April 9, 1861; The Charleston Mercury
The Administration Refuses to Recognize the Southern Commissioners.
FORTS SUMTER AND PICKENS TO BE REINFORCED. THE NOTE OF PREPARATION, &c., &c., &c, (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT)
WASHINGTON, April 8. The Southern Commissioners today received from the Department of State the reply to their official communication.
SEWARD declines to recognize them, and refuses to hold any communication with them other than as citizens of the United States.
It is now placed beyond all possible doubt that the attempt will be made by the United States Government to throw a full supply of provisions into Forts Sumter and Pickens.
The great military and naval preparations now going on mean COERCION. All disguise is now thrown off.
There will be a collision in less than a week.
It is a significant fact, that of all the officers appointed to command in the expeditions now filling out for the South, not one is from a Southern State.
Captain M. C. MEIGS said yesterday that the people will in less than ten days know all about the movements, which create so much excitement here and elsewhere.
Lieutenant (now Captain) TALBOT, with Mr. R. S. CHEW, formerly of the State Department, left the city yesterday for Charleston. Their departure was effected so quietly that none here were aware of it at the time. Everybody is puzzled as to the nature of their mission; but the impression is abroad that it is not a peaceful one.
Reports from New York.
NEW YORK, April 6. It is reported and denied that Major HOLMES, commandant of Governor Island, also Major JOHNSON, have resigned. BARRY, of 6th Artillery, is aboard the Atlantic. The Powhatan is ordered to Fort Hamilton to take troops on board. Capt. MEIGS, with his company, have left Washington for parts unknown. Gangs of men are at work on the Wabash, Roanoke and Perry. Besides 900 troops a number of long clinker built boats have been shipped on the Atlantic, which cleared for the Brazos. The steamship Illinois has steam on, and it is reported will load with stores and troops at night. The Powhatan with 400 troops passed the bar bound out.
The steamship Nashville, advertised to sail for Charleston on Saturday, has been detained until the 9th.
JOHN MORRISEY is dead.
THE LATEST.
NEW YORK, March 8. War preparations on a large scale continue unabated.
The naval receiving stations have been reopened.
The Harriet Lane has sailed with sealed orders. The Illinois and Baltic are taking in a heavy armament, including a number of man of war launches and several hundred troops.
The frigate Roanoke has been floated out. It is said that she goes to Fort Pickens, and thence to Texas to assist HOUSTON in the event of civil war.
TEN O’CLOCK, P.M.
The Baltic sailed at seven o’clock, accompanied by a steam tug.
The steamers Freeborn and Yankee have been chartered by the Government for a short voyage. They probably go to Fort Sumter.
Lieut. RAMSEUR, Fourth Artillery, U.S.A., and other officers, have resigned.
Reports from Boston.
Boston, April 8. Sixty tons of cannon balls left the Watertown Arsenal on Saturday night for New York.