The Daily Dispatch: May 1, 1861., [Electronic resource]

From Washington
Lincoln's proclamation.
arrests of unoffending citizens, &c., &c.

Whereas, for the reasons assigned in my proclamation of the 19th instant, a blockade of the ports of the States of South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas was ordered to be established:

And whereas, since that date, public property of the United States has been seized, the collection of the revenue obstructed, and duly commissioned officers of the United States, while engaged in executing the orders of their superiors, have been arrested and held in custody as prisoners, or have been impeded in the discharge of their official duties, without due legal process, by persons claiming to act under authorities of the States of Virginia and North Carolina, an efficient blockade of the ports of those States will also be established.

In witness whereof, I have here unto set my hand, and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.--Done at the city of Washington, the twenty-seventh day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, and of the independence of the United States the eighty-fifth. Abraham Lincoln. By the President:

Wm. H. Seward, Sec'y of State.

The Alexandria Gazette, of yesterday, has the following by special express from Washington. It embraces fuller accounts of events previously reported:

Washington, April 29.

--Guards of soldiers are at both ends of the Long Bridge. On the Virginia side, the gallant yeomanry of the Old Dominion, under the blue canopy of a Virginia sky, act as vigilant sentinels; while on the Northern extremity, the paid hirelings of the present Administration lounge about the front of their comfortable barracks.

It is said, though the truth of the report is not vouched for, that on to-morrow the Heights at Arlington are to be taken possession of and fortified by the Federal troops; also, that the U. S. Government vessels, now in the river, will, as a means of retaliation for the non-permitted of provisions to enter Washington from Virginia, lie off the city of Alexandria, and compel all the boats that come from the fishing shores on the Potomac to proceed that city with their loads of herring and shad.

Numerous arrests of peaceable and unoffending citizens were made to-day by the agents of the Lincoln administration, who are numberless. Citizens of the Southern States are cautioned by their friends against expressing their honest sentiments, lest they should be seized and imprisoned.

Though martial law has not been proclaimed, it has been in full force, some say, since Sunday at eleven o'clock. Whether this is correct or not, it is impossible to state; but certain it is that passengers go to and come from Alexandria with as little inconvenience, excepting the fare, as they ever did.

The remaining portion of the Rhode Island Regiment came in to-day. In their ranks were three women--two dressed as bloomers — the other one wearing a blanket. They all had their hair cut close to their scalps.

Gen. Scott evidently and unquestionably manifests the effects of old age. A gentleman who had an interview with him yesterday, describes him as a decrepit old man, whose legs are swollen, and whose shoulders are affected by rheumatism.

The steamer Baltic steamed out this evening to the mouth of the Eastern Branch, where she was loaded from a lighter which came from the Arsenal. She then proceeded down the Potomac.

In the Washington papers we find very little, if anything, of interest. The editors seem to write under fear and restraint, and afford a painful commentary upon the vaunted "freedom of the press."

The National Intelligencerhas a leader upon the position of Maryland, from which we copy the following:

‘ "We only express a proposition which every intelligent reader has already presented to his own mind, when we say that upon the State of Maryland, more than any other State in the Union, or nominally out of it, depends the most immediate hope of preserving the public peace. If she shall bring enough of wisdom and moderation to the consideration of the present political crisis to preserve herself from the fatal complications which must inevitably ensue on her "secession" from the Union, she may not only protect her own interests and safety, but also best consult the interests and safety of all her sister States, as well in the South as in the North. Indeed, in the present posture of affairs, we think it demonstrable that the seceded States, more than any others, are interested in the avoidance of such an issue as would be likely to arise on the adoption of a Secession Ordinance by the people of Maryland. We allude, of course, to the question that would then in all probability be made respecting the occupation of this capital."

’ The following is an extract of a letter received at the Navy Department from Com. Glasson, of the United States brig Perry

‘ "The light houses at Cape Charles and Cape Henry show no lights. A schooner is sunk in about five fathoms of water about six miles north of Wolf Trap light-ship, Chesapeake Bay. The light-boat off Wind-Mill Point has been removed, and also the light-boat at Smith's Point."

’ The Intelligencer has some rumors from Maryland, viz:

We heard a report last night, ascribed to an intelligent and reliable source, that both Houses of the Legislature of Maryland had yesterday passed a resolution affirming the right of the General Government to march troops through Maryland without hindrance for the protection of the National Capital. Its truth cannot be positively known here until after the receipt of to-day's mail from Baltimore. It is further reported that the Legislature has adjourned to Annapolis.

In its local column, the Intelligencer has the following:

Arrivals of troops, since our last, were on Sunday evening about nine o'clock, when the Twelfth regiment of New York, about 1,000 strong, came in from Annapolis, and took up quarters in the Assembly Rooms, on Louisiana avenue.

Yesterday the remaining half, 600 in number, of the Rhode Island regiment arrived from Annapolis, whither they had come in the steamer Bienville, from New York. They were accompanied by large supplies of stores, and displayed on the march the unusual but interesting feature of four vivandieres,appropriately uniformed. For completeness of appointment in all respects, nothing can excel the Rhode Island regiment.

Last evening the Twenty-fifth New York regiment, about 600 strong, came on to Washington, and reported the Sixty-ninth (Irish) New York regiment at Annapolis Junction, preparing to follow on ward.

Mr. James S. Wadsworth, of New York, arrived here yesterday from Annapolis, where he recently arrived upon a steamer chartered and loaded with provisions by himself for the use of the troops. A part of her cargo consisted of forty horses and sufficient wagons to be hauled by them; twelve hundred barrels of sea bread, &c. He chartered the vessel, made his purchases, and had up steam for the voyage in eight hours after making up his mind to execute the patriotic enterprise.

Col. Mansfield, U. S. Engineers, late Inspector General of the Army of the United States, has been ordered to the military command of the troops now here, vice Col. C. F. Smith, ordered to duty in New York. Col. M. assumed the command here on Saturday last.