April 7, 1861; The New York Herald
WASHINGTON, April 6, 1861.
Notwithstanding the many rumors of war with which Washington has abounded for many days, and still abounds, I am able to assure you, in the most positive manner, that neither Fort Pickens nor Sumter is to be reinforced, and that no attack is feared upon those places by Generals Beauregard and Bragg. Every effort is being made to concentrate United States troops, a part of which are cavalry, and munitions of war are being collected on board of government vessels, but their destination is Texas, where the most alarming state of affairs exists.
It is understood that despatches have been received from Gen. Houston, of the most urgent character, representing the danger of attack by Mexicans and Indians as so imminent that nothing can prevent the most serious disasters upon the frontier if assistance is not received immediately. The Cabinet are, therefore, agreed that, whatever course may have been taken in favor of secession by the Texan people, it would be equivalent to a recognition of their independence, under the most cowardly auspices, to abandon them to their own resources at the present time. The invasion of Texas is an act of aggression against the whole Union, which it is the more the duty of the federal government to repel, as the authorities at Mexico are utterly powerless, as yet, against the bands of brigands with which that country abounds.
There is a complete and thorough understanding, although it is tacit, and to a certain extent unofficial, between the Southern Commissioners and the Lincoln administration, that the status quo shall not be disturbed, either by the United States authorities or by the southern confederacy. One of the Commissioners from Montgomery has stated in the most emphatic manner, within the last twenty-four hours, that no reinforcement could be sent to Fort Pickens or to Fort Sumter, and that no attempt to blockade the mouth of the Mississippi, or any Southern port or harbor, for the purpose of collecting revenue, could be made, without such a violation of good faith and such wanton treachery on the part of the President and his advisors, as would be without a parallel in the history of any civilized nation. When asked how he interpreted the belligerent rumors of the last few days, he simply added that he and his colleagues were satisfied they boded no evil to the Southern confederacy, and that they did not apprehend that there was any immediate danger of civil war.
President Davis and his administration have so notoriously, and from such obvious reasons of interest and necessity, adopted festina lente as their motto, that the reports of projected attacks upon Fort Pickens or Sumter ought not to require contradiction. There is doubtless great excitement at Pensacola and Charleston, and, like Washington, both of those places are agitated by all manner of false rumors. The telegraphic despatches that cause a financial panic in your city react, in a different manner, upon the population there; but be assured that neither Beauregard nor Bragg will proceed to acts of warfare without orders, and that there is no likelihood of such orders being given. Imbecile and weak as Mr. Lincoln’s administration is, it is scarcely fair to accuse it of the diabolical perfidy which would be involved in a breach of faith with the Southern Commissioners, and, unless such perfidy is practised, there will not be bloodshed, at least for a while.