Jan. 13, 1861. The New York Herald
WASHINGTON,
The administration have not yet decided upon the instructions asked for by Major Anderson. The great point which the President is aiming at, and is desirous of effecting, is to avoid bloodshed and the horrors of civil war.
Many people blame Major Anderson for not opening his batteries upon Fort Moultrie and the city of Charleston, as soon as he heard the firing from Fort Moultrie upon the Star of the West. The administration, however, endorses his action, and will so inform him.
The President has been unofficially advised that an officer is on his way here to confer with the government respecting the condition of affairs in Charleston harbor. The President will hear what he has to say, and may possibly delay the issuing of instructions to Major Anderson until the officer arrives.
In his despatches just received, Major Anderson reiterates what he has heretofore said to the War Department and to the President–that he was in want of nothing, and had the Charleston authorities not interrupted the intercourse with Fort Sumter, the government would have been informed correctly, and the steamer would not have been sent, and thus a most serious addition to the difficulties would have been prevented.
Seward’s speech continues to be the theme of comment in nearly every circle. A careful reading of it has convinced the more moderate of Southern men that it falls far short of the great and vital questions at issue. They assert that if he really desired a settlement and restoration of peace to our distracted country, he ought to have come boldly and squarely to the point. But as it is he has satisfied scarcely any one.
Last night there was a conference of quite a number of members and Senators from the border States, and another conference was held today. Seward’s speech was considerably commented upon, and they all agreed that it did not reach the disease. They came to the conclusion that unless Seward and the party leaders advanced another step, and accepted either Crittenden’s plan or a restoration of the Missouri line to the Pacific, the fifteen slave States would be out of the Union before the 4th of March.
Dudley Mann leaves here for Europe this coming week. He goes out as commissioner on the part of South Carolina, to arrange some system with foreign governments respecting their varied interests, and more particularly in regard to opening commercial facilities and direct trade with the South.
T. Butler King has been appointed commissioner on the part of Georgia for a similar purpose, and will leave for Europe in a few days. Other Southern States are taking the initiative steps for the same line of policy. It is said they have positive assurances from the leading European governments that they will treat with them upon these subjects, and render them all the aid in their power. Our government has been made aware of the above facts, but as yet has taken no action upon the matter. Mr. Buchanan will probably address letters to some of our Ministers to the leading Courts of Europe, which may cause those governments, if they have any such purpose as is ascribed to them, to pause for a time.
Senator Tooms left here today with his family for Georgia. He does not intend to return. Georgia, he says, will be out of the Union in less than ten days.
Gen. Harney is here on business connected with the government. The government has withdrawn most of the troops in his department. Three companies arrived here today.
The border States of Virginia and Maryland are very much exasperated at the course Gen. Scott is pursuing, in stationing in this city and on their frontier so large a military force under his immediate command.
Rumors and reports are as plenty as blackberries in August that the steamships Star of the West and Fulton have been ordered to return to Charleston. There is not a shadow of foundation for such reports. A despatch has been received here from Charleston to know if such order had been made, and it was flatly contradicted by authority.
The report that the members of Congress from the seceding States would remain here to embarrass legislation is untrue. Messrs. Barksdale and Singleton, of Mississippi, Moore and Clopton of Alabama, and other of the House, leave on Monday. Senator Brown, of Mississippi, is confined to his house by a severe attack of neuralgia. He will go as soon as he recovers.
Authentic accounts from Mississippi report apprehended trouble if the State levies duties on vessels from above, bound south, which is avowed to be the intention of the state.
Isaac H. Kallock, Esq., of Leavenworth, Kansas, is here on business connected with the establishment of a Baptist college in Kansas, having the appointment of general agent of the same. He is negotiating a treaty for twenty thousand acres of land belonging to the Ottawa Indians, a delegation from whom is here with him. His business meets the approval of the government, and is likely to b successfully concluded.
Lieut. General Scott is still engaged making preparations to guard against a possible breach of the peace in Washington, consequent on the present political agitation.
Effective military forces are to be posted in the several parts of the city. It is not probable that any but regular troops and the militia will be employed for the purpose. Light Artillery company A, Second regiment, Captain Barry, arrived here this morning, and are quartered at the arsenal.
Two other companies from Leavenworth have proceeded to Fort McHenry.
As a general debate will take place on the Army bill in the House tomorrow, a large number of the members are preparing themselves accordingly. It will involve the present agitating questions.
It is said that Major Anderson was an army lieutenant in the company commanded by Mr. Dix, now Secretary of the Treasury.
I learn that Mr. Clayton, First Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, was removed yesterday, but do not learn who his successor is to be.
Reports about the public buildings being strongly guarded are highly exaggerated.
The Navy bill, which passed the House yesterday, appropriates nearly $11,000,000. It is of the usual character; no new principle incorporated. All the navy yards are provided for, but at reduced amounts.