New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1861-04-17
DESTINATION OF TROOPS.


The New York papers of the 9th and 10th, par
ticulary those in the interest of the Administers
ton, intimate very plainly that the vessels which
have been fitted out there, with large numbers of
troops on board are destined for the State OF Tex
as 1t is said that the resignation of Major Holiness
prominent army officer and a native of Virginia.
was caused by ascertaning that he was to be or
dered to Texas. The leading editorial of the New
York World" of the 9th is as follows:
Information acquired from sources worthy of i'm
plicit confidence, and in a manner which, although
it affects the discretion of officer of the Govern
ment, yet adds to the authenticity of our GdviCes
enables to say that certainly, beyond all rca-
sonable doubt, the destination of the greater part,
at least of the forces recently dispatched is Texas
and not either Fort Sumter or Fort Pickens the
object of the Government being, first to resist the
attack made by the Indians and half-breed Next
cans upon the Texan frontier and second, 10 be in
a position to put down an invasion of Mexico,
which is even now imminent and which would GER
tain'y be made upon the first plausible pretext by
the tilibuster population of the South.
The World speaks as if by " the card" Yet, the
perfdy of the Administration at Washington has
been such that no confidence can be placed in any
avowal of its intentions. Judging the future by
the past, it is safe to conclude that the Northern
Government means to do always precisely the re-
verse of what it says.
Bat this Information may possibly be correct,
and Texas may be the grand rendezvous of the
troops which the Administration has dispatched by
sea to the South. If so, it is q hollow pretence
that the object is to put down Indian nvasons, or
arrest threatened hostile expedition into Mexico
by the Texans. No such purpose is contemplated
by the Administration but the real object is to at
tempt to subdue the people of Texas, reassert the
authority of the Federal Government in that State
and rGestablish Gen. Houston in the Gubernatolial
Chair,
This, undoubtedly, is the purpose if these troops
are really going to Texas. The events at Fort
Sumter may cause diversion and change of pro-
gramme But it has been evident for some time
that the Administration at Washington hoped by
the aid of Gen. Houston to reestablsh its authority
in Texas, and replace Houston in the position from
which he was expelled by the people, in conse-
quenoe of his obstinacy and dsloyaty to the State
1t was given out some weeks ago, that Houston
was preparing tc raise an army in Texas, and that
recruits were going to him from Baltimore and
other Northern cities. We discredited the report,
because Houston, with all his personal vanity, is
well acquainted with public sentiment in Texas.
and no one knows better than he how hopeless
would be an enterprise of the sort attributed to
him. 1t seems, however, that the Administration
at Washington, ever eager to believe anything
prejudicial 10 the Southern cause, credited the
story of Houston's rebellous disposition and his
preparations for war, and proceeds to act accord
ingly. The sequel is told by the Washington cor
respondent of the New York Herald:
MAsHINGToN, Aprill0 16Gl.--A few weeks since
distinguished Democrat was requested by Secre-
tufy Seward to go to Texas, and ascertain the state
of the public mind there, and especially to converse
with Gov. HOUstOn, and learn Iis vayyG n hn
ent secession movement in that State. On his re-
turn he reported that Governor Houston not only
refused to accept military support from the United
coin should recall the regular troops from Texas,
BE also reported that Governor Houston urged, in
the strongest terms, the evacuation of Forts Sum
ter and PIckens, stating that arkansas would join |
Texas ia secession in the event of coercion or even
The collection of the revenue being ATTEMPTED. |
Governor Houston requested to he let alone, and |
that the MON party Of the entire South
vas dead il coercion was once attempted.
inns account appeared to President Lincoln 50
much at variance with what was understood here
o be The opinion of Governor Houston ank know
ng the political procvites of the ambassador, the
resident Immediately despatched another messen-
Ter to Governor Houston and without waiting for
'ls return has sent forward the troops to Texas.
So it seems, if the above information is to be
elied on, that the Government at Washington dis
believes the statement Of its own messenger, and
~ SNAN'
The programme may be changed, as we said above. |
by the recent fail of Fort Sumter and the threat
aned capture of Fort Pickens; but if it should be
carried out as originally intended, it will be as
oolish piece of business as ever was undertaken,
zen. Houston, so far from getting ready for fight
las retired TO his plantation, after making one of |
lis characteristic speeches, a sort of " clearing
P shower" to the people Of Austin. This speech
nd his public "protest," may be considered the |
ast prominent acts of his public life. Instead of
lis voice being for war; we have entire confidence
hat his intentions are perfectly pacific. There is
carcely any one in Texas-and he well knows the
act-who would aid him in forcbe ATTEMPT to
egain the Executive authority of the State.
So, if 'Old Abe" sends these troops to Texas,
1stead of meeting with sympathy and assistance
here, they are likely to have the warmest sort of
reception. In truth, the like reception will be |
ccorded them wherever they may attempt to |
and. No doubt, the warlike and blood-thirsty |
entry who compose the Cabinet at Washington |
onsider it great piece of strategy to keep
eeret the destination of the troops they are send
ng South; but in the long run, and so far as final
esults are concerned, it makes with US but a |
rifling difference.