The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-02-11
THE EXCITEMENT IN WASHINGTON.
IMPORTANT FROM FORT SUMTER.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 10, 1851.
The War Department has received advices from Major
Anderson to the 7h inst He writes good spirits and
Is fully prepared for any emergencies that may arise
he had not heard how the negotiations between the Pre-
sident and Colonel Hayne had terminated. He knew,
however for he had already been informed what posi-
ton the administration would take in regard the de-
ands of South Carolina He had received his instruc
tions time ago. through Lieutenant Talbot and he
has been preparing and arranging his plans accordingly
He expects to be attacked Immediately after Colonel
Haynes return.
he says, judging from the activity of the people and
the extensive preparations which being made that
they will present pretty formidable display make
most desperate effort to take the fort He fully pre-
pared.
In very short time after the attack is made the 60
vernment will attempt to throw reinforcements into
Fort Sumter. They have made all necessary arrange
ments, and it is possible 10 get men, munitions and
supplies into that fort IL win be done.
Major Anderson is Of opinion that he can
maintain his position and resist attack
for indefinite period. He has been in
formed by government that an attack s
made be win be Immediately reinforced That Is all he
desires The Secreta les Of War and Of the Navy
been engaged for time arranging matters that
end
1t appears by letters received here from Charleston
that the people doubt their ability take Fort Sumter
gentleman there writing to this city says the impress
sion very general among military that they would
not be able 70 take IT. that whether they take 1t not
there must be fearful loss of life
The President has received intelligence from Charles
ton stating that Governor Pckens had referred the ques
tion Of Fort Sumter-it having now become national
question-to the government OF the Southern Confedera
cy at Montgomery and that movement would be made
hooking TO attack until action had been taken by the
pu4 of ipta
information has been received here the that the
republic had decided at invest forts Pcens and
Sumter.
This latter intelligence received by secession &c.
nators.
Every effort possible making here by the secession
lists to prevent attack Fort Sumter at Charleston
The fear still prevails that the authorities control
the masses, they being like mob than anything
else II they be controlled there is no doubt that
the whole subject Of attacking Sumter will be referred
to the Montgomery Convention TO Jefferson Davis the
newly elected President Of the Conederave States by
that Convention.
The secessionists here are aware that the first gun
againsts Sumter will not only precpitate fight at
Charleston, but at Savannah, Pensacola, and at
the mouth of the Mississippi river and perhaps at New
Orleans. They not ignorant Of the fact that the
federal government has recalled sufficient number Of
naval ships TO meet present emergencies that recruit
Ing for the army and navy is actively progressing Ia all
the principal commercial c.::As and, besides, that an
army OF fifty thousand men stand ready in the Northern
States to march at a moments warning, in the event
their services wanted by the federal authorities.
The Southern contederacy are not ready for any
such demonstration, and their friends here know It,
and are shrewd enough to act upon IT.