April 4, 1861; The New York Herald
WASHINGTON, April 3, 1861.
At last the ball has opened. The corps of Sappers and Miners left here this morning, and today three of the batteries now in this city received orders to leave forthwith, all being required to report at Fort Hamilton, New York. That these troops are destined for Fort Pickens there can be no doubt. In less than a week the country will learn whether we have a government or not. The Home squadron is to be increased and ordered South, and Pensacola and other Southern ports will be blockaded. Fort Pickens is not in need of additional men, but will soon be in want of supplies, which will be furnished forthwith.
It is believed that General Sumner has been ordered to New York, and perhaps South, to direct the movement of the troops, as he left here very suddenly.
General Scott’s private secretary also left yesterday on short notice for New York.
Several interviews have been had today between the President and Secretary of War, and the latter with General Scott.
Orders have been issued today in the Navy Department to the several bureaus to an extent that almost precluded everything else. Every available naval ship will be called home. Those on the Coast of Africa, it is said, cannot be recalled without violating the treaty with England requiring the United States to keep at least eighty guns there.
The Cabinet were in session today for several hours, and Gen. Scott was present. Among the important questions discussed was the recent affair in St. Domingo. The foreign Ministers here express the opinion that the Spanish government will not countenance the course of the Governor General of Cuba in sending troops from Havana to St. Domingo to sustain the Spanish flag. The Spanish Minister asserts that his despatches from Madrid have contained no reference to the subject.
Report says that the British and French Ministers have indicated to the Secretary of State, that if the United States should interfere in the matter, that their governments will keep hands off.
It is argued in high official circles here that the best policy for the administration is to inaugurate a war with Spain or Mexico, or both, as the best means for averting internal strife.
A difficulty is said to exist in regard to the appropriation for the construction of the seven new steam sloops. It is that the money was appropriated for the fiscal year ending 1st of July next, and that it cannot be used until on and after that time. This is one of the reasons why an extra session of Congress cannot be prevented. The administration is crippled in a similar manner by other appropriations.
When it is officially demonstrated that any one of the thirty-four States of the United States has been invaded by Mexico, the Government will forthwith take immediate steps to repel the invaders.
The President today seemed to be laboring under a depression of spirits. He justly complains that Congress adjourned leaving him almost powerless to act. His only objection to calling them together now is the fear that they will come here and proceed to discuss some compromise measure, or undertake to investigate some unknown mystery, or quarrel over the tariff, instead of transacting the business actually necessary to carry on the government.
Instructions were today given to all the heads of Bureaus in several of the departments not to hold any further official communication with any persons residing in the seceded States.