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Charleston and its Fortifications. The following communication appears in the New York Herald of Friday. We commend it to the attention of our readers: No. 107 East Eleventh-street, 1 February 4, 1861. J To the Editor of the New York Herald : Having just arrived from Charleston, S. C., where I have been for the past eighteen months engaged by the State authorities teaching navigation on board of the marine school ship, being obliged to resign my commission or take op arms against the flag of my country, I chose the former. Seeing an article in the Herald of the 2d, from the correspondence of the Baltimore American, dated Charleston, January 29, 1861, stating that there was about nfty large pieces ot ordnance, together wita several bombs and howitzers mounted on the Citadel green and on the Battery (promenade) of Charleston, has induced me to submit to you a few facts, and through you to the public, if you feel disposed to give these few lines space in your valuable paper. Up to the 25th January, there were but four guns mounted on Charleston Battery and three on Citadel green, at which latter place there were two more ready to mount, all only twenty-four pounders; there were neither bombs nor howitzers. The nearest place at which a land force can be of any service against Fort Sumter is Cummings' Point, being only about six tenths of a mile distant. On this point a shell battery has been erected, together with a few pieces of cannon the same as above. Fort Moultrie is the second place that can be of any service in reducing Fort Sumter. This fort has ten eight-inch Columbiads, mounted directly in range with Sumter, and is the only fort which has any Columbiads mounted. Fort Johnson is one ai 1 a half miles distant from Sumter, and is mounted with a few cannon of 24 pound calibre. The batteries on Lighthouse Island are three and three-eighths mile distant, and mostly of , small artillery, and consequently cannot reach Sumter. Castle Pinckney is two and a half miles distant, and can bring but three 42 pounders and eleven 32 pounders against Sumter ?these with little or no effect. The Green and Charleston batteries are 31 miles from ' Sumter, and are only to be used in case vessels should get into the harbor. Fort Sumter has four 42 pounders, five 10 inch Columbiads, and seven 32 pounders to bear on Fort Moultrie, the former in bombproof case- i j. 1 1 T? i. i maces , aisu an equal uumuer ugaiust run Johnson and Cummings' Point. Major Anderson has now nearly all his j guns mounted, having 30 guns mounted od the ramparts to sweep the horizon, most of them 32 pounders, and can be so elevated as to strike an object at the distance of a quarter of a mile from its walls. Every part of the fort has been strengthened so as to make it bombproof. < SiDce my arrival in New York I have 1 heard a great many say Fort Sumter cannot ' be reinforced without opposition from the 1 troops or authorities of Charleston, and a 1 serious loss of life. This I believe to be altogether wrong. Fort Sumter can be reinforced, and that, too without the loss of < a man. That, however, can only be accom- c 7*7 7 Cf 7 7 J7 ^ ?. piisnea in.one way. onouta opportunity j offer, 1 would wiUinyly offer my services, < and am confident of success. I am also ji of opinion that the Charlestonians cannqtf' take Fort Sumter. Major Anderson can, even with the small force at his command, repulse them, from whatever quarter the at- f tack may come, as long as his provisions and ammunition hold out. CAPT. J. C. t . t The Force in Fort Sumter.?The N. c York papers have elicited the following a statement from the women and children n who lately left Fort Sumter in the Marion : i There had been to reinforcement of c Major Anderson up to the time of the Ma- a rion leaving on Friday last. Seventy-nid^ persons, including the officers and band, f and exclusive of a working corps of 3omej ^ twenty men, under Capt. Foster, constitute ^ the whole garrison?a force generally felt to be insufficient for a rigorous or prolonged defence of the place. When Lieutenant Talbot returned from Washington, the command were assembled, and the decision of the President communicated to them.? The expressions of confidence reposed ip j them by the authorities at Washington gave-^. them new heart, and every man declared he would fight to the last, and die rather than surrender. t A great many guns have been mounted ? on the second and third tiers, and they are ^ now in as good condition to defend the fort 1 as they ever will be, excepting that they 1 are short-handed. A light is kept burning 1 throughout the nigbt in each of the casemates, and everything ready for instant ac c tion. lhere is no lack ot ammunition, J and any quantity of grenades of a destruc- < itve character have been prepared for use 1 at close quarters. Georgia Army Appointments.?The 1 following have been announced : First Regiment?Colonel, Wm. J. Har- 1 dee; LieuteDant-Colonel, a civilian; Majors, Lafayette McLaws and a civilian; First Captain, W. D. Smith, with alight battery ] of artillery. ( Second Regiment?Colonel, Wm. H. T. Walker; Lieutenant-Colonel, a civilian; ; Majors, W. M. Gardner, and Alfred Cumminer. ??^ Ordinance Department.?The Milledgeville Recorder states that Lieut. W. II. Boggs has been appointed Chief of the Ordinance Department. The officers whose names are here mentioned, were all recently officers in the United States army, and will bring an enlarged experience and a great amount of military skill and knowledge to the service of their State. The Beauties of Freedom.?About i thirty thousand weavers in one manufacturing town of England alone are said to be at the point of starvation. In London, 1 five thousand persons applied at one of the stations for relief. Three thousand of these were women, poor and thinly clad, and having no bread except that given them by the hand of charity. In Lancashire, many workmen, who are generally provi- i dent and have been enabled to save some- 1 thing for a rainy day, have exhausted < their all, and are now literally without a ' crust. The New York Herald speaks of < one building alone in that city in which i six hundred poor wretches are crowded.? < Maoy of these men would rejoice to be fed ' with the offal which the slaves of the South 1 throw to their dogs. I ????? [ Powder Mills.?Many of our readers, < doubtless, have forgotten that there are < several powder mills of large capacity in I the State of South Carolina. We would t remind all who feel a natural interest in < the resources and prosperity of our State that these mills are in Pickens District, 1 not far from the thriving village of Wal- 1 halla, and that they were built about nine ^ years since by our townsman, Maj. J. A. 1 Wagner. One of them produces thirty kegs ' of powder in twenty-four hours, and the ' other eight in the same spaoe of time. The ' country furnishes unusual facilities for the 1 manufacture of this villainous article.? 1 Charleston Courier. ( Major Anderson Taken.?Mr. Geo. 1 S. Cook, the well known Photographist, : by special permission of the Governor, visit- ' ted Fort Sumter on Friday, and succeeded in taking several life-like likenesses of Major Anderson and a group of the officers ' under his command. Mr. Cook has made 1 several copies of the originals, which may 1 be seen and procured at his fashionable gal- ' lery, King street, opposite Hasell. We 1 learn that Mr. Cook is also prepared to take ' ^ 1 ik ? aV rtwirtof riAfino | ^ X?urt OULUtci at tucouuncoi uuwvw. Charleston Mercury. Personal.?A Washington correspondent says: "Albert Pike is here. Dressed in a full suit of b#mespun, he walks the Avenue dike a thing of Southern 'life.' ExPresident Tyler's son wears a seoession cockade all the time, and attracts much attention." A New Cotton Grower.?Peru is making her appearance as a Cotton growing country. She recently sent 1500 bales of her Cotton across the Isthmus, but the greater portion went to Europe. A Strong Description.?Reverdy Johnson says that the political "stench of Washington is such that the man in the moon holds his nose as he goes over it. EDITED BT WILLIAM W. EAST LEWIS M. GKIST. CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: WILLIAM M. MARTIN,.Fort Moultrie, 9. C. , YORK VILLE, S. C. 1 .???. ^ THURSDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 14,1861. , {K7-Mr. John K. Allen, Post Master at Chester, Is ou ' luthorized agent; and fully empowered to receive .ooney 1 for this office, and give receipts for the same. j In cases where subscribers do not take the Enquirer ( rrom the post-office, Post-Masters are requested to nodfy us ^ immediately. THE JASPER LIGHT INFANTRY j Will parade on next Monday, instead of Tues- s lay. See advertisement. ELECTION FOR COLONEL, AC. The attention of Volunteers is called to the c jrder for an election of Colonel, Lieutenant-Col- 1 snelaud Major, for the regiment of troops rais- 1 ;d for active service in York, Spartanburg and 8 [Jnion, advertised in another column. The elec- 11 lion will be held on next Monday. 3 ?? ?? ? h A FATOR. ^ We are much indebted to our considerate and ^ ssteemedyoung friend, Mr. Jno. A. Witherspoon, if the Theologioal Seminary, Columbia, for a ^ >ampblet, published at the omceoi tiie oouinern 9uardian, and containing Dr. Thorn well's Disro'urse on "The State of the Country." ^ THE NEW MAGISTRATE. > John G. Enloe, Esq., has been appointed and K jualified as Magistrate, in place of James Jef- ri ery9, Esq., resigned. The resignation of Es- b [uire JefiFerys deserves more than a mere men- E ion, at our hands. He had been in office twen- \ y-two years, and during the entire period has nr lischarged his responsible and oftimes irksome a ind difficult duties, with a conscientiousness, ri ibility and strict regard for justice, unequaled. B ["he cordial and undivided esteem and confidence tl f our community is the fitting reward to such si ,n officer. J b / TOWN COUNCIL. "N ft' An election for Town Council web held on V Jonday last, which resulted in favor of the Dry Mcket by a majority of 25. There was no ex F itement, and a comparatively small vote was aken?an indication that the dry policy is fixed ^ nd determined, in Yorkville. The ticket elec- a g ed ia as follows: Intendant: Dr. A. I. Barron. Wardens: Richard Hare, W. H. McCorkle, I. P. Smith, Dr. J. B. Allison. THE INAUGURATION. 8< Mr. Lincoln has started on his long journey to o< he "White House" at Washington. He left li ipringfield on Monday. He made a few fare- li veil remarks, in which politics had no place.? ti ie takes counsel of himself, and tells his secrets d o nobody ; ignoring the fact that "in the multi- h ude of counsellors there is safety." The hospitalities of Cincinnati have been ten- ti iered to him on his way to the Capital. New h fork has refused to "do him homage" by a n lemonstration. There is no telling when he ii prill arrive at his destination ; as he will proba- A vlw liavu tr\ ofr?r? ot ViolP fVio littlo rlirfTT fnnna nn lis road, and crack a few windy "goaks" with n their knots of "good-fellows." What a step, n from such genial circles, into the Presidential a mansion of "a free people !" a \ d ' FLAG FOR THE "CATAWBAS." s T We have been permitted to examine a very handsome banner, made by a bevy of town laF dies?namely, Mrs. II. F. Adickes and Misses ^ Mattie Henley, Bell Williams, Lizzie Massey, Sallie Adickes, Fannie Witherspoon, Mollie Adickes and Mag. Wright?for the Catawba Light Infantry. The design and execution of this flag, are both very good. The field is blue ^ silk, with a white silk fringe. On one side is a large star in the centre, surrounded by the 1 name of the company in needlework. On the other a well painted palmetto, with the sea and vessels in the distance, en wreathed in the motto: "Our Rights we Defend." We must be allowed to compliment the ladies on this highly credita- ? ble display of their taste and skill as well as pa triotism ; and the "Catawbas," on the possession r of such a talisman to lead them on to victory and ? glory. . We are requested to say that the Rev. W. T. Hall will present this Flag for the ladies to the Catawba Light Infantry, on Saturday week at 1 noon, at the Cutawba Parade-ground. 1 <? ?> S SECESSION OF TEXAS I } Texas is free! She became independent on E the 1st instant, by a vote, in her Convention, of { 166 to 7. This handsome vote adds another j star to the glorious galaxy of the Southern Confederacy. There is a party in the State j called "Independent Texans," who are in fa- { ror of the State's remaining independent for- s ever; but they appear tc be greatly in the minor- ( ity. Her interests and institutions are the same is ours; and her people, many of whom are j "bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh," will ] mite with the South in the formation of a new ^ jovernment. Possessing an area of 237,000 ( square miles?more than six times that of South f Carolina?and a climate and soil well adapted to g corn, cotton, wheat and grating, she is within y lerself a mighty empire ; and will bring immense I esources and strength with her, to the South- f ;rn Confederacy. ] The short space of twenty-five years has witlessed Texas twice declare her separate inde- i pendenoe. She seceded from Mexico, in March t 1886. The Mexican Confederacy had been form- ! :d in 1824, under a constitution similar to that i )f the United States. In 1836, Santa Anna be- i same practically dictator over Mexico; and the jon8titution was overthrown?converting Mexico into a consolidated empire. Texas then, as now, would not submit to a dictatorial despotism. A. convention was called which met at the town i of Washington, and assumed that distinct nation- i ality which was triumphantly vindicated, April 21, 1836, at San Jacinto, by the Texan troops i under Gen. Sam Houston. i Texas again fought for her liberties in 1846, 47 and *48. She became a member of the U. States in 1845; and this precipitated a conflict between the latter country and Mexico. Texas 'ought and bled at many a pore for her indepenpence. Since her annexation, her territory has oeen dismembered; and latterly, over and abovp 1 ?- .V-i L- 1 1 1 Lie wruugQ mac uavu uccu ucaycu upuu uv& iu ; sommon with all the South, her Northern fron;iers have been {overrun by sneaking and mid- . light renegades who poisoned the fountains of ler citizens, burned their houses, and tried to 1 nvolve her in all the horrors of a servile insur- i reotion. She could do nothing le?a than secede. < 5er "ancient renown" and her present safety, ilike required nothing less. Every thread of ler lone-star banner is stained with the blood of i Veedom. But it is unsullied with the dirt of < ;he tyrant's heel. In 1836 she fought for seceslion from Mexico ; in 1846 she fought for annex- ] ition to our Confederation; and now, in 1860, ' ihe stands a living monument of freedom, em- i ilazoned in light. NEWS FROM THE STATES. South Carolina. Mr. Hayne, before leaving Washington, tele- 1 graphed to Gov. Pickens, that the President's efusal to surrender Fort Sumter was not only J positive and absolute, but insulting in its tone. 1 'My mission," says he to the Governor, "would 1 ilinmn mo onr^ rli arvro r>d .Qtatu If finmfAi* in I! aeld one moment longer than necessity comp els submission on your part." In consequence of 1 his refusal, martial law has been proclaimed 1 )ver Sullivan's Island, and the adjacent waters md coast. Thi3 law for the time being, sets 1 iside the Statute law, and makes the orders and egulations of the camp supreme within the : imits designated. This begins to look like hot vork. The Governor, however, will probably ! efrain from attaoking the Fort, until a demand ' ias been mnde for it by the Southern Congiess. 1 [f the President then refuses to give it up, all I jeaceable means to get it will have been exhaustid ; and the next messenger to demand it, will ' >e discharged from the cannon's mouth. We are gratified to learn from the Charleston 1 >aper8, that business is becoming more active ; < ind that the merchants of the city are making < sxtensive preparations for the Spring trade. < A large freshet has prevailed recently through- 1 >ut the mountain Districts of our State, wash ' ng down many bridges over the streams, and ' earing up the railroads, so that the mails were t topped in one or two instances. A young man, ? inder the influence of liquor, attempting to 1 wim a swollen current in Greenville on his { orse, was swept down the stream and destroyed. I Ve have no means of estimating the damage one to the State; but would put it down at ^ othing less than one hundred thousand dollars. < korgla. Gov. Brown, of Georgia, has made a demand 1 ipon Gov. Morgan, of New York, for those arms 1 elonging to the State of Georgia, which were c eized, ten or fifteen days ago, by the police of ' lew York City. Meanwhile, as a measure of i etaliation, five vessels owned in New York, have 1 een seized at Savannah, by order of Governor 9 Irown. These vessels will be held, until Gov. r lorgan gives a satisfactory reply to the demand c lade of him for the Georgia arms. We highly ' dmire the spirited, wide awake and determined 1 ssistance which has marked the policy of Gov. 8 Town, since the beginning of this revolution for ^ le achievement of Southern independence. He c ;ized the forts and custom-house at Savannah, ' efore Georgia had seceded ; he demanded and 8 btained the United States Arsenal at Augusta ; u od, now, he retaliates upon the commerce of ^ ie enemy. 0 'lorlda- * The Florida Legislature adjourns on to-day. * roTision has been made for transporting the 0 tails. A bill to expel free-negroe9 from the ^ tate, was indefinitely postponed. * There is said to be some disaffection among 1 ie troops at Pensacola. They openly criticize c od disapprove the conduct of the officers. This 8 i to be much regretted. It is the duty of the E )ldier to obey. He volunteers of his own ac- I ord; knowing, at the same time, that campfe is one of hardships and self-denial. Discip- * ne is necessary, indispensable. We are ex- 8 pmelv cratifled. that not a sinele whisper of 1 y 0 ? ? ? iscontent has reached us, from the camp in the 8 arbor of Charleston. ? The Mississippians at Peneacola are reported I 3 have left last Monday was a week ago, for F ome. This, however, was because they had ^ othing to do?the officers, pro and con., havjg ooncluded a truce. 8 Llabama. F Six months ago Alabama was looked to by c lany, as the State that would lead in the for- 8 lation of a Southern confederacy. The want of 8 nanimity in her convention, for a whilo threw 1 cloud ovor her fair name; but now, she is re- 8 eemed?she has faced her duty most gallantly. * ler Legislature has appropriated half-a-million F f dollars to the cause of the South. The sua- 1 tension of specie payments by the banks has 1 teen legalized ; a stay law, for the prevention t if executions and the sacrifice of private prop- ' irty, is in process of passing the Legislature; 1 rnd every needful measure, promotive of South- t irn interests, is being promptly taken. Ala- l >ama stands proudly redeemed. < Kentucky. ] The Kentucky Legislature, having expressed in earnest desire to preserve the Union consisently with the rights of the States, and having, ,o accomplish this end if posssible, sent delegates to the Washington Convention, regard it mnecessary and inexpedient to take any further iction at this time on the state of the country. The Legislature, after adjourning, will meet igain on the fourth Wednesday of April, to take nto consideration "the then condition of the lation, and to adopt such measures as may be iroper, and the interests of Kentucky may retire." If the Washington Convention does not jffect an adjustment of present difficulties?and ve believe it will not?Kentucky will probably lecede, along with many, if not all the border States. Uratotanti The Louisiana Convention have tabled a resoution, to send Commissioners to all the slavelolding States, and invite them to unite with the leceding States in the formation of a Southern Confederacy. That's right. Don't beg them. The United States Custom House at New Oreans, is now in the hands of the officials of ' jouisiana, who collect the tariff on imported ;oods for their State, and not for the old Federal 1 lovernment. These officials will not deliver ' oreign goods imported by merchants of other 1 itates up the Mississippi and in the old Union, I rhen placed under their charge; unless oancel- 1 ing certificates are given for such goods by U. c States officials, the duties thereon to be paid in c New Orleans. 1 The State of Louisiana, a short time ago, seized the United States revenue cutter, McLtl 1 land, and placed it under command of Captain y Brushwood. Mr. Wm. H. Jones has been sent ^ on a private mission to that State in reference 8 to this seizure, by the Government at Washing- j ton ; but the fact and object of his mission were t both concealed from the collector of the port of 1 New Orleans. A very important dispatch has ^ been telegraphed to Mr. Jones, to have the rev- ( enue cutter seized ; and if Capt. Brushwood re- f sists, to treat him as a mutineer; and if any one attempts to haul down the 'Stars and Stripes,' ( after they have been raised over the vessel, to j shoot him on the spot. Capt. Brushwood was > ordered to sail with the cutter to New York, but j be refused to obey. The vessel is now in the j harbor at New Orleans. This is "coercive," s with a "vim" ! ' i Arkansas. f The Arkansas troops have taken the United ( States Arsenal at Little Rock. The Arsenal was * Karri soned by eighty seven men. The demand for the surrender was backed by 800 men. The I Arsenal contains 9000 stands of arms, a large * amount of ammunition, and 40 cannon. Among e Che cannon is the famous battery wielded with * jucli deadly effeot by Capt. Bragg, at the battle s jf Btiena Vista. t Th; feeling at Littte Rock is said to be almost r unanimously in favor of secession, and annexa- t tion to the Southern Confederacy. Tennessee, ? The Anderson Intelligencer, in its last issue ? publishes a private letter from a gentleman in Tennessee, which declares that the Democracy J of the State will go for secession. Ex-Governor j Foote, the Douglas orator in the late campaign t for President, and ex-Senator Borland, the most ' ultra Bell man in the State, are both immediate ' secession candidates for the Tennessee Conven- ( tion. But late returns indicate large Union ma- t iorities, and decided opposition to a Convention ( of the people. Memphis and the cotton region , ire "as true as steel." i N'ortla Carolina, An immense gathering of our neighbors at Charlotte, on last Friday, gloriously sustained the "ancient renown" of old Mecklenburg. J. ( W. Osborne and William Johnston, Esqrs., both straight out, right-out, stay-out secessionists were unanimously and enthusiastically nominated as delegates to the State Convention. They will spread "the fire in the mountains." We are c proud to believe that the voice of old Mecklen- { burg, which claims to be the birth-place of A- t merman freedom, is still for "action, great and t godlike action." t The North Carolina Legislature, notwithstand- < ing their tardiness in Federal matters, have done t much to promote internal improvements within r the State. A bill to complete the Wilmington, Charlotte and Rutherford road has passed the 1 third reading in the Senate ; also, the bill to 1 imend the charter of the Western N. C. Road ; 1 the bill to extend the Western Railroad to the N. t C. Road ; the bill to charter the Chatham Coal- c ields Road, and the bill to extend the Wilming- i on and Weldon Road through the county of 1 Sampson to Fayetteville. In the House, the ( Vlilita ry bill has passed its several readings; c ilso, the Danville Railroad bill. The Revenue c )ill is now on discussion in both branches. t The election will be held, by order of Qov. c illlis, on the 28th instant, for "Convention, or no t Convention." t A circular letter has been addressed by some c nerchants of Baltimore to the Governors of all s he Southern States, and others, on the subject t if direct trade between Baltimore and Europe, t 'The present position of our National affairs" a s given by the merchants as the cause of this t novement; and they request the Governors to t tate in reply, what amount of aid they could a ecommend their respective States to give to the v interprise. Gov. Ellis has replied in a caustic b etter, which must take the Baltimoreans "under i he left ear." He says that that city is an eli- t ;ible point at which to concentrate the trade of g Europe; and that independent trade with that n ontinent is certainly very desirable. But when b our national affairs" are considered, Baltimore ;row8 pale in the light of New York. New York i lid all she could to prevent Lincoln's election, t ?he Fusion ticket in that city, ran 28,000 ahead t f the Lincoln ticket. But a representative of c laltimore, "aided in placing at the head of one t iranch of the Government a member of the Ab n lition party." Baltimore must, therefore, re t leem herself before she can put her hand into b he pocket of North Carolina. Gov. Ellis hopes I he time may come when he can make such re n ommendations?but not now, not now?"never b . dime!" This is answering the circular of the t na?A.in?b e\ n V?n uotto (ifnnnlrliv rt nrl nnnrlirlln '' ft liCltniiiin, lit niijo, IKIUAIJ vuuumijr. ft Jew Iforlt. P A. "special message" has been sent to Gov. s Jrown, of Georgia, assuring him that the arms eized by the New York Police, have been de- p ivered up. Ira Harris has been nominated by g i Republican caucus at Albany, to succeed Mr. i Jeward in the Senate of the "Untied States," a9 8 >unch calls them. Thurlow Weed has been ap- I minted commissioner to the Virginia Con- t mention. 8 The Democracy of New York have lately held 8 I State convention at Albany, in which they 8 jassed resolutions that will command the respect >f every Southern heart. They breathe such lentiirents as animated the bosoms of Burke lad Chatham during the days of the American evolution. They anxiously Bolicit the aid of ill men everywhere to reconstruct the Union, >ut they regard Southerners as brothers?engaged in a righteous cause like that which ner red our fathers in the darkest days "that tried nen's souls;" and they bitterly oppose coersion. Chancellor Walworth said in a speech :? 'I am far advanced in years and not in the labitof attending Conventions of this character, jut I could not resist coming here to enter my protest; against civil war." Thank heaven, the iirest moral pestilences that ever swept over a people, have always left a few individuals untouched by their ravages, who stand out upon the pages of history?all the more glorious from the contrast?as the friends of truth, the fearless vindicators of right, and the models of the " future aspirant to true excellence and greatness ! ' There are but few men in New York, however, whom we think entitled to so much praise. The invention, alluded to above, represented a mere "Rump" of the State. We have many friends there from sheer neoessity. Bankruptcy and famine are stalking through their Metropolis, aow. The New York Herald reports 600 paupers at one alms-house. Five or six failures amounting to a million each, and numerous smaller ones, have been reported within ten or Sfteen days. The falling off in the revenue for the last three months, is put down at $3,800,000, a3 compared with that of the same period twelve months ago. This indicates the depression in business circles. Capitalists look pale ; the people?hungry. They are our "friends." Providence makes them so. Give them bread, and it buttered, and they will begin to howl again. Virginia. It is very difficult to determine satisfactorily to oneself, what has been the result of the election in Virginia, for delegates to the State Contention. All parties at Washington?Black Re- ( sublictms, Unionists and Secessionists?seem to g lave bjen jubilant at the returns. The Rich- r Qond Dispatch classifies the delegates elect, unler the terms, "Conservative" and "Prompt Lotion." The Richmond Enquirer says : "The secessionists, per se, the uncompromisng, unconditional secessionists, will number ibout thirty?the remaining delegates are men rho will promptly adopt a secession ordinance vhen satisfied that proper guarantees cannot md will not be given in the present Union. The sondition upon which the Convention will conlent for Virginia to remain in the Union, will be ;he adoption of such guarantees as will secure ler rights, and bring back the seceded Stales.? (Vhile Virginia cannot remain in the Union with>ut the seceded 8tates, she will, before seceding, ixhaust every effort to bring back the seceded States upon proper guarantees of their rights. * * * Nineteen-twentieths of the ielegates elect to the Convention will require .'quality and safety in the Union, or seek inde jendence out of it. Not ten unconditioua Ulionists have been elected * * * More than two thirds of the Convention are esistants, who are restrained from advocating mmediate and unconditional resistance bv a de lire to unite the whole people of Virginia.? Borne of these gentlemen are designated as Ulion, because elected over gentlemen who de iired immediate disunion, without any effort at idjustment. The submiarioniala have met with i defeat signal and overwhelming in Virginia." The resolutions of New York have been sent >ack to Governor Morgan by the Virginia Legisure, with the request that no more such be lent to the State of Virginia. Similar resoluions from Minnesota have been voted back, dso. A bill is now pending in the Legislature, o raise a "State Guard" of not less than ten lor more than twenty thousand volunteers, for he active service of the State. The State Armory and Tredegar Iron Works it Richmond are in full blast. The Diapatch lays: The State Armory turns out from 7000 to 8000 nusket and rifle cartridges a day. At the Tredegar Works, two ten-inch Columhiads, des ined for Alabama, are nearly completed ; and :wo fierce looking mortars, for South Caro ina, will shortly be ready. In the casting of >ne mortar and gun, last week, 23,000 pounds if metal were used. Shell and cannon shot lie ibout promiscuously and in heaps, and a large lumber of men are engaged in the manufacture if these destructive messengers. Several canion. of large and small calibre, are in process of nannfacture, or already completed; and. in mother department the gun carriages are get ;ing ready, under the hands of competent worknen. Virginia, we believe, will exhaust every means >f reconstructing the Union. When she fails? 'or fail she must?every indication leads us to ;he conclusion that she will stand by the South. THE TARIFF QUESTION. We invite the careful and reflecting attention >f our readers to an article on the outside of this ? - - -s _ ? J? * i Ol 11 japer, on iree rraae ana uirecc iu.xa.uuu. ounu he revenue of the Southern Confederacy be aised by a tariff on imports or exports, or by lirect taxation, is one of the most important juestions to be determined by us of the South, it the present time. The article referred to, rery ably supports the theory of direct taxation. Unavoidable evils seem to be connected with >oth these methods of raising a revenue. The Tariff, we know from all-sufficient experience, eads to extravagance and wild speculation in ;he government. This extravagance rapidly lutstrips the willingness of the people to meet ts demands; and henoe the argument that a Tariff tends to allay discontent at the expense >f government, is a nullity. It may do so, but inly on the supposition that the public debt acsumulfttes year after year, until in the course of ;ime it would bankrupt the wealthiest empire in the globe to pay its dues. England has tried his policy to the core. With all the revenue ??%?MU^?T AnmmaKAQ V?roilrrVv _ fcCCFUlUg iTUIU UCI luigmjr vuuiiuviv?, . mt her vast domain on which the sun never ets, her national debt is to-day nearly four illions of dollars! Why? She has been afraid o tax her people, even through the oily and eductive agency of the Tariff, sufficiently to naintain the dignity of the English crown. All he countries of Europe raise a revenue in the ameway;and Europe groans and labors and rrithes under a public debt of more than ten illions of dollars. No government can enhance ts true dignity, or conciliate an honest and inelligent people, by a system which taxes future generations to support the present, or which oerely to keep up appearances to day, entails ankruptcy and disgrace upon posterity. The Tariff is, moreover, corrupting, because t almost inevitably leads to protection and inernal improvements by the government. In he government which we have just left, the aost solemn promises were more than once given o reduce, and then to keep the Tariff at a reveme standard. But these promises were as ofen broken; and the Tariff for forty years has een constantly levied so as to protect New Jngland manufactories and Pennsylvania iron lines. What right has government to tax Alaarna to build a railroad in South Carolina, or o pay men here to open and work an iron or old mine on Kings Mountain ? None. The eople of Alabama would rightly kiok against uch legislation. On the other hand, it is contended that the leople would feel more acutely the burden of a ;overnment supported by direct taxation. The noney would come directly out of their pockets, md they could estimate it in dollars and cents. !t requires a vast amount of money to carry on he simplest and cheapest government; and this um distributed to every individual, would be o large as to make many complain of burdenorae taxation. Demagogues would spring up ike mushrooms, who would rail out against the government, and cry aloud for the oppressed jeople. Discontent would increase; society vould ferment with the lees of demagogueism it its bottom ; and the government would trem)le and totter from turret to foundation. To all this we reply that Republicanism can* */\ Tn o Ir q Iftrma with i (Tn/lWinpfl Q nr? Qftl. I ishnes8. "The price of liberty is intelligence md virtue." Ample provision must be made for ;he education of the ruling race, and the public leart must throb with a love stronger than gold >r death, for true and enlightened freedom; or ;he government will be swallowed up either in ;he Scylla of despotism, or the Charybdis of antrchy. The public mind must be enlightened md purified enough to bear cheerfully the neceslary ills and sacrifices of self-government; or iberty itself is in peril. Direct, taxation, thereore, becomes a touchstone by which to test the imount of private virtue and intelligence possessed by a people, and their consequent capacity or self-government. The Roman miser's motto ivas, "Seek money first, virtue afterwards;" but he motto must be reversed by those who wish :o be free. But, while the tendency of the Tariff is to exxavagance and corruption, it cannot be denied that direct taxation is liable to stint and cripple :be operations of government, and to handcuff the liberal-minded patriot in his efforts to serve knd exalt his country. The two systems act opposingly ; and would, we think, if judiciously sombined, thwart each other's evil tendencies, ind check and balance each other admirably.? The generous patriotism of Alabama, in her ;ift of half-a-million to our new government, seems to us almost Providential. If it shall remit in the establishment of a system to raise a evenue for the Southern Confederacy, one half :hrough a Tariff controlled by the general govirnment, and the other half through the medium if direct taxation levied by the respective States ipon their citizens?each State to be assigned ts just proportion of the debt by the Federal longress?it will be to our minds a happy conequence. The Tariff should be limited to a evenue standard by the Constitution; or any State asking protection for local interests, should pay for such protection, dollar for dollar, by direct taxation. That would strangle protection in its cradle. The plau would keep the people wide awake to the expenses of the Federal machinery. At the same time the governments, both State and Federal, would have a voice in raising the revenue. We suggest the scheme as worthy, at least, of some consideration. [Advertisement.] VOLUNTEERS OF YORK. With the kindest feelings to all who may be aspiring to the office of Major in our Volunteer Regiment, but only deeming it proper that Union should have oue of the Field Officers, we would beg leave respectfully to press the claims of Lieut. W. B. Thompson, of Union District, for that position, as one whose election would be gratifying to every volunteer who desires FAIR PLAY. ! r Advertisement. 1 A JUDAS IN THE CAMP I All persona who know themselves guilty of retailing liquors of an intoxicating kind, in violation of law, are duly warned that their actions are minutely wa'ched, and in every instance the law will be enforced. In .he eye of the law, the giving away of liquor, with goods of any kind, is as heinous as receiving money directly for the same by the drink. Lover op Sobriety and Order. SOUTHERN PROVISIONAL, CONGRESS. Montgomery, Ala., Feb. 5 ?Mr. Stephens of Georgia, made a report from the committee on Rules for the Congress, containing 29 rules ; 27 from the rules of the Congress of the United States, and two original. Mr. Metnminger of South Carolina, offered the following resolu tions: Resolved, That this Convention deem it expedient forthwith to form a Confederacy of the Spates which have seceded from the Federal Union, and that a Committee be appointed to report a plan of a Provisional Government for the same, upon the basis of the Constitution of the United States. Resolved, That the Committee consist of thirteen members, to be appointed as follows, namely : the Chairman by the Convention, and two members to be nominated by the delegation from each State. Resolved, That all propositions in relation to a provisional government be referred to this committee. Mr. Bartow, of Georgia, offered the following as an amendment: Resolved, That the President do appoint a committee, to consist of one delegate from each State, to report as soon as possible a form and plan of a Provisional Government, to be adopt ed bv this Coneress. He then moved to increase the Committee to two members, instead of one, from each State. Mr. Barry, of Mississippi, proceeded to offer another amendment, pending whioh the Congress went into secret session. February G.?Mr. Cobb, of Georgia, presented a series of resolutions from the North Carolina Legislature, in behalf of her Commissioners, who were in the city; and who, after the resolutions were read, were invited to seats in the Convention during open sessions. These resolutions are as follows: Resolved, That for the purpose of effecting an honorable and amicable adjustment of all the difficulties that disturb the country, upon the basis of the Crittenden resolutions, as modified by the Legislatuie of Virginia, and for the pur pose of consulting for our common peace, honor and safety, the Hon. Thomas Ruffin, of Ala mance, D. M. Barringer, David S. Reid, John M. Morehead and George Davis be, and they are hereby, appointed Commissioners to represent North Carolina in the proposed consalta tion to be held at Washington city, on the 4th of February, 1861, And whereas the State of North Caroliua has been invited by the State of Alabama, to meet at the city of Montgomery, on the 4th of February, 1861, for the purpose of flaming a Provis ional as well as Permanent Government; and whereas North Carolina, as a, part of the Federal Union, has no right to send delegates for such a purpose; therefore, be it Resolved, That for the purpose of effecting an honorable and amicable adjustment of all the difficulties that distract the country, upon the basis of the Crittenden resolutions as modified by the Legislature of Virginia, and for the purnnqp nf nnnmilfinor fnr nnr Mmmnn neace. honor and safety, the Hon. David L. Swain, M. W. ansom and John L. Bridgers be appointed Commissioners to visit Montgomery, Alabama, for the purpose above indicated. Resolved further, lbat his Excellency the Governor be requested immediately to inform the Commissioners of their appointment, and upon the refusal of any one of them to serve, report the same immediately to the General Assembly. February 7.?The President, Hon. Howell Cobb, laid before the Congress, a communication from the Alabama Legislature, tendering to that body an "appropriation of $500,000 to the cause of Southern Independence." By a resolution of Mr. Withers, of South Carolina, the members of both Houses of the Legislature were invited to accept seats in the Congress during open sessions. The body then went into secret session. February 8.?The Congress was in secret session four hours to day. It will meet again to night, and the results of the session will probably be made known duriDg the night or to morrow. The Congress was only in open session a half hour this morning. Tho whole of this time was consumed in prayer and some formal business. General Henningsen, of Nicaragua notoriety, is here. February 9.?Hon Jefferson Davis, of Mississippi, was, to day, unanimously elected President, and Hon. A. H. Stephens, of Georgia, Vice President, of the Confederate States of North America. Later.?9 p. m.?Universal interest was manifested by the outsiders to day, and the convention hall and gallery were crowded. Mr. Memminger presented a beautiful model of a flag made by South Carolina ladies. It has a blue cross on a red field, and seven stars are on the cross. It is highly admired. Mr. Memminger also presented another model, by a gentleman of Charleston, with a cross and fifteen stars on a field of stripes. A committee has been appointed to report on a flag, a seal, arms and motto for the confederacy. The President has been directed to appoint Committees on Foreign Affairs, Finance, Military and Naval affairs, Judiciary, Postal Affairs, Commerce, Patents and Printing. Davis was elected President and Stevens, Vice President, unanimously. A resolution was unanimously adopted, appointing a Committee of Three of the Alabama Delegates to inquire and report on what terms suitable buildings in Mongomery can be procured for the use of the several Executive Departments of the Confederacy under the Provis ional government. A bill was passed, continuing in force, until repealed or altered by the Southern Congress, all laws of the United States in force or use on the first of November last, not inconsistent with the Constitution of the Provisional Government. It is understood that under this law a tariff will be laid on all goods brought from the United States. A resolution was adopted, instructing the Finance Committee to report promptly a tariff for raising revenue for the support of the Government. A resolution was adopted, authorizing the appointment of a Committee to report a Constitution for a permanent Government for the Confederacy of States. Congress was in secret session for about two hours, to day, the balance of the time open session. Latest?10 p. m.?The Constitution of the Provisional Government has been printed, and is now made publio. The preamble says: We, the Deputies of the sovereign and inde- j pendent States of South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana, invoking the favor of Almighty God, do here, in behalf of these States, ordain and establish this Constitution, for the Provisional Government of the same, to continue one year from the inauguration of the President, or until a permanent Constitution or Confederation betweeu the said States shall be put in operation, whichsoever shall first occur. The seventh section of the first article is as follows: The importation of African negroes from any foreign country than the slaveholding States of the United States is hereby forbidden, and Congress is required to pass such laws as I shall effectually prevent the same. The second section provides that the Congress shall also have the power to prohibit the introduction of slaves from aoy State not a member of this Confederacy. Article fourth and third clause of second section provides as follows: A slave in one State escaping to another, shall be delivered up on the claim of the party to whom said slave may be- tl long, by the Executive authority of the State in n which such slave shall be found; and iu case of any abduction or forcible rescue, full compen- j< sation, including the value of the slave and all t< costs and expenses, shall be made to the party by the State in which such abduction or rescue c shall take place. r Article sixth, second clause, provides that ti the Government hereby instituted shall take im mediate steps for the settlement of all matters tl between the States forming it and their other tl i late confederates of the United States in rela d I tion to the public property and the public debt, jut the time of their withdrawal from them.? t i These States hereby declaring it to be their a wish and earnest desire to adjust everything t pertaining to the common property, common ? liability and common obligations of that Union, g upon principles of right, justice, equity and good s faith. d All the other portions of the Constitution are v almost identical with the Constitution of the United States. t A errpat rinmnnatmi.fiAn ta crntntv nn Knrn A r * e,vwv - 5V.?e V. complimentary serenade was given to the Hon. A. H. Stephens, which brought him out, and he spoke for some time in an eloquent manner. One hundred guns were fired on Capitol Hill this afternoon. Washington Dispatches. Washington, February 5.?The Convention organized this morning by electing ex-President Tyler as President. Mr. Tyler addressed the Convention in a speech of half an hour's length. It is to be published. The Convention then sat with closed doors. The Convention has adopted the rules of the Continental Congress. Among those who congratulated Tyler after his address, was Chase, of Ohio, who said that Ohio would adopt Virginia's platform when it is presented. It is evident that the Northern Commissioners to the Border State Convention are anxious for ( delay, but the Southern members declare their ( purpose to press action and require all to show <3 their hands. 1 Virginia and Kentucky are a unit in demand- 8 ing equality in the Territories hereafter acquired. ' They say that there is no hope of any settlement other than a peaceable dissolution, and to this 1 end all efforts will be made. f A number of delegates arrived this afternoon. 9 The Missourians declare for a full settlement F forever, or a dissolution. The delegations are caucusing to night. t The Abolition caucus now sitting at the Capi- t tal is opposed to any compromise. The at ten- dance is slim. They are getting alarmed. Pot- <3 ter called the caucus together. The Pennsylvania Commissioners appeared in J the Convention, but seemed to take little inter- t est in the proceedings. J Delaware is fully represented, and stands by ( the South. The Maryland Commissioners held i an informal meeting to day, and the sentiment t generally expressed among them was that the State must follow Virginia. 1 The Federal Government anticipates the se- c cession of the State of Maryland, and are pro- c viding means for the protection of the Naval School. Six months' supplies and abundance I of shot and shell have just been placed on board g of the practice ship Corutitution. If Virginia t secedes, her Commissioners say that a large t force will be concentrated at Alexandria, Va. c The President will hand in a reply to Colonel Hayne to-morrow, stating that be will enter into t no negotiations as to the disposal of property of ? the Government, such as forts, or any other. t General Scott has been in conference all day r with his officers and Lieut. Hall. Nothing is i kuown of the result of the conference beyond inference. Lieut. Hall hopes to leave for Char- ( leston to-morrow. I The War Department approves the conduct of i Major Hawkins in surrendering the Baton Rouge 1 Arsenal; while a Court of Inquiry has been or- 1 dared in the case of Commodore Armstrong, for a having surrendered the Pensacola Navy Yard.? ? Twenty army officers have so far resigned since a the secession of South Carolina. The rumor that troops have been landed at t Port Snmter is discredited here. The Govern- t went positively denies it. ] Washington, February 6.?Col. Ritchie, an 1 Aid-de-Canp of Governor Andrews, of Massachusetts, has arrived here, and called to-day on < Gen. Scott, to offer to the Federal Government i the "services" of the volunteers of his State. s Scott replied that, since the Virginia election ( he entertained no fears of an attack on Washing- i ton, and that there would, therefore, be no call t for volunteers ; adding that, even if a necessity i for them should arise, Massachusetts would t hardly be called on. c The Virginia Commissioners say that they are c perfectly satisfied that the State will secede immediately on the failure of the Peace Conference ? here to agree. To day's work has upset all t hopes of any adjustment. s Seddon, of Virginia, made an effort to get up S the Crittenden propositions for the consideration t, of the Convention. The Ohio delegation insist a ed on postponement. This led to an excited de b bate, in which Seddon and Rives, of Virginia, and Chase, of Ohio, took part. tl In consideration of the absence of several of e the Delegations, the postponement was finally a agreed to, but it will be resisted hereafter. & Gen. Butler assures me that Kentucky will go n with Virginia. The Tennessee delegation arrived this afternoon. They declare that nothing but a speedy settlement will keep their State ] from seceding. d Maynard, of Tennessee, declared in his speech tl on the floor of the House to-day, that the State ti was a unit against coeroion, and only awaited the ^ action of her Convention to secede from the T Union. p At four o'clock to-day Hayne received the j President's reply. It was a flat refusal to take i his hirelings from your harbor. Look out 1 s Washinoton, February 7.?The President t through Secretary Holt, replied yesterday to 8 Hayne's demand for the surrender of Fort Sua- p ter. t The Secretary says that the proposal of South 0 Carolina. a3 now presented, was simply an offer 0 to buy Fort Sumter. This position, he thinks, d is sustained by the declaration, on the part of S. ^ Carolina, that if not permitted to purchase, she ? will seize the fort by force of arms. As an ini- ' tiation of negotiations for the transfer of the ^ property between friendly governments, the pro- ? posal impresses itself on the President as hav- 1 ing assumed a most unusual form. He has, * however, investigated the claims, apart from the r contingent hostile declarations wnioh accompany ( it. It may, says Mr. Holt, be remarked that e much stress has been laid upon the employment I of the words "property" and "public property" * in his several messages. These are the most 1 comprehensive terms which can be used in snch 0 o onnnfifition. and surelv when referring to a fort 0 or other publio establishment, they embrace the I entire and undivided interest of the Government 1 therein. The title of the United States to Fort a Sumter is complete and incontestible. Were its 1 interests purely "proprietary," in the ordinary e acceptation of the term, it might probably be { subjected to the exercise of the right of eminent 1 domain; but it has also political relations to- ( wards the fort, of a much higher and more im- ^ posing character than mere proprietorship. It has absolute jurisdiction over the fort, and the soil on which it stands. This jurisdiction con- ( sists in exolusive authority over the property re- t ferred to, and is, therefore, clearly incompatible t with the claims of eminent domain insisted on ( by South Carolina. This authority was not de- ? rived from aDy questionable or revolutionary t source, but from the peaceful cession of South i Carolina herself. And she can no more assert r the right of eminent domain over Fort Sumter r now {nan Maryland can assert the same right over the District of Columbia. The President I can no more sell Fort Sumter to South Carolina 1 I ho /iftnlH anil anri nnnrnv fhft Panitlll C\t thft I United States to Maryland. I The right to send forward reinforcements, I when, in the judgment of the President, the safety of the garrison requires them, rests on a the same unquestionable foundation as the right to ocoupy the forts. I In another part of his answer, Mr. Holt says e that Fort Sumter is now held by the Government f of the United States for the same objects for a which it has been held ever since its completion, s These objects are national and defensive, and were public enemies now to attempt the capture c of Charleston, or the destruction of her com- e merce, the whole force of the batteries cf Fort b Sumter would be exerted for their protection.? t How the present small garrison, actuated by such t a spirit as this, can compromise the dignity or e honor of the State of South Carolina, or become a source of irritation to her people, the President is at a loss to understand. The attitude of s the garrison is neither menacing, defiant, nor g unfriendly. o The Government and people of South Coroli- 3 na must and will know that they can never re- c ceive aught but shelter from its guns, unless, in s the absence of all provocation, they should as- s sauit it and seek its destruction. j The reply closes thus : "If, with all the mul- ? tiplied proofs which exist of the President's d anxiety for peace, and of the earnestness with t which he has pursued it, the authorities of S. Carolina shall assault Fort Sumter, and peril ? the lives of the handful of brave and loyal men t shut up within its walls, and thus plunge our t common country into the horrors of oivii war, li lien, upon them, and those they represent, mast j set the responsibility." Col. Hayne prepared and delivered a short reminder, to-day, and will leave here for Charlesin in the morning. Washington, February 8.? The President ommnnioated to Congress this morning the corespocdence between Hayne and the administraion. It was ordered to be printed. Col. Hayne and Lieut. Hall started homeward his morning. The former is dissatisfied with be result of his mission. The Peace Congress id nothing yesterday. No apprehension is felt of au immediate alack on Fort 8nmter, as the question will probbly be placed in the bands of the Congress of he Southern Confederacy. In the meantime the louth Carolina authorities will plaoe stricter ;uard than ever on the coast, to prevent the pot- -wa ibility of Anderson's being reinforced, and his % lomestie market enpplies and postal facilities ^ rill be cot off. The Peace Congress is still in secret session o day. The Committee appointed for the purlose was engaged ou the propositions of adjust- " nent. Influential gentlemen from all parts of ,he country continue to arrive here, urging asetlement of the National troubles. Millions of irealth are represented by them. Colonel Hayne's finality to the President's comnents, reflects severely on the Government for shifting its ground relative to holding Fort Sum ,er, ana also his rerusai or the C arolina demand, n a letter expressed in strong terms. The Presdent declines replying, and his rejoinder returned lim by mail. These circnm9tanoes, oonpled with the facts >f the seizure of the New York vessels at 8arannab, and the oon compromise features of the 3onthern Congress, will probably raise a serious itorm at the North and in Union circles here.? [n financial circles it is believed that Fort Burner will be immediately assaalted; and a considerable decline in stocks is looked for to'-daj. Distinguished Border State men telegraphed Jov. Pickens to forbear assaulting Fort Snmter. }ot. Pickens replied that he would give the re[tiest consideration, but could not give a final i inswer till he received the correspondence and ascertained the President's refusal of the suiender of Fort Sumter. Washihqton, February 9.?The President did tot communioate to Congress the rejoinder of layne with the other correspondence. Various * urmises are afloat as to the reason for this sup- ^ iression. The Rules of the Peace Conference requires nembers not even to express their opinion.as to he probable result. Their seorecy is complete -but it has leaked ont that the plan of adjtistaent reported by the Committee has not-yet teen agreed on. Gen. Doniphan, one of the dissouri Commissioners, says that the settlenent most be full and substantial. The whole dassachnsetts delegation oppose compromise. }en. Wool, one of the New York Commissioners, ? a very violent against conciliation. He wants 0 fight A telegram from a distinguished Democrat of Yestern New York says that, should the coer;ion policy be adopted, the National Democracy it the Empire State will never participate. Kellogg, of Illinois, hitherto a very rampant Abolitionist, to-day turned upon bis party, aod ;ave the Black Republicans some pretty plain alk, charging them with destroying the Union * o preserve their party. The Sew&rdues are lenouncing him most bitterly to-day. The Soathera men here are highly elated at he pr&otical and harmonious way in whieh the loathern Congress has gone to work. They hink that the South should immediately organze an army of 60,000 men, and take every fort n the Cotton States before the 8d of Mareh. The streets are now bristling with Soott'e solliers. They are a terrible nuisance to the peo)le, and their insolence, drunkenness and thievsh propensities are becoming almost unbearable. ?e have no near prcspoot of relief, however, . for every train brings in additions to the force ^ il ready here. The recruits are mostly the low>st class of Northern rowdies, and their officers ire lording it over as most unceremoniously. Washington, February 10.?The suppression >y the President of Hayne's rejoinder, oontinnes o be the town talk. It has been published, and public comment upon it is not very flatteriog to Sachanan. Important questions are arising ia the Land Office, and have been submitted to the oonside Ation of the President. The land system in the leceding States has been suspended. An agent >f the State of Louisiana is here to arrange the natter of the Swamp Land grants. The Fede-al Government declines sctiag, claiming that ts right to the iands is in nowise impaired by be existing revolution, Dut, lite individual ilaims, is good, though the jurisdiction be banged. The Virginians are very much ashamed of IcotL This feeling is so strong among them, hat a subscription has been started to bay the pot in Dinwiddie county on irhich Winfield Icott was born. The idea is to vest the propery in the hands of trustees, with snob restrictions s shall forever prevent another child from being orn upon the spot. Tne Peace Conference has done nothing, and be prospect is that it will do the same to the / d of the chapter. The Abolitionists s?y, "Inuguration first, conciliation afterwards."? a leanwhile Congress is rapidly getting ready the 4 lateriaU for war! t ' Major Chate, Commandment at Pentaccla?Hi* riewt.?Major William H. Chase, the oommaner of the troops at Pensacola, Florida, passed brough Columbus yesterday. He is en route or Tallahassee, doubtless to have a conference rith Gov. Perry. In a brief, unsatisfactory conersation with him, we learned that it is the ' iolicy of onr men to avoid a conflict with the 'ederal troops until after the 4th of March.? 'he reasons for which course were that so trongly a fortified plaoe as Pickens onght not o be stormed, bat captured by bombardmeot or eige; and time was necessary to complete prearations for a successful attack. That a via 1.1 .1 L.l _ J .L [)Vy WUUiU UUUUUMO IVIIUW ? Ull?r|0 pon the Fort with the loss of seventy-five oat f one hundred men, but it Was & question of oubtfal expediency, not to say a display of ad generalship, to win a battle, at so costly a acrifice. That one hundred and ten men were a the Fort, suffioient to manage the guns. v. The owitzers on the angels were capable of being ired at the rate of ten shots to the minute, rhioh would do terrible slaughter. That the V 'ort could be taken in the right way and the I ight time. That a demand would be made by the Commissioners sent to Washington by the Southto Congress, and on failure of ita acceptance, reparations for an attack would begin. The m ,rrival of the Brooklyn with its few men was . lot a matter of much consequence. Maj. Chase's ? pinion was that Lient. Slemmer, in oommand i the Federal troops, wonld defend the Fort.? Curing Maj. Chase's absence, Col. Tennent Loaax, than whom there is not a braver man and > more skillful soldier in our army, has comuand at Pensaoola. It would not be amiss to lay, that Maj. Chase reports the volunteers to be k brave, gallant soldiery, who are willing at my moment to sacrifice their lives for their r sountry and its homes and firesides.?Colum>ut (Qa.) Timet. Meeting of Stockholders of Charlotte and South Carolina Rail Road Company.?The meeting of he Stockholders of this Company was held yes- ^ erday at the Town Hall. Gen. Niel, of North Carolina, was oalled to the Chair. Mr. Steele ' A ,nd Mr. Boucknight acted as Secretaries. The tsual business was transacted with much unan- l mitv and good feeling. The same Board was ' e-elected, consisting of the following gentleoen: North Carolina?Wm. Johnston, Gen. John A. * foung, A. B. Davidson, Joseph H. White.? ' fork?A. B. 8prings. Chester?S. McAliley, I. C. Brawley. Fairfield?E. G. Palmer, W. I. Robertson. Columbia?Dr. John Fisher, A. t. Taylor, John Caldwell. . The Board ananimoosly re-elected Mr. John- J ton, of Charlotte, President A resolution was adopted authorizing the V Joard of Directors, whenever they thought prop- ^ :r, to issue a stock dividend of the sarplua , ands heretofore applied to construction. It is opposed that this will inoreaee the amount o took of each holder about twenty eight per cent. As an evidence of the care in the management if the road, we will state that the property is in izcellent condition, and for months past there ias not been a failure to oomply with the sched- ' lie caused by any imperfection in the road, and his notwithstanding the excessively bad weathr we have had.?South Carolinian. ."'V * Cotton Supply.?The London Timet continues '*= till to discuss the cotton question, which is [rowing in magnitude and importance as the lews comes in from the United States. The Pima considers the position of England, in view * f the two questions, perilous. Other demontrations are being made there, showing the sen- ^ Sti Anooo a/ a rnnlioh TvAAnla nnrlos thn un? IWf?UCOO Ui bUO JUUgUOU J/WW|/<V UUMWI ?MW WJ. irehension that the supply of cottOQ from the Southern States may be cut off or materially liminisbed in consequence of the political roubles. If any thing should happen to interfere with their mpply of cotton, which is not at all likely, that here would be suffering and trouble in Englaud ^ here can be no doubt. Of 8,661,000 bales de itered for European consumption in 1869, the %