May 9th, 1861.—We hear many rumors and the papers are filled with alarming paragraphs, just enough to keep us “on the anxious bench,” yet not enough to give much real information. We have been hearing hints of a blockade but last night the news reached us that the United States Government established on the 6th of May, a blockade of all Southern ports, beginning at Pensacola. This is bad but the South has so many bays and inlets along her miles and miles of sea-coast that it seems almost impossible to prevent the entrance of vessels that wish to come in. The Southern Confederacy needs everything you can mention in the way of weapons and munitions of war; neither have we manufactories, where these can be made. Nearly every day some new company is organized and the need for arms grows greater all the time. Cousin Bettie Bradford has been at school in New York and now she is in a great hurry to get home before it is too late. Cousin Johnnie has gone on for her but nothing has been heard from them as yet and the family are feeling anxious.
