The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-05-15
New York, Wednesday, May 10, Is6l.
THE SITUATION OF AFFAIRS.

WY 'mfoheoAe iAoSAii6CASV hoAA A1A6iono 0SoA-
ing upon the situation of affairs in this country
has been received by the steamers which arrived
at Halifax and St. Johns yesterday. 1t appears
that the English government are about to send out
feet here to protect British ships from the priva
tecrs of the rebel government. In a recent dis
cussion in the House of Commons upon American
affairs Lord John Russell, with reference to the
question of letters of maraue, said that the
government has decided to regard the Confede-
rate States as belIigerents. From this it would
appear that their chances of recognition as an in
dependent sovereignty by the government of En-
gland are exceedingly slim. The London Times
says that the excitement in this country at present
apparently has no parallel since the early days of
the French revolution. The telegraph mentions
that DR.. Holland, bearer of dispatches to the
Montgomery government, is o passenger on board
the Europa. If he comes from the rebel commits.
sioners in England (upon which point the telegraph
is not explicitly he should be taken prisoner by the
government and detained, as he probably will be.
rumor was prevalent in Washington yester-
day which if true, will send thrill of horror and
Indignation throughout the whole North. 1t was
stated upon authority said to be reliable that the
remains of George Washington have been secretly
removed from his tomb at Mount Vernon and
taken South by the descendant of the Father of
his Country, Colonel Washington, who has Joined
the rebel army. This dissertation of the sacred
ashes of Washington, if it has been accomplished,
is an act too outrageous to be sufficiently de.
nounced in words.
With regard to the movement OF troops, we
tearn Il at feet Of small steamers was at Perry.
vile yesterday to convey force of $500 men to
Baltimore or Annapolis. Two regiments went
from the camp at York to Baltimore, and the re-
mainder of the Eighth Massachusetts, regiment,
with the Boston Rife company, have gone to the
Baltimore.
special agent Of the government returned to
Washington from mission to Virginia yesterday,
and reports that there are about thirty thousand
rebel troops at different points in that State, not
more than seven thousand being concentrated at
any one place. Troops from the South, however
were every day arriving. Recent reports from Har-
pers Ferry state that the vrginians were strongly
fortifsing the Maryland side, and that seven thou
sand MIME muskets and twelve cannon had arriv.
ed there on Sunday night; but on the other
hand we learn that Governor Letcher has, at the
request of Governor Hicks, withdrawn all the
secession troops from the Maryland Heights. The
iiea is said to prevail among the Southern army
that nc attack is now intended upon Washington;
but they are to be employed in resisting any at
tempt to invade the soil of Virginia, at Harpers
Ferry or elsewhere. In this event it may be
long time before any collision takes place.
Gen. Butler has issued a proclamation to the
people Of Baltimore, from his headquarters on
Federal Hill, announcing the occupation Of the
city by federal troops, and declaring that his pre-
sence there is not to make war or in any way to
modest loyal citizens, but to preserve the peace,
to maintain the laws against all rebellious persons
and restore trade and commerce to their origiua'
condition All munitions Of war or other
matters calculated to give aid to the re-
bells he declares shall be seized and re-
quests the proprietors Of factories and workshops
to report the nature Of their business to him, in
order to save them from interference in the prose
cution of their operations. The proclamation was
widely circulated and read throughout the city,
and apparently gave great satisfaction. Perfect
quietncss reigned everywhere, and General But
Ter, with some officers Of his staff, rode through
The streets last evening, and dned at the Gilmore
House. A schooner, with arms and ammunition,
destined for some Of the Virginia batteries, was
Heized by Buffers troops, and her cargo conveyed
10 headquarters.
From Harrisburg we learn that Governor Cur.
lin, Of Pennsylvania, and Governor Dennison, Of
Ohio, have pledged the Union men Of Western
Virginia the entire support Of the whole mill
tary force Of their States in the cause Of the
Union; and it is said that the Governors of In
diana and Illinois have made similar pledges TO the
Union party In Kentucky and Missouri. The
Governors Of all the free States west Of Pennsyl.
vana have, II is said, obtained an assurance from
Mr.. Lincoln that there shall be no compromise or
10 cessation Of hostilities until the national flag
floats over every particle Of national property in
abe country. 1t appears to be understood Ia the
Northwestern States that the division Of troops
raised In the Northwest are not needed at Wash.
fngton, but will form on independent division OF
lie army, for the purpose Of marching to the
northwest New Orleans is the ultimate destina
f9a Of the Gyis'en, A large force is to be con