, 1861-04-05

l | rH-%-%-
4 Vigorous Policy Determined Inn
Forts Snmter and Ftek~ns--{n
Rorsaat Interview between Il
TeGs,aens eT Gnn and West. n N1embe1
~4ne California Rmeuxe-.m
Hus"en Of the London Times.
correspondence OF the Chicago TrIbune7
WASHINGTON, April Ii, 1861.
In my last, took occasion to asseyerate j
emphatic and positive terms, that, appearance
to the contrary notwithstanding, 1t was th
earnest intention Of the Republican Admin.
trataon to uphold the supremacy Of the Fet
era1 Constitution and laws with all the mean
81 It's command affirmed furthermore, thu
altnongh uncomfortable circumstances wpul
PROBABLY necessitate the evacuation of Fc,
sumter, all the other military posts along th
1un coast still occupied by Federal troop
would not only be held at all hazards, but 8,
strengthened BY re Inducements as to euabl
them to defy any force the cotton rebels woul
be able to raise against them. The deyelou
ments Of the last few days have yindicated al
my assertions II the premises. The forts a
ToEtugas and Key West hare been REINFORCED
With several hundred troops and supplied will
provisions for six months, and as to For
Pickens, I feel authorized to state that Lieut.
slemmer has at this hour no less than 81,
hundred troops under his commands mum.
ber sufficient not only to repel any attack, but
also to render any successful Investment i'm
possible Official adFices received here since
the arrival ofthe Daniel Webster In New York
leave no doubt as to the safe landing of The
troops despatched for the reinforcement Of
the Fort nearly three weeks ago. An entirely
erroneous Impression seems to have got
abroad in regard to the efficiency of the pre-
parations Of the revolutionists for the eeige Of
Fort Pickens. I have conversed with an Off
I Ger OF high rank On the subject within the last
tWenty.four hours. He ridiculed the idea
given ont by the Secession press that the gar
rison was already cut Oft from all communica~
ton, and reinforcement from the tlect in
Pensacola bay WAS no longer practicable, and
expressed the greatest confidence not oniy
| TINT Lieut.. Slemmer could arrest in but little
time any attempt to prevent the landing of
troops with his heavy guns, but also that un-
Ger cover OF the night, q reinforcement
+ could be always made, without mourning any
| risk Of life or property.
An occurrence at the White House on Sat-
nrday evening, the details Of which I learned
yesterday morning, furnishes additional evi-
denee of the soicitude Of the President to re-
deem the pledges given in his inaugural, and
discharge his constitutional duties without
fear OF consequences. At the stated time,
three Western Congressmen, one Of them,
United States Senator from Wisconsin, called
nthe President by special appointment. They
found him engaged in looking over number
OF maps Of the Gulf coast. Aftera few min
utes Of general conversation, one Of the visit.
ors told him, that they thought 1t their duty
previous to their departure for their Western
homes, to inform the executive of the anxiety
OF the loyal Republicans Of the Northwest 10
see the outraged honor and dignity Of the Fed.
erai Government redressed, and its authority
maintained IN all the States Of the Union, By
aRepublican President. The spokesman then
referred to the demora}izing aud humiliatipe
effect Of passive attitude Of the Government
IN the fear Of the rampant treason, aggression
and rebellion and intimated that although
the people Of the States they represented
had recognized the "inexorable necessity" of
the evacuation Of Fort Sumter and were ready
to abide by it, they had hoped that the Fed
eral property yet within the control Of tile
government would be held and protected, al
the revenue laws executed. In reply to this,
the President gave his visitors TO- understand
that the evacuation Of Fort Sumter scas not by any
zaea,,s settled fact that il z1as certainly his anz-
toss desire to Tetain possession the Fort and at
he mould greatly rsgrtt to be obliged to yield to
necessity and aoi1hdrau The garrison; that as to
it BY holding them to the last and in regard to
the collection Of tie yeuetse, the execuies lad no
Other alternative LIFT than 10 exact its payment 1s
far as il lay in his pootr. Comment is un-
necessary.
An entirely unexpected issue has been
sprung upon the Administration by the recent |
events upon the island Of St. Domingo. On1
Sunday morning, a bearer Of dispatches from
the American consul at Havana to the gov
eminent. in reference to the expedition Of sn !
army Of occupation BY the Spanish authorities, /
arrived here and had two protracted inter |
view with the Secretary Of State in the course |
Of the same day. Yesterday the information
brought by him VAS the subject Of consulta-
ton between the President aud Mr.. Seward.
1t is presumed that vigorous remonstrance
will be at once lodged with the Spanish mid
Lister. Were 1t not for our internal troubles,
the f1llibustering presumptions of Her Calho-
lie Ma1esty's government, would doubtIess3y
be counteracted by the Federal power IN tie
most energetic manner. But in its present
paralysis, Its Intervention will hardly 20 be-
9ond an exchange Of diplomatic notes. Some
curiosity il manifested here as to the recep-
ion Of the st. Domingo intelligence at Mont
somery. Some southrons here pretend to
believe that Jefferson Davis will Immediately
leclare var against Spain. But think Ln
Fil have fighting enough to do at home be-
ore long and conclude let outside qua1relirg
lone for the present.
The Bcene at the White House between tl,e
President ind the California place-hunters, en-
'aturdAy morning, furnished considerable oc-
'upatIon to the tongues and pens ofnewsmong-
rs. As its details hare doubtlessly reached
'ou ere this bg telegraph, 1t Will suffice to say,
nat The prompt and signal manner in #hich
be PRESIDENT rebuked what he considered Of
enslVe and disrespeetfu1 to his friend, the Rep.
esentatlVe Of the State Of Oregon, WAS ap.
'roVed BY the protestants against the interte-
enee ofsenator Baker with California appoint
aenfs, themselves, None Of them were aware
1.-THE character ofEhat Mr. simonton intended I
0 say, and Ill were greatly surprised by the i
utter personal denunciatory tone Of his 1e- {
marks. The statement that the demonstrae l
ion would seriously and 1astingly affect the
republican prospects in the Golden State, Is
ntirely unfounded. A compromise was ef. I
ected that proved satisfactory to all parties, 9
nd the best feeling prevails once more all :
round. : :
Mr.. William Howard Russell, the speci4l
asoy OF the London Times, has been sojout-
ey1nes here for nearly week. He received
aarked distinction at the hands Of the Presi-
ent, the members of the Cabinet, aud pouti- E
al eninences generally. He was introduced @
Mr.. Lincoln by Mr. Seward, and dincd in t
he White House on Saturday. He has aince .
1pfessed himself very much struck with the /,
lankness, good nature and eagacity Of the Il
resldent, and confident OF the success of his 2
administration.
ihe secession press has teemed with wheed.
ng notices Of the Tines special since his ar,- 8
a. ~ to1s country. But, their hopes to affect b
Is Judgment by tiattery will turn ont prievons c
Ar. Russell. like every other intel y
gent and cultivated European. considers sl,, {