The Daily Dispatch: February 27, 1861., [Electronic resource]

Reasons for Concentrating troops in Wash--
ington.

‘ "Notwithstanding the report of the Committee of the House demonstrates that there is not, and never has been, any ground for the rumor that there was an organization here in Washington, or else where to seize upon the Federal Capital, Gen. Scott continues to bring troops into the city, that his purpose is not alone to protect the Government property or enhance the pageantry of Lincoln's inauguration, is now obvious to any man of commonsense; and as a proof that there is some ulterior purpose in view, I will mention to you that I was told this morning by a member of Congress, who met with an ex-member on Saturday last, just from Boston, and who told him that the Republicans there openly declared it to be the purpose of the Federal Government to throw into Richmond a body of troops as soon as Virginia passed an Ordinance of Secession, and to make that point the basis of operations against the south. This seems ridiculous, but it shows that the project has been discussed by that party, and obtains significance from the fact I have mentioned, that Scott continues to bring in troops without now even the pretext of a cause for it. I mention this rumor to you, because I honestly believe that there is some purpose hostile to us in this obviously unnecessary concentration of troops here."

’