Year: 1861




Special Correspondence Of the Lsndon Tines.


WAsHIxGToN, April 8, 1s6I.-The critical posi-
ton of the Federal Government has compelled its
members to preserve secrecy. Never before under
any administration was 80 little Of the councils Of
the Cabinet known to the public or to those who
are supposed to be acquainted with the opinions Of
the statesmen in office. Mr.. Seward has issued the
most stringent orders to the officers and CLERKS in
his department to observe the rUles Whcih hereto
fore have been disregsrded in reference to the con-


dential character of State papers in their charge.
The sources or the fountains Of knowledge from
which friendly journalists draw SO freely are thus
stopped without fear, favor or affection towards
sny The result has been much irritation in quar-
ters where such interference" is regarded as un-
wsrrantsble or at least very injurious. The
newspapers which enjoyed the privilege Of free &C
cess to dispatches, are Matching csDsrds, which
they let fly along the telegraph wires with amazing
productiveness and fertility of conception and in
cubation. Hence the mOnstrous and ridiculous ru-
mors which harden into type every dsy-hence the
clanors for ga policy" AID hence the contending
accusations that the government ID dsing nothing,
and that it is also preparing to plunge the
country into civil war. Each member OF the
CABINET has become Burleigh, every shake Of
whose head perplexes New York with fear OF
change; every Senator is watched by private re-
porters who trace ''the days disasters in his
mornings face" II q week company Of artillery
is marched on board ship its movements are
chronicsd in columns Of vivid description, and its
footsteps are made to sound like the march Of
vast army. The telegraph from Washington has
learnt its daily message about Fort Sumter and
Fort Pickeus by heart, and the world has been
soothed daily by the assurance that General b.
Bragg is resdy and that the South Carolinisns can
no longer be restrained But there is always q Sc
cret understanding that Generals Bragg and Beau
regard will be more ready still next day, and that
the people will be more understandable by next des
7 n1ed in ha
learnt was that Fort Sumter would be evacuated the
next day; il not, that the supplies would be cut Oh,
aad that the garrison would be starved out. hsVe
learnt now to distrust prophecy, and l am going
South in the hope that the end is not yet. The
Southern Commissioners state that the Government
here has promised them efforts shall be made to
reinforce Fort Pickens without previous notice to
them-s very singular promise. The Government,
however denies that it has been in communication
with them Fort Sumter must be considered IS
gone for there is disposition, apparently, on the
part of the Government to hazard the loss Of life
.nd great risk which must inevitably attend any
attempt to relieve or carry off the garrison, now
that the channels are under fire of numerous hesvi
Iy armed batteries, which the people Of South Car
olins were permitted to throw up without molesta-
ton. The operations Of 9 relieving force would
have to be conducted very large scale by troops
disembarking on the shores and taking the batteries
in reverse, in conjunction with attack from the





unless it were intended to occupy Charleston and
try the fortune ef war in South Csrolinsan inten-
ton quite opposed to the expression and believe
the feelings of the Cabinet at Washington, not to
sreak of the people of the border States, and large
remnants of the Union. From y6ur correspondent
at New York you will receive full particulars of the
movements of troops, and of naval preparations
which reported in the papers, and which create
more curiosity than excitement among the people
meet My task must be to describe what / see
around me.


II may be as well to state in the most positive
terms that the reports which have appeared in
American papers Of communications between the
English Minister aud the American Government on
the subject of blockade Of the Southern ports,
totally and entirely destitute Of foundation. No
communication Of any kind has passed between
Lord Lyons on the part of the English Government
and Mr.. Seward, or any one else, on behalf Of the
Government at Washington. 1t would be q most
offensive proceeding to volunteer eny intimstiOn Of
the course to be pursued by any European Power
respecting contingency Of action on the part Of
the United States; nor would it be necessary, in
case blockade were declared, to formulate super
rogstory notice that it must be such blockade as
the Law Of nations recognizes. The Importance Of
distinct understanding on that point is al the
greater in connection with the stories which are
sAost that the naval preparations Of the hour sre
intended to afford the Federal Government
the means of blockading the mouth Of tie
Mississippi and the Southern ports, with the
object Of collecting the Federal revenue.
If anything is clearer than another, in the doubt
and perplexity which prevail il is that the Govern
ment will do nothing whatever to precipitate con-
fict Il would i'll become me, in such 9 crisis, to
hazard any authoritative statements IS to the con-
duct Of the administration under the very great
variety of complications which may arise hereafter.
OF this, however, be assured-not q ship or gun,
or man will be directed TO make sHy stsck, or to


Al. .fola 30
States. If any promise was made by the Buchanan
administration to inform the members of the South
ern Government or its representatives of their
course of action it will not be considered binding
on the consciences of Mr.. Lincoln's Cabinet, COM
posed as it is of men who lock their predecessors
as guilty of treason to the State. An attempt may
be made to reinforce Fort Pickens but neither that
nor any position occupied by the Federal authori-
ties will be voluntarily abandoned.


Once for all, let it be impressed on the minds of
the English people that whatever reports they hear
and however they may come-no matter whence or
in what guse-there is no truth in them if they in
dicate the smallest intention on the part of Mr.
Lincoln to depart from the policy indicated in his
inaugural address. As strongly as words can do it,
| repeat that the forces which have been assembled
are only intended for the reinforcement of the strona
places at Tortugas and Key West, which have been
left short of every necessary of occupation and de-
fence and for the establishment of posts of obser
vation, which are essential in case Of hostility and
to guard agalnst surprise or treachery. have
dwelt in previous letters the obvious policy of the
Government ofthe United States and beg your read
ers to have firm faith that thereiw be no departure
from it. By concentrating.forees at Key West and
Tortugas very valuable political results are OBJ
tanned in face of the present disputes and material
srategeal advantages in those disputes should
lead to rupture which will not be initiated by the
Cabinet at Washington. These places are within
few hours sail of the coast; they are healthy and
can be easily supplied, as long as the United States
feet can keep the sea and cover the movements Of
it, transports. Their occupation IN force cannot be