The New York Herald Newspaper, February 16, 1861, Page 10

w ciroumiteution; that while he is openly ~ THE REVOLUTION. BMPORTANT NEWS FROM WASHINGTON. The Proceedings of the Peace | D Convention. o Adoption in Committee of a. Plan of Adjustment. { What is Thought «f It at the Gapital. Resiguathon of the Chief Clerk of the | Wez Department. The Proceedings of the South- | ern Congress. | The Revenue Officers Continued | in Office. Proceedings of the Virginia State | , Convention, Ke. &e., se. IMPORTANT FROM WASHINGTON. PREPARATIONS OF THE SOUTHERN CON- FEDERACY FOR WAR. clear up te the Chisago platform measures: fixed in the harness of the duced by Seward and © sere to accep! one Of the modes | Of adjustment alrer ‘offered—probably ‘that of Mr, | Adams, of Mascach AY aie ‘vessels, m ly ath bis party. | ae wecretly furore of compromise, Wh | +8 pete av ialh . Onmerivation, ne veill be tu- Col. Wm. Her acy jones, special agent by Secretary ix to Mobily sos New Orleans, to look after revanue amt, and other public preperty, returned this 4 nd will report to the Se:rotary to-morrow. | The sever will tramsmit the document to the House at m* 6, in reply toa recent resolution asking information M@ these subjects. The cfforts of Col, Jones for the re- covery of property and treasure alluded to were unguc- cessful. He seports that the wildest state of insanity in Tegard to secession prevails among the lower class of whites in the whole South. They believe that the peo- ple of the North are on the point of invading their homes to lay them in waste, BMr. Reynolds, having been ill for several days, has been obliged to delay reporting back the bill for provid- ing for retaking the public property seized by the seces- sionists. He is now convalescent, and will bring it for- epeech. Reliable tidings from Richmond to-day state that a highly conservative feeliog prevails in the Virginia Con- vention, and that no hasty or ill-considered action may be auticipaced. ‘The army supplies recently seized at Napoleon, Ar. | kansas, are worth between $8,000 and $9,000, and con- sist of 130 boxes, containing small arms and ordnance stores destined fer troops on the frontiers of Texas aad Arkansas, sclely for protecting whites from Indian in curstons. There are two thousand regular troops on a Jine of a thousand miles, but now there is no safe | route for a renewal of such supplies. It is reported that Edward &. Loring, ex-Julge of Pro- bate and Fugitive Slate law Commissiouer in Massachu- setts, has been offered the mission to Sardinia, unuer the act of the last session of Congress. He will aot be con. firmed by the Senate. The impression among the military to-night is, that | nothing of a hostile character will interfere with the | receftion and inauguration of Mr. Lincoln. This infor- mation ig the result of careful and official investigation. Arencontre occurred in the National Hotel this even- ing, between Mr. Kellogg, of Ilinois, and Mr. Medill, Wasuixcton, Fob. 15, 1961. Intelligence received here to-day through private soerces from Montgomery, indicates that the Southern Gongress have been most vigorously at work in secret | editor of the Chicago Tribune. Mr. Kellogg declared, | in the House, a few days ago, that he bad crush- | ed out the big Tribune of New York, and he would | do the same by the little Tribune of Chicago. The @easion for a wock past. Arrangements have been made | Parties met in the hall of the National this even- Ye] i by which the sum of fourteen millions of dollars will | ivg, about ten o'clock, and a few words led to | be at their dieposal on tho Ist of March. By that time | Dlows. & ia.contemplated they will have ready for the field fifty | of the stalworth Kellogg, and Medill was emphaticaliy | Mr. Medill was floored by a blow from the arm Grilled regim uts of troops. The object of this extensive | Pummelled by the member from Thinoie until the by- Preparation is to resist federal coercion, and, in case of Blockade, to march on Washington. The Seward men claim that he is now firmly in the Baddie, and cannot be jostied out of his place. They as- fert, with equal confidence, that there will be a harmo- nious Cabinet in the interest of peace and conciliation. ‘The fight on him is still bitter. It is said that assurances haye recently been received that no attack will be made on either Fort Sumter or Fort Pickens, and as soon as Mr. Davis shal! have been Mmaugurated as President of the Southern Confederacy he will send a Minister to Washington with power | @ negotiate with this government concerning various matters in dispute. However this may be, it is certain, a8 ascertained from an undoubted source, that Major Andereon feels himself secure in his position, and should | he be assailed no doubt is entertained that he can retain | & until succored by the government. THE TARIFF BILL, Wasurxatox, Feb, 15, 1861. The Tariff bill is becoming weaker every day, and the Prospect of its final passage less favorable. Senator Bunter dealt it a fearful blow yesterday, and the com- mittee who have it in charge are greatly alarmed. ‘The adoption of this disastrous measure at this timo | ‘will be most ruinous to every State and city North, ex- cept, perhaps, Pennsylvania. The principal argument ‘used by Pennsylvanians who are hero in favor of the bill fe, that it will cripple New York city. They are bring- fg all their force to bear in retaining the warchousing Seature. ‘The importers of books and poriodicals have discovered &@ clause in it which, if adopted, will destroy their entire Dusinces. behooves New Yorkers to be up and doing if they ‘would defeat this iniquitous measure. | fe better English and better sense, Col. Drinkard posi- | a8 well be stated Sively affirms thitt he was ignorant of Bailey's opera- tiens until Bailey made his confession to ex-Sesretary Thompson. The following i a copy of Col. Drinkard’s letter to the Secretary of War, resigning his position: — Wasiunaron Crry, Feb. 15, 1861. Sir—The select committee of the House of Representa- tives, of which Hon. J. N. Morris 1s chairman, having, in their report of the 12th inst., introduced my ‘name ia a manuer calculated to produce’ upon a stranger who has Rot an opportuity of examining the testimony, an im- pression unfavorable to me, I do not feel at liberty, by | @ furtber continuation in office, to subject the adminis. ration to i 4 even conjectural embarrass men: might result therefrom. 1 therefore resign my oilice as Shief Clerk of the War Department, avd remain, Very respectfully, your obediont servant, | W. R. DRINKARD. To Hon. Jos. Horr, Secretary of War. MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS. Wasntvoron, Feb. 15, 1961. All the talk about refusing to take the loans of the go ‘Vernment is regarded as only a trick of certain capital- Ante to deter persons from taking the loan, and thereby | enable a combination to get it ata large discount, say fwenty five per cont. It looks by this statement rather Suspicious, as but one businees day clapses from taking the joan until the incoming administration. The conference between the two houses over the Defi @iency bill is till pending. It is understood they are like Jy to agree, and will probably report on Monday. The ontest on the coal and harbor amendment brings on a powerful lobby from the Panama Railroad Company, who fre furious at the opposition of the Senate committee. One of the lobby members of this Panama monopoly waa expelled from the floor of the House to-day. | Mr. Sherman, from the Committee on Ways and Means, ‘will prees his fifty dollar Treasury note proposition, not. withstanding the opposition already initiated. The bill will come up on Monday or Tuesday next. The passago ©f Mr. Sherman’s proposition will enable those of the great middling classes of the North who believe in repub- lican principles to participate in the effort of rescuing the government from its present financial dilemma. The republican conference to-night, to which at lesat one Gemocratic member of the House has been invited, will Probably.determine the course of the majority in Con- swrees in this respect. Mr. Dawes, of Massachusetts, in tho House Seloct Com Aniétec on Treason, is preparing a report on the conduct Of Ge Secretary of the Navy. It will probably be ae Companied by a resolution of censure. A bil to relieve collectors of ewetome from alk liability | for duties illegally exacted, paesed its second reading in Ghe Henate on Thursday, | Commander R. Bewmes, of Georgia, to-day sent in his | | resignation (0 the Secretary of tha. and it wi - cepted. ~ mie ‘The report, pretty extensively cireulated, that the members of Congress from seceding Sta‘es Lave drawn | their ralaries for the full sessicn is utterly untrue They | ‘Wore paid up to the time of service, and no more. fo. | @ides, adoording Wo the law, every member has x pro vata reduct ton in his ealary for every day’s absonce, It is noted © & fact, that none but republicans wore Present at the party given by Charles Francis Adang last night, except Mon. John B. Haskin, of New York, and Hon. H. Winter Davis, of Maryland. Intimations have | Deen thrown out that Wr. Adams may represent Now England in Mr. Lincoln’s Cabynet A prominent republican mem? or of Congress says Mr Lineoin’s epecch at Indianapolis is Bot to be construed {nto meaning coercion, that hie mind is "Ot a direct one, oad tat be always wiicmply to agoompliald @ Haing by standers drew the belligerents asunder. This is the commencement of the “irrepressible con- flict’? among the republicans. Medill is doing well after his severe punishment, and there is no little sympathy for him. OUR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE. Wasmxcron, Feb. 14, i861. The Propoted English and French Protectorate Over Mexico—Arrival of Special and Secret Envoys frem the Cwo Powers. An important piece of information waa transmitted to tho Hrrarp yesterday by telegraph, in reference to the arrival in this country of two special envoys from the courts of England and France, on a secret mission. Theso gentlemen are men of wealth ani influence—one Mr- Nichols, a banker in the city of London, and the other M. De Jeanneaux, a banker in Paris. They come hiner of- ficially to watch the progress of the extraordinary po- litical events that are occurring in this country, aug on | this continent. Of the national debt of Mexico, which amounts to upwards of two hundred millions of dollars, | these gentlemen represent about forty millions, | the bonds for which are in their possession. The instructions they bear cannot fail to awaken a deop | interest in the minds of the people of this country, North and South. The American povple have repeatedly | been admonished, through tho columus of the public | journals and the speeches of their best statosmon, that | foreign Powers have long waited and watched for aa op. portunity to secure a foothold upon this continent, which would give them some controliing and directing | mfluence upon ite wealth, commerce, happiness nd prosperity. England and France have looked with covetous eyes upon our unparalleled resources nd success, and regarded with joalousy our in- reasing national power; and the revolution which 8 now in progress, threatening to divide the goverument, weaken both sections, and dostroy the prestige of our reatness, has been promptly geized upon for the pur- | 1080 of acquiring the long sought for position. “ Whilfe we were one people, living under the same constitution, en- Joying equal rights and privileges, and united in opposing | toreign aggression, from whatever quarter, there Was no | hope of #ucceesful’ interference. But now it is uuforta- | pately different. With this government divided in itself, #8 it bide fair to be, and Mexico on our Southern frontier | groaning under a debt of two hundred millions to England | and France, a pretext may easily be discovered for the | evident purpose of those governments to carry out one of | their long cherished plans, and that is the establishing of @ protectorate over the Mexican States. To this end other agents of France and England aro al- ready in Mexico, clothed with gulllcient powers and in- | structions to proceed at once to the accomplishment of this purpese the moment war breaks out between the North and the South, or as soon as it is ascertained the Un. us brevet” diasolved. Tn this connectian it may at the government of the Southern confederacy will be recogaized by both France and Eng- land, and that the secret envoys referred to have know- ledge of the fact, with instructions to act accordingly. Agente are also at prevent in this city aud in New York, who are busily engaged in the prosecution of this plan in | behalf of England and France, and it might astound your readers to see the character of the advice of the Emperor Napoleon to those who are here looking after this matter. in the Cabinets of the Oid World the programme ig already marked out under the watchful eyes and direc- tion of ambitions potentates, and there is cause for the apprehension that foreign bayonete will complete the | work which is now so secretly and yet so carefully aud surely going on | The bankers referred to stopped in this city at Wil- RESIGNATION OF THE CHIEF CLERK OF | THE WAR DEPARTMENT. Wasnrvaton, Feb. 15, 1861. ‘Mee report that Colonel W. R. Drinkard, Chiof Clerk of ‘the War Department, had been removed on account of Reged complicity in the abduction of the Indian bonds f not true. He has, however, resigned, for reasons set forth in a note below. An error in the report of the In- ‘vestigation Committee, in giving his testimony, wherein ho is made to say, in an interview with Bailey, that in the event of Secretary Floyd’s acceptances not proving ®orrect, ho, tho Sesretary, would be agonized and @ieturbed, has given rise to sé much comment that he concluded to relieve the administration of any embarrasement by his continuing to hold his position. ‘Hie language, correctly reported, should have been that “ the Secretary would be annoyed and disturbed,” which that | lard’s Hotel, where interviews were had with certain Parties here who are interested, and their respective go- vernmental representatives congulted. Secret instruc- tions have been sent hence to various parts of Mexico, where are stationed the ministers and consuls of England and France, and the gentlemen themselves proceeded | southward. The new Secretary of State, Mr. Seward, will flad these | among the other entang’oments which will await the | opening of his official portfolio, THE VIRGINIA CONVENTION. Ricumonp, Feb. 15, 1861. In the Virginia Convention the Southern Commission- ers were invited to-day to address the Convention on Monday. Mr. Conran offered a resolution to appoint a committee to whom shall be referred all federal matters, Adopted. Mr. Wuson introduced a resolution, that the Virginia Commissioners to the Peace Congress be requested to re- port, whether, in their opinion, any reeult acceptable to Virginia may be expected from the deliberations of that body. Mr. Cramene objected. Laid over. Mr. Wyat M. Eitiorr, of the Whig, wae elected printer without opposition Mr. Wer brought to the notice of the Convention Mr Stuart's resolution in tho Senate rolative to rash, ill advised persons contemplating an invasion of Washing. ton. He vindicated himself from euch motive, and asked Mr, Stuart to explain his resolution, Mr, Srvart disclaimed the remotest reference to Mr. Wise in thie resolution Mr. Wise then read a letter from two citizens of Staun ton, detailing a conversation with Mr. Stuart, who had aesured them that one cljoct contemplated in the G vention was to remove Governor Letcher and put Wire in his place, and that Wise was aware of it, Mr. Sw anv replied, be had only mentioned it as a com. mon place rumor, attaching no importance to it Mr, Wise emphatically denied any knowlodgo of such | an extraordinary project til! he received that letter, In closing his speech Mr. Wise said, if the Commonwealth ever eubmits to black republican rule, be would turn from her and beg some sister Commonwealth to come and eave the mother, The galleries applauded, and a proposition was made to clear them, but was withdrawn, Adjourned. THE NORTH CAROLINA LEGISLATURE. Raseront, Feb. 15, 1861 ‘The Senate finished the Military bill to-day and made many amendments to it. The Ad Valorem Tax bill from also discussed, ani more railroad bills uf Unportant bills are yot to perfect the House w UNION CONVENTION AT PHILADELPHIA, Purcaneipata, Feb, 16, 1861, A committee of work\"@men has been appointed to make arrarvements for the ("alon Convention to be held we regueeted fo no ward to-morrow or on Monday, and support it in a | THE PEACE CONVENTION. Proceedings of the Northern Free and Border Blave States at Washington. THE PLAN OF ADJUSTMENT RECOMMENDED BY THE COMMITTER, Wassuncros, Feb, 15, 1861. i Wasuincton, Foo. 15, 1861. The Peace Congress assembled at twelve o'clock to-day, | and the Committee ou a Pian of Seitlement reported a3 , follows :— Article 1. In all the territory ef the United States not embraced within the limits of the Cherokee treaty graat, north of a line from east to west, on the parallel of thirty eix degrees thirty minutes north latitude, involun- | tary servitude, except in punishment of crime, is probi bited whilst it shall be under @ Territorial goverament; und in all the territory south of said line the satus of | persons owing service or labor as it now exists shall uot be changed by law while such territory shall be wader | a Territorial government; and neither Congress wor the | Territorial government shall haye power to hinier or | prevent the taking to said territory of persons held to | labor or involuntary service within the United States, according to the laws or usages of any State j ‘rom which guch persons may be taken, nor | to impair the rights arising out of eaid relations, | which shall be subject to judicial cognizance in | he federal courts according to the common jaw; and when any territory north or south of said line, within such boundary as Congress may prescribe, shall contain a pepulation required for a member of Congress, ac- cording to the then federal ratio of represontation, it shall, if ite form of government be republican, be ad- mitted into the Union on an equai footing with the origt- nal States, with or without involuntary service or labor, as the constitution of such new State may provide. Art, 9. Territory shail not be acquired by the United States unless by treaty, nor, except for naval and com- mercial stations and depots, unless such treaty shall be ratified by four-fifths of all the members of the Senate: Art. 3. Neither the constitution nor any amendment thereof shall be construed to give Congress power to abo- ligh or control within any State or Territory tho relation established or recognized by tho laws thoreof touching persons bound to jabor or involuntary service therein, or to interfere with or abolish involuntary service in the District of Columbia without the consent of Maryland, and without the consent of the owners, or making tho owners who do not con- gent just compensation; nor the power to intorfera with or prohibit representatives and others from bring- | ing with them to the city of Washington, retaining and taking away, persons 60 bound to labor; nor the power to interfere with or abolish involuntary service in places under the exclusive jurisdiction of the United States within those Statee and Territories where the same is established or recognized; nor the power to prohibit the removal or transportation, by lund, sea or river, of per- sons held to labor or involuntary service in auy State or Territory of the United States to any other State or Ter- ritory thereof where it is established or recognized by law or usage, and the right during tranaportation of touching at shores, ports and landings, and of landing in case of distress, shall exist; nor shall Congress have power toauthorize any higher rate of taxes on persous bound to labor than on land. Art. 4. The third paragraph of the second section of the fourth article of the constitution shall not be con- strued to prevent any of the States, by appropriate legislation, and through the action of their judiciat and ministerial officers, from enforcing the delivery of fugi- tives from labor to the person to whom such service or labor is due. Art. 5. The foreign slave trade, and the importation of slaves into tho United States and their Territories, from places beyond the present limits threof, are forever pre. hibited. Art. 6. The first, second, third and fifth articles, together with this article of these amendments, and the third paragraph of the second section of the first artiate of the constitution, and the third paragraph of the second section of the fourth article thereof, shall not be amended or abolished without the consent of ail the States. Art. 7, Congress shall provide by law that the United States shall pay to tho owner the full value of his fugi- tive from labor in all cases where the Marshal or other officer, whose duty it was to arrest such fugitive, was prevented from s0 doing by violence or intimidation, or when, after arrest, such fugitive was rescued by force, and the owner thereby prevented and obstructed in the pureuit of his remedy for the recovery of such fugitive. It will be seen, upon comparison, that the proposition, as adopted by the committee, is vastly different from the one originally submitted by Mr. Guthrie, The com- mittee stood twelve to nine, Maine, New Hampshire, Maseachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut and New York and Virginia, represented {by Mr. Seddon, voting against the Proposition. Rhode Island yoted for the proposition. The Convention did not consider the report, but after fome wnimportant busiaers adjourned until to-morrow, when the debate will open, and from present appearances it will be lively. Many of tne members who have ex- pertenced the benefit of the reports of the debates tn Congress in past years are anxious to open the Convention to the public and afford facilities to the press. They are anxions to go down to porterity, aud realize that this is their last chance. An effort will be made to-morrow to admit the pross, but it ie doubtful if it succeeds, as the majority of the members aro timid men, and dare not risk the criticism of the people upon their conduct. If Now York, Ohioand Pennsylvania should yote against it-in convention it will be defeated. The latter State, how- ever, is counted for it, The border slave States are not entirely satisfied with it. The Territorial part does not suit them. It is bo- lieved that they will accede to it, provided the North will ascept it. In order to give it strength before Congress the plan should receive the endorsement of two-thirds of the Con- vention. The members of the committee have been in constant consultation with their respective Congressional delega- tions, and have derived some encouragoment as to a suc- ceesful result. ‘The adoption of the above plan of adjustment by the committee is viewed as an auspicious augury of the future. It is believed that the proposition will be adopted by both the Conference and Congrese, while there will be fome opposition to it in the delegations from Virginia and other of the slave States; but it will receive the sup- port of all the conservative men, including Mr. Bocock, who will speak for it in the House. The ultra republicans are very bitter in their denuncia- tions of the report, and they intend to assail it in conven- ton to-morrow. They hope to be able to defeat it. The proposition may be discnesed nearly the whole of next week, To-morrow the Conference commence dis. cussion relative to holding a national conventioa, Mr. Logan, of lilino's, who voted for the majority plan, can no longer be counted the confidential political ad. viser of Mr. Lincoln, as he does not hesitate to express | his disestiefaction of Mr. Lincoln's anti-compromise posi tion. Mr. Logan has expressed himself willing to go for the Crittenden proposition if necessary. The opinion is that the report will not be accepted, and there is no prospect that the Peace Congress will agree upon anything except a motion each day to adjourn for dinner. THE SCHOOL SHIP AT CHARLESTON. TO THE EDITOR OF THE CHARLESTON MERCURY. Hoving noticed the copy ot a card published in the New York Henarp of the 4th inet., entitled “Charleston and | Its Fortifications,’ I fecl it incumbent on mo to state | that the nseertions therein contained are untrue, at least | the portion relating to the school ship Lodebar and the discharge of Capt, J. © The truth ie, Capt. Aimar ie now,and always has been, the t navigation, ‘The Board kaows no other. | “The Marine School,” on be | ie olent enterprise, gottes up b | chants wnd other benevolent gentlemen, fe is not | State institution; ber officers are not commissioned, but | nimply ballotted for, yearly, by the Board of Trustees, and the inetitation is under the auspices of the Charles- ton Port Society, ‘The State and city contribute liberally to ite support; Iso a number of private individuals, Who Capt. «J, is, no one here can #ay—eome “ bogus captain,” an € impostor who wants omployment from a symy ier, no doubt, His statements are £0 void of (rath, as re: gards hig connection and discharge from the Lodebar, that he should not be credited in reference to the fortifi- cations in “this harbor, and the practicability of rein- forcing Fort Sumter. By inserting the above you will oblige, very reepectfully , THOMAS 8. BUDD, Chairman, Cimmnimeron, February 11, 1661, THE RIGHT OF ESSION. The Richmond Pispa’ch srys:—Among the many ques- tions which will have to be settled befure the Union ean be reconstructed, is one which has been developed hy the present conflict—tio right of secession. The South ern States are @8 unanimous in their conviction of this right under the coustitution as the Northorn States are in their opporition to it, The right must be rocornined before there can be any Union again, excep Lest ve | tue opprempors aud the oppivweeiy ‘ SEVENTH DAY. Mowrcommny, Ala. , Feb. 11, 1961. Congress met this morning at eleven o'clock. Prayer was offered by Rev. Mr, Battle, Prosident of the Tusca- Jooea Central Female Institute. Mr. Cosran offored the following:— Rerolv t a committee posed of five members be appointed chats, whose duty it shall be to prepare and report a bill providing Yor the establishment of executtve de- partments for the confederacy. Mr. Srernes—I offer the following:— Resolved, That we reconsider so much of the resolution passed on Soturday as combined the commitiees on military hid naval affairs, and that there De added a committee on Terri ‘a conimittee on public lands and a committes on Indian affairs, Adopted. ‘The Congress then went into secret session, and sub- sequently took a recess for half an hour. ‘At one o'clock Congress reassembled, and the Presi- dent announced that the hour had arrived for receiving the ree of the Vice President. ‘The President then administered to Mr, Stephens the following oath:— You do solemnly swear that you will faithfully exeeute the office of View nt of the Confederate of America, and will, to the best of your ability preserve, pro- tect and defend the constitution thereof—so help you God. During the secret session a cominittee of two from each State was appointed to report on @ permanent con- | stitution. ‘The committee was appointed on a resolution introduced by Mr. Khett. The seoresy on the resolution has not been removed, but that on the names of the com- mittee has been. . ‘The committee is as follows:— Alabama—R. W. Waiker and R. H. Smith. Florida—Jackson Morton and J. B. Owens. Georgia—Robert Toombs and T. R. R. Cobb. Loutsiana—A. Decloet and Gen. E. Sparrow. Mirsiesippi—A. M. Clayton and W. P. Harria. South Carolina—R. B. tt, Sr., J. Chesnut, Jr. ELEVENTH DAY. Montoomery, Feb. 16, 1861, Congress has appointed a committee of six to make suitable arrangements for tho reception and inauguration on Monday next, which takes place at one o'clock that day. The Cuarrman stated that he had received a communi- cation relative to the purchase of vessels for the provi- sional government. Referred. Mr. Fearn presented a letter relative to a new projec- tile, which has been approved by scientific military men. Referred. An official copy of the Texas ordinance of secession waa presented with the credentials of tho deputies, only one of whom has arrived. Objection was made to its reception on the ground that the ordinance was not yet ratified. The delegate present, Mr. Gregg, was invited toa seat in the Convention. ‘The Congress then went into secret session, during which an act was passed to continue in office the officers connected with the collection of the customs at the time of the adoption of the constitution of the Confederate States, with salaries and powers as heretofore, pro vided the compensations of any of them shall not exceed $5,000 per annum. Collectors are required to execute the game bonds a3 heretofore, and subordinates are to give bonds one week after the collection. Officers are required to take an oath to discharge all their duties faithfully, and to support the constitution of the provi- sional government. A resolution was adopted to continue in office, unless otherwise ordered, the several officers connected with the collection of the duties, until the Ist of April; and the Secretary of the Treasury was instructed toreport a plan, to go into effect on the 1st of April, diminishing the expenses of collecting the revenues in each Custom House at least fifty per centum. The injunction of secresy was removed from both these measures. THIRTY-SIXTH CONGRESS. SECOND BESSION. Senate. Wasntvaton, Feb. 15, 1861. Mr. Wave, (rep.) of Ohio, presented a petition, nu- merously sigued by citizens of Philadelphia, in favor of the Union, coustitution and laws. Mr. Tnomson, (opp.) of N. J., presented a petition from citizens of New Jersey in favor of the border State resolutions, He also asked to be excused from further eervice on the Committee on Naval Affairs,and was ex- cused. ‘The Dill for the relief of Mr. Giddings, by payment for | a aa was taken up, and after a long discussion, ed. Mr. Trcmevut (rep.) of IIL, presented a petition from citizens of Hiinois asking Congress te preserve public property and enforce the laws. ‘TIM TARIFF MALL. The Tariff bill was then taken up, A number of amendments of the select committes were agreed to. The amendment concerning the present warehousing system was then discussed. Mr. Swann, (rep.) of N. Y., moved to extend the time of ninety days which is in the’ bill to three years. Ho ‘said if it got this amendment he should still object to the committee amendment. Mr. Latnam, (opp.) of Cal., spoke against any alteration of the pregent system, and said that it would operate in- jum on his State. Mr. Wiraow, (rep.) of Mass. , said if the bill passed with this change of warehouse system it would array against it the most formidable opposition of merchants and the shipping interest, Mr. SBwarp raid that the warehousing system had passed amid great opposition, yet it had been a most be- neficial system to the country; had extended commerce and manufacture. To abolish it would be to strike a biow ut the most effective aid to commerce and in- ep.) of Rhode Island, said the commit- subject carefully, and Sos it had something to do with tho Treasury of the United States, as well as commerce. Goods were left in the warehouses and the duties not paid, consequently the gov- ernment loses the yynet just at the worst time. Ho said he did not think that the government could afford to lend money in this way, when it is obliged to borrow money at bigh rates, Adjourned. House of Representatives. Wasmnctor, Fob, 15, 1861, Mr. Jonny Cocunaye, (opp.) of N. Y., presented a mo- morial from the New York Chamber of Commeree pro- testing against the passage of the Morrill Tariff bill, and Fpecifying its objectionable features to be the repeal of the warehousing system, the specific and double or com- pound duties, and the effect it would have to lessen the revenue by diminishing the exports. Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, Mr. Mornis, (opp.) of Ill., asked, but failed to obtain, leave to introduce a resolution to print 25,000 extra es ew a abstraction of the Indian A number of private bills were then |, including one taken up on motion of Mr. John Cochrane,’ providing for an 9 intion of $10,000 to Townsend Harris for jiating the treaty with Siam. 16 House passed the bill for the relief of Hockaday & Leggett, appropriating $40,000 for account of the postal sorvier., A bill for a larger amount was recently vetoed by the Fresident in consideration of the Post ilice Ap- propriation bil. During the debate on the postal amendment to increase the pay of route agents to-and from Washington to ono | thousand dollars a year, Mr. Courax, (rep.) Of Ind., opposed it, when Mr. Fronexce, (opp.) of I’a., said that when Mr. Colfax be- camo Postmaster Genoral, as he sincerely hoped, that, deepite his poritics, it would be the case, he would feel ‘more like aiding in giving these officers au adequate re- Tmuneration, Mr. Wasunonyn, (opp. requiring the master General to reexamine the causes for the diecontinuance or curtailment ofj the island service on the 4th of March, 1859, and restore such be restored under proper circumstances. He earnestiy advocated the amendment. Mr. Craro, (opp.) of Mo., said, H the new Postmaster General was to be as acceptable and qualified a man as Mr, Colfox, he would have confidence that what was right would be done. Mr. Stanton, (top.) of @hio, opposed the amendment. | If his friend’ from Indiana’ was appointed Postmaster General, a& he hoped it would be tho case, he would have the power, and could exercise it without’ tho passage of this amendment, which was adopted by «two-thirds vote. COURT MARTIAL OF COMMANDER WALKE, UNITED STATES NAVY. The members of the Court convened for the purpose of examining into the charge preferred against Commander Walker for disobedience of orders met in the Lyceum of the Brooklyn Navy Yard yesterday at noon, but in the absence of Commander Ward—supposed to bo at Wash- ington—the Court did not organize until one o'clock P. M., at which time the following naval officers were present — Commander Stringham, President; Captain Morris, Com manders Pell, Hitchcock, Swartwout and Caso.’ Pay master B. J.’ Calhoun, Judge Advoeate, Commander Ward still being absent, the Court formally organized only, and adjourned till to-day 80 as to allow that officer the © ‘tunity of being present. Commanier Walke, with his counsel, Mr. Phi ie Hasnision, were in attendance from anearly hour, The charge against the defendant is that he brought the United States ship Supply to this rt when he wae ordered on a different mission in the th; and it is expected that the defence wMl be that eae Garee al in #0 ry being without pro. visions, eby saving over undred persons from starvation, A CONVENTION OF SOUTIERN COTTON SrIxXNERS. A convention of those engaged in the spinning of the great Southern stale i to be held in the city of Atlanta on the 18th inst, tion ig to éneourage wn«' promote the cotton spinuing in- Wea of Til, offered an amendment | 1'# object of the contemplated conven- * NEW YORK HifR%LD, SATURDAY FEBRUARY 16, 1861.—TRIPLE SHEET. MORE TROOPS TRANSPORTED SOUTH. DEPARTURE OF THE STEAMER DANIEL WEBSTER FOR FLORIDA AND TEXAS—NEARLY ONE HUNDRED UNITED STATES TROOPS ON BOARD—HER CARGO SUPPLIES FOR THB AMERICAN FORTS, ETC. ‘No small interest was aroused yesterday by the move- ments of the steamship Daniel Webster in the harbor. ‘This interest was by no means allayed by the subsequent | movement of the same steamer out of it, The Daniel Webster has been lying up for a long time,, and hence as soon as she was observed steaming down the river and towards Gover- nor’s Island those who recognized her naturally and generally inquired what the Daniel Webster was about? It soon became known, however, by the subse- quent circumstances that the steamship was in the ser- vice of the United States government and engaged as a On the 8th instant orders were despatched from the War Department in Washington to the government mili- tary authorities here to charter a steamship and forward the reeruits on Governor’s Island belonging to some of the artillery regiments now serving in the United States forts at Key West, Tortugas and Indian- old, Florida, and Brazos, St. Jago, Texas, to their respective corps. In accordance with these or" ders, therefore, the steamer Daniel Webster was char- tered for a period of thirty days to perform the duty, and the charter was concluded on Monday last. The steamer was lying at her pier, near the foot of Eleventh street, East river, when she was chartered and whence she took her cargo on board. The cargo eonsists of 900 barrels of beef and pork, besides other sundry supplies of provisions, such as bread, molasses, beans, vinegar, &c. Part of it was taken on board barges at the government pier, foot of Whitehall street, and from them transported to the Daniel Webster. ‘About eleven A. M. yesterday the Dan’l Webster, having received her coal and cargo on board, steamed from her ier down the East river, and hove to off Governor's d in half an hour afterwards. Presently tho steamer Pope Catlin, having 92 United States trvops on board, Jeft the pier at Governor's Islund and ran along- side the steamship. No sooner were the steam- ers made fast to cach other than the troops ‘ansported from the deck of the bin Catlin to that of the jer vessel. The wind was ‘ing a gale from northeast in the meantime, 80 that the removal of the military and their baggage from the one steamer to the other was not accomplished beg bn for nearly three hours. At half past three the Daniel Webster had taken every one and everything on board which she was to carry, and proceeded down the bay. As the wind veered round soon after to the northwest, it became doubtful whether she would pro- ceed to sea before to-day. The 92 men which she is chartered to are artillery, of whom 40 belong to, company B; 16 to compiny F ; 6 to com) 1 ; 8 to company Hi to com: 1y M of the First r To ogiment United Stajes artillery, and company C of the Second regiment Of United Sta‘es artil- aye ‘ntil to-day 46 of these men have been stationed on loe’s island, on account of the crowded condition of Governor’s island. They were all put on board the Pope Catlin, however, at Governor's island. They are in oharge of Captain Dawson, and. are ac- companied by Major Porter, asistant a’jftant gen- eral, and Captain Smith of the topographical corps of engineers. Most of the men and all the supplies are to be landed at Key West, Tortugas and Indanola, Florida, while the remainder are to be trans- ported to , Texas. The eteamer is chartered for ‘thirty days, and will be under the discretionary orders of Captain Dawson during that time. The government have also reserved the right to prolong the term of the charter yrorata ifthe services of the vessel are required for @ longer period. The United States storeship Supply will leave, we un- derstand, in a few days with further stores of every necessary description for the United States forts in the seceded States. OHIO COMING TO THE AID OF THE GOVERN- MENT The Legisiature of Ohio has parsed an act guaranteciny the bonds of the federal government to the amount $2,700,000. Secretary Dix addressed to Governor Denni- son a communication similar to that which was sent to the governors of other States, suggesting this course of action. The recommendation was strengthened by the following note from Mr. Sherman, the indefatigable chair- man of the House Committee of Ways and Means:— Hovsk oF REPRESENTATIVES, Committee of Ways and Means, ‘WaAsiixctow, 6, 1861. Iam requested by the Secretary of the Treasury to urge immediate action by the Legislature of Ohio on the accompanying joint resolutions. The necessities of the ‘Treasury are now £0 ing that the government must Tegort to every available measure to maintain the public credit. I see no practical objection to his plan, and it is len of Beene Saeetnesmeinass s nd within ten years we surpass ates. would be cory walk of murtng these tem yeare, ort least the first four or five, the fowr millions of English work- make out” to live; ai that Tame. ‘the, Koglish Me ctthalanes Could maintain their not be driyen out of the market; but it. groagd ill not be easy to avoid these deplorable consequences, and thus the qvéstion stil remains in all ite ominous sig? nificance. ‘To cap the climax of misfortune, a eiroumstance has oc- curred which thregtens to embroll Epgland hereafter with. the Southern States. A slave named Anderson fled his master, ® citizen of Missouri, and took refuge in Ca. nada. Touching free soil, the slave became a free man. The master elaimed him, and the State of manded from Canada the property of one of ‘This would not be of any consequence if it demend for the rendition of question is ‘com considerably. pase ee nd all the bilan E, n En. consign al in = gland will be ou at the bare Maen ntoerer, treaty is clear, and can it be violated on this occasion to: save from the yoke a man who has lived for seven years: on the free soil of Canada, and who became a murderer only to save himself from arrest? By declar the negro, they outrage public opinion; oy the negro, they outrage the slave States, which to become a Power, and which produce cotton. The cond dilemma is not less formidable than the first, shows how vexativus this American question will become for Fngland. ¥ They have no hope but in the reconciliation of the Northern and Southern States, or at least in the tempo- ray patching up of the Union. The Times, however, does not indulge in this hope, and it believes that if the: threatened digunion is carried out thoroughly the South will have the advantage over the North, ‘The slave States have immense natural advantages. They hold the mouth of the Mississippi; the Missouri, the Ar- kansas, the t arteries of the extreme West, are theirs. All the riches of the New World are found: among them—the climate, the soll and the minerals. ~- ‘Texas aicne has sufficient territory to form four States. If a Southern republic is formed, it will assuredly sux- ,> Ee the other in power, and eventually become the ar-'~ iter of North America, In addition, therefore, to the: questions which agitate the world at the present moment, we bave the American question. It does not excite much. attention in Continental Europe, but it is different in, the other side of the Channel. England, and the press on 2 probably does not say all it thinks on the subject. The: admit that the destruction of the Union threatens En- glish industry; do they does nada also? It is very possible the free States wif seek on that side compensation for their losses, and thus: new troubles may arise for Europe and America. An English View of the American Crisis. {From the London Times, Jan. 26.) ‘The events which have torn asunder the great Ameri-_ can’ confederation are yet too recent, and on which opinions must be formed too uncertain and ais{, putable, to allow anything like a calm historical view this memorable transaction. As the tragedy—of whict the first act may be said to have closed A Sons mre of South Carolina, Florida, Alabama and jissippi—ad- ‘vances in complication and intensity, we may expect to gain more insight into the real springs and motives of %¥/)" singular a catastrophe. Men have hitherto been act parts which they have long studied, and, if the North hagy been taken by surprise, the South has evidently boon oom-'- pletely organized aud pro |. We are about to enter ons> contingencies which the first planners of this movemeat “ could not possibly foresee, and we shall be able to divine the true significance of the past much better from actions and words which arise on the spur of the moment. Still the time is come when we ought not to our... selves to cur first emotion of wonder and astonishment ., at the sudden disruption of @ fabric apparently founded « on so solid a basis, but should endeavor, even now, to- ~ take account of the causes whi ve converted what‘in many other countries might have been @ quarrel easily reconciled into a breach which it is evident no compro- mise or concession is destined to bi over. First among these causes stands the form of govern- ‘ment itself. @ election of a President every four years) gives a singular, and, as it has turned out, a fatal facilit; for raising and bringing to issue any question on whic. parties may differ. Nothing is 80 easy as to associate & man with an idea, and to make up your mind to regard: the success or failure of your candidate at pn. election as equivalent to the suecess or failut of a whole creed of political principles. It is bette!’ no doubt, that parties should contend im the ful arena of an election than in the field of battle, but. the excitement of elections unreasonably multiplied, and involving the material interests of large sections of the community who have or who for , may, DY their stimulating effect on party passions, stir up the ver conflicts which keg’ Be ¥ intended to prevent. Let iy. never be forgotten that the great of America, been shipwrecked on election of the head co’ | the Executive. A man possessing no right to the obedi-), ence of his feliow subjects, exco] the will of the ma- iv jority,has been repadiated by the minority, There is.~ Ey Es ae not at all likely that the State of Ohio will ever be called upon to make good its guarantees. The surplus revenue was deposited with the States, upon the express condi- tion that it should be restored if called for by the general government. The loyal States should be willing, to the extent of the deposit at least, to sustain the government. JOHN SHERMAN. THE CRISIS IN AMERICA. Views of the English and French Press. The Catholic View in France on Our National Crisis. (Translated from Le Monde, of Paris, Jan. 23, for the New Yor« Hrratp.) ‘The seceesion of South Carolina and those States which will probably follow will seriously embarrass England, as it will compel her to sacrifice either her interest or her principles. This rupture of the American Union does not cause ‘more uneasiness at Washington than im London, and the Times, which declared it impossible in its issue of the ‘26th of last November, is now more exercised abgut the question than any other English journal. « we to do?”’ says the grave Saturday Review. ‘Weare ina terrible d! Shall we listen to our humanitarian mpathies or to our patriotic feelings? In other words, pad liaten to a, or 1g ‘i ie imes Te) same interrogatories; 0 does John to, doce, the Bsamincr; 80 does the forning 80 does the entire Rnglish press; as yet no ratisfact ly comes from any. Thee etudy this case of coaealoant; tor endeavor to square their inte- reat with their duty; they resolutely blind themselves to the consequence of disunion; they hope for a reconcilia- tion. In one word, they hesitate not to say that they will listen rather to interest than duty—to the interest of England rather than to the voice of humanity, We know forehand that England will never take up a position in- Jurious to her interests. Humanitariayism in hands is an offensive weapon, not a suicial dagger. But let us see what this case of conscience means. England, officially, abhors slavery, and it is from the slave States she draws her principal materials, particu- larly cotton, the manufacture of which gives employ- ment to between five and six millions of her people. Whilet the confederation existed in its ee 4 the could not lose character by trading wil the slave States, for it wae with tne repub- lic of tho United States she carried on commercial intercourse, and thus the abolitionists quieted their con- eciences, for they did not recognise slavery directly, nor did they draw their profit directly from slave labor. But things are about to change. As soon as the Southern confederation is consolidated she will demand from Eng- Jand a recognition of her independence, and it is not bable that to obtain this recognition she will abolish slavery within her borders, since it is for the purpose of ving this institution that sbe has ; nor is it more probable that she will renounce her right to pro- cure new slayes. Can England recognise such a confede- ration? Will the new nation make concessions to her on this point? She never will. But if England yields on her ment of the slave trade—it will be a reong- nition at once of fa ge of that infamous traffic, it will be arenunciation of the policy which she has fol- lowed for more than sixty ic and, in the opigion of the Review, \t will be a virtaal abandonment of ‘the high position she beld in the philanthropic league against elavery. But cotton is king, and his voice must be heard, and his arguments are not wanting in force. Five millions | of Roglishmen live by manufacturing cotton, and of the 4,800,000 bales of cotton imported into England, 4,100,- 000 are imported from the United Statos—the slave States—that is to say, six-eevenths of the whole consump- tion, and: uently, six sevenths of five millions of men would be left without means of support from day to day if England refused to recognise the South. | ern confederacy. et us calculate, if we can, | what a calamity this would be’ for England, which has already #0 much misery in her midst, it four more millions of working mon, to put it at the lowest cal- | culation, were suddenly m out ef employment, “No reater calamity,” says the Saturday Review, “not even fhe famire in Ircland, ever fell upon a nation than that which would follow the destruction or even the interrup- tion of this cologeal branch of industry, Knowing this, the people of the Southern States calculate that the mero threat of such a deprivation would bring us to our knees, ‘There is no prejudice nor no sentiment that could resist such an impoeing necessity. It is even impossible to con- ceive that any mocting could dream of protesting against the recognition of the new confederacy when they reflect that the immediate consequence of refusing | to recognize it would be to destroy an immense amount of capital and paralyze the labor of five mil- lions of men.” This avowal is terrible, Some say, if the Sonthern States refuse to sell us their cotton could we net @mete arebeRion among the slaves an thus destroy the preperty of those intractable siavehold- ere? Undoubtedly, replies tho Saturday Review; but would we be anything the better of it? The slayeholders would be ruined; there would be no more slaves, but there would be’ no more cotton. Others again object, and say that the growers of cetton are as much inte- rested in selling ag wo are in buying it. That is true, But then it remains to be seen who could hoid out the Jongest; and, in this view, the Southera States are, with regard to England, in as good a position as they are with regard to the Northern States. Besides, England is not the only country that draws its «upply f cotton from the United States, and if other nations continue to trade with her, the South will be onabled to prolong the struggle, and England will ruin herself in vain endoa vores, It is a serious and complicated question, The Times weil understands the Aravity of the ques- tion, but it endeavors to look hopefully upon the fature It knows that of the 4,800,000 bales of cotton consumed in England 4,300,000 come from the United Statos, whilst Brazil supplies only 20,000, Egypt and the West indice 18,000, and Hindostan’ 82,000. Thus we seo, says the Timer, that cotton is not cultivated in the Unitel States only; it ie net over indigenous to America, Africa and Wg Dass Juice could prydugg guieleus for }hy pongump tide, the very fact will be equivalent toa re-establish- | no loyalty, no tradition, to fall back upen, and the mere negation of the infallibility of the majority suffices to strip the chief magistrate of the State of all power over - nearly one-half of its citizens. A second vice in the ** American constitution has arisen from. the miscaiculation as to the duties of the electors who stand between the citizens voting on versal suffrage and the President. It’ the belief of the founders of the constitution that the election of a President would not be decided b; pep 4 the i Ho for appointing electors, but by the deli ions. electors themselves. Between the two votes: an iod was suffered to intervene, which it was, no doubt, Boped would be used by the mon to whom the people of the United States had ‘del the power of the T'resident in making all requisite ing the merits of the different candidates. Bui devised this echeme did not allow for the spirit of democracy. They did not observe how easy i would be to choose electors: ree wow didate, and thus effectually to tions. It is curious to consider that the election of a President which has torn the American Uni not yet taken place, and will not take place for from this time. But this antedating the election by four months has a far more serious consequence. It introdaces ° i = the feperdivne government Nig tak toi id most gerous interregnum—a spec’ wilight betwean the eetting of one President and the ri 4 of his suc- cessor. actual tenant of office and his desi and muccessor, between the man whe wields the newer ay ix patronage of the government and the man on whom power and patronage will in a few months or weeks ds Yolve. It would not have been difficult for a speculatins writer to predict that if ruin overtook the American 0** federacy from external causes it would be in this if omened interregnum that the plague would break ‘The man who is the choige of the majority is withor’ oer or power for moment. The man wi of place and ror has been rey pudiated by the yoico of the nation. Neven. was the distinction between a King de and de jure more al ly marked. Where ‘tauthority; © there are wanting all elements that where there is authority there are withheld all the means and appliances of ‘er. It is casy to see what an op- portunity such a ei of things ‘8 to men desirous of fo payenieng by force the coustitution of their country. It is just as if it were the custom that every Premior who has been defeated on a vote of confidence by the House of Commons were obliged to hold office for four months after his successor was appointed. In such a case what energy in action could we expect froma mar! who felt that the substance of power, that public opinion which alone makes the exercise of executive functionaeale, or beneficial, had deserted him, and ranged itself on the 1? To invest persons in such a situa- tion with executive functions is to countermine the very = of eed anon its head for the tim] * ing & representative strength, but the weak “* neta of society. ‘These considerations shuld nat be lost, sight of in estimating the position of Mr. Buchanan, and he certainly needs all the excuse and allowance thai the, most tolerant critie can sugest in his behalf. He owee his election to the very Southern States who are now 1n.! | open rebellion to his authority, and his best friends hav lott him in a body rather thad submit to be employed ir preserving the Union whose bread have eaten and | whoge official stations they have durmg the last | four years. Still more, some of Mr. Buchanan's principal o supporters, while counselling their States to secede, re- tain their seats in the Senate of the United States, ind order, by an abuse of the forms of the constitution, ter impede the action of the Executive in coercing tho Sout~— to oberionce. To break through these trammeis is the. pe Ae the President, but every one must feel how much the duty would be formed by the Northera * anti slavery republican Lincoln than by the Southern pr¢- slavery democrat Buchanan. Still, when all this allowance has been made, we foar , | it is impoesible to avoid the conviction that few mee called upon toplay a great historical part have beep © found more utterly honey aed to their situation than M . In the vain hope of concitiating the Southerm members of his Cabinet, be inaugurated the meeting of Congress by @ Message which was in itgelf the me * poworful inducement to disunion. In the face of tirea~ | ened secession ho told his countrymen that soceasio® | would be justifiable unless the Ne made very amp! He stated distinctly that the power of pat;, ‘ebellion had not been delogated to Congress. ting down co that while he would continue to collect the public- | revenue and protect the public property, he would use no means to bring the Keceders W a sense of their duty. ‘This longuage could bave but one effect. Tt gave the in tended seceders to understand that that they might go" * on ingafety, and that thongh their secession might wrong in coustitutional law, it would be valid in fact, de~ fensible in morality, and attended with the most ‘per, sect impunity, . Bucbanan’s Cabinet, to satisfy whom he had thus degraded his office, lowered hi eonal character, and opened the door to tt isruption of his country, have resigned, and leave hi pow to make unavailing appeals to ‘ons that t! will supply to the crisis that wisdom and firmness wh America had a right to expect from her chief istre If, instead of fattrring and encouraging rebellion, Buchanan bad acted up to his recent dee!aration that it . his duty to execute the laws, it is very possible that the fi ight have been trampled out re it had time te i. A sinall naval force in Charleston harbor and | Mississippi, coupled with a resolute declaration of tt only line of policy which is to & Prosident of United States worthy of his positionma declaration of unflinching resolution to employ the whole power of ¢ head for the government of which he is t “ 6 rondered way tw. a preservation—would probably appeal to force unnecessary, But the precious, the irre- eacape, and Americ x trievaile moments have bem So escape, and mus tween in tears of Wood the misfortune has given to faction its trompest encouragement in the weakness of hev™ comatilution and the vaciiation of her chtef magistrate. ( ACAVEMY,oF Mosic.—The fair patrons of the Opera wil?’ not fail to Be on hand at Trving place before one o'clock. > ‘The new opera, the \ Masquerade Ball,” ia to be wivon C for the only matinee of the season. A large nomber oy the habitues will assist in the ball Quene, whieh oe ore cabragy inary brilliancy, of » 5 1 ‘