The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-05-17
MOVEMENTS AT WASHINGTON

From the Correspondents Of the Northern Journals
1t Is understood here that the rebel States have
made pr"ffers otpurchase for English and European
vessels; but our government have notified the d- |
piom~tc corps that no such purchase will be re- !
spected, no matter what the flag that covers them |
me language used on this occasion was uueuuiyo-
cal and decided.
1t has also been notified to the Diplomatic corps
that II any commissioner minister from the rebel
states be received by any European Power that |
thus government will not hesitate an instant IN |
break off sll diplomatic relations with said offending
Power, and not only recall the Minister Of the Unit
ted States but dismiss from Washington the Minis
ter of said Power. ~
No striking events have occurred in the Federal
Capital during the last twenty-four hours But
a'though the quletness OF peace prevails for the
moment, there can be no doubt that some GRAND
advance movements of troops will take place before
long from this point. MY information to this effect
is positive Let those of your readers that long to
near OF battles be patieht they will hear in due
season as much clashing of arms as they can pos
sibly desire. f
am authorized to make the announcement that
on the 18th ult. the War Department issued an
order directing the commanders of Fort Smith
Arkansas, and Forts Cobb Gibson and Washita tn
eVacuate their posts and repair with their troops
and the movable Government property to Fort
LeaVenWorth. Ofders were issued at the same time
authorizing the occupation of the same posts by the
Regiment of Arkansas volunteers called out by the
first proclamation of the President. This EXPLAINS
the abandonment of Fort Smith BIZ its Federal gar
rlson some time since.
1t generally expected that the first coison
will take place at Harper's Ferry. Such is the
opinion of persons high in the driinistraton. The
government keep their movements mo st profound
ly secret
The extensive Notifications and battar;as which
are being erected by the troops have somewhat
alarmed the government. The pOat which has
oeeh selected can be made almost impregnable,
provided it is allowed to go on. II taken in sea,
son they may be dislodged and driven out with
comparatively small loss OF life 1t is said by hrb
military authority to be of the strongest posi-
In to
world.
The government to day received advices from
| their squadron off Fort Pickens. There had been
no change, up to the last date of the military
status. The squadron, in accordance with their
instructions. bad put stop to the landing of yes-
se'vs from Mobile and New Orleans with supplies
tt0 t0r the army. In fact, there com plete
blockade. 1t appears that the troops have been
| almost wholly supplied with provisions from the
| two ports above named.
Col Learned and associates, of New York, are
here for the purpose of arranging for the build-
ing of a large number of gunboats for the use of
| the government. TheV propose to build them at
their own expense, and then for the government
to make such use of them it may think proper
1he government is deficient in this ant
| article of naval warfare.
The most significant offer vet made to our Gov
| ernment Is that Just received from Scotland Ger
tam prominent Scotch merchants, doing business
| IN this country, are responsible for a tender of
ten regiments of unequipped, but well-built hardy
| active men, who are not earning Sl1 per month
above their living, and who are ready and willing
to enter the service Of the United States for the
war, be 1t long or short, condition that at the
expiration of the war, Government will grant them
each bounty OF land.
Having seen it stated that Senator Douglas had
received an appointment as Brigadier- General, /
asked the President if it was so. He said it was
not; that neither Mr.. Douglas nor his friends had
applied for it, and he had not thought of rendering
| it to him.
PostmasterGenera Blair has been importuned
DPSleCB0 tba
| discontinue Southern mail facilitles, but he has
definitely determined to do nothing of the Sort
The ABDIcArIoN OF THE PopE.-The Paris cor
respondent OF the Independent Beige states that he
is assured, upon reliable authority, that the Pope
is much inclined to abdicate and retire into mi
astery, and that act for the Transmission of the
papal powers to Cardinal Wiseman has been al
ready signed, and that in of death, deposition
or vountary addiction, the first preate of En-
gland would ascend the papal chair and govern
the church under the title of Plus the Tenth until
the election of his successor. The decision of the
Pope has, it is said, met the approval of tvanty
one cardinals, and having been absolutely resolved
upon, has been recently communicated to the
church in order that no accident might Catholic
hierarchy. The Pope is, without doubt, rapidly
failing, and the troubles which he is constantly
obliged to encounter certainly sufficient to
cause the death of a much stronger man. Among
the powers delegated to Cardinal Wiseman is that
oil convoking general council in London.
From the Richmond Whigl
| IhE AFFAIR AT GLOUCESTER POINT, V4.-We are
permitted to publish the following private letter
rom yong volunteer, who participated in the
hrst passage at arms between the defenders and the
assailants of Virginia:
uLoucEsTER POINT, May s, 1861 Dear Brother.
nesterdav we opened the war of 1861 in this State
The ~ ankee attempted to pass IN the river .bont
1 o'clock, +. M, when we fired shot across her
DOW she continued her course up the river and
we Immediately opened on her with tho ria - go,
the she'll gun and two old iron columbads rb;h'
we found here. She was two and a.balf milas ntf
and consequently about out of reach for tn,
of our pieces. The Yankee returned our fire. and
lodged thirty-two pound ball (Which is lying at
my feet) short distance from our battery. When
we heard it flying over our heads there was some
quick squattng and laying fiat, | can tell you.
Captain Brown said be never saw men stand fi-e
better; he was delighted with conduct, and
praised US highly. Most of the balls from the
Yankee fell short, and none of them touched us;
she fired six times and perhaps oftener; | did
myself, count but six; then she concluded that dis
erection was the better part of vaor, and retreated
nhe could not possibly have passed up the river,
IL is only three-fourhs of mile wide between our
+ battery and Yorktown, and had the attempt been
maze she would have been sunk. We had no bat.
very erected, nor were our guns placed in position
wren we saw her In the distance; we drew our
guns out on the beach. where there was little
sano panK, sufficient with the aid of pine bushes to
nioe our guns, but not to protect our men, and
she came. Ao' "nen
we think, indeed feel confident that three of our
% uahs LOOK effect, and MIR. Douglass, who was an
tne other side of the river and quite close 20 her
u says that she was actually struck.
Q Dr.. W. D. jerks has been annointed Po.tu..,.,