Probably the best remaining chance of avoiding a fierce war lies in the Government's being able to assemble in time so large a force for the defense of Washington as to deter the South from attacking it. The Confederate States are, however, at this moment believed to be better prepared to attack the city than the Government is to provide in time for its defense.

Mr. Lincoln's plans, as stated in his answer to the Virginia commissioners, appear to be devised for the purpose of avoiding, if possible, military operations, except on the coast. He says: "I shall not attempt to collect the duties and imposts by any armed invasion of any part of the country-not meaning by this, however, that I may not land a force deemed necessary to relieve a fort upon the border of the country." He says nothing of his intentions with respect to blockading southern ports, or collecting customs duties by means of United States vessels off the harbors. That measures of this kind are in contemplation is, I fear, hardly to be doubted. For the collection of duties on board ships the sanction of Congress is said to be legally necessary, as it undoubtedly is for a blockade, if the establishment of one be regarded as equivalent to war. But means can, no doubt, be found to bring either measure within the terms of the Constitution or the law, if it be desired to do so.

In his answer to the commissioners Mr. Lincoln threatens to cut off postal communication with the seceded States. In his proclamation he announces that "the first service assigned to the forces thereby called out will probably be to repossess the forts, places, and property which have been seized from the Union."

In the approaching contest the North has the superiority in numbers and in wealth, and the immense advantage of possessing, and of being able to maintain, a navy.. It has also an organized, though small, regular army; but the advantage of this will be in a great measure neutralized by the retirement of the southern officers. The South is-if the accounts which reach us are to be trusted-more unanimous; it is more eager, and, as it has more at stake, is more ready to make sacrifices. The taint of slavery will render the cause of the South repugnant to the feelings of the civilized world. On the other hand, commercial intercourse with the cotton States is of vital importance to manufacturing nations.

The conduct of Virginia and the other border States is now, more than ever, the critical question. If they remain true to the Union, the contest may be confined to small dimensions. Unless, however, they abandon their solemn declarations, they must now make common cause with the South. The telegraph may perhaps convey some important information from these States to the New York newspapers before the departure of the packet which will convey this dispatch to your lordship.

1 understand that measures have been taken to bring the United States men-of-war home from foreign stations as soon as possible. The greatest activity is shown in enlisting sailors and in fitting out ships in the United States navy-yards.

A telegraphic dispatch to the newspapers announces, I know not how truly, that the relief of Fort Pickens, in Florida, has been effected by the vessels sent some time ago by this government for the purpose.

No. 4.

Lord J. Russell to the lords commissioners of the admiralty.

FOREIGN OFFICE, May 1, 1861.

MY LORDS: The intelligence which reached this country by the last mail from the United States gives reason to suppose that a civil war between the Northern and Southern States of the confederacy was imminent, if indeed it might not be considered to have already begun.

Simultaneously with the arrival of this news, a telegram, purporting to have been conveyed to Halifax from the United States, was received, which announced that the president of the southern confederacy had taken steps for issuing letters of marque against the vessels of the Northern States.

If such is really the case, it is obvious that much inconvenience may be occasioned to the numerous British vessels engaged in trade on the coast of the United States and in the Gulf of Mexico, and that timely provision should be made for their protection against undue molesta

tion by reason of the maritime operations of the hostile parties; [4] and Her Majesty has accordingly commanded me to *signify to

your lordships her pleasure that adequate re-enforcements should forthwith be sent to Her Majesty's squadron on the North America and West Indian station, so that the admiral in command may be able duly to provide for the protection of British shipping in any emergency that may occur.

I need scarcely observe to your lordships that it may be right to apprise the admiral that, much as Her Majesty regrets the prospect of civil war breaking out in a country in the happiness and peace of which Her Majesty takes the deepest interest, it is Her Majesty's pleasure that nothing should be done by her naval forces which should indicate any partiality or preference for either party in the contest that may ensue. I am, &c., (Signed) J. RUSSELL.

No. 5.

Consul Archibald to Lord J. Russell.

NEW YORK, April 23, 1861. (Received May 5.)

MY LORD: I have the honor to transmit, herewith inclosed, for your lordship's information, two copies of a proclamation issued by the President of the United States, establishing a blockade of the ports in the seceded States.

I beg leave also to acquaint your lordship that the collector of this port has been ordered by the Federal Government not to grant clearances to any vessels whatever intending to proceed to ports in the seceded States.

I likewise transmit to your lordship two copies of a proclamation by the president of the Confederate States, inviting applications for letters of marque and reprisal against the vessels and commerce of the United States.

I have, &c.,

(Signed)

E. M. ARCHIBALD.

[Inclosure 1 in No. 5.]

Proclamation by President Lincoln.

The President has issued a proclamation, stating that an insurrection against the Government of the United States has broken out in the States of South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas; and the laws. of the United States for the collection of the revenue cannot be effectually executed therein conformably to that provision of the Constitution which requires duties to be uniform throughout the United States; and further, a combination of persons engaged in such insurrection have threatened to grant pretended letters of marque to authorize the bearers thereof to commit assaults on the lives, vessels, and property of good citizens of the country, lawfully engaged in commerce on the high seas and in the waters of the United States; and whereas, the President says an executive proclamation has already been issued requiring the persons engaged in these disorderly proceedings to desist, therefore calling out a militia force for the purpose of repressing the same, and convening Congress, in extraordinary session, to deliberate and determine thereon. The President, with a view to the same purposes before mentioned, and to the protection of the public peace, and the lives and property of its orderly citizens, pursuing their lawful occupations, until Congress shall have assembled and deliberated on the said unlawful proceedings, or until the same shall have ceased, has further deemed it advisable to set on foot a blockade of the ports within the States aforesaid, in pursuance of the laws of the United States and the law of nations in such cases provided. For this purpose a competent force will be posted so as to prevent the entrance and exit of vessels from the ports aforesaid. If, therefore, with a view to violate such blockade a vessel shall attempt to leave any of the said ports, she will be duly warned by the commander of one of the said blockading vessels, who will indorse on her register the fact and date of such warning; and if the same vessel shall again attempt to enter or leave the blockaded port she will be captured and sent to the nearest convenent port for such proceedings against her and her cargo as may be deemed advisable.

[Inclosure 2 in No. 5.]

Proclamation by President Davis.

Whereas Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, has, by proclamation, announced intention of invading the confederacy with an armed force, for the purpose of capturing its fortresses, and thereby subverting its independence and subjecting the free people thereof to the dominion of a foreign power, and whereas it has thus become the duty of this government to repel the threatened invasion, and defend the rights and liberties of the people by all the means which the laws of nations and usages of civilized warfare place at its disposal:

[5]

.

Now, therefore, I, Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederate States of America, do issue this, my proclamation, inviting all those who may desire, by service in private armed vessels on the high seas, to aid this government in resisting so wanton and wicked an aggression, to make application for commissions or letters of marque and reprisal, to be issued under the seal of these Confederate *States; and I do further notify all persons applying for letters of marque to make a statement in writing, giving the name and suitable description of the character, tonnage, and force of the vessel, name of the place of residence of each owner concerned therein and the intended number of crew, and to sign each statement, and deliver the same to the secretary of state or collector of the port of entry of these Confederate States, to be by him transmitted to the secretary of state, and do further notify all applicants aforesaid, before any commission or letter of marque is issued to any vessel, or the owner or the owners thereof, and the commander for the time being, they will be required to give bond to the Confederate States, with at least two responsible sureties not interested in such vessel, in the penal sum of $5,000; or if such vessel be provided with more than 150 men, then in the penal sum of $10,000, with the condition that the owners, officers, and crew who shall be employed on board such commissioned vessel shall observe the laws of these Confederate States, and the instructions given them for the regulation of their conduct, and shall satisfy all damages done contrary to the tenor thereof by such vessel during her commission, and deliver up the same when revoked by the president of the Confederate States. And I do further specially enjoin on all persons holding offices, civil and military, under the authority of the Confederate States, that they be vigilant and zealous in the discharge of the duties incident thereto; and I do, moreover, exhort the good people of these Confederate States, as they love their country-as they prize the blessings of free government-as they feel the wrongs of the

past, and these now threatened in an aggravated form by those whose enmity is more implacable because unprovoked-they exert themselves in preserving order, in promoting concord, in maintaining the authority and efficacy of the laws, and in supporting, invigorating all the measures which may be adopted for a common defense, and by which, under the blessings of Divine Providence, we may hope for a speedy, just, and honorable peace.

In witness whereof I have set my hand, and have caused the seal of the Confederate States of America to be attached, this 17th day of April, in the year of our Lord 1861. (Signed) JEFFERSON DAVIS.

WASHINGTON April 22, 1861. (Received May 10.)

The progress of events in this country appears to tend, with fatal rapidity, toward a fierce civil war.

I have had the honor to transmit to your lordship a proclamation issued by the President of the United States for calling out 75,000 men of the militia, and summoning a session of Congress.

To this the president of the southern confederacy replied, on the 17th instant, by a proclamation inviting those who might desire to aid his government by service in private armed vessels at sea, to apply for letters of marque..

The President of the United States rejoined, by a proclamation dated the 19th instant, announcing a blockade of the southern ports, and declaring in effect, that privateers, with letters of marque from the southern confederacy, will be treated as pirates.

The governors of the border States answered the call of the President of the United States for troops by prompt and positive refusals, couched, in several instances, in very strong language.

In the North, however, the call has been responded to with enthusiasm; and the Government would, at this moment, have no difficulty in obtaining thence any number of men for which it might ask.

The troops are at present wanted chiefly for the defense of Washington, an attack on which from the South is seriously apprehended. Such an attack, if made immediately and with vigor, would, in the opinion of many people, be successful. Unless, however, the town be taken in a few days, by a sudden coup de main, it seems difficult to suppose that the Government will not be able to provide means for its defense at least. equal to those which the southern confederacy possesses for attacking it. Some of the militia from the North have already arrived, and the number would be greater had not a conflict which occurred in the streets of Baltimore, on the 19th instant, led to a refusal on the part of the inhabitants to allow troops from the North to pass through the town, and to the destruction of some of the bridges on the railways by which it is connected with the North.

One of the first results of the announcement of coercive measures on the part of the Government here has been the passing, by the convention of Virginia, of an ordinance of secession. It is true that, in conformity with the terms on which the convention was elected, the ordi

nance must be ratified by the people of the State before it becomes definitely valid, but in the mean time the secession appears, in fact, to have taken place. Virginia has not, however, so far as is known here, formally joined the southern confederation.

In consequence of the secession of Virginia, and of the predominance at this moment of the disunion party in Maryland, the little District in which this capital is situated is entirely surrounded by hostile territory. Correspondence with the North, both by mail and telegraph, has been interrupted for the last two days. Troops, however, can be brought up the Potomac, and if the spirit roused at the North be at all what it is represented to be, it must soon be in the power of the Government to reopen the communication through Maryland.

One of the rumors rife here is that troops are passing from Virginia into Maryland, and that the first battle between the two sections of the country will take place near Baltimore.

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*No. 7.

Lord Lyons to Lord J. Russell.

[Extract.]

WASHINGTON, April 22, 1861. (Received May 10.)

I have the honor to inclose copies of a proclamation of the president of the southern confederacy, inviting application for letters of marque, and also a proclamation of the President of the United States declaring the southern privateers will be treated as pirates, and announcing a blockade of the Southern ports.

I lost no time in taking measures to communicate the contents of these proclamations as fast as possible, both by telegraph and post, to RearAdmiral Sir Alexander Milne. The subsequent interruption of communication with the North has prevented my learning how far my measures were successful.

I am informed that an official notification of the blockade will be sent to the foreign legations here in the course of the day.

Under ordinary circumstances the season during which British vessels frequent southern ports closes in May and does not reopen until October.

I understand that some alarm is felt in the North respecting the southern privateers, but it must be supposed that the Navy of the United States will suffice to arrest their operations. If these privateers, however, make any head in the Gulf of Mexico, it may perhaps be advisable that a British squadron should be sent there to insure the safety of British merchant-vessels.

[Inclosure 1 in No. 7.]

Proclamation by the president of the Confederate States of America.

Whereas Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, has by proclamation announced the intention of invading the confederacy with an armed force, for the purpose of capturing its fortresses, and thereby subverting its independence, and subjecting the free people thereof to the dominion of a foreign power; and whereas it has thus become the duty of this government to repel the threatened invasion, and defend the