March 12, 1861; The New York Herald
To The Editor Of The Herald.
On Saturday last the newspaper correspondents and telegraph operation at Washington gave out the story that Fort Sumter was speedily to be evacuated. This piece of startling intelligence, disseminated far and wide by the winged telegraph, created universal astonishment. Coming, as the announcement did, from headquarters, and openly declared as the result of Cabinet councils, it was at once supposed that this course had been determined upon by the present administration as the readiest and surest, if not the only method of preventing civil war and paving the way to a reconstruction of the Union. To those believing the story it was accepted as glad tidings of great joy.
In New York its effect has been particularly noticeable. The countenances of our merchants have brightened in anticipation of a speedy influx of the former Southern patrons. Bank exchanges and current funds have experienced marked buoyancy. In Wall street, at the stock board, there has been a furor of activity–the sales, in magnitude and prices, exceeding those of any period for several months’ past. The knowledge of these facts has not by any means been confined to our moneyed marts or the counting rooms of our leading bankers, but has gained rapidly throughout the length and breadth of the metropolis by being conspicuously emblazoned upon newspaper bulletins, heralded through the streets by the newsboys, and canvassed in the cars, omnibuses and ferryboats that constantly ply on and around the island.
There is every ground for thinking that the allegations as to the intended evacuation of Fort Sumter are utterly without foundation. On the contrary, there is every reason to suppose that this story has been concocted and published with a view to put the people of South Carolina off the scent regarding this fort. Holding the position that this fort does, as key to the Charleston harbor, it is improbable in the first place that the government, just inaugurated upon a coercion basis, would relinquish it to the Southern confederacy, much less to the South Carolinians, its most open and determined enemies. Again, it is not likely that Mr. Lincoln, after his positive declarations in his inaugural relative to the holding, occupying and possessing of Southern forts, would so soon abandon this proclaimed policy–an abandonment at once yielding up the fundamental principles of the party by which he was elected to his present high position. This evacuation story, it is further believed, was originated before Mr. Buchanan left the White House, and that at the bottom of its concoction were General Scott, ex- Secretary Dix, and Mr. Holt. Having matured the plan and taken the initiatory steps for carrying it to completion, the same has been made now to President Lincoln, who has at once accepted it and is now preparing to carry out the original programme in its fullest details. Parties in the secret have, as a matter of course, turned the same to their pecuniary account. Knowing that stocks would rise they have turned themselves into immense bears, while the ignorant bulls are buying largely. In a few days the scales will fall from the eyes of the latter, and the revelations of Wall street speculations will be a startling as was the first announcement of the embezzlement and sale of the stolen Washington bonds.
We now proceed to give the reason for inducing the belief that the evacuation story is a base fabrication, got up, as above stated, for the purpose of putting South Carolina off her guard and aiding Wall street stock jobbers. Instead of withdrawing the troops from the fort it is proposed to send additional men and stores there. The great subject of prolonged conference has been how to accomplish the same. The first step in this direction is now believed to have been the sending of the steamship Daniel Webster to Texas. As far back as then the perfidy of General Twiggs was known, and it was the intention to secure some of the men under his command for further service to the United States government.
According to the announced programme this steamer should have returned to this port some time ago, whereas she is now leisurely cruising in Southern waters, awaiting additional orders to these imparted during her call at Key West. So much for the Daniel Webster and her present whereabouts.
On Saturday, as already remarked, the Empire City left her pier at the foot of Warren street. She went away well loaded with provisions and coal, and under government orders. Five days ago she cleared for Indianola, Texas, but left later, and under cover of a storm put to sea apparently; in reality, however, she has gone outside only a little way, and now lies at anchor, doubtless awaiting to be joined by the Star of the West. The latter steamship has been chartered by the government for two months, and is now being loaded as rapidly as possible with army stores. All day Sunday they were receiving cargo on board, and also during Sunday night, as well as last night. Among the articles shipped is a large number of ambulances, temporary hospital arrangements, for the benefit of those wounded in battle.
The United States revenue cutter Harriet Lane and the gunboat Vixen are both ready for sea and active service. The Crusader and the Mohawk are being rapidly put in readiness at the Brooklyn Navy Yard to proceed at once to sea.
In three or four days it is supposed that the vessels named will all start down the bay together. Meantime orders are alleged to have been given to all national vessels in Southern ports to be on hand at a certain date of the harbor of Charleston. These ships are to rendezvous, comprising altogether probably a fleet of some dozen vessels. It is also understood that each of the convoy is to have on board a large number of small boats. By means of these small boats it is said that Fort Sumter will be reinforced. The attempt at reinforcement is to be made on a dark and stormy night, when the chances of discovery are few and the danger of the experiment proportionately lessened. A smart pull of two hours will bring the new forces to the United States fortress. In the interim, should they be intercepted by the guard boats of Moultrie, they can, by superior strength, easily overpower them. On a stormy night the batteries, of course, would not be brought into play with any great advantage.
The question of reinforcing Major Anderson is this solved, and the facts stated, clearly indicate that this plan is being steadily worked out. Its shrewdness no one can gainsay, and the feasibility of placing any number of men and any quantity of provisions and arms at the disposal of the commander of the besieged fort is easily apparent.
QUI VIVE.