Government showing a hostile purpose, it shall become necessary and proper for us to obtain possession, then it will be right for the world and Black Republicanism to expect that the State, by her authorities, will move in the premises. The people will obey the call for war, and take the forts." -GOVERNOR BUCKINGHAM, of Connecticut, in his proclamation for a day of fasting and prayer, urges upon the citizens of that State the propriety of a petition that the country may be carried through this crisis "in such a manner as shall forever check the spirit of anarchy, bring peace to a distracted people, and preserve, strengthen, and perpetuate our na tional Union." Dec. 23.-This evening, Senator Toombs, of Georgia, assuming that there is no hope of compromise, telegraphed from Washington an address to the people of that State—(Doc. 5.) -Ar Petersburg, Va., a secession pole, one hundred feet high, erected yesterday on the most prominent street, amid the cheers from a large crowd, and bearing the palmetto flag, was sawed down this morning, just before the dawn of day, by an unknown party, and the flag carried off. There was great excitement when it was known.-N. Y. Daily News, Dec. 24. -A COMPANY of eighty men arrived at Charleston from Savannah, and yesterday tendered their services to the Governor of the State, under the name of the Minute Men, or Sons of the South.-Charleston Courier. Godard Bailey, the defaulting clerk, has not been arrested; and it is supposed he has several accomplices, of whom the Washington police are in search. Dec. 24.-Governor Pickens, agreeably to the ordinance of secession, issued a proclamation, proclaiming South Carolina a separate, sovereign, free, and independent State, with the right to levy war, conclude peace, negotiate treaties, leagues, or covenants, and do all acts whatever that rightly appertain to a free and independent State.-Herald, Jan. 1, 1861. -A MASS meeting was held at New Orleans to ratify the nominations of the Southern Rights candidates for the Convention. It was the largest congregation of every party ever assembled in that city. Cornelius Fellows was President, and speeches were made by Charles M. Conrad, Charles Gayare, and others, advocating immediate secession, amid unbounded enthusiasm. The Southern Marseillaise was sung as the banner of the Southern Confederacy was raised, amid reiterated and prolonged cheers for South Carolina and Louisiana.-National Intelligencer, Dec. 25. -THE election for delegates to the State Convention to meet January 7th, took place to-day. The separate State secession ticket was elected in Mobile by a thousand majority. The election passed off quietly through the State. In many places there was no opposition; the secession ticket, in the whole State, has 50,000 majority.-Times, Dec. 25. -GOVERNOR MOORE issued a proclamation, convening the Legislature of Alabama January 14th, to provide by State laws for any emer -THE disbursing clerk in charge of the Indian Trust Fund, at Washington, was detected in embezzling a large amount of State bonds and coupons belonging to that fund.gency that may arise from the action of the seThe sum is estimated at $830,000. The Secre- cession Convention called for January 7th. tary of State first discovered the defalcation, and telegraphed to Secretary Thompson (who was then in North Carolina as Commissioner from Mississippi to recommend secession) to return to Washington immediately. The Secretary arrived on Saturday evening, and had an interview with the President. In company with the Secretary of State, the Attorney-General, and District Attorney Ould, he then proceeded to make an investigation. Bailey, the defaulter, was absent from his office, and the key of the safe was missing; but entrance was obtained by force, and a large sum in bonds was found to have disappeared. -THE Speaker laid before the House of Representatives a letter signed by Messrs. McQueen, Bonham, Boyce, and Ashmore, inembers from South Carolina, to the effect that the act of secession passed by their State had dissolved their connection with that body, and that they should accordingly withdraw. The letter was laid on the table, and the Speaker directed the names of the South Carolina members to be retained on the roll, thus not recognizing the conduct of their State as severing their connection with the House.—(Doc. 6.) -THE Richmond Enquirer of to-day announces that President Lincoln will be forced to relinquish Washington, and suggests the pro- | said, they did not signify any cognizance of the priety of the prompt interposition of Maryland fact.-(Doc. 8.)-Charleston Mercury, Dec. 28. and Virginia to prevent Mr. Lincoln's inauguration at Washington, by taking possession of the capital without delay. -EXCITEMENT at Pittsburgh, Pa., in consequence of a report that the artillery at the Alleghany arsenal was to be transferred to new forts in the southwest. A call is in circulation, addressed to the Mayor, to convene a meeting of the citizens to take action in the matter. The call is signed by prominent men of all parties. The feeling against allowing a gun to be removed south is almost unanimous.-Evening Post, Dec. 26. -MESSES. BARNWELL, ORR, and ADAMS, the Commissioners appointed by South Carolina to treat with the Federal Government, arrived in Washington to-day. This evening they have held a consultation with a few friends, among whom was Senator Wigfall, of Texas.-Boston Post, Dec. 27. -IN the Convention at Charleston, Mr. Rhett offered the following ordinance: First. That the Conventions of the seceding slaveholding States of the United States unite with South Carolina, and hold a Convention at Montgomery, Ala., for the purpose of forming a Southern Confederacy. Dec. 25. The dispatches from Pittsburgh, that the arms in the arsenal there would not Second. That the said seceding States apbe allowed to be shipped, made a great sensa- | point, by their respective Conventions or Legistion at Washington. The story was greatly latures, as many delegates as they have repreenlarged. Northern men, including members of Congress, have telegraphed to the people to stand firm, and not allow the arsenals to be stripped of all arms. Dec. 26.-Fort Moultrie was evacuated to night. Previous to the evacuation, the guns were spiked and the carriages destroyed by fire. The troops have all been conveyed to Fort Sumter. Major Anderson states that he evacuated the fort in order to allay the discussion about that post, and at the same time strengthen his own position.-(Doc. 7.) The evacuation of the fort commenced a little after sundown. The men were ordered to hold themselves in readiness, with knapsacks packed, at a moment's notice; but up to the moment of their leaving had no idea of abandoning the post. They were reviewed on parade, and were then ordered to two schooners lying in the vicinity, where they embarked, taking with them all the necessaries, stores, &c., requisite in their evacuation. sentatives in the present Congress of the United States, to the said Convention to be held at Montgomery; and that on the adoption of the Constitution of the Southern Confederacy, the vote shall be by States. Third. That whenever the terms of the Constitution shall be agreed upon by the said Convention, the same shall be submitted at as early a day as practicable to the Convention and Legislature of each State, respectively, so as to enable them to ratify or reject the said Constitution. Fourth. That in the opinion of South Carolina, the Constitution of the United States will form a suitable basis for the Confederacy of the Southern States withdrawing. Fifth. That the South Carolina Convention appoint by ballot eight delegates to represent South Carolina in the Convention for the formation of a Southern Confederacy. Lastly. That one Commissioner in each State be elected to call the attention of the people to this ordinance. Several trips were made during the night, and a great part of the provisions and camp Dec. 27.-A meeting of the citizens of Pittsfurniture were transported under cover of burgh, Pa., was held, to give expression to the night. The brightness of the moon, however, public indignation created by the removal of afforded but slight concealment to their move-ordnance to the Southern forts. General Wilments, and in one of the trips, Lieutenant Davis liam Robinson presided. Resolutions were in command, a schooner full of soldiers and adopted, declaring loyalty to the Union, deprebaggage passed directly under the bow of the cating any interference with the shipment of guard-boat Nina. The officer who made the arms under government orders, however inopstatement expressed himself to be ignorant portune or impolitic the order might appear; whether the watch on board the Nina discov-deploring the existing state of things in connecered the movement or not; at all events, he tion with the administration of important de partments of the public service, so as to have shaken confidence in the people of the free States; that, while Pennsylvania is on guard at the Federal capital, it is her special duty to look to the fidelity of her sons, and in that view call on the President as a citizen of this Commonwealth, to see that the public receive no detriment at his hands. It behooves the President to purge his cabinet of every man known to give aid and comfort to, or in any way countenancing the revolt of any State against the authority of the constitution and the laws of the Union.—Evening Post, Dec. 28. -"CAPTAIN N. L. COSTE, U. S. R. Service, in command of the cutter William Aiken, betrayed his vessel into the hands of the State authorities of South Carolina. 1 -THE citizens of Wilmington, Del., fired a salute of twenty-one guns in honor of Major Anderson and his heroic band. -GOVERNOR HICKS' refusal to convene the Maryland Legislature for disunion purposes, is generally regarded at Washington with warm approbation, and creates great dismay among the disunionists who have urged it. The greater portion of the latter are said to be office-seekers, disappointed politicians, and rowdies, who seek plunder. A prominent gentleman, who has just seen Governor Hicks, says the rank and file of Maryland are true to him.-Tribune, Dec. 29. Dec. 29.-Major Anderson is denounced by the Charleston papers. The Courier says: "Major Robert Anderson, United States "The crew, on being notified of the position Army, has achieved the unenviable distinction of Captain Coste, under the State ordinance of opening civil war between American citizens concerning the customs, promptly volunteered by an act of gross breach of faith. He has, to remain under his command as an officer of under counsels of a panic, deserted his post at South Carolina under that ordinance." Fort Moultrie, and, under false pretexts, has -A MEETING Was held this evening at Rich-transferred his garrison and military stores and mond, Va., to give expression of opinion on the supplies to Fort Sumter." present crisis. Several speeches were made, favoring prompt secession measures, and others advocating a resort to negotiation.-Herald, Dec. 29. -THE Governor of South Carolina is tendered the services of troops from Georgia, Alabama, and different portions of Carolina. The Mercury, more temperately, says: “Major Anderson alleges that the movement was made without orders and upon his own responsibility, and that he was not aware of such an understanding. He is a gentleman, and we will not impugn his word or his motives. But it is due to South Carolina and to good faith that the act of this officer should be repudiated by the Government, and that the troops be removed forthwith from Fort Sumter."—(Doc. 9.) -JOHN B. FLOYD resigned his position as Secretary of War, owing to the refusal of the President to withdraw the Federal troops from the forts at Charleston.-(Doc. 10.)-Baltimore Sun, Jan. 1. Dec. 28.-Early this afternoon the palmetto flag was raised over the Custom House and Post Office at Charleston; and to-night Castle Pinckney and Fort Moultrie have been taken possession of by the South Carolina military. These forts are held under instructions from Governor Pickens, who authorizes their peaceable possession, for the protection of the government property. Castle Pinckney and Fort Dec. 30.-It is generally considered that Mr. Moultrie were held by a very small force, which Floyd has not resigned because of Major Ansurrendered without collision.-Times, Dec. 29. derson's patriotic course, but merely used it as -AN enthusiastic Union meeting was held a pretext to conceal the real cause. The whole at Memphis, Tenn., to-day. It was addressed country knows that his position, under the by Hon. Neill S. Brown and others. Resolu- "trying circumstances," has not been a very tions were passed opposing separate State seagreeable one, especially during the last two cession; against coercion; and favoring a Con-weeks. The alleged cause of his leaving Mr. vention of the Southern States to demand their rights, and if refused to take immediate action. -Phila. Press, Dec. 29. 1 See statement of Lieutenant Underwood, N. Y. Times, Jan. 9, 1861. Buchanan is, that the latter refuses to recall or order back to Fort Moultrie the gallant Anderson. Floyd asserts that he, some time ago, promised the South Carolina seceders to leave things in the harbor of Charleston undisturbed JANUARY 1, 1861. --in statu quo ante bellum-and that the President gave the same promise. This agreement having been broken by Major Anderson, he insisted upon his returning to Fort Moultrie; and, because the President was unwilling to give that order, he sent in his resignation.-Phila. | become so clear that energetic measures are Press, Dec. 31. -THE South Carolina troops took possession of the arsenal at Charleston. The arsenal contains many thousand arms and military stores. Military preparations are actively and zealously progressing. Evening Post, Dec. 31. Dec. 31.-Strong fortifications have been ordered by the South Carolina Convention in and around Charleston harbor, to resist any reinforcements that may be sent to Major Anderson. Governor Pickens is in daily receipt of dispatches from the South, tendering men to de fend South Carolina from invasion. -THE scene in the Senate at Washington to-day was intensely exciting. Senator Benjamin, of Louisiana, who, it had been reported, would make a conciliatory speech, gave out that he would make a parting secession speech —an announcement which drew an immense audience. Senator Benjamin spoke calmly throughout, but the character of his speech at the close opened up to every one the new era in national affairs. IIis closing declaration, that the South could never be subjugated, was greeted by the galleries with disgraceful applause, screams, and uproar. It was evidently the act of persons who had purposely packed the galleries. For this demonstration the galleries were promptly cleared; but as the people passed out, remarks were current among the mob such as, "That's the talk""-"Now we will have war"-" Benjamin's a brick ""D-n the abolitionists "— "Abe Lincoln will never come here.”—Times, Jan. 1. -GENERAL WOOL takes strong ground in favor of the Union, of sustaining Anderson in his position at Fort Sumter, and earnestly urges that a firm ground be adopted to put down rebellion. He declares that if Fort Sumter be surrendered to the secessionists, in twenty days two hundred thousand men will be in readiness to take vengeance on all who would betray the Union into the hands of its enemies.-(Doc. 11.) -Troy Times, Dec. 31. The evidences of a purpose on the part of the secessionists to seize upon the public property and usurp the Government at its capital, have taking to defeat their plans, and repress the treason. Now that the Administration begins to appreciate the necessity of preserving the Government, and manifests the purpose to repudiate the treasonable influences which have hitherto paralyzed its arm, the people are be ginning to report facts exposing the violent plots concocting in the District and its neigh borhood. It is now well known that military companies have been organized and drilled for months past in Maryland and Virginia—some of them under the eye of an officer of the regular army -and that the distinct object of their organization is to aid in the seizure of Washington city in the interest of the disunionists, or the pre. vention by force of Lincoln's inauguration, Some of the less prudent of their leaders boast in private circles that they have five thousand well-armed and organized men ready to strike the blow instantly upon the concerted signal being given.—Times, Jan. 2. -Ar Charleston, the attitude of the Administration is regarded as warlike. and the city is nightly patrolled by the miliA censorship is exercised over the telegraph, at Fort Sumter, and then attack them on rafts tary. It is proposed to starve out the troops with the aid of batteries already erected. There is a battery of earthwork, logs, and sand, on the end of Sullivan's Island, and also one on Morris' Island. Commander Pettigru, of Castle Pinckney, orders that no boat shall be allowed to approach the wharf-head without permission, under penalty of serious consequences in case of violation. The city river-front is carefully guarded. The Palmetto Guards, 100 strong, have charge of the arsenal under the palmetto flag, instead of the Federal flag. Collector Colcock notifies ship-masters that all vessels from and for ports outside of South Carolina must enter and clear at Charleston. The Columbia Artillery, numbering 50 men, arrived at 1 o'clock to-day, and proceeded to the harbor. They will use cannon belonging to Charleston.-Boston Transcript, Jan. 2. -THE South Carolina Convention passed an | Secretary of the Navy, and comprises the ordinance to define and punish treason. It de- names of nine-tenths of the business men of clares that in addition to that already declared the city. Calls for public meetings to sustain treason by the General Assembly, treason the Governor are now being issued all over the against the State shall consist only in levying State.-Baltimore American. war against the State, adhering to its enemies, and giving them aid and comfort. The penalty is death without the benefit of the clergy.— Evening Post, Jan. 2. Jan. 2.-The steam frigate Brooklyn and another vessel at Norfolk are ordered to be in readiness for immediate departure to Charleston. The secession leaders discovered the intention to start these vessels, and notified their sympathizers at Norfolk to have minute-men ready to seize them if they attempted to go to sea. The Administration is on the watch to prevent it.-Commercial Advertiser. A letter received in Washington from Alabama, states the secession sentiment to be utterly uncontrollable; and says that, in the event of the firing of a single gun in opposition to disunion, "Mr Lincoln's life will not be worth a week's purchase."-Boston Courier. patched troops to seize upon Fort Macon, at Jan. 3.-The order for the removal of guns from the Alleghany arsenal to southern forts is revoked by the War Department, under a de cision of the Cabinet. -A BOOK is opened in New York city, for the enrolment of volunteers to meet any demand which may be made by the Governor of the State for troops to aid in preserving the Union.-Times, Jan. 4. -THE Florida State Convention assembled at Tallahassee. -HON. H. DICKENSON, Commissioner from Mississippi, addresses both Houses of the Delaware Legislature, inviting Delaware to join a Southern Confederacy. The House, having heard him, passed unanimously the following Resolved, That, having extended to Hon. H. Dickenson, Commissioner from Mississippi, the courtesy due him as a representative of a sov —CAPTAIN CHARLES STONE, upon the recommendation of General Scott, is appointed to organize the militia of the District of Columbia. Captain Stone graduated at West Point at the head of his class, went into the Ordnance Corps, was a lieutenant in command of a battery at the siege of Vera Cruz; was brevetted for gal-resolution, in which the Senate concurred: lant conduct at Molina del Rey, and served on the entire line of operations from Vera Cruz to the city of Mexico, directly under the eye of General Scott, who expresses the highest confi-ereign State of the Confederacy, as well as to dence in his genius for command.-Tribune. -INTELLIGENCE is received in Washington that Fort Sumter is besieged; that all Major Anderson's communications are cut off; that Fort Moultrie has been completely repaired and the guns remounted; and that every thing is in readiness to open a fire on Major Anderson. New batteries are being erected around him by the secessionists.-N. Y. Times. the State he represents, we deem it proper and due to ourselves and the people of Delaware to express our unqualified disapproval of the remedy for the existing difficulties suggested by the resolutions of the Legislature of Mississippi.-Philadelphia Ledger. -THE South Carolina Commissioners left Washington for Charleston, upon the President's declination to receive any further communication from them. They consider the abrupt termination of their business by the President an insult to themselves and their State, and treat it as a declaration of war.-(Doc. 12.) -IN Washington, reports that armed bands were organizing to take possession of the capital before the votes for President and VicePresident are counted, meet with general ere |