New York Herald
April 19, 1861
WASHINGTON, April 18, 1861.
The war spirit prevails to an alarming extent tonight. Large numbers of strangers, principally office seekers, have formed themselves into companies, and are on duty tonight. General Nye, Cassius M. Clay, and Colonel Butterfield, of the New York Twelfth regiment, are in command of them. The object of this is to protect the city against certain military organizations said to exist in this city, known as the Knights of the Golden Circle.
The Secretary of War today accepted the services of the Twelfth regiment of New York. They will therefore immediately follow the Seventh regiment.
Earnest letters from distinguished parties have been addressed to the Governors of the border States, urging them to assume immediately a neutral position, to prevent further collision between the United and Confederate States, and also that they shall urge upon their sister States to send representatives to Congress, who shall be instructed to propose and aid proper terms of reconciliation. President Davis has also been addressed on the same subject by his personal and political friends, urging a cooperation in this plan, and that he shall do all in his power to suspend hostilities until the people of the whole country can have the opportunity of deciding upon terms of adjustment.