BALLOON ENTERPISE, WASHINGTON, June 17. seven hundred United States Cavalry. Included | Telegraph Company, and H. C. Robinson, opin this formidable body are Capt. Doubleday's erator. The balloon was connected with the corps and McMullen's Company of Philadelphia War Department by telegraph. The first mesRovers. The portion of the force which forded sage ever telegraphed from a balloon was then the river at Williamsport were under command sent to the President of the United States by of Gen. Thomas, and comprised the two regi- Prof. Lowe. It was as follows: ments of regulars and about six hundred of the Rhode Islanders. The men waded through the stream generally up to their hips in water, and occasionally up to their arms. Their passage on the occasion is said to have been a very imposing and spirited spectacle. The men dashed into the stream singing "Dixie" and other popular camp airs with great vim and enthusiasm. -National Intelligencer, June 20. -NEAR Conrad's Ferry, Maryland, the rebels practised upon the Federal troops from the opposite side of the Potomac with three or four 6pounders. Their fire was returned from the rifle pieces of some twenty picked marksmen, who in the course of their firing brought down one of the enemy's gunners. The distance across is so great, however, that even rifled muskets are of little avail except by chance shots.-N. Y. Evening Post, June 18. -THE TWENTY-SEVENTH PENNSYLVANIA REGIMENT, (mostly Germans,) Colonel Einstein, about one thousand strong, passed through Baltimore, Md., on the route to the seat of war. They are well armed and equipped, and have entered the service with the spirit of true soldiers. Whilst at Camden, opposite Philadelphia, where they encamped for some time, they were treated with great kindness by the people of that city.-(Doc. 261.) -A BALLOON ascension for military purposes took place at Washington. The elevation attained was not very great, though it was perfectly satisfactory as an experiment. The aeronauts were Prof. Lowe, Gen. Burns, of the TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: SIR:-This point of observation commands an area nearly fifty miles in diameter. The city, with its girdle of encampments, presents a superb scene. I take great pleasure in sending you this first despatch ever telegraphed from an aerial station, and in acknowledging my indebtedness to your encouragement for the opportunity of demonstrating the availability of the science of aeronautics in the military service of the country. Yours respectfully, T. S. C. LOWE. -AN official order from the Duke of Newcastle, forbidding privateers to enter the ports of Canada, was published in the Montreal (Canada) papers.—(Doc. 262.) -THE Fourteenth Regiment N. Y. S. V. passed through New York City en route for the Seat of War.-The Eighteenth Regiment N. Y. Volunteers left Albany.-(Doc. 263.) -CAPT. BUDD, commanding the United States steamer Resolute, arrived at Washington, bringing as a prize the schooner Buena Vista, seized in the St. Mary's River. He captured two other vessels-namely, the schooner Bachelor and the sloop H. Day. The former had disregarded a warning given several days ago, and had deceived Captain Rowan by false statements, and was found on the Maryland side, opposite Matthias Point, at a place where it was convenient for crossing. They belonged to the same owner. -N. Y. Commercial Advertiser, June 19. DOCUMENTS AND NARRATIVES. Doc. I.-REPLY OF THE GOVERNOR OF MA- STATE OF MARYLAND, EXECUTIVE CHAMBER, ful effort to secure them is exhausted-will they consent to any effort for its dissolution. The people of Maryland are anxious that time bo given, and an opportunity afforded, for a fair and honorable adjustment of the difficulties and grievances of which they, more than the people of any SIR: Your letter of the 18th instant informs me other Southern State have a right to complain. that you have been appointed by the Governor of And, in my opinion, if the people of this Union Mississippi, in pursuance of a resolution of her really desire its continuance and perpetuity, such Legislature, a Commissioner to the State of Mary-adjustment may be effected. I hope and believe it land, and that the occasion of your mission is "the present crisis in the national affairs of this country, and the danger which impends the safety and rights of the Southern States, by reason of the election of a sectional candidate to the office of President of the United States, and upon a platform of principles destructive of our constitutional rights and which, in the opinion of the State of Mississippi, calls for prompt and decisive action, for the purpose of our protection and future security." You also inform me that Mississippi desires the co-operation of her sister States of the South in measures necessary to defend our rights; and to this end, you desire to know whether I will convene the Legislature of Maryland for the purpose of counselling with the constituted authorities of the State of Mississippi, and at what time it may be expected our General Assembly will be called for that purpose. will be effected-and promptly. And until the effort is found to be in vain, I cannot consent, by any precipitate or revolutionary action, to aid in the dismemberment of this Union. When I shall see clearly that there is no hope of such adjustment, and am convinced that the power of the Federal Government is to be perverted to the destruction instead of being used for the protection of our rights-then, and not till then, can I consent so to exercise any power with which I am invested, as to afford even the opportunity for such a proceeding. Whatever powers I may have I shall use only after full consultation, and in fraternal concert, with the other Border States; since we and they, in the event of any dismemberment of the Union, will suffer more than all others combined. I am now in correspondence with the Governors of those States, and I await with solicitude for the In the conversation I had with you this morning, indications of the course to be pursued by them. you were good enough to explain more fully the When this is made known to me, I shall be ready views and intentions of Mississippi in this matter—to take such steps as our duty and interest shall deher desire that our Legislature should also appoint mand, and I do not doubt the people of Maryland Commissioners to meet those of other Southern are ready to go with the people of those States for States; and that action at once be had by all the weal or woe. Southern States for the formation of a new Government among themselves. The position of Maryland, as a small Southern Border State, renders the exercise of any power I may possess, for the purpose indicated by you, a matter of very grave importance. Our State is unquestionably identified with the Southern States, in feeling and by the institutions and habits which prevail among us. But she is also conservative, and, above all things devoted to the Union of these States under the Constitution. Her people will use all honorable means to preserve and perpetuate these. I think I know the sentiments of her citizens in this matter, and that I am not mistaken when I say that, almost unanimously, they intend to uphold that Union, and to maintain their rights under it-that they believe these last will yet be admitted and secured; and that not until it is certain they will be respected no longer not until every honorable, Constitutional, and law. I fully agree with all that you have said as to the necessity for protection to the rights of the South; and my sympathies are entirely with the gallant people of Mississippi, who stand ready to resent any infringement of those rights. But I earnestly hope they will act with prudence as well as with courage. Let us show moderation as well as firmness, and be unwilling to resort to extreme measures until necessity shall leave us no choice. I am unable to inform you when the Legislature of this State will be called together, for until I can perceive the necessity for such a step I am not willing to awake the apprehension and excite the alarm which such a call at the present time could not fail to create. I have the honor to be, with great respect, your Doc. 2.-SECESSION ORDINANCE OF SOUTH CAROLINA. An Ordinance to Dissolve the Union between the State of South Carolina and other States united with her under the compact entitled the Constitution of the United States of America : We, the people of the State of South Carolina, in Convention assembled, do declare and ordain, and it is hereby declared and ordained, that the ordinauce adopted by us in Convention, on the 23d day of May, in the year of our Lord 1788, whereby the Constitution of the United States of America was ratified, and also all Acts and parts of Acts of the General Assembly of this State ratifying the amendments of the said Constitution, are hereby repealed, and that the union now subsisting between South Carolina and other States under the name of the United States of America is hereby dissolved. The ordinance was taken up and passed by a unanimous vote of 169 members, at 14 o'clock. The following is a summary of the debate on the passage of the ordinance: Mr. MAGRATH-I think the special matter of the ordinance should be immediately considered. To my understanding there is no Collector of the Port nor Postmaster now within the limits of South Carolina. What you have done to-day has extinguished the authority of every man in South Carolina deriving authority from the General Government. I am in favor of this body making such provisional arrangements as may be necessary in the interval which may exist between this moment and the time when the Legislature may act. not, however, to be implicated as sanctioning the idea that there is no lawful authority within the limits of the State except the General Government. Mr. GREGG-After South Carolina abrogated the Constitution of the United States, are its laws still in force? I think not. All the laws of Congress fall instantly to the ground on the act of Secession. I am Mr. CHEVES-As an immense chasm will be made in the law, and as it is necessary to avoid inconvenience to the people, we must make some temporary arrangements to carry on the Govern ment. Mr. GREGG-There is no law on the subject of the collection of the duties in South Carolina now. We have now accomplished the work after forty years. Mr. HAYNE-The Congress of the United States is no longer our Government. It will be for our Legislature to say what laws of the United States shall be continued and what not. The simple act of secession does not abrogate all the laws. We have a great many laws on our statute books which were passed by the Governor and the Privy Council. Mr. GREGG-The Congressional laws for the collection of revenue are for the support of the Federal Government at Washington, and all our Postoffice laws fall on our dissolution with that Goveru ment. Mr. MILES-We have to deal with facts and stern realities. We must prevent confusion, anarchy, and the derangement of our Government affairs. Things must for the present remain in statu quo, or confusion will arise. Mr. HAYNE Sudden action is injurious. Mr. CHESNUT-Two questions are involved power and duty. We must preserve our people, not only from inconveniences, but chaotic condition. We must revivify such laws as will best preserve us from calamities. As to duty, will you turn the ship of State adrift? what will become of the officers? of the Port to do. The Post-office has been swept Mr. MASEYCK-There is no duty for the Collector off. My opinion is that the present system of pos tal arrangements is a nuisance. The public can be better served by private parties between cities like Philadelphia and New York, one cent instead of three, and between less important ten or more cents. Mr. CALHOUN We have pulled a temple down that has been built three-quarters of a century. We must clear the rubbish away to reconstruct another. We are now houseless and homeless, and we must secure ourselves against storms. Mr. DUNKIN-If that ordinance be passed things will go on in the Custom-house and Post-office exactly as now, until other arrangements can be made by this Convention. There is nothing in the Ordinance to affect the dignity, honor, and welfare of the State of South Carolina. We must keep the wheels of the Government going. The Constitution of the United States is not entirely abrogated by the Ordinance. What is legal tender in the payment of debts? Is it not gold and silver of the United States? In the case of clearing and entry of ves sels, we are very liable to have the same confiscated. Mr. CARROLL The present revenue would be continued till an act of the Legislature authorized otherwise. Mr. BROWN-There is no longer communication with the Government from which we are just separated. Mr. DUNKIN-The spirit of the ordinance must be temporarily sustained till we treat with the General Government. Mr. GREGG-The President of the United States has thrown down the gauntlet in his Message. He has said that it was his duty to collect the revenue, and that he would do it. On one side the Federal Government claims the right and declares its intention to execute the power of collecting revenue in our ports; on the other side, we have declared that we are free. I desire no compromise. Is it necessary to maintain the fifteen to thirty per cent. duties imposed by the Congress of the United States? Should these duties continue to be levied our people will suffer a terrible calamity. For carrying the mails let the present contracts be assumed by South Carolina instead of the United States. Mr. RHETT This great revolution must go on with as little danger as possible to the country. By making the Federal agents ours, the machinery will move on. The Federal laws of taxation must not exist over us. I trust that the present system of taxation has fallen forever. Mr. BARNWELL-We have seceded from the United States, and established our independence. We can't allow the United States to exercise authority over us any more. Let postal convenience be sacrificed if necessary. There never was any thing purchased worth having, unless it cost a sacrifice. Mr. MASEYCK said, in regard to the mail, all restrictions must be removed. Let us appoint our officers. Let the Collector of the Port battle with the difficulties as they come. -New York Times, Dec. 21, 1660. |