St. Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1845-1863, 1861-08-08

The Washington correspondent OF the
Philadelphia Ledger says:
The news from Maryland with reference
to the action Of the Legislature in the pres
ent crisis is looked for with absorbing in
terest. 1t is believed, from what has re-
ceatly TRANSFERRED. that thousands are deep
il she secession plot, and that the machi-
merry is now in actual working order to
hand the State over to the Southern Con-
federacy. One writer boldly asserts that
1.-The hour for Maryland's dcliverance is
not far distant" aud hence tho great inter-
est that is felt in the Development OF the fu-
ture. So far as the Legislature is con-
cerned, il is understood aud believed here
that every member who votes in favor Of
secession act fur that State, will be ar
rested on the crime II treason. aud dealt
with accordingly.
Senator Pearce affects to believe that
every thing is all rightin Maryland. that
is, all right for the Union, but the devel-
opments that now aud then come to light
DO not confirm his cheering views.
The efforts to induce the Prince Napo-
Icon TO make his stay AT the White House
during his sojourn in Washington, were
not successful-the Prince preferr;ng the
inequalities Of the French Minister.
The refusal Of the Paris Mmitcnr to
print the sentence of Mr.. Lincolns mes
sage, which speaks of the rights of the
United States being everywhere respected
by Foreign Puwers, causes considerable
comment here, as the act is believed to
possess significance Of deep import.
The correspondent Of the Philadelphia
IaQnirer says:
1t is ruuiorcd here that orders have been
issued for the abandonment Of Hampton
aud Newport News, and for the concen-
trstion Of all the troops there at Fortress
Monroe.
During my recent absence from Wash
ington, learned, from source entitled
to credit, that an early attack on Cairo
forms part of the plan of the Rebel lea
ders, and will be actually attempted. The
details Of the expedition were arranged by
General Polk. and have been approved of
by JEFF. Davis. A force of sixty thous-
and men, profusely supplied with artillery
OF heavy calibre has been organized, aud
is already on the march for point near
Cairo. The rebels are confident of being
able to take Cairo.
The same correspondent Processes to
have the following information as to the
intention of the Rebels :"
The defeat Of our troops in this engage
meut was not unexpected t. the Rebel
chiefs. But when, by the Wednesday fol-
lowing. they became aware of the full re-
suits OF the battle, special meeting Of tue
Rebel Cabinet was held, which vas attend
cd by Bcauregard. Lee, and several other
officers Of high rank. AT this meeting,
the plan previously agreed upon for the
conduct OF the campaign on their part un-
derwent several important notifications
aud as the general result Of the meeting q
holder aud more aggressive mode of war
fare Was determined on, than had hithert,
becn contemplated. Up to this time an,
positive in saying an attack on Washing
ton had formed no part Of their plans. 1,
had oecn agreed, after full consideration
Of the whole subject, to make the war, on
their part. strictly defensive one. But
now it was determined to absadon thi,
course, and to assume the offensive, unit
three great objects shall have beun schiev.
ed. They are:
First. The re-occupation Of Hampton
Newport News, and Of all the territory
now held by General Butler outside th.
walls of Fortress Monroe.
| Second. The re-possession Of the lin.
Of posts on the Upper Potomac, from VIII
Transport and Mzrtinsburg down to the
Falls Ut the Potomac. including Harper,
Ferry. and all the fords and ferries on th.
stream.
;. Third. The capture of the Fedora
Capital; to be accomplished either BY eros
, sing the Potomac above the city and max
ing an attack on the northern side, Or b,