The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-05-16


TIE SITUATION OF AFFAIRS.
The views, and probable policy of European 60
vernments regards the position of this country,
form no unimportant part of the history of the ex
listing crisis, nasmuch as they may seriously affect
the issue, and in the absence of the text of
Lord John Russells late speech in the British
House of Commons relative to the blockade of
the Southern ports by the federal government and
authorities, the course which the British govern
ment intends to adopt is not very clearly mani
Tested. The London Herald, Lord Derby's
organ, speaking Enthusiastically in a spirit
OK party opposition, intimates that neither
the blockade enforced by the United States
government nor the issue of letters of marque by
Jefferson Davis can be tolerated by England, be-
cause they must result in preventing the exporta-
:ion of cotton unless British ships of war are en-
ployed to put them down. II declares that if
our cotton cannot be obtained by fair means
there must be no seruple to get it by foul means,
because the daily bread of four five millions of
the working classes of England depends upon
the supply of that article. In France the
American question is the general subject
of discussion with the press, and the
iSiecle expresses hope that the strenuous efforts
Of the government will be directed to promote
reconciliation between the North and the South
Nothing explicit on the part of either government,
however, respecting the recognition of the Con-
federate States has as yet been expressed.
The government at Washington continues to act
with great vigor 1t being understood that the
rebel States have made proflers TO purchase YES
sells in England and other European countries, the
administration has notified the diplomatic corps
that no such purchase will be respected, no
matter under what flag the vessels may sail. The
diplomatic corps has also been notified that if
any Commissioner or Minister, from the seceeded
States be received by any European Power the
government will not hesitate to break off all
Diplomatic relations with such Power-will recall
Ale United States Minister at such Court
and will d smiss the representative of that
that our government is determined to deal with
the Southern confederacy in every way as a rebel
Ious portion of this republic
The committee from this city consisting Of
Messrs, Astor, Draper and others, in their inter
view with the President yesterday, received the
assurance that the government is determined to
repsssess at once all the federal property in
Virginia aud the other border States and to pro-
feet the loyal citizens there in all their rights to
the full extent of its power. The President
has furthermore, on the representation OF the com.
mittee, decided TO accept the fourteen regiments
now enrolled in this city under the first and second
calls by proclamation, and they are TO be hurried
on to the seat of war without delay. This viii
make total Of forty two regiments accepted into
the United States service from New York.
From all the intelligence received from Harper's
Ferry, it is said that the government is Of opinion
that the position Of the rebels there is
very strong, and that from the rapidity with
which they have erected Notifications
there, il will be exceedingly difficult to
dislodge them, If they are allowed TO strengthen
themselves still further. II Is probable therefore,
tAat the first collision will take place at that
point. appears pretty evident that the rebels
are concentrating very large force there, 5000
troops having arrived on Sunday from various
directions, which according to previous accounts,
could make the entire force on the heights around
she Potomac and Shenandoah amount to between
Blk aud seven thousand
Federal troops continue 10 advance towards
Washington. -Four thousand five hundred men
among them three Philadelphia regiment left Per
,yvire yesterday for Baltimore, by steamers, ant
Nave landed OF Locust Point, General Cadwalla
ser commanding.
The United States squadron lying of Fort Pick
IN, are enforcing rigorous and damaging block
a1e by preventing vessels from New Orleans and
Mobile landing provisions for the rebel army
aese being the only points from which their sup
plies have been received for a long time
Col. Anderson passed through Philadelphia yes
terlsy On bis way to take command Of his Ken