iews with SUMNER and WENDELL PHILLIPS in a
vacant lot upon the outskirts of the Capitol. Universal gloom prevailed.

SEWARD opened the discussion. He said it was contemplated to throw four
thousand men into Fort Sumter. We couldn't do it. If we did, it would
only be one of the first throes of a civil conflict, a war long and
bloody, which he would venture to predict might be protracted even to
the extent of ninety days. Were we prepared for that? He would like to
hear from that pure patriot, the Secretary of War, on this point.

Amid murmurs of applause, Gen. CAMERON rose to say that he was wholly
unprepared to make a speech; but he owned a lot of condemned muskets,
which he stood ready to dispose of to the Government at four times their
original cost. He should advise that the Fort be covered with several
thicknesses of Pennsylvania railroad iron. It would protect our gallant
troops, and he was now, as he had always been, in favor of protection.
Besides, he knew parties who could get up a ring in the way of army
blankets.

Mr. CHASE spoke rather thick and fast, but I understood him to pronounce
in favor of that platform which would get the most votes. "If the people
think it ought to be done, why, do it. The country needs taxation, and
is anxious to have me President. I think I can borrow money enough in
Wall street to pay the passage of a moderate number of men to
Charleston, but they mustn't on any account be CHASE men. I don't want
any of my friends killed off before the next Presidential election."

"What the Administration lacks," chimed in BLAIR, "is backbone. Powder
and ball, and blood are my sentiments. Fill all the army and navy
offices with the BLAIR family, and secession is dead."

SEWARD again: "Strengthen Pickens, and let Sumter go. Our soldiers will
find it healthier and more commodious at Pickens. I'll have the
_Powhatan_ sent there forthwith."

Hereupon Mr. GIDEON WELLES woke up and remarked, in a strain of apology,
that be hadn't read his commission yet, but it was his impression that
he was the head of what was called the Navy Department. Coming from an
inland town, he didn't exactly know whether the Secretary of State or
himself had the ordering about of our national vessels; but he rather
thought he would relieve his friend SEWARD of that burden. He had talked
with several old sea-dogs. They all agreed that the success of the plan
depended on its feasibility. Capt. Fox, a private citizen of
Ma