February 21, 1861; The Charleston Mercury
WASHINGTON, February 18, 1861.
LINCOLN’s Pilgrim’s Progress continues to occupy the greater part of the town talk. His speeches increase in asinine qualities, and excite almost as much disgust among the Republicans as other people. A few of their papers profess to admire them, but that is all bosh. His character is much canvassed. From all I can gather, he must be a low fellow, both in ideas and manners. For some days past it has been hinted about that SEWARD was going to resign his place in LINCOLN’S Cabinet, and on Saturday night it was stated that he had abandoned the idea of renting the sumptuous and extensive mansion so long occupied by Genl. CASS. This is a mistake. As soon as LINCOLN arrives in this city a fierce struggle will begin between SEWARD and WEED on the one hand, and WADE and SUMNER on the other, to get possession of his majesty. If WEED succeeds, SEWARD will remain Premier; if WADE prevails, SEWARD will resign. As to the other Cabinet appointments, I hear this morning that Messrs. DIX, HOLT and KING will be retained in their present places, for a time at least.
President DAVIS’s introduction of the […..] doctrines, in his speech on the night of his arrival in Montgomery, are much spoken of here. That it will be necessary for the Confederate States to vindicate their nationality by force of arms, few seem to doubt; and that they will sit quietly at home and permit themselves to be harassed by the United States fleet without attempting retaliation, no one believes.
Among other plans, the following is mooted, as advisable on the part of the Confederate States: To purchase ten or twenty vessels of war in England, ship men enough to man them, as passengers in English ships, and return with them to the Gulf of Mexico, and there pitch into Uncle Sam’s coercive fleet of Pensacola harbor. ‘Where are the sailors and marines to come from to equip this Southern navy?’ was enquired of the gentleman who broached this beautiful plan. ‘From the 40,000 deck hands and raftsmen on the Mississippi river,’ was the reply. Truly, there are men of many minds. Cheapness was urged as the main inducement to adopt this naval scheme. ‘It would cost only ten millions of dollars, and accomplish more work in a shorter time than thrice that sum expended in raising and maintaining a large force of military on land.’ Indeed!
In Saturday’s issue of the Confederation, the Administration organ, the following significant item appeared:
No assurances have been received by Government that neither Sumter nor Pickens will be attacked, as stated in the morning papers. If Fort Sumter is assailed we are assured that Major Anderson will receive men and supplies sufficient in time to enable him to defend his position successfully against any attack that may be made.
The Virginia Convention is passing the time by referring powerful resolutions, that have about as much value as a gust of March wind, to the Committee on Federal Relations. Action is not thought of. The passage of an Ordinance of secession is the only thing the North will ever listen to for a moment.
Senator WIGFALL has been so annoyed by having his letters to and from Charleston broken open at the post office in this city, that he has been compelled to employ more honest carriers than the gentlemen who manage the United States mail.