March 21, 1861; The New York Herald
—WASHINGTON, March 20, 1861.
There is a perpetual fever of excitement and a world of inquiry as to the policy of the administration towards the South. A new rumor captures the city every twenty four hours. It would be well, however, that the public understand that these rumors are started for specific purposes, sometimes to constrain the administration, but more frequently to inspire with madness the population of the border States.
The concentration of all the available naval force along the Southern coast is regarded as very significant. The Southern Commissioners, however, have the positive assurance from the administration that no movement of troops, or reinforcements of forts in the Confederate States, will be permitted for the present. The present status is to remain.
The Commissioners do not believe that the government of the United States will violate that pledge. However they keep their government at Montgomery fully advised, and the commanders of the several forts in the Confederate States are on the alert day and night, watching for the vessels that recently departed from the Northern ports.
The administration is aware of the significance of the action of the border slave states, and of the control which Virginia exerts over them. They have been assured that this veteran State is in the hands of the conservative, Union loving and constitutional right exacting men of her citizens. Nothing, it is said, will be done to embarrass their senatory action. The inflammatory and unauthorized declarations of the Hales and Chandlers do not represent the views of the administration. Mr. Lincoln says if the laws can be executed they shall be; if they cannot, they will not be. They will not be executed to the production of war.
Among the foreign Ministers on the floor of the Senate this morning, were those from the Confederate States. They attracted considerable attention.
Commissioner Forsyth has left for New York, where he will remain a week or ten days. Himself and colleagues are firm in the opinion that the public peace will not be broken. They have assurances from Montgomery that there shall be no collision while they remain in Washington. Their policy is inactivity, awaiting the pleasure of the administration.
Powerful influences have been brought to bear on the President, within the past few days, in favor of a pacific solution of the question.
Washington, March 20, 1861.
Much curiosity is manifested respecting the action of the administration relative to affairs in the South, and various rumors prevail in this connection. But information derived from authentic sources warrant the assertion that whatever movements may be in progress they involve nothing whatever of a hostile design. On the contrary, they are in the direction of peace. It is generally agreed , however, that the military status of the Gulf forts now held by the federal government will be preserved.
The Commissioners from the Confederate States will wait leisurely for the action of the government. Great efforts are being made by distinguished gentlemen to effect a peaceful solution of the Southern complications.
The government at Montgomery have no apprehensions of a collision at Fort Pickens. It is said that the accounts published are gross exaggerations of the true condition of affairs in that quarter. The Commissioners have information that the best of feeling exists between the federal authorities and the officers in command of the Confederate troops, and that no danger of a collision is entertained.