New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-04-15
AN EXTRA SESSION OF CONGRESS.
spscia Dispatch to The N. Y. Tribune
WASHINGTON April a. 1861

SptcA Dispatch to The n. L. Tribune
WASHINGTON, April Ia, 1861.
THE IMPRESSION IN WASHINGTON.
The intelligence from Charleston has produced
a profound impression here, and although the
statements by telegraph are one-sided. from the
wires being in possession Of the Secessionsts,
still enough is certainly known to cause unusual
excitement in all circles. The Government is
cut off from all independent means of conmuni-
cation, and has to rely upon outside sources. 1t
would be unjust to pronounce any positive
opinion upon the events of the last few days,
without fuller and more satisfactory information.
But it seems almost Incredibly that conflict,
Like that described, could have occurred without
5lfcting some serious injury, which the general
accounts agree in denying.
MAJOR aNDERsoN's CONDUCT APPROVED.
No blame is imputed to Major Anderson by the
Administration, aud no whisper affecting his
fidelity and loyalty is tolerated. He acted upon
!. necessity contemplated by bis orders, which
was to yield tho Fort in case he should be en-
comprised by an overwhelming force, or reduced
TO an extremity by the want OF provisions. Ac-
1,ording to information which reached here re-
Gently, his supplies were expected to be ex-
hausted Last Tuesday, and hence the extraor-
dnary efforts which were made here to recruit
his enfeebled garrison. Major Anderson himself
ssndeavored to get rid of the laborers who had
been employed in the Fort, for the purpose of
restricting the consumption to his actual military
command, but the State authorities refused to
permit their departure, and these additional
.xnoutbs were thus imposed upon his lIlnted stock
of provisions
La view of the threatened contingency an at
tempt was made to communicate with him on
The 4th inst, conveying discretion to abandon the
Fort, il, in his judgment, it could not be held
until supplies could be forwarded. But that and
other dispatches were intercepted, which put the
Secessionists in full possession OF the exact cir
<,umstances of his condition, and enabled Gen
Beauregard to time his operations, as they were
subsequently developed. Then the order cutting
off his purchases in the Charleston market wai
made. The dispatch which Lieut. Talbot tool
down repeated this discretion, but also announced
to him that vessel with supplies, supported by
several ships of war, would be sent to his relief
That dispatch could not be delivered and its
general character was anticipated by the instruc
rioDs Of the Government, which had been ielon
ously appropriated before. 1t viii thus be seen
that the Reyolutionists were fully informed, no!
only of the state of the garrison, but of The
! ,licy Of the Government in every essential par
+icular. With their immense force, and numer.
Gus batteries, and considering that the storm had
dispersed the feet which had been sent TO Major
ndersOns relief, or, ut least prevented their
separation, the result is not surprising
THE POLICY or THE GOVERNMENT.
South Carolina has thus formally aud willfuly
inaugurated war, and upon no other pretext than
shat the President desired to save Major Ander.
cons command from starvation Under these
circumstances an active aud vigorous policy has
become necessary, Tie Attorney Cerersl Las
decided, and the Administration concrrs With
him in opinion, that The act Of 1893 gives full
power TO the President 10 call out ycrrt.ers fur
this emergency, ard u proclamation ,ummopipe
$4,000 will DO issued Immediately, distributed
iro rata among the loyal States. The impression
prevails in many quarters that this force should
be much larger, in order to exhibit tho physical
power which the occasion demanded. The Pres.
'dent was indisposed to do more than his sense
4" duty regarded as sufficient or to involve any
unnecessary cost.
TIE NAVAL EXPEDITION.
"S probable shat the naval expedition which