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.

-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 ainong 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:

66

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.)-Balti

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 gov-more Sun, Jan. 1. ernment property. Castle Pinckney and Fort Moultrie were held by a very small force, which surrendered without collision.-Times, Dec. 29. -AN enthusiastic Union meeting was held at Memphis, Tenn., to-day. It was addressed by Hon. Neill S. Brown and others. Resolutions were passed opposing separate State secession; against coercion; and favoring a Convention of the Southern States to demand their rights, and if refused to take immediate action. -Phila. Press, Dec. 29.

Dec. 30.-It is generally considered that Mr. Floyd has not resigned because of Major Anderson's patriotic course, but merely used it as a pretext to conceal the real cause. The whole country knows that his position, under the "trying circumstances," has not been a very agreeable one, especially during the last two weeks. The alleged cause of his leaving Mr. 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

1 See statement of Lieutenant Underwood, N. Y. Times, things in the harbor of Charleston undisturbed

Jan. 9, 1861.

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. His 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 beginning 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 prevention 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.

-AT 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, tary. It is proposed to starve out the troops with the aid of batteries already erected. at Fort Sumter, and then attack them on rafts There is a battery of earthwork, logs, and sand, on the end of Sullivan's Island, and also

one on Morris' Island.

orders that no boat shall be allowed to apCommander Pettigru, of Castle Pinckney, proach 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.

-GOVERNOR ELLIS, of North Carolina, dispatched troops to seize upon Fort Macon, at Beaufort, the forts at Wilmington, and the United States arsenal at Fayetteville.-Times, Jan. 3.

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.

-FORT PULASKI, at Savannah, Ga., is taken possession of by State troops, by order of the

Governor.

-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.

-CAPTAIN CHARLES STONE, upon the recommendation of General Scott, is appointed to or- -HON. H. DICKENSON, Commissioner from ganize the militia of the District of Columbia. Mississippi, addresses both Houses of the DelaCaptain Stone graduated at West Point at the ware Legislature, inviting Delaware to join a head of his class, went into the Ordnance Corps, Southern Confederacy. The House, having was a lieutenant in command of a battery at heard him, passed unanimously the following 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 confidence 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.

Resolved, That, having extended to Hon. II. Dickenson, Commissioner from Mississippi, the courtesy due him as a representative of a sovereign State of the Confederacy, as well as to the State ho 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 cre

"It is a notable fact, that, wherever the 'Minute Men,' as they are called, have had an organization, those counties have voted, by large majorities, for immediate secession. Those that they could not control by persuasion and coaxing, they dragooned and bullied, by threats, jeers, and sneers. By this means thousands of good citizens were induced to vote the immediate secession ticket through timidity. Besides, the towns and cities have been flooded with sensation dispatches and inflammatory rumors, manufactured in Washington city for the especial occasion. To be candid, there never has been as much lying and bullying practised, 1 A correspondence on this subject took place immediately between Governor Ellis and Secretary Holt. The in the same length of time, since the destruc-forts were surrendered and the State troops removed.tion of Sodom and Gomorrah, as has been in Doc. 17.

any more drafts, not even to pay Anderson's | work, and did work faithfully all night upon men. All the cash in his vaults is to be retained there.

-JUDGE JONES, of the United States District Court, this afternoon announced from the windows of the court-room in the custom-house building, at Mobile, that the United States Court for the Southern District of Alabama was wharf"adjourned forever."