Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1861-04-08
THE NATIONAL CRISIS.
MOTENENp.e or TROOPS, DE-.


yards.
The vessels chartered by the government
is transports, are the Atlantic and Baltic
late Of the Collins, and the Illinois, of the
Vanderbilt line. The statement as to the
chartering of the Ariel, appears tohave been
incorrect.
The steam frigate Powhatan is the only
steam vessel in the United States navy that
was ever changed from the Lying up" to
the "commissiun" state within three days,
and such rapidity Of execution could scarce
be accomplished in any other yard in the
country Al four bells, two O'Clock on Fri
day, lie ship went into commission. She
has oil board an extraordinary armament
and immense quantities Of she'll. She car
rles ten nine inch and one eleven inch shell
guns; but Il large portion of her ordnance
consists Of Len inch shell; consequently these
are probably intopded for the reinforcement
OF some forts, Or possibly for land service.
There are number oi gun carriages on
board, which are only applicable to land ser.
vice The l'owliatan has about three hun
dred officers and men.
The Powhatan had not left the navy yard
at | | a NJ. She awaits another despatch
from Washington. without which she is not
to leave. Ii is expected that she will call at
Fort Hamilton for troops.
The captain of the Powhatan had two
scaled government envelopes handed TO him
when leaving the navy yard TO 60 on board
his ship. One OF them is TO be opened while
the ship is under steam 1T the Battery, and
the other when she gets thirty-tive miles to
sen, on Il course indicated in the first des-
patch Not one officer Of the yard, or the
frigate know to which point Of the compass
she will steer. He awaits another despatch,
however.
Recruiting for the United States navy COM
menced Friday morning. The Cherry street
rendezvous, which was closed by authority for
months, opened that day, and all applicants
are to be accepted until over five thousand
men are enrolled" This is the story told by
the officers who arc doubtless commissioned
TO ship five Or six hundred men. Neither
the Secretary Of the Navy nor the President
could authorize the rccuiting OF more than
few ships crews, without the consent OF Con-
gTcss, when tie stipulated eight thousand
sailors are III the service.
The utmost haste and energy is manifested
would doubtless sail Sunday evening. In ad-
dtion to her ladinS of stores, she will take
OUT seven hundred United States soldiers,
including two companies Of flying artillery.
These two companies now number one hun
dred and sixty men, but will lie made up TO
the full complement Of two hundred by the
addition Of recent recruits.
The Baltic took out u coastwise clearance,
and with the Illinois, will be ready to take
on board troops and munitions Of war Satur-
day. 1t is supposed that these transports will
be conveyed by the Powhatan.
From all appearances 1t is probable that
the P0whatan, Atlantic, Baltic and Illinois,
are al! bound for Braz>s, Texas, and are not
intended for the reinforcement Of either
Sumter or Pickens.
This impression is borne GU! By the fact Of
each Of the transports being proVlsoned for
long voyages, and also that cavalry are De-
iny conveyed hence. General Houston may
see these troops before either Lieutenant
Slammer or Major Anderson.
Is BALrIM RE, the Collector has received
ON order from the Secretary OF The I'M "a
States Treasury, requiring him to MAKE daily
returns tC the Department, Instead ot month
", as has heretofore been the custom.
WAsHIyGroN The Star oi Saturday says:
This morning, AZ S c'clock, the sloop-oi-"ar
Pawnae, which has been lying at the Wash
ingtun navy ward since the lst Of March,
lett for Norfolk. Her officers are confident
that they are 10 go further; but none of them
knew last evening to what place they were
bound, or how long cruise they should
make.
A dispatch 20 The New York Herald dated
Friday says: 4 special meeting OF the Cabinet
vas called tonight III haif.pa ten, to give L
hearing 10 Select Committees from the Nir-
gir:il STATE Convention The committee ar
rived here tonight, and it is believed that
they not only laid before the Cabinet the
exact state OF affairs III Firg in'a, where there
exists Il slrrug revolutionary feeling, but
they bring letter from i.etcher, expressing
nope that the administration wiil take
some prompt action I" stay the tide OF revn-
luton and rrs5,re iraternai feeling in all the
States. \ private letter from Gov. Letcher
to gentleman in this city. explaining the
sad state Il affairs III Virginia, was shown
t. the President yesterday. With reference
IL the recent threat ut the Seces$lonlsts ot
Virginia Ia SEIZE certain guns belonging To
the United S;a!es, Secretary Cameron adj
dressed Il letter 10 Gov Lctcher. informing
him thai ~ ~. United States nscds money
more tllan suns, Aa:I us Virginia aeens 10
want guns more than money, she could nave
the guns IN question, il Size wumld lay Tor
them.
\ dc$lat"i, Ia the \. \. World says -
"ioiin Minor Bots, Stale Senator ChanGier,
at;i s.:ver: members If tire Virginia Con-
yn;,l;an, arrived irnm Richmond tu-,iay, aud
to-ni.h are holding long interview with
the President, urging him to pursue peace
pulley. i he hopes to keep the Is rider States
in the Union. They were iinpcllcd to come
Oh this I!s,!on. on hearing The alarming
runners Il the ad4ptlon vi crerc!vc policy,
bu; are iull Of hope that the administration
will do nothing IL weaken tho irm hold
which the friends Of the Union now have in
Eirgira."
4 despatch to the \. /. Commerciai, dated
Saturday, says - Subsequent to the inter
v!cr last evening Eetwcen the President and
the Virginia delegation, the Cabinet s;s has
thy summoned to the White House, and 81
consultation lasting ill midnight was had.
Early th;: morning Mr.. l.incoln sent for
the Hon j i'm Minor Bosts, and bad long
interview with hun. The result Of this inter
VIE" has not tr"nsp;r'd. but it Is believed
that assurances Il pac!fs policy were given,
while the President firmly resolve that the
i III INN ;,n, tnY