Year: 1861

The ATTACK on WAsH1xGrox.-Th Wash
lngton correspondent Of the New York Herald,
writing under date of February lst, says in
this connection:


The difficulty in regard to the reports about
taking the city by the sccessioniss is divided
INTO two distinct classes. They are both mis-
leading the people, one incredulously or ignor-
antly, the other Intentionally The former
class are mised by the ingenuity of the latter,
and the press of the country is sought and EN-.
ployed as the most powerful engine to deceive
the people. All the leading presses of the
country today contain announcements that
there is no cause for apprehcnding an attack
upon Washington, and men have asserted
within twenty four hours. to my knowledge,
that there is not a particle of evidence before
the Select Committee of the House 10 warrant
the belief that any conspiracy exists, or that
any organization has been formed to aid in
destroying the unity OF the States. In the
face Of this extraordinary statement. it is well
known that the man of all others who has ac-
cumulated more information about the coDspi-
racy against the capital when called as
witness and asked by the Committee to tell
what he knew, replied, like true man and
soldier as he is. " Gentlemen, cannot answer
your questions without violating private conf
dence and doing great injustice 10 the public
service" The Committee then Withdrew their
question. This witness stands as near to Gen
Scott in this crisis, and has as much of his
confidence as any other gentleman in the army
Whatever he knows, General Scott is aware of
and acts upon, but could not swear to him
self. The subordinate officer was then called
as witness, and private confidence" and
"justice to the public service" forbid him OPEN
ing his mouth. Hence nothing finds its wav
to the Committees record, and it is forthwith
proclaimed to the country that no evidence ex-
lists to show the existence OF a conspiracy
The injustice Of such conclusion is evident
The very fact that General Scott remarked
after leaving the committee room that if the
people Of the District knew half as much as he
about the attempt to take the Capital, they
would not rest so quietly under the belief that
there is no danger, shows that he was aware of
facts that he could not tell the Committee upon
his oath. Besides, it is considered among mil
itary men an outrage to call military chief
tain like General Scott before a little Commit
tee of five men elected as mere politicians. and
without reference to a crisis like this, and
question him about his knowledge to the tao
tics of the enemy.


LETTER FROM J. J. CRIrTENDEN-SEN
Jan. %, l66I.-My Dear Coombs Il feel
under many obligations to you for your many
letters, and | beg that you will continue the
correspondence, notwithstanding my omissions
What with business, consultations. and una
vodable company have, in truth hardly time
to write a line to my best friends, or even draw
free breath. Your letters have a freshness
about them that makes me feel and see the
things you tell me. All things here are in
chaos and darkness, yet have every confidence
that, though my resolutions may not pass, they
will be the root out of which settlement will
grow.


The news from Frankfort is, that you will
not call a Convention. am glad of it. There
Is no cause why we should hasten out of the
Union at this time, and unless that is intende l.,
do not Know what we want with a Conven-
ton. Preparations made often induce US to do
things from which more consideration would
have restrained lis. Old Kentucky has too
much dignity and history to be drifted about
by every changing tide in politics. Her move
ments in the present crisis ought to be well
measured, well considered. and marked with
steadfast maniness We ought to see clearly
what we are 10 gain by disunion, before we
abandon a Union in which we have enioyed so
much liberty, so much prosperity, and so many
blessings. | write in haste, and must conclude.


Your friend, j. J. CRITTENDEN


Gen. L. Coombs. Union St. Louis Cor