New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-04-10
CONSERVATION Among the Rebels.
PREPARATIONS TO MAKE AN ATTACK,
Army and Navy Movements Here
MIDI ni,ns,ch 70 The Y. Y. Tr.hms.

WASHINGTON, TUESDAY, Aprll =, looi'
Lient. Semmer has found means Of commune
eating with the Government, in spite OF the sur
VIGILANCE exercised by the investing army. He
explains why the troops were not landed from
the Brooklyn, coniormably to the orders issued
by the War Department several weeks ago.
According TO his view, Fort Pickens can with
, stand any assault which may be made BY the
force now assembled there, or any which IS IKE
IL to be collected by Jefferson Davis lie has
four months provisions, and feels himself fully
able TO maintain his position and defend himself,
without drawing upon the contingent force at
his disposal in the ships of war.
In case Of an attack, which is not feared,
notwithstanding all the dcnonstrstive display,
tie troops could be landed at signal, just as
easily as at this time The intelligence was re-
ceycd by telegraph and has, necessarily, modi-
fed some of the opinions entertained here, but
without Affecting the policy in any respect.
As the responsibility of collision at either
Fort Sumter or Fort Pickens viii rest exclusively
with the Montgomery managers, strong hope is
entertained here that i may yet be- avoided.
The purpose expressed BY Mr.. Seward, in his
letter to the Southern Commissioners, is that of
the Administration, and was fully approved by
the President 1t excludes any idea Of aggression,
but insists upon the proper assertion OF the Fed
eral authority. Ii the Executive functions are
wilfully resisted by armed bodies Of men, they
will be indicated firmly. without such policy,
the Government would be poweresp, and q
moekery OF forms, without strength or sub
stance.
Wien the conspirators who instgated TINS
Southern rebellion lind that they must confront
the consequences Of sctunl war, If they provoke
a contest, they will reflect before striking the
first blow. Thus far, they haze shown remarka-
bio prudence, except in the affair Of tho Star OF
the West which, Fortunately, terminated without
injury.
1t can hardly DO supposed that The President
will enter into any detailed explanation ct his
policy with the Committee sent here b. the Viz
GINA Legislature. Being distinctly ayowed IN
the Inaugural some surprise is excited that such
an inquiry should be made. As COMMANDMENT
Chief of the Army and Navy, he has a constitu-
tonal right to make such deposition Of the Fed
the public interests, without being called TO ac-
count by any Convention or other body. The
Committee viii be received kindly and bccom-
incly and told that the military preparations are
not intended for hostile purposes, but only a. a
precautionary measure for the protection Of tie
public property and the lives Of American soldiers
The messenger from tie War Department
should have reached Charleston last evening, but
no intelligence had been received from him tbs
morning. at the time the Cabinet met.
1t is quite probable, however, that an import
ant communication was sent from Major Ander-
son to Gov. Plckcns to-day, announcing the in
tention Of the Government 10 send provisions I'M
mediately TO Fort Sumter, and expressing the
hope that no resistance would be offered, mas.
much as it would necessate the exercise Of all
the power at is command for that object Re-
endorsements, as already stated in my foHner
dispatches, are not contemplated in this move
ment, ana will not b. introduced, unless the
State authorities should compel that resort, as a
defensive operation.