Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1861-04-10
From w MshtngtOn.

ARLINGTON, april o.
However much the report. Of Southern de
signs on Washington may be diseredited. it i.
asserted that officers in high authority are Ia.
king precautionary measures for the safety Of
the Capitol.
The anxiety to hear from Sumter and other
Southern points where conflicts are apprehend-
| ed, is intense.
Alex Duval has been appointed Collector Of
r chmond, Va.
The following appointments we're made TO-
day. VIM. Adams as Collector Of Astoria.
Oregon. Harrison Il. Brand Of Mo-, as Super.
| inleDdent OF Indian Affairs, central superinten-
| dency, at st. Louis.
| 1t is persietently stated In administration
| quarters that the secret preparations are for
defensive purposes. and nothing is intended
not strictly justified By the laws. which it is
| the duty Of the President to enforce 0 the ex-
tent Of his ability. If resistance is made and
blood shed the responsibility must fell ON those
who provoke hostilitics. The assurance Of the
inaugural! is expected, that the Administra.
tion will not be the aggressor
Various theories are given in newspapers for
| the present military demonstrations among
which 10 one that they we're stimulated by
the result Of certain late eectioue. but this 10
an error, as ct the commencement OF the
| Administration the President and the
| Cabinet entertained the idea Of reinforcing
both Sumter and Pickens, but owing to non
| acquaintance with the means at The command
| OF the Goverume.t, and the condition OF the
country, the prosecution Of the plan now pro.
grees,ng was imprscticabls In other words.
| it vas necessary to ascertain the extent Of the
effects bequeathed to the President by the
late Administration. II VS. deemed essential
10 keep secret the object Of the military
NOV emsnts. especially the sailing Of vessels
under scaled orders, % under tie late Admin.
istration there were persons who clsDdes.ineiy y
communicated its purposes to the secessionists.
and, - frequently occurred before the
orders were reduced TO official form.
and according to = remark Of 30 exSecretary,
the Administration thus always found itseIl
embarrassed at the threshold. The present
Administration has limited such kno ledge to
the Cabinet and perhaps several trusty officere.
| and precautionary measures we're taken 90 %
render next to iu possible acquiring forbidden
information.
The Administra,ion. while declaring peace
policy claims thst il can only be held to strict
accountability BY the people. and however
speculative may be the publications respecting
its movements, il is under no obligation TO sn
| pounce is plans In other words, that the
Administration should Be judged BY its
| That Pickens has been or will be reinforced,
admits Of NO doubt, and the Administration
will do al in i,s power 70 either relieve Andsr-
son or secure his evacuation Of sumter With
out dishooor or committing the government g
the ackno wlsdgmsnt Of any right clsim o.
the Confederate States. or 10 any way rseogni-
| sinR the dostsips Of ssssssion.
The proceedings In the golf beyond the r..
lief Of Fort Pietons will be governed BY cie.
eumstanees.
Tie above 10 from rsliabls sources, to show
% some extent the basis d ths prsssnt nili-
tAsy psspasa1isaA 9 $500