March 13, 1861; The New York Herald
The question as to the evacuation or reinforcement of Fort Sumter has been decided by the Cabinet. The fort is to be evacuated, and peace will this be preserved. The order for the evacuation has not as yet been despatched to Major Anderson, but it will be, we learn, as soon as the fire eating republicans have had time to exhaust their impotent indignation with regard to the surrender. The abandonment of the fort is a military necessity, and the President and Cabinet, in coming to a conclusion on the subject, are said to have been governed by the opinions of the chiefs of the army. Gen. Scott’s opinion is based upon an elaborate report of General Totten, Chief Engineer of the Engineering Bureau, to the effect that a regular series of well constructed fortifications have been erected around Fort Sumter, completely encircling it, so that a very large land force would be required to silence their fire, if vessels with reinforcements were sent into the harbor. At the same time Captain Ward, of the navy, who has made a special examination of the circumstances, reports that it would be impossible to deliver supplies by water without a considerable accompaniment of war vessels, to keep up a combined attack upon the hostile forts while a steamer or tug should be making its way to the garrison. But the execution of either plan would require more time for the preparation of it than now remains before Anderson and his little guard would be completely short of provisions.
Mr. Seward, Secretary of State, on Monday signified to the Commissioners of the Southern republic that the administration were disposed to receive them and hear what they had to say. Yesterday, however, they were informed that the President declined to hold any intercourse with them. The Commissioners will, it is understood, at an early day present a formal official communication to the government, setting forth the objects of their mission.
The United States Senate yesterday resumed the consideration of the resolution providing for the expulsion of Senator Wigfall, and on motion of Mr. Simmons, republican, the subject was referred to the Judiciary Committee. This action is regarded as a final disposal of the matter. The Senate held an executive session, and confirmed a couple of unimportant appointments. All the nominations were referred to the appropriate committees.
In another column will be found a description of the postage stamp now in use in the confederate States of America. As the postal regulations have not yet been settled between the two Powers, the letter was also charged for in this city as being insufficiently stamped.