Year: 1861

Reported Defeat OF the Secession Ordf-
\ nance fn virginia.


WASHINGTON April II, 1881


Secretary Seward has received private information
within hour, direct from Richmond that the Virginia
State Convention in secret session. last night decided
against the act Of secession by majority Of seven.
Hnce learning this have another messenger direct
from Virginia, who confirms the report Soeeved by Mr.
seward.


asserts that It would be impossible for Of seces
sion 10 pass the Richmond Convention without his know
ledge, and he this moment that when he left
Alexandria at elsssn O'Clock this forenoon no such ac
tion had been taken and he does not believe will hap
pen He is well posted and intelligent gentleman, and
can he relied upon If the secession act should pass
win have 70 be submitted to the people,


There have been all sorts Of in the city to-day
about the concentration Of troops in Virginia for the
purpose Of attacking Washington also report that
vrgaia, instead of John Brown raid has been made
upon Harper's Ferry. But the government has no IN
formation conirmatory Of such reports


There is nevertheless apprehension that the event
Of the passage of act of secession by the Richmond
Convention, that an attempt win be made, not only to
seize the arsenal al darpers Ferry for the purpose Of
getting possession Of the deposited there but also
70 take the Navy Yard at Norfolk and Fort Washington
and Fortress Monroe. The governmeuk 70 not inactive
relative 10 these points. sh rs
A gentleman who left Richmond this nosning, says
that business In that city entirely ruined that the peo
pie express the greatest bitterness towards the North
but that they exhibit little better feeling towards the
States that have seeded believing that by their head
long and nsane course the present melancholy state
affairs have been preciptated. So determined the
middle ground men--and they powerful class
that they openly DECLARE that they have to secede from
will da udoruf ndiuo
that the border States will form separate oonedcracy
But they assert that they win join the Southern
confederacy they prefer far to remain in the Union
am certain that but for the fact that Virginia has voted
to oppose any attempt Of the federal government TO
cree the seeded sates the feeling there would now be
very different, and doubt the Governor would feel
authorized to respond to the Presidents requiston for
roops but having taken that position the leading
Of the State, who feel bound by it, do not see
how they retreat with honor They
TO lose sight OF the fact that the seeded States
have attempted to the federal government until
forbearance ceases to be virtue The government has
quarrel with Virginia, and Virginia have quar-
rel with the government unless she insists that dsoyal
States, unlike herself shall be allowed 10 commit
son. steal the public property re upon unarmed versels
bearing the flag Of the country and with thousand
men assault, with all the modern weapons Of warfare,





ing only seventy men. If she seeks to present
herself the world in thn light, she will fad sym
pathy from the federal government, and viii only
the natural calamity which is fast befapg the dis
oyal States that have preceded her.


secret Convention Of secessonists called 10 meet at
Richmond yesterday, assembled there to-day. Ny in
formant says quite number of them In secret
In Richmond last night and the belief Is that their
Convention has more TO do with raid upon the capital
than anything else Among those present last night was
M Ashby, who commanded the Virginia troops Har-
per's Ferry at the trial and execution OF John Brown
Instead Of waiting the assembling Of the Convention
to-day Ashby left Richmond this m1ning, and came
on a. far towards Washington the branch road TO
Harpcrs Ferry, when he changed cars for the latter
place.


Companies haze been ordered to Harper's Ferry, and
unless an attack Is made before they reach there no fear
Is expressed on the part Of the government that the
Arsenal will be seized.


RromoSp, ApI 17--5P. NJ
The ordinance or secession has yet passed the
Convention and they still In secret session. Nothing
certain is known Of the proceedings transacted.


BALrxoRE, April y, 1861.
not thought here that there is apy truth in the
rumor about Harpers Ferry. There Is a company Of
regulars there