sels, capture prizes, and co-operate with the army on 
land. The most serious objection to the acceptance 
of thiB important body of men is the want of suitable 
steam gun boats and Naval officers to command 
them. Authorized parties here have tendered these 
men to the Secretary of the Treasury as a coast guard, 
but he doubts his authority to accept them without 
an act of Congress. 
Judge Amy, bearer of dispatches, had an interview 
with the President and Secretary of War on the 24th, 
and tendered to them three regiments from Kansas, to 
co-operate with the Iowa regiment encamped at Keo¬ 
kuk, and the Illinois regiment encamped at Quincy, 
to protect the Union men of Northwest Missouri, and 
to secure a safe transit of stores and provisions over 
the Hannibal and fit. Joseph railroad to the West. 
Orders have been issued by the War Department to 
Capt, Reno, of Port Leavenworth, to supply the Kan¬ 
sas regiments with arms and military equipments, 
and also horse equipments for a regiment of cavalry. 
The arrangement will furnish over ten thousand men, 
who will remain in camp in their respective States, 
ready to take possession of the Hamilton and St. 
Joseph Railroad. 
Mr. Amy reports good rains in Kansas, and says 
that the crops of that State now look prosperous. 
The State Militia are being organized into eleven 
regiments, and the State authorities have determined 
to equip them as well as possible for home defence, 
having decided to discountenance any invasion of the 
State of Missouri, unless Missouri shall secede or 
invade Kansas, or the safe transit across the State 
be interrupted. With these arrangements and the 
prompt and decisive steps adopted by Gen. Harney 
and the co-operation of Gen. Price, the government 
expects peace to be maintained, both in Missouri and 
Kansas. Judge Arny reports a great want of suitable 
clothing for the military in Kansas, and has applied 
to Government for a supply, which will be granted. 
A battery of the celebrated Whitworth guns, twelve 
pounders, with ammunition and cartridges complete, 
has just arrived in Washington, rb a present to the 
Government from patriotic Americans abroad. Each 
one of the guns bears the following inscription: 
“From loyal American citizens in Europe, 1861.’’ 
The Government is in possession of intelligence of 
the most startling character from Baltimore. Its 
advices are of such a nature as to leave no doubt that 
the pretended Union sentiment of that city, so far as 
certain prominent men are concerned, is false and 
hypocritical, and that the presence of United States 
troops has alone kept in check the enemies of the 
Government. The Administration in fact has posi¬ 
tive information of new conspiracies against the 
Federal authority, in which many of the leading citi¬ 
zens of Baltimore are involved. Men who, in the 
presence of the United States troops have loudly 
professed their devotion to the Union, are now 
known to be secretly in favor of secession, and 
actually plotting to turn the State of Maryland over 
to the rebel government of Jeff. Davis. The Admin¬ 
istration has the names of the leaders in these con¬ 
spiracies, aud accurate information regarding their 
plans, but these, of course, it prudently withholds 
from the public. 
Postmaster General Blair prepared an order on the 
25th, discontinuing the transmission of U. R. mails 
in Virginia and other seceded States, and annnling 
all contracts for the same. Tennessee is excepted 
from the order, for the reason that that State has not 
yet formally seceded. This course of the Postmaster 
Genera! is under the act in relation to the subject 
passed at the last session of Congress. Contractors 
will be immediately nolified of the decision. The 
mails of the South, from Washington, were stopped 
at the crossing by Federal troops, and returned to 
the Post-Office here. 
George W. Donn, a well known resident of Wash¬ 
ington, reached here lately from the Southern Con¬ 
federacy, after traveling 1,000 miles by a circuitous 
route. He is last frc-iu Tennessee via. Cairo. Tie 
reports that supplies are now entirely cut off from 
Western Tennessee, and great fears of starvation pre¬ 
vail. At Memphis there were about 3,000 troops, fut- 
nished with altered flint muskets from Baton Rouge 
Arsenal. There are two batteries on the Mississippi 
between Memphis and Cairo, one six miles from the 
former place, and the other sixty. Many of the 
troops are Northern men, who have been impressed 
into the service. One-half of the soldiers in Mem¬ 
phis refuse to leave the city, and the Governor had 
issued a proclamation ordering all companies to dis¬ 
band who did not enter the service of the Southern 
Confederacy, Ammunition was very Scarce, and no 
unnecessary firing was permitted. Two companies 
in Memphis are composed of chain-gang convicts. 
ties joined in the demonstration. San Francisco is 
unanimous for the Union and the Administration. 
The Douglas State Committee have called a State 
Convention for July 4th. Their resolutions adopt 
the Union and the Laws for their platform. 
The general belief is that matters at the East have 
reached such a pass that a terrible civil war is inevit¬ 
able, and ought not to be shrunk from. The enthu¬ 
siasm of the masses throughout the State for the 
Union and the formation of Union clnbs, are a com¬ 
plete check on the utterance of secession sentiments. 
Tn the assembly yesterday, petitions from citizens of 
Eldorado were presented, praying for the passage of 
an act offering the President the credit of the State 
for any sum the Legislature may see fit, for the sup¬ 
port of the government. 
The people of Portland, Oregon, are in a blaze of 
patriotic excitement. Papers publish a call for a 
mass meeting to be held the 4th of May, of all citi¬ 
zens desirous of sustaining the National Government, 
and that the National flag shall not trail in the dust. 
Three companies of the United States A rtillery— 200 
men and 75 horses, under Capts. Ord and Hardie, ar¬ 
rived at Sarpooneer from Oregon. 
ed gun, which he aimed at Brownell; the latter 
struck up the gun with biB musket, when Jackson 
polled both triggers, the contents lodging in the 
body of Col. Ellsworth. Brownell, with the quick¬ 
ness of lightning, leveled bis musket and fired; the 
ball struck Jackson on the bridge of the noBe, and 
crushed through theBkull, klllinghim instantly. As 
he fell, Brownell throat him through with a bayonet. 
Col. Ellsworth's companions held guard some ten 
minutes, until reinforced by company A. The com¬ 
pany made a litter of muskets, placed the body on it, 
and returned to the boat, leaving a detachment to 
guard the hotel, and make prisoners of all its occu¬ 
pants. 
The New York G7tb Regiment is throwing up 
breastworks at Arlington Heights. Sherman’s battery 
and the District of Columbia militia command the 
Maryland shore above Georgetown, and will meet any 
attack of forces moving from Harper’s Ferry. Tbc 
09tb Regiment captured 300 of the rebel force on the 
Orange and Alexandria Railroad, neur Alexandria. 
Three fugitives, the property of Col. Mallory, com¬ 
mander of the rebel forceB near Hampton, were 
brought in by our picket guard on the 25th. They 
represent that they were about to be sent south, aud 
therefore sought protection. Major Cary came in 
with a flag of truce, and claimed their rendition 
under the Fugitive Slave Law, but was informed by 
Gen. Butler, that under the circumstances he con¬ 
sidered the fugitives contraband of war, and had set 
them to work inside the fortress. Col. Mallory was 
politely informed that as soon as he should visit the 
Fortress and take a solemn oath to obey the laws of 
the United States, Iiis property would be promptly 
restored. Another party came iu this morning with 
a (lag of truce, hut with no better success. On their 
return it Is supposed that they set lire to Hampton 
Bridge, an immense volume of smoke being now 
visible in that direction. 
Copies of the following proclamation, by Major 
General .Sanford, of the New York Btate Militia, in 
the United States service, have been extensively cir¬ 
culated in Fairfax county: 
nKAIKJIMKTKKH, DEPARTMENT OF FAIRFAX, / 
Va., Arlington Ilounc, May 25, 1861. j 
Fairfax county being occupied by the troops tinder 
my command, I deem itproperto reppat the publica¬ 
tion of the assurances I have personally given to the 
good citizens about me, that all Sts in habitants may 
return to, or may remain in their houses and their 
usual pacific occupations, in peace and confidence, 
and with assurance of protection to their persons and 
property, us the United States forces in Virginia 
will be employed for no other purpose than suppress¬ 
ing unlawful combinations against the constituted 
authorities of the Union, and of causing the laws 
thereof to be duly executed and reppected. 
By #rder of Major General, Chas. VV. Sanford. 
Geo. W. Morrill, Division Inspector. 
T am unable to answer yonr question in respect to 
the policy of Mr. Lincoln and his Cabinet. I am 
not in their confidence, as you and the whole country 
onirht to be aware. I am neither the supporter of the 
partisan policy nor the apologist for the errors of the 
Administration. My previous relations tn them 
remain unchanged: but I trust the time will never 
come when T shall not be willing to make any sacri¬ 
fice of personal feeling and party policy for the honor 
and integrity of my country. 
I know of no mode bv which a loyal citizen may so 
well demonstrate his devotion to bis country as by 
sustaining the Flag, the Constitution, and the Union, 
under all circumstances, and nnder every administra- 
tion, (regardless of party politics,) against all assail¬ 
ants, at home and abroad. The course of Clay aud 
Webster towards the administration of Gen. Jackson, 
in the davB of nullification, presents a noble and 
worthy example for all true patriots. 
At ihe very moment when that fearful crisis was 
precipitated upon the country, partissn strife between 
Whigs and Democrats was quite as bitter and relent¬ 
less as now between Democrats and Republicans. 
The gulf which separated party leaders In those days 
was quite aa broad and deep as that which now sepa 
rates the Democracy from the Republicans. But the 
moment an enemy rose in our midst, plotting the 
dismemberment of the Union, and the destruction of 
the government, the voice of partisan strife was 
hushed in patriotic, silence. One ot the brightest 
chapters in the history of our country will record the 
fact that, during this eventful period, the great lead¬ 
ers of the opposition, sinking the partisan in the 
patriot, rushed to the support of the government, 
and became its ablest and bravest defenders againRt 
all assailants, until the conspiracy was crushed and 
abandoned, when they resumed their former positions 
as party leaders upon political issues. 
These acts of patriotic devotion have never been 
deemed evidences of infidelity or political treachery 
on the part of Clay and Webster, to the principles 
and organization of the old Whig party. Nor have I 
any apprehension that the firm and unanimous sup¬ 
port which the Democratic leaders and masses are 
now giving to the Constitution and the Union, will 
ever be deemed evidences of infidelity to Democratic 
principles, or a want of loyalty to the organization 
and creed of the Democratic party. If we hope to 
regain and perpetuate the ascendency of our party, 
we should never forget that a man cannot be a true 
Democrat unless he is a loyal patriot. 
With the sincere hope that these, my conscientious 
convictions, may coincide with those of my friends, 
T am, very truly yours, 
Stephen A. Douglas. 
To Virgil BiOkok, Esq., 
Chairman State Dem. Com. 
The Columbus Sun, of May 17, has this informa¬ 
tion:— “We are in receipt of a private letter from a 
friend in service before Fort Pickens. There are 
fifteen batteries erected, or in course of erection, and 
the aoldiers were engaged in mounting mortars. Maj. 
Ben McCulloch,of TexaB, is there, and will remain until 
after the fight. The writer.says weneed not bo surprised 
to hear that the firing had commenced at any lime 
after five days from the date of his writing, which 
was on the 10th Inst.” 
The following iB an extract from the Montgomery 
correspondence of the Charleston Courier, under 
date of May 11:—“I understood from a gentleman 
just arrived from Pensacola, that General Bragg 
expressed himself ready to commence an attack on 
Pickens yesterday. He has computed that in cap¬ 
turing the fortress 3,0«0 lives will be lost on our side. 
He says the place cannot be taken at a lesser sacrifice. 
From the great preparation in the Medical Bureau, I 
am inclined to think a speedy attack is premeditated. 
Surgeons seem to be in demand, and instruments and 
medicines more so. Each day several of the disci¬ 
ples of Galen are diapatchcd with their saws and 
tourniquets to the scene, and nearly all of them on 
leaving have been assured that they will soon have 
‘Homebody’ that ‘is hurt’ to attend to.” 
Affairs at Washington. 
It appears that more than a month ago, our gov¬ 
ernment gave notice to the powers in Europe that 
took part in the Congress at Paris in 1856, that they 
an* willing to accept the code they adopted at that 
time, which declared privateering to be piracy. The 
government has received the amplest assurance from 
Austria that she will have nothing to do with the 
rebels whatever, whilst Prussia has not hesitated to 
manifest in plain terms her unequivocal sympathy 
with our country. 
The Secretary of State has given notice to Mexico 
and other States, that the Monroe doctrine will be 
carried out with All the energy and force of the gov¬ 
ernment, and that nothing in the shape of foreign 
intervention will be tolerated or submitted to for a 
single hour. Mexico has been assured, in the most 
pointed language, that she-can depend on the active 
and determined snpport of this coantry, should any 
European power attempt to violate her soil. A warn¬ 
ing has been given to Spain that if she ventures to 
accept the artful proffer of Dominica, she will do so 
at her peril. 
The N. Y. Commercial Advertiser says, we learn 
from an authentic source from Washington, that the 
business for the extra session of Congress, to be con¬ 
vened on the 4th of July, will be so completely 
arranged and presented to them that a very short 
session will be required for its dispatch. According 
to present appearances almost perfect unanimity will 
prevail. Measures have been taken, with such a happy 
combination of vigor and wisdom, by the President 
and the Administration generally, that will receive 
prompt and cordial approval from the representatives 
of the people. An impetus will be given to the loyal 
sentiment which is so general, and every thing done 
that can be done to bring the conflict to a speedy and 
successful termination. 
The same paper says information just obtained 
from a very competent source, leads us to a firm 
belief that Great Britain and France will concur 
with our Government in the steps that are now being 
token to reassert its authority, and wo can almost 
say that the French and English Ministers at Wash 
iugton, and in fact the whole Diplomatic Representa¬ 
tives there have expressed their hearty approval and 
accord with tha action of the Government. Between 
all Foreign Ministers and the Administration there 
exists a very full and cordial understanding, and with 
none more so than with Lord Lyons. It will be 
found that Lord Lyons will support the views ex¬ 
pressed in the instructions to Mr. Adams, the Ameri¬ 
can Minister at the Court of St. James. 
The Secretary of War has sent the Governors of 
the different States a circular, as follow-s: 
War Department, ) 
Washington, May 22, 1801. \ 
Dear Sir: —By a reference to general orders No. 
16 of the War Department, a Copy of which 1 
herewith forward yon, is given the plan of organi¬ 
zation of the Volunteer forces called into the service 
of the United States by the President. You will 
here perceive that all regimental officers of those 
Volunteers, from Colonels down to Second Lieuten¬ 
ants, inclusive, are appointed by the Governors of 
the States. 
Thus is confided to you the appointment of all 
these officers for the regiment furnished by your 
State. You will, 1 trust, excuse this Department for 
impressing upon you, in advance, the necessity of 
absolute adherence in yonr appointments to the fol¬ 
lowing suggestions, which are deemed of the highest 
importance by the General-in-Chief, under whose 
advice they are submitted to you:—First, to commis¬ 
sion n<> one of doubtful morals and patriotism, and 
not of sound health. Seeoud, To appoiut no one to 
a Lieutenancy, second or first, who is under the age 
of twenty-two years, or to a Captaincy under thirty 
years; and to appoint no field officers, Major, Lieut. 
Colonel, or Colonel, unless a graduate of the V. 8. 
Military Academy, or who is known to possess mili¬ 
tary knowledge and experience, or who is under the 
respective ages of 35. 40, and 45 years. 
This department feels assured that it will not be 
deemed offensive to yonr Excellency to add this gen¬ 
eral counsel, that the higher the moral character and 
general intelligence of the officers so appointed, the 
greater the efficiency of the troops and the resulting 
glory to their respective States. 
1 am sir, respectfully, 
Simon Cameron, Sec’y of War. 
The following important letter was written by the 
Secretary of State: 
Department of State. > 
Washington, May 10, 1801. ) 
Sir: — I have received your letter of yesterday’s 
date, asking me to give in writing my reasons for 
considering an acceptance on your part of Gov. 
Letcher's proposition to purchase the steamships 
Yorktowu and Jamestown, recently seized by his 
orders and now in his possession, an act of treason. 
With this request 1 readily comply. 
An insurrection has broken out in several States of 
this Union, including Virginia, designed to over¬ 
throw the Government of the United States; the 
Executive authorities of tbo State aru parties to that 
insurrection, and so are public enemies. 
Their action In seizing or buying vessels to be 
employed in executing that design, is not merely 
without authority of law, but is treason. It is trea¬ 
son for any person to give aid or comfort to public 
enemies; to sell vessels to them, which it is their 
purpose to use as ships of war, is to give them aid 
and comfort. 
To receive money from them in payment of vessels 
which they have seized for their purposes, would be 
to convert the unlawful seizure into a sale, and would 
subject the party offending to the pains and penalties 
of treason, and’the government would undertake to 
bring the offender to punishment. 
I am, Sir, your obedient servant, 
Wm. H. Seward. 
To G. Henniken, Esq., Agent New York and Vir¬ 
ginia Steamship Company, Washington. 
The coast brigade, consisting of 1,000 of the best 
citizens of Staten Island, Jersey shore, embracing 
pilots, oyster, shad, and other fishermen, have not 
yet been accepted, notwithstanding they offer them¬ 
selves to be disposed of under the rules aud regula¬ 
tions of the Navy, and to serve as artillerymen, to be 
commanded by a Naval officer. The plan suggested 
by Commodore Paulding was to procure ten gun 
boats, and put one hundred of these men on board 
each boat and employ them to blockade, cut out ves¬ 
Dcpartmenta of the United .Suites Army. 
As a matter of considerable importance to mili¬ 
tary men and the public generally, we append a 
statement of the geographical arrangement of the 
Army Department of the United States, corrected up 
to this date. They are as follows: 
Department of the East. — This Department baH 
been subdivided.into three others, aa follows: 
Department of Washington. — The District of 
Columbia, according to its original boundary, Fort 
Washington and the country adjacent, and the State 
of Maryland, including Bladensburg and Baltimore. 
Head-quarters at the National Capitol. 
Department of the South. — Eastern Virginia, 
North Carolina, and Tennessee. Head-quarters, Fort 
Monroe, Va. 
Department of Annapolis. — The country for 
twenty miles on each side of the railroad from An- 
napqjis to the city of Washington, as fat as Bladens- 
burg, Md. Head quarters at AnnapoliB. 
Department ok Pennsylvania.— The State of 
Pennsylvania, the State of Delaware, all of Maryland 
not embraced in the foregoing Departments. Head¬ 
quarters at Philadelphia. 
Department of toe West. The country west 
of the Mississippi Rlvar and east of the Rocky Moun¬ 
tains, except those portions of it included within the 
limits of New Mexico. Head quarters at St. Louis, 
Missouri. 
Department of Texas. — The Government not 
having issued any new orders relative to this Depart¬ 
ment, and posts baviug been evacuated, it may he 
said to remain in statu quo. 
Department of New Mexico. — The Territory of 
New Mexico. I lead-quarters at Santo Fe. 
Department of the Pacific. —The country west 
of the Rocky Mountains. Head quarters at San 
Francisco. 
Department of Utah. —The Territory of Utah, 
except the portion of it lying west of the 117th 
degree of west longitude. Head-quarters at Camp 
Floyd. _ 
The War Begun—Advance on Virginia. 
The telegraph, on tho 21th ult., gave hints of 
stirring and important military movements in aud 
about Washington. At 11 o’clock on the night of the 
24tli the Washington City National Rifles, Captain 
Smead, passed over the Long Bridge, which is about 
a mile in length, and unites Washington with the 
Virginia shore, and remained at the latter terminus 
until between one and two o’clock this morning, 
acting as an advance guard. These were followed 
by other District Volunteer Companies, acting in a 
similar capacity. Subsequently the New York 2d and 
12th Regiments, and the Michigan and New Jersey 
Brigades crossed the Bridge, the Virginia pickets 
having been previously driven in by the advanced 
guard. One of the regiments took the road leading 
to Fairfax Court House, about twenty miles from 
Washington, while another one, the Jersey, stopped 
at the Forks, a mile from the Long Bridge, to await 
orders. 
An advance into Virginia was also made from 
another point, namely, at the mouth of the Potomac 
Aqueduct at Georgetown. Tho 7tli and 71st New 
York Regiments were among the troops, and after 
several hours’ march, they occupied a point between 
the Bridge and Columbia Spring, on the line of the 
Washington and Alexandria Railroad. 
Orders were issued on the 25th for two regiments 
(the 14th and (Sffth N. Y.,) to proceed to and occupy 
Alexandria, and Col. Ellsworth's Zouaves crossed 
over in boats, to seize Arlington Heights, which 
plainly overlook Washington. It was at least two 
o’clock in the morning before all the troops reached 
their destination. The troops which did not repair 
to Alexandria and Arlington Heights, were requested 
to guard important Intermediate points between 
Washington and Alexandria. The District of Colum¬ 
bia militia did not return to Washington till half past 
six in the morning. From 6,000 to 10,000 troops 
were sent over into Virginia. Firing was hoard oc¬ 
casionally by the brigade in the Virginia pickets. 
All these orders were promptly and faithfully exe¬ 
cuted. The entrance into Alexandria was attended 
by an event which has east the deepest gloom over 
the country. Col. Ellsworth, who hauled down the 
secession flag from the Marshall House, was shot. 
The particulars are as follows: 
As steamers bearing Zouaves approached, the rebel 
sentinels fired in the air, and retreated to the main 
body, said to be about 500 strong; simultaneously 
with the landing of the ZouaVes, the first Michigan 
regiment entered Alexandria, by the road leading 
from Long Bridge, aud proceeded direct to the 
Railroad Depot, of which they took possession, 
capturing a troop of rebel cavalry, their horses aad 
equipments. The Zouaves landed in good order, 
each company forming in the street, facing the men. 
Col. Ellsworth was first to disembark, and his men 
were detailed to destroy the railroad track, which 
they promptly performed. Colonel Ellsworth then 
directed his Adjutant to form the regiment, and with 
the aid of Lieut. Wianor started to cut the telegraph 
wires, and proceeded three blocks, when the atten¬ 
tion of Col. Ellsworth was attracted by a large seces¬ 
sion flag flying from the Marshall House. Col. Ells¬ 
worth entered the hotel, and motioning to u man in 
the hall, asked “who put that flag up?” “1 don’t 
know. 1 am a boarder here.” Col. Ellsworth, Lieut 
Wise, the Chaplain of the Regiment Mr. Hosraer, a 
volunteer, and four privates, went up to the roof, 
when Col. Ellsworth cut down the flag. The party 
were returning down stairs, preceded by private 
Brownell. As they left the attic, the man who said 
he was a boarder, but who proved to be the landlord, 
Jackson, was met in the hall, having a double barrel¬ 
FOREIGN NEWS 
Great Britain. —A proclamation has been issued 
bv the British Government relative to affairs in the 
United States, warning British subjects against en¬ 
caging in the American war, and all doing so will 
be held responsible for their own acts. The procla¬ 
mation declares the intention of that Government in 
maintainir the strictest Impartiality between England 
and the United States and the certain States styling 
themselves the Confederate States of America. It, 
wains all British subjects, if thov enter the military 
service of either side, or join ships of war or trans¬ 
ports, or attempt to get recruits or fit out vessels far 
war purposes or transports, or endeavor to break any 
blocKtide law, fully or actually established, nr carry 
soldier’s dispatches, or any material contraband ot 
war for either party, they will be liable to all the 
penalties and consequences, and will do so at their 
peril, and in no wise obtain protection of their Gov¬ 
ernment. 
The screw frigate Mercy, forty guns, has sailed for 
American Stations. 
In the British Parliament, Lord \Va»’e has said that 
the Government of Spain, at the request of the in 
habitants, have accepted the annexation of the island 
of St, Domingo to her possessions, and that African 
slavery will not be re-established on this island. The 
cotton growing company of Jamaica has determined 
to plant several thousand acres forthwith, so that the 
crop may he delivered in Manchester before the end 
of the yew. 
Tempting offers for the purchase of the steamship 
Great Eastern arc believed to have been made for 
either the French or American government. A 
special meeting of the share holders bad been called 
to raise funds or to fell that vessel. 
In the House of Commons, Mr. Ewark had asked 
whether, seeing that privateering was being permit¬ 
ted and encouraged by the Southern Confederation, 
the Americnn Government had placed a sufficient 
naval force in the Gulf of Mexico, for the protection 
or British property in American ships, and if priva¬ 
teers sailing under the flag of an unrecognized power 
would be dealt with as pirates. 
Lord John Knsscl said that Her Majesty’s Govern 
menthad directed that a naval force for tire protec- 
tian of British shipping be sent to the coast of 
America. The Government had received from day 
to day most commendable accounts of the progress 
ofthewarin the States of America. The Govern¬ 
ment heard the other day that the States of the South¬ 
ern Confederation had issued letters of marque, and 
it was intended by the United States Government 
that there should be a blockade of all the Southern 
coasts. There were some points of law in the case, 
and they had been referred to the lawyers of Un¬ 
crown for their opinion, in order to guide the Gov¬ 
ernment in its instructions to tho Ministerain America 
and the commander of the Naval Squadron. The 
Government has felt that it. wus its duly to use evrry 
possible means to avoid taking part in this lamentable 
contest. Nothing but the imperative duty of protect 
ing British interests in case they are attacked, justi¬ 
fies the Government in interfering at all. We have 
not been involved in any way iu that contest, or by 
any act, or by giving advice in the matter, and f*r 
God’s sake let hs, if possible, keep out of it. 
France. — Constantinople letters assert that tie 
Porte has authorized England to occupy St. Jeln 
O’Arc, under different circumstances. Also, that 
Sir Bulwer had undertaken to provide funds for settl¬ 
ing Turkish troops to Syria. 
Fresh instructions regarding Syria have been s»nt 
| to the Embassador at Constantinople. 
It was rumored that it was M. Thiers who wrote the 
I recent pamphlet published by the Due d’ Auraale 
A commercial treaty between France and Bel^um 
had been signed. 
The Archbishop of Tours, in a letter to the Minister 
of Justice, says that the temporal power of the fope 
is abolished, and that the Catholic world will hold 
Louis Napoleon responsible for it. 
The French Government are about to send a spiall 
squadron into the American waters for the protection 
of French interests. 
The Commissioners from the so-called C. S. A. had 
ud interview with M. Thouvenel, the French Minister 
of Foreign Affairs, on the 12th of May. 
The Chamber of Commerce have called the atten¬ 
tion of the French Government to the necessity of 
taking measures for the protection of French vessels 
in American waters. The Minister of Commerce, in 
concert with the Minister of Marine, promised to 
have a conference with the Emperor on the subject 
Correspondence bad said that all the towns 
Seizure of Telegraphic Dispatches. 
A few days since, Mr. Murray, the United States 
Marshal, took possession of all the telegraph die 
patches stored in the various offices between New 
Y'ork and Washington. The number seized in New 
York city was 255,500. 
There were 365 packages of 700 each. The dis¬ 
patches have not been removed from the telegraph 
office, bnt the room in which they are stored is 
under charge of two Deputy Marshals, who have 
possession of the keys. 
When the Marshal made the seizure, he went 
accompanied by Mr. Kennedy, Superintendent of 
Police, armed with the necessary papers, and with a 
sufficient force to execute his orders. He called Mr. 
8andford, the President of the American Telegraph 
Company, aside, and informed him of the nature of 
his errand. Mr. Sandford, of course, could only sub¬ 
mit to the seizure; but he said the company were 
responsible for the dispatches, and he wished the 
Marshal to give him a paper, showing that the seizure 
was made by order of the United States Government, 
and that the Government assumed the responsibilities 
of the company. The Marshal replied that it was 
but just that such a paper should be giveD, but that 
it should be drawn up with care, and would require 
considerable time. He assured him that it should be 
done as soon as possible, and said that meantime he 
would take possession of the dispatches, which he 
accordingly did. The desired paper was subse¬ 
quently made out and presented to Mr. Sandford. 
The orders for the seizure were received from 
Washington several days ago, which shows that gov 
eminent secrets do not suffer in the hands of the 
Marsha). The work of examining the dispatches is 
going on, but the number is so large that, it will, of 
course, require a great deal of time to look over them. 
It is believed that a great deal of valuable informa¬ 
tion has already been obtained, and that much more 
is to come. It is intimated that many parties who 
have been in the habit of sending information to the 
rebel government have become very uneasy since 
this seizure, and that some have actually left for 
parts unknown. 
Seuntor Dougins on the War. 
In reply to many inquiries, Senator Douglas 
sends forth the following noble, manly, and patriotic 
letter: 
CWOAGO, May 10, 1S61 
My Dear Sir:— Being deprived of the nse of my 
arms for the present by a severe attack of rheuma¬ 
tism, I am compelled to avail myself of the services 
of an amanuensis in reply to yonr two letters. 
It seems that some of my friendB are unable to 
comprehend the difference between arguments in 
favor of an equitable compromise, with the hope of 
averting the horrors of war, and those urged in sup¬ 
port of the government and flag of our country, 
when a war is being waged against the United States 
with the avowed purpose of producing a permanent 
disruption of the Union and a total destruction of its 
government. 
All hope of compromise with the Cotton States 
was abandoned when they assumed the position that 
the separation of the Union was complete and final, 
and that they would never consent to a re-construc¬ 
tion in any contingency —not even if we would 
furnish them a blank sheet of paper and permit them 
to inscribe their own terms. 
Still the hope was cherished that reasonable and 
satisfactory terms of adjustment could be agreed 
upon with Tennessee, North Carolina, and the Border 
States, and that whatever terms would prove satisfac¬ 
tory to these loyal 8fates would create u Union party 
in the Cotton States which would be powerful enough 
at the ballot-box to destroy the revolutionary govern¬ 
ment, and bring those States back into the Union by 
the voice of their own people. This hope was cher¬ 
ished by Union men North and South, and was never 
abandoned until actual war was levied at Charleston, 
and the authoritative announcement made by the 
revolutionary government at Montgomery, that the 
secession flan should be planted upon the walls of the 
Capitol at Washington, and a proclamation issued 
inviting the pirates of the world to prey upon the 
commerce of the United States. 
These startling facts, token in connection with the 
boastful announcement that the ravages of war and 
carnage should be quickly transferred from the cot¬ 
ton fields of the South to the wheat fields and corn¬ 
fields of the North, furnish conclusive evidence that 
it was the fixed purpose of the Secessionists utterly 
to destroy the government of oor fathers, and obliter¬ 
ate the United -States from the map of the world. 
In view of this state of facts, there was but one path 
of duty left to patriotic men. It was not a party 
question, nor a question involving partisan policy; it 
was a question of government or no government, 
country or no country; and hence it became the 
imperative duty of every Union man, every friend of 
constitutional liberty, to rally to the support of our 
common country, its government and flag, and the 
only means of checking the progress of the revolu¬ 
tion, and of preserving the Union of the States. 
The Vote in Virginia. 
We gather all the intelligence obtainable relative 
to the vote in Virginia on the 23d ult. 
A dispatch to the N. Y. Tribune says:—A respect¬ 
able citizen from Fairfax county informs me that in 
his district 7!l votes were cast for the Union, and 31 
for secession; and that in Alexandria, where the 
usual vote is 1,900, there were only 800 votes for se¬ 
cession aud fit) for the Union, in spite of the Virginia 
ordinance. My inforrount, with some nine others, 
openly voted for Chas. H. Upton as representative to 
the Federal Congress. This excited the wrath of a 
certain Captain Throckmorton, who was present with 
20 armed ruffians for the purpose of controlling the 
election, and who left for Alexandria, vowing to re¬ 
turn to-day and hang them all. My informant waited 
in vain for him until 10 o’clock this morning. 
The aggregate vote in Uniontown, Clarksburg, 
Clayville, Grafton, Sardis, Roseburg, Portland, Pied¬ 
mont and New Creek, Va., was 1,738 against ratify¬ 
ing the ordinance, and 66 for it. 
Twenty counties in Western Virginia have been 
heard from. They give large majorities against 
secession. 
Occoquam gave 60 votes against secession, but the 
rebel troops marched into town the next day and 
drove away the Union men. 
Spain, 
in San Domingo had issued a prouunciaruento in 
favor of the annexation to Spain. 
Italy, —Garibaldi had returned to Caprera. 
Large bodies of Italians had embarked at Genoa for 
Southern Italy, and 3,000 had reached Naples. 
Victor Emanuel was about to visit Naples. 
The Ex-King of Naples had left Rome for Villa 
Albano. 
The official journals of Rome deny that the Sardin¬ 
ians bad made conciliatory proposals to Rome. 
Austria. —The Upper House had voted an address 
in response to the speech from the throne. 
A large vote is to be asked to increase the Austrian 
Navy, aud the Ministry of Marine is to be created. 
Poland. — Tbe city authorities of Warsaw had 
tendered their resignations. 
It was reported that Gen. Pantam, the Military 
Governor, and the Gen. Lebasepoy, had been dis¬ 
missed, aod that the former was to be succeeded by 
Gen. Lambert. 
Commercial Intelligence — Breadstuff* ■—Liverpool bread 
stuffs (inn, with partial advance Richardson, Spence & Co. 
report flour steady. Extra State 28663(3.29-34. Wheat 6 rra - 
Red Western advanced 2d and quoted lis6d®128l0d White 
quiet, at 13s@14s6d. Corn firm; yellow 34s6d(3/34»9d; white 
35«5p3ds6d. Wakefield, Nash & Co. report wheat steady. 
Corn advancing tendency, and holders demanding an advance 
of 3<J@6d. 
Brouixiont —Liverpool provisions generally steady. Be* 1 
and pork firm. Bacon dull. Lard dull. 
California and Oregon. 
Dates to May 11th, are received from California. 
The day the Express left, there was a Union meeting 
held in San Francisco. Nothing like it was ever 
before seen tlvere. Business was entirely suspended. 
People filled the streets, and flags were as plenty as 
stocks of grain in a wheat field. Three speakers’ stands 
were surrounded by thousands. Senator Latham, 
McDougal, Gen. Sumner and others, made addresses 
in favor of sustaining the Administration, and reso¬ 
lutions were adopted that secession be put down and 
the Union preserved complete. A procession march¬ 
ed through the streets, embracing all the military and 
civic organizations, with thousands of citizens on 
foot, horseback and iu carriages. All political par¬ 
