Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-10-27
M. sevrardss Letter----Preparing for
the storm.

From the New York Herald.
From all quarters we have received intelli-
gence of the sensation and excitement BRO
duced by Mr. Stewards circular letter to the
Governors of the loyal States on the sea
board and lakes. 1t was prepared on Mon
day, and on Wednesday it was. telegraphed
simultaneously TO the loyal press Of the
North. On its appearance here Yesterday,
Wall street was thrown into a terrible com
motion, Federal stocks went down two and
half to three per cent, the bears were in high
glee, and the bulls uttered curses deep. if not
loud, against the author. IL was urged, in
condemnation of the policy of the letter first,
that there was no necessity for the fortifca-
tions recommended; secondly if there was.
that the best way to accomplish the Inject |
was by means of private letters TO the Gov
ernors, which would not create alarm -
What weight there is in these objections /
we shall shortly see. Meantime let us en-
quire how it is that this letter has produced |
such remarkable effects, It is because the
public mind was in feyerish state. suscepti- |
bic of excitement. The news come TO us /
upon the very heels of an announcement |
that the steamer Nashville had effected her |
escape through the blockading fleet at
Charleston. aud was on her way to Europe, |
having on board ex-senator Slidell, as Minis
ter to France, and ex-senator Mason, as Min
lister to England, from the Confederate Gov
eminent. two willy diplomatists, well adapted
for the mission on which they have been sent.
The moral Ell ct, indeed, OF a Confederate
yessel-of-war conveying these pienipotentia-
ries to Europe, in the teeth of a blockading
squadron, will necessarily be very great, fur
nishing as it does powerful evidence to DEM
onstrate the inefieiency aud consequent in
validity of the blockade. To enhance that
| effect, she is probably the bearer OF the news
of the defeat of the Federal squadron in the
| Mississppi; for the action took place on Fri
| day. The Nashville sailed the same. night.
and could have had the news by telegraph.
| But in ordor TO make assurance donbly sure,
and that the intelligence NIGH be transmit
r he'd at the same time by the regular malls to
Europe, so as to reach there about the same
time as the Nashville, the military authori-
ties at Norfolk made some excuse for sendin g
| u flag of truce to Fortress Monroe, in order
to have local paper containing the dispatch
of Capt. Hollius, forwarded to Baltimore,
whence il found its way to New Y ork 1t is
worthy of remark that, on the occasion OF
the Federal victory at Chicamacomico. the
Norfolk Confederaies searched all paSsen-
gers, aud would not permit newspaper to
come North. But whether founded in truth
or not, the report of the naval engagement
at New Orleans has produced a temporary
effect here, and is likely to do the same IN
Europe Connected in the public mind with
this news is the announcement that, just be-
fore the sailing of the Nashville, two mem
bers of the British Parliament were at Rich
mond, in diplomatic communication with
Jefferson Davis. One of these gentlemen
denies the charge, but admits he carried open
letters, which only serves to strengthen tbs
first impression in regard to his visit to the
! Confederate Capital.
The recent declarations of British Journals
and statesmen in favor of q permanent divi
sion of the United States into two confedera
L -
Sir James Ferguson. And in the news by thu
Glasgow, which we published yesterday. il
was stated that Mr.. Lindsay, NJ. P, at pub
lie meeting in Sunderland. said that in con
: sequence of the impossibility of procuring
present supply OF cotton elsewhere than il
the Southern States, ''he considered it tn
duty of the British Cabinet to endeavor t.
! induce the Federal Government, in the caus
= of humanity, to remove the blockade. Con
/ sidering tn bold stand made by the Coined
i crates, and the strength of the South, b
thought il almost time that the Government
of England and France thought of recogni
/ zing the independence OF so numerous
/ body of people"
1t is in consequence of these facts and tn
{ warlike prepar ations of England in sending
I large naval force to our seaboard and cor
q tinual reinforcemenis TO Canada, at the sam
tt time that our arms have done little or notf
ing to redeem the defeat at Manassas, bu
= on the contrary have suffered further reve
IL ses in Missouri, that the public mind BEGAN
5 affected and was just in condition to
l. excited by the letter of Mr.. Seward; and
d. is under these circumstances that Mr.. Sey
G ard calls upon the Governors of the 10y
Z States to take measures to fortify the Mort
u ern frontier and every vulnerable point {
lie our coast. Now we think this is sound a
nt vice, and that the State Governments cam
set about it moment too soon. In the la
r. guage of Mr.. Seward Zone Of the me
e obvious precautions is that our ports at
as harbors on the seas and lakes should be p
al in condition of complete defence; for al
D. nation may be said to voluntarily incur da
OF ger in tempestuOus seasons when it fails
us show that it has sheltered itself on eve
e. side from which the storm might possih
n come" E "a sW
Id