Mar

31

Diary of a Yankee in the Patent Office

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by Horatio Nelson Taft

SUNDAY 31

Went out to church this morning. It was cold enough to wear my cloak. Family wer[e] all out but Julia who is unwell. She went with Miss Sallie to “St Mathews” in the afternoon. Chas and Sallie came up about dark from “Vespers” and spent the evening. Miss S. performed on the Piano and the passersby might have heard in some of the pieces anything but Sunday music. I took a walk down 12th St to the Ave & back, quick step. It took me twenty minutes.

Mar

31

The Financial Position of the Government — The Real Difficulty at Washington.

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March 31, 1861; The New York Herald

The predominant power just now at Washington is Wall street. The question of money is one that this government as well as all others must look squarely in the face. Money has been aptly defined as the sinews of war, and it is very certain that the Lincoln administration is now bound hand and foot by this ugly spectre which has ruined so many splendid schemes and thwarted so many magnificent ideas of brilliant theoretical statesmen. It is all very well for the radical republicans to demand that the principles of Garrison, Phillips & Co. shall be carried into effect without regard to the cost; and it doubtless sounds well to Southern ears when Mr. Memminger offers to borrow fifteen millions for the purpose of putting the Confederate States upon a war footing. But the question for the people of the North and South to settle is, whether or not they will impoverish themselves in going to war upon an abstract question which cannot be settled by the sword. As it appears to us, both governments—that at Washington and that at Montgomery—are equally powerless.

Davis & Co. have, however, the advantage over Lincoln & Co. The government of the Southern confederacy is plucky and clever in its personnel. The Lincoln administration is cowardly, mean and vicious, without the power to carry out its designs. So far from being in a condition to make war—the most expensive luxury wherewith a government can indulge itself—the administration has not sufficient money for the ordinary expenses of the departments. Mr. Dix borrowed eight millions at twelve per cent. Mr. Chase wants eight millions more, and will probably get it from the brokers, who have done well with the Dix loan. In a very short time Mr. Chase will be obliged to call for nine millions and then our national debt will reach the disagreeable figure of one hundred millions of dollars.

In the event of war this debt would be very much increased. One item will indicate how much. The last Congress authorized the building of six steam sloops of war. To construct, equip and keep this fleet in commission during twelve Read more

Mar

31

The News.

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March 31, 1861; The New York Herald

The steamship Daniel Webster, from the Rio Grande via Key West and the Tortugas forts, with United States troops, arrived at this port yesterday. She left Brazos on the 19th, Fort Jefferson on the 24th and Fort Taylor on the 25th of March. She landed two companies of troops at Fort Jefferson, and also two companies at Fort Taylor. The steamer Gen. Rusk also landed two companies at each of these forts on the 24th. Fort Taylor is now on a complete war footing, amply garrisoned and furnished with supplies of all sorts for one year.

When the Daniel Webster left Brazos there were one company of artillery and two of cavalry at Fort Brown, and two companies of infantry were daily expected to arrive. Since the secession of Texas from the Union the military posts in the upper part of the State have been abandoned by the United States troops. All along the frontier the savages had renewed their depredations, killing the settlers, running of stock and committing great havoc. In addition to the attacks of the Indians the Texas were menaced on the Rio Grande by the Mexican robber chief Cortinas. He is reported to have a large force in readiness for a foray upon the Texans as soon as the United States troops are withdrawn. From all the indications, it is likely that before many weeks the Southern republic will find ample employment for a portion of its army in repelling the Camanches and Mexican bandits from the frontier.

The steamships Star of the West and Coatzacoalcos, from New York for Brazos, passed Key West, the former on the 20th and the latter on the 21st inst.

The President and Cabinet were yesterday again engaged in discussing the question of abandoning Fort Sumter. The administration moves very slowly in this disagreeable business. Meantime the Charlestonians are growing dangerously restive. Our correspondent at Charleston telegraphs that if the evacuation does not speedily take place the fort will be attacked and captured.