my birthplace-my forefathers having fought for that | glorious flag-to-day I say, "My country, one, undivided, and inseparable. I know no North, no South, no East, no West-nothing but my country and my country's flag." (Immense cheering, and waving of ladies' handkerchiefs.) The CHAIRMAN here interrupted the speaker to say, it had been just stated to him that Washington, their noble capital, was in danger; and as the steamship Baltic lay at the foot of Canal street, for the purpose of taking away volunteers to-morrow morning, he wanted five thousand of them to go at 7 o'clock in the morning. “Now, then," said the speaker, "who will go?" (The question was answered by hundreds in a breath, who cried out lustily, "We'll all go; we'll all go.") "There are four regiments," he continued, "to sail to-morrow for Baltimore. Those who want to serve their country, let them come forward and enroll themselves to protect the flag of their country." (Cheers.) of Monmouth and Trenton. (Applause.) And today the same words thrill every heart. This is no time for mealy mouths-no time for milk-and-water men-no time for summer soldiers-fighting is the business of the day. Who will fight? I will. Will you? (Great cheering, and cries of "Yes, yes!") It is not the muscle in the street brawl that is now required; it is the heart and will-the love of liberty-the feeling that we are men. (Cheers.) No man who has cracked his whip over a nigger's shoulders shall crack it over us. (Cheers.) There is no oligarchy here. You men, with your rough felt hats-you with your cloth caps that cost two-and-sixpence-you with your silky hat that cost five dollars Broadway make of clothes-there is no distinction -you with your Grand street, Chatham street, or between us. We are all men, we are fighting for liberty. (Boisterous cheering.) It is not a question of money nor class, but one of free institutions, popular government, and manhood. (Cheers.) Let you and I, then, prove ourselves worthy of the name of Americans. No matter where you were born, "We believe these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, amongst which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." We have a glorious Union cemented with the blood of our fathers, to fight for, and we say, as they said, when they fought for it-" the Union, one and forever-one and inseparable." (Loud cheering.) There can be no secession. There is but one common sentiment actuating the North. It is no sectional thing on our part. Major Anderson, though he was forced by untoward circumstances to yield, did not allow the flag of his country to be disgraced; and whenever any American thinks of defending that flag, let him remember Major Anderson, and let no influences force him to yield one jot or tittle from that flag, from which no star shall be struck, not a stripe taken. Let no circumstances force him to yield to any domestic traitor or any foreign foe. (Cheers.) REMARKS OF EDMOND BLANKMAN. Mr. SMITH resumed I remember these old gentlemen (the Veterans)-and on every occasion I have met them when they appeared in public. They have been pleased to call me their young friend. Not so young, perhaps, as to make a great distinction, but yet their friend forever. In those I recognize men who have stood up in the face of the British cannon-who have listened to the whizzing of thousands of bullets, and all for the glory and freedom of our common country, (Cheers.) And in these brave old remnants of the Revolution I am proud to say that I have relatives to-day. An uncle of mine is now on this stand who has fought for the glory of his country, and is still ready to render his services, if needs be, in that country's cause. Even Roger A. Pryor, of Virginia, who got so sick after having taken a brandy cock-tail at Fort Sumter-the scion of one of the noblest families in Virginia-even Roger A. Pryor, with that dose of ipecac in his stomHe came there, he said, as a looker-on; but when ach, does not boast of such blood in his veins as this he heard the patriotic speeches of old men, ready to common plebeian born on Manhattan Island. What die for their country, he had something to say. With a ridiculous figure Pryor must have cut with that his fellow-citizens he had a strong right arm to use magazine of revolvers and bowie-knives surrounding always for his country and its flag. (Cheers.) He the upper part of his hips. Now, we want a good asked them, his friends-he asked the ladies present, square fight this time. We have, as I said before, who were there in that assemblage, who did not love on this island one million of souls. We have one the glorious Stars and Stripes? (Applause and cries hundred thousand voters, and every one of them is a of None, none.") Their brethren of the South fighting man. (Cheers.) If it is necessary, then, might say that they would reduce the Capital to you and I will leave our wives and families, believing ashes, but in return to them he said this-Let them there is public corporate spirit enough in this city to do their spite-let them level the city to the ground support them while we are fighting for our country.let them despoil its beautiful edifices-and let them (Cheers.) We will go down South and show them that though we were born north of Mason and Dixon's line, though we have cold winters, we have warm hearts and red blood in our veins. (Tumultuous cheering.) This is the time to try men's souls. Show me your traitor to-day, and I will show you the rope that is spun to hang him. (Great applause.) There is no time now for mealy mouths to talk. The summer soldiers, they may forsake the cause of freedom, but he who stands up firmly deserves the love and thanks of men and women both. (Cheers.) These were the motives which actuated the Revolu tionary patriots. These are the words which exalted every American heart when the soldiers of the Revolution went to New Jersey to fight the battles if they would, pull down that magnificent statue of their Washington, and he said, that from the ashes of our ruins would arise the glorious and great Constitution of our forefathers, phoenix-like, in all its integ rity-the safeguard and protection of our future posterity. After an eloquent appeal to the patriotism of the American people, the speaker closed his remarks, and the proceedings terminated.-N. Y. Herald, April 21, 24. Many eloquent and patriotic speeches were made from the balconies of buildings on the south side of Union square, and amid a very large concourse of OF THE WEST, APRIL 20. ladies and gentlemen. From the balcony of Haugh- | Doc. 76.-THE CAPTURE OF THE STAR wout's building, the remarks of the Rev. Dr. GEORGE W. BETHUNE and ex-Ald. DoUGLASS of Brooklyn elicited and stirred the right vein, and long and en. thusiastic cheers were given by the listening crowd. It was impossible to put a sudden stop to such enthusiasm. Ten thousand people lingered around the square, and were addressed by stump speakers from balconies at half a dozen or more different places, from the steps of houses, from the regular stands, from the tops of pillars at the entrances of the Park, and Union square did not become quiet until darkness came on, and reminded the people of other matters beside the Union. Large companies of volunteers continued, however, to parade up and down the streets, some of them having no less than five hundred adherents, and the numbers were constantly increasing. THE expedition for the capture of the vessel composed of about 80 men, under command of Col. Van Dorn, hurriedly organized in Galveston, Tex., was made up of men from the Galveston Artillery and the Island City Rifles; the Guards are Irish, and the Rifles are a German company. The party arrived at Indianola on Wednesday, and kept all ready, apparently tions going on for the debarkation of the United in no manner interested in the active preparaStates soldiers, which was effected by the aid of the steamship Fashion, acting as a lighter to remove the men to the Star of the West, which lay outside. About half-past 9 o'clock at night Col. Van Gen. Rusk, and made out to the Star of the Dorn and his band quietly got on board the West. When the Rusk got within hailing distance, the captain of the United States vessel sang out Doc. 74.-THE FOURTH REGIMENT OF to know who was approaching. Van Dorn MASSACHUSETTS. replied: "The General Rusk, with troops on board." The answer was correct to the letter, and very readily impressed the captain of the Star of the West that he was about taking on board his own men. His blissful ignorance of his visitors' identity and designs was not suffered to remain long. THE 4th Regiment, 2d Brigade, 1st Division, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, left Boston at 8 p. m., on Wednesday, 17th April. It comprises 500 rank and file, divided into nine companies, and is officered as follows: Colonel Commandant, Abner B. Packard; LieutenantColonel, Hawkes Fearing, jr.; Major, H. O. The vessels were made fast, without any susWhittemore; Adjutant, Henry Walker'; Quar-picion on one side or any demonstration on the termaster, Wm. M. Carruth; Paymaster, Wm. D. Atkinson, jr.; Surgeon, Henry M. Saville; Surgeon's Mate, Wm. Lyman Foxon.-N. Y. Tribune, April 20. other. Then, swift as the lightning, the Texan band was over the bulwarks and in virtual possession of the vessel. No effort was made at resistance, for it would have been absurd; and comprehending in an instant how matters were, the commander "gave up the ship" with the Doc. 75.-GOVERNOR CURTIN'S PROC- best grace he could muster. LAMATION, APRIL 20. The vessel was put about for Galveston, and left Col. Van Dorn there. The next news we may have of that enterWhereas, an armed rebellion exists in a por-prising officer will be that he has taken the U. tion of the States of this Union, threatening the S. troops prisoners, or else that there has been destruction of the national Government, perila fight.-N. O. True Delta. ing public and private property, endangering the peace and security of this Commonwealth, and inviting systematic piracy; and whereas, Doo. 77.--BURNING OF GOSPORT NAVYadequate provision does not exist by law to enable the Executive to make the military power of the State as able and efficient as it should be for the common defence of the State and the General Government, and Whereas, An occasion so extraordinary requires prompt legislative power YARD. The PORTSMOUTH, Va., Sunday Morning, April 21, 1861. THE Pawnee, with the Commodore's flag at her peak, and about six hundred trusty men aboard, cast off from the dock of Fort Monroe, about 7 o'clock on Saturday evening. Therefore, I, by virtue of the power vested crowded parapets of the fort sent a loud and in me, do hereby convene the General Assembly hearty cheer to the departing ship, which was of this Commonwealth, and require the mem- answered with an exulting huzza from her popubers to meet at their respective Houses at Har-lous deck. The night was bright and still, risburg, on Tuesday, April 30th, at noon, there and the moon, at half-full, shed abundant light to take into consideration and adopt such meas-on land and sea. The Pawnee steamed up the ures in the premises as the present exigencies may demand. ANDREW C. CURTIN. Roads toward Norfolk, easily passing between the sunken vessels with which the channel was intended to be blocked, and about 8 entered the Gosport Harbor. Her coming was not unexpected, and as she glided to her place at the dock, the men on the Pennsylvania and the Cumberland, several hundred in number, greeted her with a volley of cheers that echoed and reëchoed, till all of Norfolk and Portsmouth must have heard the hail. The men of the Pennsylvania fairly outdid themselves, in their enthusiasm on this occasion. They clambered into the shrouds, and not only answered to the "three cheers," but volunteered "three times three," and gave them with a hurricane of heartiness. This intense feeling on their part is easily explicable. They have been a long time almost imprisoned on shipboard, on a ship imbedded in the river, motionless and helpless, and subject to promises from the Secessionists of speedy demolition. In the advent of the Pawnee they saw deliverance from such durance, and they exulted with tremendous emphasis. All Portsmouth and Norfolk were thoroughly aroused by the arrival of the Pawnee. They did not expect her, and were not prepared for her. They were seized with trepidation, thinking, perhaps, she had come, and along with the Cumberland and Pennsylvania, meant to bombard the towns for having obstructed the channel, and for having, the night before, rifled the United States magazine, just below Norfolk, of about 4,000 kegs of powder. Being utterly defenceless and quite terrified, the Secessionists made no protest against the Pawnee's presence, nor did they venture too near the Navy-yard. The Pawnee made fast to the dock, and Col. Wardrop marched out his regiment, and stationed them at the several gates of the Navyyard to oppose the entrance of any forces from without, in case any attempt to enter should be made. Having adopted this precaution, the Commodore set the marines on the Pennsylvania, the Cumberland, the Pawnee, and in the yard, to work. All the books and papers, the archives of the establishment, were transferred to the Pawnee. Every thing of interest to the Government to preserve on the Pennsylvania, was transferred to the Cumberland. On this latter, it was also said, a large amount of gold from the Customhouse at Norfolk, had been in good time placed. Having made safe every thing that was to be brought away, the marines were next set to work to destroy every thing on the Pennsylvania, on the Cumberland, and in the yard, that might be of immediate use in waging war upon the Government. Many thousand stands of arms were destroyed. Carbines had their stocks broken by a blow from the barrels, and were thrown overboard. A large lot of revolvers shared the like fate. Shot and shell by thousands went with hurried plunge to the bottom. Most of the cannon had been spiked the day and night before. There were at least 1,500 pieces in the yard-some elegant Dahlgren guns, and Columbiads of all sizes. It is impossible to describe the scene of destruction that was exhibited. Unweariedly it was continued from 9 o'clock until about 12, during which time the moon gave light to direct the operations. But when the moon sank behind the western horizon, the barracks near the centre of the yard were set on fire, that by its illumination the work might be continued. The crackling flames and the glare of light inspired with new energies the destroying marines, and havoc was carried everywhere, within the limits of orders. But time was not left to complete the work. Four o'clock of Sunday morning came, and the Pawnee was passing down from Gosport harbor with the Cumberland, the coveted prize of the Secessionists, in tow-every soul from the other ships and the yard being aboard of them, save two. Just as they left their moorings, a rocket was sent up from the deck of the Pawnee. It sped high in air, paused a second, and burst in shivers of many-colored lights. And as it did so, the wellset trains at the ship-houses, and on the decks of the fated vessels left behind, went off as if lit simultaneously by the rocket. One of the ship-houses contained the old New York, a ship thirty years on the stocks, and yet unfinished. The other was vacant; but both houses and the old New York burnt like tinder. The vessels fired were the Pennsylvania, the Merrimac, the Germantown, the Plymouth, the Raritan, the Columbia, the Dolphin. The old Delaware and Columbus, worn out and dismantled seventyfours, were scuttled and sunk at the upper docks on Friday. I need not try to picture the scene of the grand conflagration that now burst, like the day of judgment, on the startled citizens of Norfolk, Portsmouth, and all the surrounding country. Any one who has seen a ship burn, and knows how like a fiery serpent the flame leaps from pitchy deck to smoking shrouds, and writhes to their very top, around the masts that stand like martyrs doomed, can form some idea of the wonderful display that followed. It was not 30 minutes from the time the trains were fired till the conflagration roared like a hurricane, and the flames from land and water swayed, and met, and mingled together, and darted high, and fell, and leaped up again, and by their very motion showed their sympathy with the crackling, crashing roar of destruction beneath. But in all this magnificent scene, the old ship Pennsylvania was the centre-piece. She was a very giant in death, as she had been in life. She was a sea of flame, and when "the iron had entered into her soul," and her bowels were consuming, then did she spout from every port-hole of every deck, torrents and cataracts of fire that to the mind of Milton would have represented her a frigate of hell pouring out unremitting broadsides of infernal fire. Several of her guns were left loaded, but not shotted, and as the fire reached them, they sent out on the startled and morning air minute guns of fearful peal, that added greatly to the alarm that the light of the conflagration had | is so in this case. Gen. Taliaferro, who was spread through the surrounding country. The put in command at Norfolk by Gov. Letcher, is Pennsylvania burnt like a volcano for five riddled by sarcasm and ridicule. He is charged hours and a half before her mainmast fell. I with being imbecile and a drunkard. It is said stood watching the proud but perishing old that he was dead asleep (or dead drunk) at 6 leviathan as this sign of her manhood was o'clock on Sunday morning, and with difficulty about to come down. At precisely 9 o'clock, was aroused at that hour to be told that the by my watch, the tall tree that stood in her Navy-yard was sacked and on fire! Gen. Talicentre tottered and fell, and crushed deep into aferro will be superseded immediately, or the her burning sides, whilst a storm of sparks Virginians here will revolt. flooded the sky. As soon as the Pawnee and Cumberland had fairly left the waters, and were known to be gone, the gathering crowds of Portsmouth and Norfolk burst open the gates of the navy-yard and rushed in. They could do nothing, however, but gaze upon the ruin wrought. The Commodore's residence, left locked but unharmed, was burst open, and a pillage commenced, which was summarily stopped. As early as six o'clock, a Volunteer Company had taken formal possession in the name of Virginia, and run up her flag from the flag-staff. In another hour, several companies were on hand, and men were at work unspiking cannon, and by 9 o'clock they were moving them to | the dock, whence they were begun to be transferred, on keels, to points below, where sand batteries were to be built. Notwithstanding the effort to keep out persons from the yard, hundreds found their way in, and spent hours in wandering over its spacious area, and inspecting its yet stupendous works, and comparing the value of that saved with that lost. There was general surprise expressed that so much that was valuable was spared. The Secessionists forgot that it was only the immediate agencies of war that it was worth while to destroy. Long before the workshops and armories, the foundries, and ship-wood left unharmed can bring forth new weapons of offence, this war will be ended. And may be, as of yore, the Stars and Stripes will float over Gosport Navy-yard. All that is now spared will then be so much gained! The Secessionists are excessively chagrined by this movement. The vessels were sunk in the entrance of the harbor expressly to catch the Cumberland and other valuable ships of war. The act was done by Gov. Letcher's order; and the despatch to Richmond, announcing the execution of the scheme, exultingly proclaimed: "Thus have we secured for Virginia three of the best ships of the Navy"-alluding to the Cumberland, Merrimac, and Pennsylvania. But they have lost all, and ten millions of dollars' worth of property besides. The Cumberland has been piloted successfully between the seven sunken vessels, and now floats proudly in front of Fort Monroe, with her great war guns thrust far out of her sides, as if hungering and hunting for prey. It will be a hard thing for Norfolk and Portsmouth to fill their harbors with ships while she lies here in the gateway. As usual when a set of people are foiled, the officer in command gets heaps of censure. It I will send you, in this letter, as there is no mail leaving here this evening, such accounts as the Norfolk papers of the morning may contain of this burning. It only remains to say that by 8 o'clock Sunday morning the Pawnee lay off comfortably near Fort Monroe, where towards night she was joined by the Cumberland, who took more time to get out. Your correspondent waited to see the dying embers of Gosport Navy-yard. Much excitement has prevailed in Norfolk and Portsmouth all day for the following cause: Two officers from the Pawnee-one a son of Com. Rodgers and the other a Capt. Wright of the Massachusetts Volunteers-were left in the Navy-yard, and were to come to the ship in a small boat. From the quickness and fierceness of the fire they were cut off and bewildered, and made to the Norfolk shore. It was broad daylight when they landed, and being in uniform they were instantly arrested as prisoners. It was with difficulty their lives were saved from the populace. It was stated during the day that Com. Paulding had sent up word if they were not released he would come up and blow the towns to pieces. This appalled the timid, and many fled to the woods; but the mass remained and went bravely to work planting cannon below the towns to oppose the ships. The prisoners are not surrendered. -N. Y. Times, April 26. Doc. 78.-WHERE GEN. SCOTT STANDS. In the course of a speech delivered in Ohio Senator Douglas said: "Gentlemen, I have been requested by so many different ones to make a statement in response to the inquiries that are propounded to me, that I do so as a matter of justice to an eminent patriot. "I have been asked whether there is any truth in the rumor that Gen. Scott was about to retire from the American army. It is almost profanity to ask that question. ("Good, good, and three cheers for Gen. Scott.) I saw him only last Saturday. He was at his desk, pen in hand, writing his orders for the defence and safety of the American Capital. (Cheers.) Walking down the street, I met a distinguished gentleman, a member of the Virginia Convention, whom I knew personally, and had a few minutes' conversation with him. He told me that he had just had an interview with Lieut.Gen. Scott; that he was chairman of the com mittee appointed by the Virginia_Convention | head of the Potomac to the west or northwest, to wait upon Gen. Scott, and tender him the which it will be most difficult to settle. 4. The command of the forces of Virginia in this crest of the Rocky Mountains. struggle. "Gen Scott received him kindly, listened to him patiently, and said to him: 'I have served my country under the flag of the Union for more than fifty years, and as long as God permits me to live, I will defend that flag with my sword; even if my own native State assails it.' (Tremendous applause and three more cheers for Gen. Scott.) I do not pretend that I am precisely accurate in the language used, but I know I am in the idea, and I have given the language as nearly as I could repeat it. I have felt it due to him and to the country to make this statement, in view of the reports that have been circulated, and the repeated inquiries made of me since my arrival here to-day." -N. Y. Times. GENERAL SCOTT'S VIEWS. Some allusions having been made to the annexed paper, both in the public prints and in public speeches, and some misapprehensions of its character having thereby got abroad, we have obtained a copy of it for publication, in order that our readers may see what it is. They will find in it a fresh evidence of the veteran general's devotion to his country as a citizen, and of his forecast as a soldier. Views suggested by the imminent danger (October 29, 1860) of a disruption of the Union by the secession of one or more of the Southern States. The Southeast Confederacy would, in all human probability, in less than five years after the rupture, find itself bounded by the first and second lines indicated above, the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico, with its capital at say Columbia, South Carolina. The country between the second, third, and fourth of those lines would, beyond a doubt, in about the same time, constitute another Confederacy, with its capital at probably Alton or Quincy, Illinois. The boundaries of the Pacific Union are the most definite of all, and the remaining States would constitute the Northeast Confederacy, with its capital at Albany. It, at the first thought, will be considered strange that seven Slaveholding States and parts of Virginia and Florida should be placed (above) in a new Confederacy with Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, &c; but when the overwhelming weight of the great Northwest is taken in connection with the laws of trade, contiguity of territory, and the comparative indifference to freesoil doctrines on the part of Western Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Missouri, it is evident that but little if any coercion, beyond moral force, would be needed to embrace them; and I have omitted the temptation of the unwasted public lands which would fall entire to this Confederacy-an appanage (well husbanded) sufficient for many generations. As to not stand out a month. Louisiana would coaMissouri, Arkansas, and Mississippi, they would lesce without much solicitation, and Alabama, with West Florida, would be conquered the first winter from the absolute need of Pensa To save time the right of secession may be conceded, and instantly balanced by the correlative right, on the part of the Federal Govern-cola for a naval depot. ment, against an interior State or States, to reIf I might presume to address the South, and establish by force, if necessary, its former con- particularly dear Virginia-being "native here tinuity of territory.-[Paley's Moral and Politi-and to the manor born"-I would affectionatecal Philosophy, last chapter.] But break this glorious Union by whatever line or lines that political madness may contrive, and there would be no hope of reuniting the fragments except by the laceration and despotism of the sword. To effect such result the intestine wars of our Mexican neighbors would, in comparison with ours, sink into mere child's play. A smaller evil would be to allow the fragments of the great Republic to form themselves into new Confederacies, probably four. All the lines of demarcation between the new Unions cannot be accurately drawn in advance, but many of them approximately may. Thus, looking to natural boundaries and commercial affinities, some of the following frontiers, after many waverings and conflicts, might perhaps become acknowledged and fixed: 1. The Potomac river and the Chesapeake Bay to the Atlantic. 2. From Maryland, along the crest of the Alleghany (perhaps the Blue Ridge) range of mountains, to some point in the coast of Florida. 3. The line from say the ly ask, will not your slaves be less secure, and their labor less profitable under the new order of things than under the old? Could you employ profitably two hundred slaves in all Nebraska, or five hundred in all New Mexico? The right, then, to take them thither would be a barren right. And is it not wise to "Rather bear the ills we have Than fly to others that we know not of "g The Declaration of Independence proclaims and consecrates the same maxim: "Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes." And Paley, too, lays down as a fundamental maxim of statesmanship, "never to pursue national honor as distinct from national interest;" but adds: "This rule acknowledges that it is often necessary to assert the honor of a nation for the sake of its interests." The excitement that threatens secession is caused by the near prospect of a Republican's election to the Presidency. From a sense of |