New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-04-06

small boats. There are several circumstances
that favor this idea. In the first place. such
thing in expert hands has been practicable; then
there have been rumors of small boats having
been seen and heard on several occasions;
large number Of men are believed to have been
seen on the walls Of Fort Sumter at various
times of late; and last, though not least, great
deal more work has been done in the fort than
it has seemed possible for seventy men to &C.
complsh. The Rebels have just found out that
Major Anderson has succeeded in eleyating two
of his terrible ten.inch eolumbiads so as to bear
square on the Cummings Point battery. In this
important work be has been materially assisted
by the timber which luckily fOated in rait
down the bay, and came near enough 70 Inc
fort to enable the men to secure II. IL
was Just what, Of all things, next 70
fresh meat, was most wanted. Ihere ls an
other question which the Rebels occasionally put
to each other, in tone and manner indicating
grave doubts. 1t is: Can Maj. Anderson reach
Charleston City with shot or shell, or ooth'
should he feel so disposed On this point there
is difference Of opinion. The Rebels themselves
confess that his l0.nch columbiads have range
of upward of 5000 yards, little less than the
distance of Charleston from the fort. The dlf-
ference is not enough to afford the ground OF
hardly any confidence. especially since it is known
that at least some of the most experienced off,
GERS in Fort Sumter have said that Charleston
can be shelled, and that it would be just the
thing TO do, in case the fort was attacked.
will take this occasion to say that an officer OF
Mai. Anderson's garrison assured me that the
guns in Fort Sumter could play with disastrous
effect on the city, and he only hoped that, should
worst come to worst, he might prove the cor
rectness Of his opinion. II IT were understood
that, the moment an aggressive act was committed
against the fort, Maj. Anderson would open on
the city, and that he had the means of making
bis shots tell, there would be speedy letting
down of tone and style on the part Of the Rebels.
Why cannot the Major manage to get chance
shot " into Charleston, as Gen. Beauregard did
against Sumter Nothing would so efectually
give these fellows pause as something Like this.
1t is said that JEFF. Davis has authorized the
cutting of of Major Anderson's supplies, and that
the design will be carried into effect tomorrow.
confidently look next for a hostile demonstration
on the Fort itself. 1t cannot be postponed much
longer, especially should the Administration dc
anything looking like turning the cold shsulder
on the newborn Confederacy. The Floating
Battery will be attempted 10 be brought into
use, though it is pretty certain that Major Ander-
son would FIRE ON it should an attempt be made
TO place il under the walls Of Sumter. have
great confidence that the thing would not stand
long before the l20.pOnnd shots that would greet
its advent in the waters anywhere within mile
Of the Fort.
Amid the e1citements that prevails on all sides,
The Mercury continues to discuss at length the
JEFF. Davis Constitution, and parade its sore head
before the public almost daily. The possibility Of
the Free States, at some future day, joining the
| Confederacy, is the very nightmare Of the FIRE
eating organ It relieves itself after the following
| fashion:
"wehsve briefly indicated few Of the weshty 70
The conedeae STATE, sse al PIGf s q sSTT WI
But readers suppose our sPpehensons ground
less ard essOninss uIcad for and premature To ei
judged by the signs Of the times ominous Rseonsueon
on the basis Of the 0S s II ws Sde ns
l
will strengthen that element ReoTs anIaon under the
Constitution Is evidently the programme chalked out some
by Washington leaders Of the South And to th
policy far pursued ue,onsby tends Under ID,
pronunciation that peence and famine inpended IN
other adopted inactivity has rened and
alienation has been ttudiousy svoded Delay u s
going on. Constitution has been carefully made Mont
gomery which with little repression of the tAnatcism on tbs
Slavery question viii be sufficiently acceptable to the North
west 70 constitute no permanent difficulty in the way Of he
consenng adopt It. Two years meditation upon the prot
aud cons will suffice them Friends Of Mr. Douglas intending
the and dear George ~ Sanders already declaring III.
States should apply for admission into the Con
derste Ses Mr. Becknhdge In the United States Senate
speaks Of this being the probable result The Border States
look TO The York Herald daily the advantages
New-YoTk doing the thing We might and mentor
many other facts and circumstances tst lead unsskably
sppehend the evil effects Of reorganization not improbable
thing We only With 30 the eyes people to the dan
ger and them al Of the dir Of events They tha
have ears to hear, Jet them hear"
The famous Senator Wigfal is among us, SHARP
set and sprung as usual. He is anxious to have
the fighting commence, and talks about taking Q
hand.