The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-03-05
From the NelU York Times

CHARLESTON, C. S. A., February 26-Each day
strengthens the opinion expressed in one of my
January letters, that Gov. Pickens, by his conser-
vatism and wise delay, has prevented at least o
hundred times the opening of civil war by an at
tack on Fort Sumter. Although he has been de-
nounced by extremists in every section of the
State, yet he has preserved the even tenor of his
way, and has, and will continue to protect the
present status until the actual intentions of the in
coming administration at Washington are clearly
foreshad0wed and promulgated. While thus wise
ly delaying, be has made the most thorough and
the most scientific preparations for defence.
As there is, of course, vast amount of curiosity
as to what Major Anderson will do in case of war
being declared, will give a programme as dis
closed to me by gentleman of such position in So
cety here, both in public and private, that deem
it eminently reliable. The gentleman says he
heard it in such way some time since, coming
from one of the officers at the famous fortress
that he believes it will be carried out to the letter.
The battery on Cummings Point, Morris Island,
being now considered impregnable, although dis
tant only three quarters OF mile, and Fort John
son being also in such position that he cannot
effect much there, he will be forced to allow them
to fire away at his weak (land) side, where the
walls are only four feet thick, while he will turn
the guns of the other side of the pentagon against
Fort Moultrie, and will destroy all the houses on
Sullivans Island This side will stand an assault
for weeks, as the walls looking seaward are twelve
feet thick. The slaughter on Sullivan's Island
will be fearful with his terrible Coumbiads point
and) will be fearfully cut up. Damages by day
will be repaired by night. As dsrnier resort, if
reinlorcements do not come, he will point the
long range Columbiads at Charleston, and shell
the city. This be thinks will bring about truce
and capiuation of some kind will be entered
into, which will result either in an honorable
Withdrawing, or more terrible commencement
anew, when the motto will be quarter. But
adds my informant, Major Anderson will never
surrender that Fort except upon the most explicit
instructions Rather than do this, he himself will
fire the mine which will send to eternity himself
and every one of his companions.
| judge, from all | can elicit through dgent
inquiry, that by the 4th of March, there will be in
Charleston and the points that protect the city,
full ten thousand men, and over one hundred pieces
of the most approved kind of ordinance. l really
troops at the isIands- ,oUO surely not re-
quired to seventy guns, the present number
but volunteers pour in, and as they come they are
sent down, while every day you meet with heavy
baggage wagons, loaded down with stores from the
Quartermaster's Department. Castle finckney
will shortly have sham fight with the iron-plated
floating battery to test its mettle.
l observe that the moonshine philosophers across
the way from Printing-House Square, think that
the first elevation of their banner when they carry
coercion into the slave States, will the
shackes to drop from every negro in the land. III
they do come, they will find that the are most ex-
traordinarily mistaken. Instead of arms around
their necks being hailed saviours, they will hurl
sabres at them, and will fight for their masters
hearthstones as they would fight for their own. l
converse freely with the blacks, and find among
them but one sentiment-that OF loyalty, earnest
and strongly expressed.
There is famous old darkey mere, or, to speak
more respectfully, venerable coored gentleman,
of very delicate brown complexion, whose card
lies before me. VIM. W. Seymour writes hand
that bank clerk might envy. He is only sixty
five, yet he is active early cricket. Sey-
mour keeps hotel, and has been worth, in his
day, cool $4,000, and has held, and still holds
slaves. He thinks this condition is decidedly the
best for the of the niggers; and certainly he
ought to know. In the war of 1872 he commanded,
so l have heard, regiment of his own color, and
says he is ready to march at the head Of an
equal number, ''if the d-n Yankees come down
here to interfere with our institutions" 1t is
amusing to see the fire in the old mans eyes when
he talks on this subject. Seymour is the CT ack
cook of Charleston, and is in great demand fol
private suppers etc. His place in State street is
well known to all lovers of good living and good
drinking. He is the very personifcation of the
fine old gentleman, courtly and suave, and would
make a splendid study for an artist like your Ell
liot. l frequently see the first m en- in town shak
ing hands with the old man: In fact, he enjoys
the respect of all, and bids fair to last at least
twenty more years.