February 14, 1861; The New York Herald
WASHINGTON, Feb. 13, 1861.
Owing to the apprehensions of a conspiracy of purpose in seizing the public buildings they have been privately guarded, though not in large force, some three weeks past; and, in addition to other fears, the blowing up of the Capitol was regarded as an event not impossible, and hence every night a thorough examination of the cellars and vaults of that building has been made by the Capitol police, to be sure that no explosive materials had been there clandestinely deposited for such purpose.
Today the officers of the artillery were on duty for the purpose of immediately communicating with Congress should an attempt be made to attack the Capitol, and the military forces were ready to advance at a minute’s warning. But there was nothing whatever visible to excite the least apprehension, and it can safely be asserted that never during the last twenty years at least has the counting of the Presidential electoral votes been attended by better, if as good, order as on the present occasion.
Governor Hicks, of Maryland, was examined today by the special committee. His belief that a conspiracy existed in connection with the federal capital was, he said, superinduced by private and anonymous letters and newspaper articles, and that such combinations did not exist in Maryland but in other Southern States. That at the time of his publication, in the beginning of January, he was satisfied there were existing organizations, having in view an illegal interference with the federal authorities and the seizure of public property, but for some time past whatever may have been the designs of any secret confederations or associations, he was satisfied that such purposes have been abandoned. The special committee are unanimously of the opinion, whatever combinations or intents may have existed at an earlier period, that for the last six weeks there has been no appearance or vestige of an organization with hostile intent on Washington or the public property therein.
The Engineer Department has sent to Congress modified estimates for fortifications, omitting all with the exception of Fort Calhoun, Virginia, and Forts Taylor and Jefferson, Florida. It is added that the sum of $150,000 for each of the two last mentioned can be applied with advantage to them within the next fiscal year, and should be applied to augment their efficiency and strength, and to prepare them to serve partially, at least, as naval depots in the Gulf.
It appears from official data that the Secretary of the Treasury resigned as Aid-de-Camp to General Brown in 1825, and his commission in the army in 1828. Major Anderson graduated at West Point in 1825. Secretary Dix served as a captain of artillery at Fort Monroe, 1826 and 1827, and Anderson was a lieutenant in his company.