March 18, 1861; The New York Herald
From Washington we learn that the question of evacuating Fort Sumter still continues to occupy the attention of Mr. Lincoln and his Cabinet. There seems to be no doubt that the administration has determined to withdraw Major Anderson and his troops, but how to do it appears not yet to have been settled. Numerous plans have been submitted to the President and his advisers, but none that appear to be practicable. The report of a collision between the State and federal troops in Florida meet with no credit in Washington. The appointment of Commissioners by the Southern confederacy to visit England and France seems to have startled the administration and it is said that a secret agent will be immediately despatched to inform those governments of the policy intended to be pursed in regard to the seceded States.
From Charleston we learn that everything was quiet, but a change in affairs was hourly anticipated. The appointment of Judge Magath by the Confederate Congress as District Judge for South Carolina, seemed to meet with universal favor. The floating battery is to be removed from its moorings today, but with no intention of attacking Fort Sumter.
It is understood in Washington that the answer of the administration to the communication of the Commissioners from the Confederate States will be communicated to them today. It is said that the general government will decline holding any official intercourse with them.
The Southern Congress on Saturday confirmed the following persons as District Judges for the Confederate States: – A. G. Magrath for South Carolina; H. R. Jackson, Georgia; W. Lanier Harris, Mississippi; Thos. G. Semmes, Louisiana; John Hemphill, Texas, and Jesse J. Finley, Florida. On Saturday night the Congress adjourned to meet in Montgomery on the second Monday in May next.
Yesterday being the anniversary of the birthday of St. Patrick, a solemn high mass was celebrated at St. Patrick cathedral, and an eloquent panegyric pronounced on the Apostle. In the evening Archbishop Hughes lectured at Irving Hall on the subject of Irish devotion to Catholicism to a large and attentive audience. Today the military and civic societies will unite in a grand parade, and in the evening the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick will celebrate their seventy seventh anniversary by a sumptuous dinner at the Astor House.
Archbishop Hughes lectured last evening at Irving Hall upon the subject of Irish devotion to Catholicism. Bishop Lynch, of Charleston, was previously announced to deliver the lecture, but owing to the non-arrival of the steamship James Adger at the appointed hour, he was evidently unable to do so. In order not to disappoint the large audience which had assembled, the Archbishop took this place, and at the conclusion of his remarks made some interesting allusions to the duty of Catholics respecting the present condition of our national affairs. A report will be found in another column.