assur-
anve5 we're given out there.
VIRGINIA on THE VERGE OF SECESSION.
WAsHINGToN, April 3.-Intelligence received here
this evening from Richmond, states that most stren-
uous efforts are being made to pass the secession
ordinance, The Union men have thus far been
able to hold their own, but should the administra-
tlon continue to concentrate more troops at Fort
Monroe, and at other points in the border States
and attempt to reinforce Fort Pickens, there are
several Union men in the Convention that will go
over to the secession party, giving them major
ity.
A gentleman, who has just arrived from Rich
mond, makes this statement. He communicated
these facts to Mr.. Lincoln this evening.
An unfounded report was afoat here this morn
ing that one of the newly appointed mail agents for
Eastern Virginia had been violently dealt with by
secession mob, 1t originated in the fact that no
tce had been served some days ago on Mr.. Bruce,
who runs on the Alexandria and Orange road
Bruce has been assured by the Union men along
his route that they were ready to put down any
demonstration against him. and he is f-arIessiy
and safely discharging his duties.
THE 80, ,U0O, OOU LOAN.
The Secretary of the Treasury decided this morn
ing to accept onl such proposals as reached 81
and upward This determination was taken upon
the ground that better terms could be obtained
for the government than had been offered below
that mark, which could not be disregarded in the
face of the discretion conferred by law, enabling
him to declare unacceptable bids, and to substitute
treasury notes. 1t is probable that the latter al
tentative will be adopted, as the immediate wants
of the Department have been supplied BY the
thrpp mil Of bids Nn al do
cision has, however, been announced, and the Sec
retary holds it in for future considera ton.
The right to decline offers which are not satisfac-
tory, enables him to resist the combinations which
have heretofore comparatively parayzed the Gov
ernment when the aid of capital most re-
quired.
LETTER FROM GEN. SAM HOUSTON.
We learn from reliable source that Postmaster
General Blair has received a letter from Governor
Houston, of Texas, in which the administration is
exhorted to maintain the Union at all hazards, and
strengthen the Union sentiment in the South By
asserting the Federal authority with all means at
its command. The hero of San Jacinto further
more expressed himself determined not surren-
der to the secessionsts but to adhere to the Union
to the last. 1t is stated that the suggestions of the
letter were discussed in the Cabinet meeting yes
terday, and that some of the military movements
now going on result from them. Advices repre-
sent conflict between Houston aud the disunion-
lists to be imminent.
SCHEDULE OF DEPosIrs.-The following schedule
has been prepared for the of clerks in the New
York Custom House in determining the proper de-
posts on merchandise entered for consumption
Average duty to be calculated for deposit the
following articles, viz:
Unbeached Cottons As per cent
Bleached Cottons s.........,.....,... do. 45 do.
Colored or Printed Cottons ...., do. so do.
Cotton Cuttings. do. 80 do
Carpetings, Ingram and Dutch..... do. 80 do.
do. Felt.................... do. 40 do.
do. 0ther............ ...... do. 35 do.
Hearth Rugs or Door Mats, (Wool)... do. So do.