The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-10-30

Washington, Oct 81, 1861.
/. NJ. CRAvArH, EsQ.-Dear Sir Since the
date Of my last letter nothing of special militia
ry Importance has trsnspired in or around the
National Capital, except the brilliant achiev-
ment Of Col. Geary's command at Harpers
Ferry. This decided victory of those brave
six hundred over such immense odds is especial
ly agreeable to all true patriots in Washington,
since it is the most respectable success that has
attended the prosecution of the war in this
vicinity; if greater and more important victo-
res shall Immediately follow, the public desire
will be proportionally grati6ed.
The most important object accomplished by
the rebels within the last few days is the cree
ton of batteries on the Potomac, thus closing,
temporarily, the navigation of that river. Why
our military authorities, with every facility for
preventing the erection of such batteries, have
allowed the traitors to cut OF one of our most
important communications, thus greatly in
creasing the difficulty Of supplying the vas,
army Of the Potomac, appears to the uninitia-
ted considerably queer and inconsistent. There
may be some important policy in thus allowing
the rebels to endanger the welfare of our army
but most people fail to see it; it is undoubtedly
one of those great secrets or intricacies which
newspaper correspondents have failed to ex-
pose. The policy, whatever it may be, has the
semblance of that, which permitted the rebels
to encircle forts Sumpter and Pickens with
strong Notifications, aud which permitted them
to strongly entrench themselves on Bull Run
almost within sight of the Nations Capital
1t may be good policy and an Improvement in
modern warfare, for General to allow deter
mined enemy to surround him with formidable
Notifications and cut of all Of his communca.
tons, but still many of us have not been
educated to look at the subject in that peculia,
light.
We should most assuredly be charitable our
Generals may have some great plan to carry
out of which the obstruction of navigation on
the Potomac by the rebels, is q part, there may
be some gigantic trap into which the traitors
are aOundering; it may be part and parcel of q
scheme, which shall finally result in the over
whelming destruction of the rebel armies
trusting that all this is the case We must let the
future decide.
The circular addressed to the several Cover.
nOrs respecting coast and border defenses, i.
regarded here as wise and consistent, it is moi
generally construed as conveying the idea that
our government is in imminent danger from
foreign interference. While it is impossible fol
US to determine whether other nations will in.
termsddle with our affairs, still as precaution.
airy measure, we should be fully prepared to
resist every and all Entertainments from q
foreign foe either by land or sea- The letter
Of Lord Lyon, in which he protests against a
certain exercise Of power by our Executive, ie
regarded as an unparalleled indignity. The
question is frequently asked, what right has he
to dictate as to the construction that shall be
put upon our Constitution! Who has author.
lied him to instruct our Executive! Lord
Lyon, in that letter, clearly evinces sympathy
for the rebels. Now, if he is the true represen.
tatve of the intentions of Great Britain. var
with that nation is possible, but if he il not.
then he should be Immediately recalled, and a
Minister be sent in his stead who should repre-.
sent the real sentiment of the British people.
The reply Of Secretary Seward to Lord Lyon
is regarded as q very wise and able document ;
the arguments so forcibly stated, the rigid 6rm-
ness manifested, undoubtedly convinced his
Lordship that our Government will not suffer
indignities from John Bulls representative. nor
be unprepared to meet Johnny's subjects the
third time on the battle field. England will
not interfere unless she can rely upon France
a. . firm ally, or unless she can influence the
other principal nations Of Europe to preserve
neutrality. England. France and Russia are
50 jealous Of each other, and withsl have 20
many old scores Of their own to settle, that
there is not much probability Of their bsryins
all amnesty and engaging in . scheme to over
throw our government. Let hsughty old Eng
land NEEDLE with our business, and the freemen
Of Europe will have something to say on the
subject