The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-06-08

THE SITUATION OF AFFAIRS.
Our dispatches from Washington to-day indi
cate speedy and decisive movement against
the enemies of the government. 1t appears that
General Scott has informed the President and
Cabinet that he has resolved to have possession
18th of July. Active preparations for an in
slant advance are going on among the regi-
ments on the Potomac. 1t is said that no direct
attack on Harper's Ferry is contemplated, but
that the troops from Pennsylvania and Ohio are
to surround that point by movements in the rear,
by way of Wiliamsport. The advance of our
troops to Grafton and Philippi would seem to
carry out this idea. Meantime no symptoms of
an evacuation of Harpers Ferry by the rebels are
observed, as predicted few days ago. Jefferson
Davis is expected to arrive there to-day, for the
purpose of inspecting the troops there.
Letters been have just received from Major
General John C. Fremont, dated in London, stating
that he has purchased 10 900 Enfield rifles and sew.
eral batteries of riaed cannon, for the United
States government, which he is waiting for and
will bring with him. At present he is delayed
until a portion of the rifles are finished.
He states further, that the Commissioners of
the Confederate States had instructions to
procure several steamers in England for the
service of the Montgomery government, but that
there was some difficulty about getting the money;
in fact the needful had not arrived from the South
They succeeded, however, in purchasing two
steamers for which they paid f70,000 (s350, O0O).
These vessels, it appears, are to sail for q
Southern port under the British flag, and regis
tered as the property of British owners, carrying
nothing contraband of war, but probably in ballast
merely. How they will be served by our blockadng
squadron remains to be seen. We opine they will
find ii somewhat difficult to enter any port at the
South.
Considerable excitement prevailed in mercantile
circles in this city yesterday, and especially
among shipowners, with regard to the course the
British government has chosen to adopt towards
our government The Board of Underwri-
tiers, it appears, have decided to advance the
rates of war policies on American ships to seven
per cent making discrimination between our
vessels and those of foreign nations of five per
cent against American bottoms. The effect of this
measure will necessarily be to put stop to our
shipping trade, and it will also materially effect
the sale of bills of exchange where our vessels
are not insured at the advanced rates. Our ships in
port will be compelled to remain at home, and those
in foreign ports will have to return. strong feeling
against England was manifested yesterday among
the merchants and shipowners. it being generally
supposed that it was the intention Of that govern
ment to permit our vessels seized by the prvateers
of JEFF. Davis to be condemned and sold in the
British ports of the West Indies, measure which
would be considered tantamount to an act of war.
The news from Cairo is important and presages
an attack by the rebel army on that quarter.
Yesterday afternoon scouting parties of General
Pillow's forces had arrived as far North as Island
No. l, only four miles below Cairo. The Southern
troops were moving up rapidly on both sides of
the Mississippi river, with the evident design of
making an attack on Cairo. The troops there are
ready to receive them, and we need not be sur
prised at any moment now to hear of de-
cisve engagement. General Prentiss, who COM
mands the federal army at Cairo, hav-
ing heard that the rebels had established
camp at Elliotts Mills, point in Kentucky ten
miles south of Cairo, sent ten companies down
there the day before yesterday to dslodge them,
which they effected the rebels having fed before
them.
The further details of the late action at Philippi
which we publish to-day are very interesting. 1t
appears that the affair was commenced by Colonel
Lander, of wagon road notoriety, who opened fire
from battery on the rebel camp at daylight,
scattering the tents and sending the rebels flying
in disorder. Colonel Kelly's regiment taking them
in the rear, completed the rout.
The News.
We e in receipt Of files from Bridget0wn, Bar
BADGES, to the 18th ult. The House of Assembly
met On the l4th, passed few resolutions and bills
and adjourned for four weeks. There is very little
OF interest in the ntercolonal news At st.. Vim