Newspaper of The New York Herald, January 14, 1861, Page 1

THE NEW YORK HERALD. ? ? i WHOLE MO. 8893. MORNING EDITION-MONDAY, JANUARY 1-1, 1861 PRICK TWO CMITS. THE CRISIS IMPORTANT FROM WASHINGTON. Tbe Instructions to Major Anderson Hot Yet Decided On. The President Anxious to Avoid Bloodshed. Officeholders Holding Secession Senti ments to be Removed. Departure of Southern Mem bers of Congress. TIE EFFECT OF SEWABD'8 SPEECH. Commissioners from the Seceding States to Burope. Seizure of a Navy Yard and Fort in Florida. TROUBLE ANTICIPATED IN MISSISSIPPI, THE DEFENCES OP SO.BUE, ALABAMA, JM.} *?., i*' Wjuhwcto*, Jan. 13,1861. The Administration have not yet decided upcn the in t tract ion* asked for by Major Anderson. The great point which the President 1> aiming at, and is desirous of ef fecting, is to avoid bloodshed and the horrors of civil war. Many people blame Major Anderson for not opening his batteries upeu Kort Moultrie and the city of Charleeton, M soon as he heard the firing from Fort Moultrie upon the Star of the Wost. The administration, however, en dorse his action, and will so inform him. The President has been unofficially advised that an offl oer is on his way here to oonfer wtth the government ie. specting the condition of affairs In Charleston harbor The President will hear what he has to say, and may pos sibly delay the issuing oT instructions to Major Andcr son until the officer arrives. In his despatches just received, Major Anderson reite rates what he has heretofore said to the War Department and to the President?that he was in want of nothing, and bad the Charleston aiitho. ities not interrupted tho intercourse with l'ort Sumter, the government would have been informed correct'y, nnd tho steamer would nothavo been sent, and thus u most seriois a Id.i ion to the difficulties would have been prevented. Seward's speech continues to be tho theme jf cjui fuent In nearly every circle. A careful reading cf .* has convinced tho ?o o moderate of South' rn mc:i "hat it fulis far short 01' tl< , i oat an J vital questions at issv.c. They assert that if ho i- lly desired a setUcment <u.d restoration of pea* to .. disiractcd coun'ry, ho o i, i to have come bol<l!y and squarely to the point. B t as it is ho has satiated scarcely any one. last uighi there was a conference of qulto a number ol members and Senaters from the border States, and an other conference w a hold to-dny. Seward's speech was considerably comm ed upun, and they all agreed thi t It did not reacli t .sease. They . >me to tho ?' jcii lou that mless >.?? . . i uu the party 'eaders adva id an other a Up, uid ?. .^ptod cither Outeudca's plan ? u ro storai ?n of the i.Lssouri hne to the Paciuo, the fifteen tJave States would bo out of the Ctloa before tic 4tb of March. ' Dudley Mann leaves here for Europe this coming T?ek. Hep< = ? as commissioner on tho part of Foaih Ca roli. ., to arrangj aoino system with fort gn governments respect'ug their varied .nter^sts, and more particularly In regard to opening com merc.al facilities and direct trudo with tho South. I. Bu.Ier King has been appointed commissioner on tho 1 part of Georgia for a similar p-irpo^e, and will leave for j Ruropc in a few days. Other Southern SUtcs are tak.ng the Initiative stepe for tb* same line of policy. It is said they have positive assurances from the loading European governments tna' u \ will treat with them upon these s.ihjects, and render hem all tho aid u their power. Our government has be n made a'varc of the above facts, but as yet has taken no action upon the natter. Mr. Buchanan will probably address letters to some of our Ministers to tho leading Courts of Europe, which may cause. those governments, if they have any such purpose as is ascribed to them, to pause for a time. Senator Toombs left here to-day wtth his family fbr Georgia. He does not intend to return. Georgia, be says, will be erot of tho t 'nion in less than ten days. Gen. Harney is here on business conncctod with the government. Tho government has withdrawn most of the troops in his department. Three companies arrived here to-day. The border States of Virginia and Maryland are very much exasperated at tho course Gen. Scott is pursuing, in stationing n this city and on their frontier so largo a military force under bis immediate command. Rumitrs and reports ars as plenty as blackberries in ( August that the steamships star of the West and Fulton | have been ordered to return to Charleston. There is not a shadow of fo .ndst.on for suji re-ports. A despatch has been received here from Cbvleston to know if such order had been made, and it was flatly contradicted hy authority. The report that tho members of Congress from the se V 'ing States would remain bore to embarrn-?? 'eglsUtion is untrue. Messrs. Barksdalc and Singleton, of Missis sippi, Moore and Clopton ot Alabama, and othors of tlie House, leave or Monday. Senator Brown, of Mississippi, goes inTue-iiay. Senator Davi-, ?t Mississippi, is oon tinod to bis house hy a severe at task of ^'iralgia. II" will go as soon ax he recovers. Authentic accounts irom Mississippi report appre bended trouble if tho State leva's duties on vessels iroin above, bound so.tli, w hich i avowed to be tic iEtenti. of the State tsaac H. Ka, vk, Esq., *f I/nvenw-tb, Kan*M, ? here on bti?lne" s connected with the establishment of s Baptist college tn Kansas, having tho appointment general agent of the same. Ho in n<v**tl ting a tr<*ty for twenty thoupsnd seres of land belonglrg to tho Ot \wa fn4tans. a dele^allTii fr-m whom Is here with him. His husine?s moo's t?>? approval of the ernment, and is likely to he sucSemfully concluded. Usut. General co'.t is still engaged making prepare tiui ' to gu.ird rgalurtt a possible breach of the p >aco in *i- Mm; ton, cenasqtient -nthe present pollt'eal ag tat ion Hbetlvs military forocs are to be posted in the several parts of tb? city. It is not probable that any but r?g'i!ar tr? p? am! the m'Htla wt'l he employed for the purpose. Light ArtiU?ry company A, Seonnd regiment, Captain Barry, arrived here this morning, and am quartered at the arsenal. Two other orepai. es fron l^-avnworth have prooeed s?I to Fort M l!en?y. As a general deVsto will take plans on 'he Army b;!l .n the Hjose to morrow, a large number of the members are prepsr ng tb*m?*lves accor'ling'y. It will involve the present agitating questions. It is sat? thst Major Andersen was an army lieutenant tn tho eomjvin ? command.-d by Mr IV*, now flscretarv ?f the Treasury, 1 learn thst Mr. Clayton, Flint A distant Secretary o( was r< mored yesterday, but do not learn who his e?c ssor Is to be. Bsperta a out tho j? ;. ,e handings bexg strongly fi,arded are highly e?sji? .t I Tho Navy bill, ?h|. h p? , \U fI(W,M ,^rd4k p^rrtatos n?a ly ?n oooov,. it u. w ,,, wl cW ?er ; no new princ'pl. m*r>c rated. Au tl, ?.ry yara gre provided for, but at rsd:^v4 mm rttf W>S*i,<TOS Jim. 13, i&fll. A movement is 01 fort to remove all the ojO-'m fccWera In the several depc not is of tho government hero ?<?:? belong toseced.og states, a.id -.'1 others n fas or if s< S:Ou who do not doiare posr.veiy, e:ther by oa:li or Urination, (hat they ore f r sustaining tno Ur.on a-i 1 :jq execution of the la-vs. I' a a singular fact, tr !. j subject of deep complaint by those here who i the Union, t\iat nearly all ihe clerks who ar? U.e : for disunion and declare in favcr of the courv , tied by South Carol In;., are still serv'ng the federal I i and receiving their salaries. Ouo cf this eic-* <:f men wr. denounced by a loyal Vlrgitlan ;? di/ <t tw^ s.nee as >: cupving nj better potit eu than -i at .p.,,-. ,, public treasury Governor Medill, Comptroller of tho Trea? ,ry. w_s pre -ented by Judge Bryan, of Ala" in i, agei.t wit'u.? war rant for sixty thousand dollars. This amount was clain.cd by certain p-rtios itfor pr m ug. Uov. Med 111 rcfii-ed to pay t alle,'r.g !hat t \\ .s bogus. Mr. Clayton, First Assistant of tho Treasury, called ?.p a Medill to know by what authority he. tho t'^mptroikr, refused to p"M .? account that t ire the - mature of Si. retary Tbomaf Governor Medill r'pii'tl that h? war the bent j*:dge of the bus'nes1' of hi" own dep r!m<!nt. Tin expressed (lie ?yin.. n that th' account 'a.w a franc, uwl, therefore, be could But ami would not sign and authorize its payment unt.l Mr. Pj, tho new Treasurer, ret .rns from X w Yerk, ex amines it and authorize? him 'Medil!) to pa*s the warrant. <"?iyton was (tu:te ind./nan!. It is 'aid that the claim is so glaringly a fr.vid that, General Dx < ill ropudiato it os Governor M'dill has done, and in ? lew <f this fact it is tho greater wonder that Mr. IT)omas, the retiring Secretary of the Treasury, g.v it his signature. While Mr. I horn a-: was Secretary of tli" Tnasnry, two hundred th.meand dollars ero removed from the vault of (he Treasury in th 1 city to tho Sub-Treasury in Vew Orleans, aud for what purpose it is diffi cult to ascertain. Of ourf.o tho op.nion is fV^rty ex pressed, in times like these, that this deposit w.? mule in N'. w Orleans to be seized by the secessionists for treasonable purposes. Tim New York loajj takers paid the balanc ''-ree iBiUienB cne hundred thousand doll .ire. due i.h inet., being secured at the Sub-Treasury Ij N V and a promise was made to them that there ?h .. ... be a change in the Secretaryship of tho Treasury, hencc the removal of Mr. Tlioma? and the appointment of General Dix. Senators Brown ?nd Davis, of Mississippi, will take their leave of the Senate to-morrow, aud tho Senators and representative of Alabama and Honda will do like wise. My despatch in Saturday'3 FlKiuin, announcing tb .t Mr. Lincoln requested Mr. Cameron to decline, state' "it. case a little too strong. Mr. Camoron visitodf*prinh .?. i upon two invitations tendered to him from Mr. IJncoln. t'pon his arriva' there Mr. Lincoln promptly stated to him that he had invited him to come and see him in order to tender him (Cameron) a place in his (Lincoln's) Cabinet, and for the further object of counselling with him at that timo. Before Mr. Cameron left Springfield Mr. Lincoln placed a letter in his bands tendering him a place ii< the Cabinet, and named tho Treasury or War Department as one of tho p!.?ces that would bo assigned him. Without accepting tho place, Jlr. Cameron returned to Washington and decided in his own >iud, and so ex pressed bimsc'f to some of his personal frionds, that he fhould acjept Mr. Lincoln's invitation, but ho never ac cepted the place officially in writing to Mr. I.iicoln. A few days elapsed when events occurred in Pennsylvania rel Mdc to the position which it wa.i so; ,iocl Mr. Cam eron v ild have, which led the latter io b-lievc that Mr. Lincoln would be greatly mbarrassod n ho (G.moron) accepted the p'-ce tendered to him.and consequently ho notitiod Xrr,I ince!n by letter that ho should decline go .ng Gxbinet. By ?hi' prompt act of Cenoral Cameron's he not only relieves Mr. Lincoln from any un pl<\-wrnt complication, but deeidi !ly spike.j ih.* guns uf some of his poiltieal enemiL's in rcuusylvunia snd lili nois. The caucus of the republ an re mbers m tb.) Ho ne aj sem'ded last ,iit iu the P?Ht Ortiee Cotnmittoo ftoom uf tor 'i rir. ? ? r i .octu?>H rm (tie CiouO and marine- hy whit 1. uie >m V"W Hrr.uj) obtdin'Ht its elalxirate ro i> ? vu ihei. ? aucu.' one w*elc prcvkrjg, eons'int'vl to lis ?iei the space of thirty min *ei to Mr. Kt'nendge .a advocacy *>f his proposition which he att> mpte<l to oil'r in the House P"me days since. Mr Etlioridgo showed good and suflVient reason why Ibe detinue piOTw*itkei wbieh h? submitt d to the ?ncus should 1 e -'.hn itU' i toby the republicanr asd yo?. twe-1 not be surprise i if on to-morrow the nil- ot' tho Hi use aro usjx'uded, a large majority of the republ ai.s \oting for it. and M KCiori'lgc is adow 1 to otter I' pl.ri of s< ttle ment, wliieb as follows:? /ir<t?Con. ess shall havo r.o power to regil.te ir con- j trol within the States, th<- relations establishoil or r> oog nized by tbe law of any State rr-specting p- rf>ons held to service or labor. ,Vwnr/?CongTtss shall have io power to interfere with or abolish slavery in navy yards, arsenals, forts or other places ceded to the Inited States. Tbo relatio; - recognized by the L".ws of any Stare within such pltces are[ei'<iatc respecting persons held to servf.o or la labor. Thinl?Congress fb; " have no i^wcr to in "refere with or abolish the relations recognized by th' law*'if tbe District of Columbia respecting persons hold to sor.'ee or lalvor without the consent of tho States of Mary lain! and Virginia, ml also tho consent of the inhali-tan'i of eaid l>istrict and w ithout making just comiiensation in the premise*. fbvrlh?Congress shall have do power to prohibit the removal or transportation from one State to another of ysnoos held to service or labor. 1 11 A?The immigration or importation from aoroad of persons held to service or latx r for life or f>?r a term of year? or of persons intended to be so held and carried to any 01 the States or Territories belonging to the United states, is perpetually prohibited, and Congress shall pass all laws necessary to make said prohibition elective. ?Steffi?No Territory beyond the present limits of tha ' Territories of the United States shall hereafter be acqu.r ed or annexed to the United States, unless tt t same b<J ?lone by the concurrent vote of two-thirds of both house* of Congress, or the same be acquired by treaty by a veto of two-thirds of tbe Senate. Seventh?The second section of the fourth article of the constitution hall be so amended m to res* w fol low ?Persona charged with any State oflencc, t'eiony ?r particular erime n gainst any of the said States, who shall '.-?c | e from just ice, and who shall be found in another Stat' . ?ha!l. on demand of tbe Executive authority of the ^t.ite f (>m which he i ed, be delivere- up to be returned to tl? >tnte Laving jurisdiction of urf cr mc of which be Is i harced. > <fctli he f it se. ion of tbe second article o.' the I cotistitut hail t u so amended as to provides- fol- I low ? *ach State shall appoia' by its Legislature two electees of Pre*.dent and Vfce President of tbe United Slates uid an additional number of such electors equal to the. whole number of tr' Dibers fr<ra each S!ato In the House of Representees, shall be respectively ouoeen by the voters of eun Congress.->rj?l district into aliich the State is divided. The caucus agreed to nothing fearing that if they did it would get into tbe Hrk^ d, hut tho members had a quiet Informal understanding that they would do a good thing for once at tbe expense of not having their names ;n tbe Mr* aid, and so they come to a general understand ing that if an opportunity offered they would boldly vote to suspend the roles If the Hmmij) correspondent dtd see them. Mr. Adams, of Massachusetts, was aorng the speakers. Great anxiety wss manifested by the other members to know what be was going to say. It turned out that he ?a d nothing but wished to know what others were goii g to sty. TT.e other members coincided in what Mr. Adams said and tbe caucus adjourned. WAsm*r:nnf, Jan. 13, 1M1. T1 e Committee of Thirty-three will try to report to morrow Tappnn, of New Hampshire, and Washburn, of Wisconsin, will pr**ent one minority repor' against all compromises, and Mr. Kellogg, of Miiaols. will present another minority report sdV ring strictly to tbe Territo rial policy of tbe Chtc.i Uform, but yielding other points. Gov Pickens' account as Minister to Russia was se'tled at tbe Treasury yesterday, and a draft ?*as sent him on the -ub-Trsasury at Charleston. Jt Is sa'd, not jocosely, that the Governor will bare bard "pickens" to got his TOE DEFENCES OF ftfBILE, ALABAMA, NOW IN POSSESSION OF THE STATE TROOPS. OPT GAINES Dauphin i.pt. GULF OF MEXICO. 2 STATUTE MILES FO*T pay, as it is reported that the Sub-Treasury at Chnrlcs ton han boon seized. There is a new project on foot, co lees imitortant than to make Maryland and Delaware free .Statee, by having the general government, with the consent of the owners, to purchase their slaves. Several loading citizens of Rultimore had ait Interview yesterday with certain Northern members of Congress to ascertain their opinion?a better opinion?whether the new administratis* would be willing to pur chase the slaves In those States at a fair price, if the owners would consent to sell them and then colonize such of them m their masters refused to retain as hired servant!. The Congressman gare an affirmative answer, and thought the people of the North wouM cheerfully acqulesco In the proposition. The Baltimoro g.-ntlemen stated that if the Union was to be dissolved Maryland, as a slave state, wou d go with the South, though her interests and geographical posi tion placed her w ith the free States. But whether the Union continues or divides, slavery is felt to be an inr it bus on tbe prosperity of Maryland. Slavery is slowly dying out, having decreased six thousand in the last decade. It whs staled at the conference that there were only eighty thousand slaves in the State, which, at |600 per head, old and young, a higher price than they will bring for years to como, would only be forty millions of dollars. A duty of ten per ocnt on the tour hundred mil lions of annual imports would pay for them In a single year. One per cent duty would pay the interest on the bonds and create a sinking fund that would liquidate the principle in a few years. The Baltimore gentlemon re marked that, once a free State, Northern capital, skill labor and enterprise would flow in a broad stream Into Maryland, property would enhance, business improve aud white population rapidly increase; Italtiinoro would soon rival Philadelphia as a manufacturing city, and Maryland would be converted into a garden to supply the wants of Northern cities. Delaware has only two thousand slaves. One million of dollnrs would indemnify tho owners and make hor a free Slate. Ml-souri lias but one hundred thousand slaved. Fifty millit us would pay for them and make her rival Illinois u wealth, population and improvement. Thus less thnn or.e hundred millions would rid them all of ait institution for wbieh neitbor thoir clim?t nor products arc salted, and bestow on them the advantages of free labor. Tho DuHimorian.' said that free trade und direct taxation wll b< me the established polity of a Southern conI iertuy tin (t will be ntMl b< *<n'i'h C-r-ir cotton -tatis school of |>olitical cc >nomists. Tho federal c\p< uses of a Southern confederacy would not be leys than thirty mill ns a yoar. of which Matjlttd would lt-.e to i<ay two mill ions. Ikr piceent Sttfc taxe? are thre hundi<x|and t l*ty thou sand per year: hence htr taxes would be increased six fold, while her manufacturing int rests would be d* stroyed under the operation of fr< e trade av. >1 t tixa turn. Virgin*' wc Id have to y over four million!, Kentucky und M souri each three millions, ant Utile Pelaware one quarter if a million of dolU s. Thise l irder States could only escape from this Jug gernaut machine by seccdlng fr"m the cotton confedera cy and reuniting with the stars ..nd Stripes," or setting up for tliemsel f* In either event, what would become of their slaved The Itnltit, oreur.s thought the h?>st thing for Maryland was to sell her f laves, employ the procee<ls to i aid manufactories and improve f.rms, and plaoe herself in the soci ty of tho great family of free labor Kits, partake of their prosperity und u.joy their power ful protection and friendship. REPORTS FROM CHARLESTON. Ctoun B<rov, Jar. 13, MOl. The last news by the steamer Na hvillo from New Yoik report* Urn Brooklyn oft' Ckpc Remain. I-ast night wan quiet. The excitement of the people has subsided, and there are great hope* that the ultiuMtnnn of Month Caro lina, sent to Washington by Komih. iin3 oo had Hall, will giro peace. Eight working men from Fort .c inter came away la-t n i'ht in a boat. Four are in the city, and lour ore to go to New York in the steamer Marion. Thoy report the soldiers on short allowance. The steamer Clinch, under a * hite flag, in command of Commissary General Tlatch. went to Fort Hunter this evening. JVn't know what for. Nobc > knows except the authorities. THE POSITION OF GOVERNOR HICKS, OF MARYLAND. BAtmnRi, .fan. 13,1H61. Mr. Seward'a ppeech was published In thia city yestnr day and was pcner:'iy i?ad. producing a favorable im pr??*i 11 withal, tho -ome think It rather inexplicit and not advocating Sb. ->nt cotn- 'naious to satisfy thr ultra distuiionlets. Tbose who ve the I'nion, of a.i parties, think t a !V ? rable step toward* a final :i4 junment. (Jov. 11 ks Is now here, and the r mmitt< c npp> nt< ? ! by the recent State ronvenuon have had anlnte.iew with him, and presented ihe 1 notations asking him to rail an election of the people to exprees public sentiment regarding the cafitaf ata Blate Convention Thointor vie-v was pleasant, tv.t the. Governor ref . i ? torerpoml favorably. lie is ur y Iding in bis determination igain 1 conven ng the 1/tgt.slature or calling a 0>nvnti>m w ith out greater cause than ret c*'?t?. FLORITU FORTS TAKEN. PBtaanoui, f*n. 13,18C1. Fort Birr uncos and the navy yard were taken yeatatr day by the Alabama and Florida troops. THE CONVENTION BILL PASSED IN VIRGINI A. Ricmmim, Jan. 13, IWSl. The Senate Uat night passed th? House Convention bill, with an amendment fixing the 13th of February for the assembling of tbe convention. SEWARD'S SPEECH IN ALBANY. Ai*a>t, Jan. 13,1M1. Senator Seward's speech has been tho all almorbitig b pic of discussion in political circle* to day. It in con ("led on all aides to bo a splendid production, white Its conciliatory spirit Is highly commended It fails, how erer, to receive the endorsement of tlx- novo ultia re publican*, who declare that he has lowered the party standard and taken a long step backward from the trn< republican posit,on. Tho more conservative republicans endorse his pro positions, and they will prees an early vot0 on tbe Robin son revolutions. The weather to of almost Arctic severity to- day. ARRIVAL OF TROOPS IN BALTIMORE. Baltuiobi, Jan. 13,1M1. The troops from Kansas arrived last night, Company n, '-ocon.i artillery, Col net Rrooks commaading, 67 is^n tVmpany A, IJsht artillerr, Ckptsin Barry, M man, Co?paBv I, IJghl artillery, Ucutooao* ????? 1 Fry, W rt.cp. Total 238 men and 121 honee. Oamixtrj H, together with tlio DwtiM who eaane from Washing- d ia the early j^rt of tbo week to ?uard Fort lie Henry proceeded to aafctogton by special train. Tbo other two company proceeded to garrison Fort Mc Henry, vrbero a large number of persona were attracted to day to view the troope. Active pretentions an- making by the government at Annapolis, tho cannon from the frigate Constitution lying there being placed on board tho practice t>hip i'reble. and the revenue cutter station been placed in strict naval discipline. Nothing Is allowed to approach her without being haded by e ntries. NATIONAL AIRS HISSED IN PHILADELPHIA. Pun iftrreau, Jan. 13,1W1. Ijut evening, during a dramatic perfoitnanoe at the Academy of Music, the national air?, "Hail Columbia," "Yankee Poode," Ac., played by tho band, were hic*e<l by a party of men in the galierics, creating intense ex Citement among the audience. Order w? only preaorvod | by the immediate ejection of tho offenders. ADDITIONAL RESIGNATIONS OP NAVAL OFFICERS. The resignation of another gnllant ofllcer of the Unite ! States navy?Lieut. Thomas B. Huger, of South Carolina, who is at present on board of a United States ship in the Bay of Naples?has been delivered to the Secretary of the Navy at Washington. Tbo letter of roslgnation was written some month* ago, and loft with a relative, to bo delivered at the pro|>er time. Cap* a in Victor M Randolph, of Virginia, lui.' resi^no*', and has offered his wnkw to Alabama. James I.. Hoolo, Alabama, n graduate of the Naval School at Annapolis, but at present a inl<UUipmvi on board the steamship Susquehanna, in the Meditu: rjnaan, has through his father, B. J. lloo'.e, Faj., tend ?red his set vices to the Governor t f A.abama. Cadet James tj. G,-*an,oi Aithum.i, tiv rc; ^net hii post at the Weat Point Military Aoadi-my nd roturnod hone, where Lc wiU t< r.'<kr hi? sjrvlcc t j tlw , oruor oi hid estate. MOBILE ANL ITS PRFENCES. The city of Mobile .-onta.- nearly SO.000 !nlwb!tantf. ami is situated o. the v est side of the river jf th^t. menaiuo, <* a beaut'f'i. ?-id ex?.?? Ud {.Win ?!?< ?ted liftmen fe' i jove tb? hlg1' ft tidex; ripen to refrordilng broe?,.s fro the bay, and commanding a bee itlful prospect. Ihe olty neatly built, in lighted with gas, and supplied wi?h pun water, brought through Iron i>ipe? from a spring eight tulles distant. Mob'le is, next to Now Orleans, tho great cotuui mart of lb houth; Its exports amount to from sixteen to twenty Millions of dollars annually. VeClLE BAT. Mobile bay is thirty mites lor.g, measm fr ni :t mouth to the city. Its verago width Is twel -i miies. It connects on the n?r'' by two strait?, ?ne on ? i li side of Daopbia Uland. Or she bar. near the mouth of tho bay, there are twenty two feet of water at high tide. T'.ie course of the ship ch .el in en! ring tho b.?) ls<k*o up to Mobilo point, a id d'rectly under the gui.rs of FOHT VOIIr AN. The principal fortiilcation guarding the mouth of Mo bile bay is Fort Morgan. It is located on Mobile Point, on the site of old Fort Uoyei, of 111. memory?a long, low, sandy pemnrula, between '.ha Qulf of Mexico on Hk south, and Bonsecotirs bay and Na\ y Cove on the north. The Point is th? eastern limit of the entrance to Mobile bay As the site of Fort Morgan is is historic, we subjoin the following brief sketch of its importance in the war of 1812 ? On Feptembei 14,1*14. a British fleet of four vessels, carrying ninety two gitnf, attacked Fort Boyer, a small redoubt. This rodoubt was gari ironed by only one bun dred and twenty Americans?oOlccrs included?under tte "ommand of Major Iawrence, and its armament was bat twenty email piece? of csrnion, some of wbfr.h wore almost entirely urelsss, and met of them poorly mount ed, in batteries hastily thrown up, and lea\ ing the gnns oncovered from the knee upward, while the enemy's land force, acting in concert with the thipH, cousisled of twenty artillerists with a battery of two guns, and -even hundred and thirty marines, In-iiaiu; and ne^rosF. His *hi|* carried five bundled an i nlr-tj- men in all This immense d.r parity of numbers and utrengtb did not allow to the British military and naval commanders tho slightest apprehension thai four British ships, carrying ninety two guns and a land forei son ewhat exceeding seven hundred combatants, could fail In reducing a small work mount ing only twenty short carronades and defended by a little mora than one hundred men, unprovided alike with furnaces for heating *ho?, or caaomates to cover tiiem sel\es from rockets and Fhells. Nevertheless tho enemy was complete!*' repulsed; the British oumtnodorn's ahlp rus entirely distroyed. The enemy s l<?* In ki)l<?dand wounded wis two hnndre-i and thirty two men, while the American low was only eight or nine. The present f<*-t ideation is of a star form, bui't of Northern granite, od Is, we believe, embrasured for one tier of guns, in eaMB led l>ombpr?of r<sifs, and another ti?r of g<ins open air or en tmibrtU. On tho exterior of the fort is a ditch and gltx extending "ntirely around it. lb-re are other adv?ii' <d works on the eotuter ap prod hes to thu fort. I< it not wholly ac onible by land -<nd It therefV're Is little advantage ground to an I enemy. 1TB AJtMAMKVT. Gmt. Iron forty two-pound^r* la Iron twenty four poinders. H K'ghtean poqarters 3 Twelve-pound, m 4 Brass (leld piece* ^lr I!mking d-fences n Brass flanking howitgere 21 Kight Inch howitxers, heavy 10 Thirteen inch mortars 2 Ten Inch mortars, henvy 4 Ten Inch mortars, llgh' 2 Fight ine.h mortars, light 2 Sixteen Inch stone mortars 2 Ooehorn mortars ft Total armament 133 Wc believe all or nearly all the gun* required for the arm ament of the work are within its walls, but were reoently, with the exception or a f?w guns *?? barfnUe, dismounted. The Alabama State troope, however, are busy In mount ing the guts, and by this time have forty or fifty of them commaadMg the entrance to Mobile bay. There are about five thousand shot and shells in the fort, and addl tlona have bven made to this within the past week. It wiU require the sum of $60,000 for making ' hang"* for the tew and heavy armament on the exterior batteries and for extensive repairs required for the preiorvation of the work. The fort h*S ample quarters for officers, soldiers' bar racks, aterehousea and magazines, and furnaces for heating hot shot. The entire work eoat the federal go venwert one .ad a qtarter nl'lwxi of dollars. ITS IHUdfT 6AARI8ON. ' 'tw> ' g&rri&n lOMMt* at four conp? r <? of \fo iroope ander Ool. Jcliu B. TcJd, nam !y ? ?Wet. Oeuiftr, Ohpt. Sands 44 ?'u*ilr?r?, Oapt. Mtasbury M ln(l?iK>n'lei? futlee 0*pf St'Jtos 47 Artillery Company, Qtpt. Ketohum 53 Total in garrison JuO A lug pr g?rvM ax on errand b<-.it Imtue.u the fort and Mobile, ana keeps the garr.son daily supplied with ?rtish food and other nooeeaarl. a or comfort}. ? ORT UAIKKS. This work :.H the sthsr Aef-moe to Mobile bay. rt U situated on Pauph.i h ls?ai><l 1'oiut three sail'*s and *)oe fourth from and nt??i)} oppuette Purl Morgan. This t .rt w bow una or C^wtri. tion. an<l wh>u fin ihe<! will mount eighty nmo guns. Th ch'.f engineer of the Corps of En gineer?. ic hie report lo tl. > Secretary a( v? ar in i860, AUjtf .if the ivork^"Operations were returned In January, IKtW. The we?t bastion hiti bwu railed Ave mlnuti * u?d si* seiondg, the magazine arch turnod, four tUnk howitzer fiutiraeurett bv<lt, aii.l the main arch commenced. Tbo main ar:bes of the north, "0'ith and northeast hasticne have bo.<). t ..-nod, and tL j plaukn and pl?it! oi tbo^e buntion* built up ready for the arches of the Hue'' ing guu*. Th.' sid>' walla of the north and weht postern? have b?< u built, the aroh trf the went postern turned, ani four iron fcates for iKWterns made aud huag. Th gorge curtain haa be-n mined three minutes six seconds; tke bri.-k facing of the southwest curtain has been raisoc foui minutes three seconds, and backed with concrcte fm one 'not in he'^ht, and the brick facing ot tho north ha of north curtain haa been rained thr M> minutes six second?. Tho parade has boon thoroughly graded, the earth be in,, embarked in the raui parte, and the wharf ha* be<*n re paircu no as to allow of the receipt of materials. With the fue ls at present available it is cxpected that 'he scarp wall will he completed and embanked to a suf" ci- nt h. ight to allow of the channel-bearing guns being mounted on temporary platforms in cue of necessity. To complete tho woik, with tho exception to further commodate the garrison, the officer in charge eetimaU.i t; at the pom of $#?">,000 will be roqnired." THE STAB OF THE WEST. Debarkation of the Troops and Return of the Vessel to Her Dock?The Cold Snap of Saturday BTlght-JThe Crowd* to See Iter Yesterday?How She Appears In Port?The Mark of tho Cannon-Ball on Her Side, <Vc. Tho Star of the West, now surrounded with uncommon interest on account of her adventure In the harbor of Charleston, finally returned to her dock at the foot of Warren street yesterday morning, where large num ber? wended their way during the day to see her. The gates on the upper end of the dock, however, were closed against all unauthorized applicants for admission, compelling those who?o curiosity had brought them to tho spot to oontont tbomMtvM with looking at her stern and starboard side. THE MARK OF THE CANNON BALL is upon tho port side, facing tho dock, and was cense qucntly visible only from within tho forbidden enclosure. She bears no other traces of damage from the firing. Th< dint referred to is a littlo forward of the whooUioiue, unJor ono of the portholes, aud about three or four feet fr. ra tho sur'.tee of the water. It is clliptlcally or og^ shaped, sbow.ng that tho bull struck tho ves-cl oMtfuriy, at an arfgleof about thirty or forty inohe with tho keel, aud in a direction front tht stern towards tho bow. Tho lntproMe )n of the ball, uuich must have been an eiglit<x n poun.lci ip about six inchcb wide at its broa.le*t portion ind about . nine c ten nches tn leugth. Tbo missile sank into th. wi od on y to tho depth of ;.bout half 1U; own diameter, ?bowtag that its force was considerably spent < n reachiuc the v? ? *.!. THE T>EHA!tK tTTON OF THE TKOOM was aC' uiplilM a'- halt" past worm o'clock yeatsrdny morning. During the pruvteu night the Star of the Wset wot coit .derahiy iMMvecuenead by the largo nUMnes of V-o ftoatl 1 g in the river, and two oiivhom were wrenched iwuy. Hie left her ancborago in Uio Juirb./r? I a position Rlio bad maintained ilnno li>r ai .v.tl ? and stiatiied into tho sla?ic w.itor to avoid U?c tl< of ice. the thou pasted down tho bay to Hub- , b!r.> Reef, and theuM hark to a point a little above t.ovenior'i; Island, where, about thn-o o'cloc k yoe ter'l.iy ii wiling, th<- steaming caine aloii;"iilo to t ike oil th'' acid ion; bat tho commaading ottatr, ; n<ig it an ULpropitlotia moment 011 account of th t<.; ? . oh I. and 0?;,tEin M'Oowaa f*<aring a<'cid>'yt fr.nn tbo massi* of ice, tho mov ment was postponed. Thoso on board the veiuol dcporilx) tho oold at this time as of unU?ual sever I ty. Tli' side* of tho ship were co\ered with ice, while the whiskers of the officers on duty were cougeaM with their respiration. Such wag the keen Htate of the atmos phurc during ?atun:.iy aitornoo i that a stovo ha 1 to be put up In th.^ soldiers' quarters to make them any way U-i liable or comfortable. After ioav.ng Governor'? Hand tho Star of the Weal Warned for tho slack water oil th' Jersey nhoro, and t atised through it until sho rcached a point opposite 1! r tttn Height"?, whero sho anchored. The steaming lion ??ame alongside once more, and the troops wore dlsem barked about half-|?at seven o'clock. Tho steam' jg then put off and landed the soldiers at their old quarter*, l'ort I'n'utnbun, on'i'0V'rnor'n Inland. Tho Star of tin West immediately after rawed her anchor and Ktetme-i to her dock foot, of Warren street, which <tbo rsadwd about eight o'clock HER AVTtAUASC E VESTfRDAY presented no(hi?g unusual to the spectator, looking from the wharf, nave tho American ensign Uqpt ; in," at her stern. <m board, however, were plen ; tiful evideneea of her n cent occupation by troop* and of her waiiike destination. t'pon the main dock ! piled up against (ho aides of the whocUiousc*, were some twenty or thirty cahef of mu-ketr, marked uiih Uic words "Mr jor T. H Maw, Fort Columbus, V. Y. Har bor." These w -e the arms of the soldiers who were sent to reinforce Fort Hunter. Occupyu g various po-^i tl ms on the same deck and in the hold were some Uun died or more barrels of pork and other atoren for th< provisioning of the troop*, and a quantity o. supplies for the garrison at Fort Sumter. A n< ial.tr'of boxe? of cartridges *?ere also Stored away. The quarters of the troops wore it> tl??* forward cob in or steerage. An iiutpcction of Una 1< calit \ at once ex ? hlbiked the recent preset oof mil iar} men. The floor vra< littered w 'th Old strap' and other n.iitaiy pnrupherna lia, bearing the letter" "I. A.while the remnants of their meals were rirewn around, forcibly reminding one of the soldier's life in ''ainp and Hold. The number of bertha oi iginally in the steerure had not. bfn nniiolriit to accommodate the dotvhi out, and niattrcr iea hid been spread in the forward part of the cabn to su|*>ty th* deficiency in the aleepi.., arranvmeot < fit* SCEMt ON BOA HP PIKING THK I lltlNli I. OM th* row. TV particulars of the attack upon the .Star of tho West have bei n stated in an official manner by Captain Mr<;o? so. A few further details in rogard to the affiair poem.? a great deal of interest, i lie ttrst shot Urod pas?od across Ui bow of the vessel and struck the water about a ahip a length tihead. The American ensign a* ",e fore pnak w $ then unfurled, and tho vesseloontlnue l <m mid Iho flreci the battery; tut receiving no answer by signal from Fort .Sumter In response to the hoisting of the American flag, ami a couple of vowels comlcg dewn the harlior at iho time, a|>i arentiy with a hostile intention. Iht Ik ivl waa turned for sea once more. During all this trying tine, with the gun ? of tho bat tery continuity pouring out their deadly milium, the moot adiuirable oi-i r wm preserved ou board, iho soldiers wore sent bel w, aad no one allowed to reina r on deck except the officers and crew. The captain and first officers were at the pilot bouse, while the soc nd mate waa ready on the forward deck to get tho relieving tackle to work in the event of any of tho balls striking tho wheal and preventing oontrol over the vessel's move ments. That there was good need of this prec&utioa la shown by the okwo proximity of a ball that passed or?r the wheelhooae The -hota Ored at the vest>ol luring the first part of the attack struck sliortof her, but, plan - ing op from the water, rkoocn vd over the vess. and were plainly visible during their flight to ttUa sooonl direct km. THl ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE OF THll STAR OF THE WIRT. [From the Charleston Courier, Jaa. 10 ] After a night of txpeclaacy and anxiety yesterday morning w?t?u*hf red upon us pregnant with event* that may in all pi babiltty result in either a tot tl c?wii on of all our troubles, 01 lwui to the il sa?tious edbct* oi" .1 Ion/, doodjr awl determined contest that the (pint of one troops, o; our leaders, and indeed of our whole pecula tion, M thoroughly aroused ail have -teen. The prompt-* ness and i elerity of action on the i>a(t of the p."'r.ot.<i military with whom we are surrounded, (rives * feeing of universal confldcuce and security tha'. will result most heneticially in any event. If we are to have war, we ar<] assured of the preservation of liouor at least by '.he va liant hearts and Htrong arum that light our buttle* and if victory trow tin our ettorts, we know it will be property and justly usud. The spirit uf our troops gives everv t.vT done? of this. The zeal and alacrity they have sho iH manifest it. The hardships they liuve endured exhibit th"' interest tbey have in th<- fetato and the loyalty with \\ lilch they staid up tut' the cause of aoutb Carolina. None, therefore, were surprised when th" 4eep-toned cannons of the batteries and fort*, occupied by the troops of the Commonwealth, s|s>k? in loues oi thunder on Wed nesday morning. 1 ho telegraph ha<l warned 114 of the ap proach of a vessel bearing reinforcements and supplier to the United .states garrison in Fort Sumter. The fort i tic lions that had bean thrown up on the |>oints commanding the stronghold hud been not ill.d of the intent ion of tha ijovernraent at Washington, and for twelve u fourteen hours every ono had prepared himself for the evnt that was sure to uoine, with the attempt to land reinforoa* ?mtf at Sumter. Ihe aid exacted for the garrison at this plrce d I arrive. Karly in the morning, between the hourg of s,.* and seven o'clock, the city was Intensely excited at tha expected reports of heavy ordnance in tne harbor. "Tha -(tar of the West" waa the exclamation of all. * One,:? '?two, ' "three," "four" guna?the content is begun, lu a few minutes people from all parts of lha city case fr< .1 their houses and were sean rushing out to the Water s edge. The streets wore Hoon throngoll with eager men. huri > ing towards the battery and ;ha whan eg to ascertain all that oould bo learned of the noise made by the guns in the otting. Th" cannon, as long a* ihey were discharged, went off in re> ir, deliberate suc cession, clearly evincing that in serving then\ tho utmost Inllitary prtcision had beon attained, and rejected great cretiit ufK?n those managing them. With the naked eye, nothing of what was going on >< the h-tibor could bo discovered, and consequently tha most Intense ex< dement prevailed to lind out what had canned ihe cessation of reports after seventeen or e>gh&? een had been discharged. It was not until lialf an hour or so that the populacfl, by this time fully aroused to the importance of tha movement evidently made by our troop*, was put in poti sension of the fact.*, of the atfair. In the meantime crowdd of people had gathered in the moat convenient localities for procuring information. Tho bulletin boaras 01? tha newspaper ottlccs.the wharves and street corn-rs, wcra tilled w th peonlc.and every scrap of intelligence wag groodily devoured. A HKUARIJC NARRATION Of KACTH. From th-" mast reliable authority, eye-witnesses of tha atfitir, wo arc enabled to lay before our readers the foN* lowing account of it:? About six and a half o'clock, or thereabouts, the .steam* er General Clinch, Capt. Relyea, having discovered tha approach of the Star of the West, signalized the fact to tho occupants of the battery lately thrown up on tha beach at Morris Island. This vessel, It is known, left her wharf sometime during tho evening l?efore, with a guard of eighty men from the ranks of the Palmetto Guard and the Irish \ jluuteois. The duty assigned them waa to keep strict surveillance over the harbor, and to maka such signals as had been agreed upon In tne event of tha approach of reinforcements to the fortresa in possession of the t nited states troope, as well as to report the ap proach of any vessel that may appear in the ollling. la the early gray of the morning tne guard "boat first des cribed the steamer heading in from the soa, and with aa much celerity as possibhf performed tho remaining part of the task assigned her. As t oon as signalised Ihe entire camp on Morris' Island was astir. There was no need for the reveille beat to quarters. The men were already at their posts befora the orders were given. For somo minutes ihey remain ed in anxious suspense, ready for what every one be lieved sure to couie, ami that a volley from the heavy guns of Sumter. As soon as the Star of the West rounded the po.nt sbd took to wh it is termed "ship cUatuiel," ins'do the bar, and proceeded straight forward until nearly opyoe! te tha work ort Morris Island, uot more than three-quarters of a mile from the battery, and within excellent range of the guns. At th!'! position of affairs the command waa gives to flr*, and a ball was sent whizzing athwart the linwi of the steamer. Thin sirniUcant hint to prcctad no further was untied 111 no other man I ev by th'- vessel tha" v dwplayi ; Lirge Hag II ibo federal Union. As ? > n th? stars >nd strip 1 w- rut? Up to tho IUi.H;hi .,d, 'he out of dellalKC Was met ? a succession of heavy sh its from the fortukcation. 1 eesel continued on norw. y with Increu.i'-d ed, in one or two shot:' takug ? 11 ct. she ooncluded toait \aii e iui further, and this c elusion w? his'."ned by tiie snolr- from Moultrie which, Uiough harud -s and out of rtngeOT tlK" steamer still g ive evidence tL a hottetf work was on hand if nrther attempt was made 14 ymotd. The Star of the West was clearly made out as tlw round 7t tlu> v esse], so tiiat there was no mistake on th.s DOii.t. flw was "of?-'ssod of no armament. As mum ah Ive >e Six shots had b"<*n tiled upon her from Xlie-rts Islam! a. ? >h uiHuy m# 1 from Moaltne, *t w >s evi l t 11 would lowet f crcolors to bill mast. S! <1 1 inr..S :o ah to avoid any further .? 1 ^?rs -f in. k I ti'Oi i .he fortifli'4it'Otis, which, . th one or two m r ?i charges linally c.-u*?d. I llf. WA M I'lfc I"1 t>"> *t. amor very triMtnp onl) two of ai n( wit* teen bit-?all that wan tired -took oflbitupen ,?er. ' ?n?J struck tin' veflt-ol ubout the Imwaid po't qt? tho bow IIid other amidships, iu tho vicinity of tho whesl teiuss. V<i Mo*of the l-Xteiit of dattia done could be at* r mod; : ;e.' 1 it couM not liav knov.. wL>t!' i he h ( been struck at all hal I' not beeu for the L *ky,Uuil hound, and snhhequent crush, always acc )iupau> ,ng tbd ball Umt ?' makes Its mark" in a nn 1 engagement. At all event* alio rouM not h.ivo been badly injured or dia? abl'-d, for i:\rn while the tiring continued she rounded to Mini st tried off Hcaward. As soon as this intention wad shown all tiring wa- iustnutly suspended. HIST HI MTKH. While the engagement lasted no demon*,tration over was mado by the command ii. possession of frovilng fortress?iftiinter?except tho opening of it pert boles and running out of the guns which b iar upoit ttorrl* 1*1; nd and Moultrie. Major Anderson, however, prudently forbore tj lire, and no doubt cxperiei -ed groat relief when he en w tho vessel steiming out of the harbor* THK ? MUM AT cumjt WKKir. At Cnstlo Pinckney, under c>mman<l of CMonel Petti, gri-w, the ardor of the men knew no bounds. The great est i ngiTtietH was shown by all to have a Rhot at tha .-tranner. with tho Intention of bringing out the lire <>C Fort Sumter. Tbc guns of tho Castle were ail manuotf simply upon tho P|iontaijooiiH movement of the men themselves. I ach sprang to his poet, without rr.mmantt of the otllcer In flfaargo. It was with the greatest difli culty tliat he rould restrain them from flrJig; and It w is not until a peremptory order to that effect was given that tbey he J themselves aloof from the batteries. Tb? eagerness at Ports Moultrie and Johnson was equally gieat, though the c.?rrlson at tbe former were gratified In the privilege of a number of harmless shots. Better luck to them next time. WUO mini THK KIVT HHC/f Since the event oi" tbe crisis much curiosity ha* l?een excited to leurn tlie man woo Ureu tha tli st --hot. After diligent inquiry we beli. ve it is settled tint the knwr bekmgs to the Wash.ngtoa Light intantry. Though this carps i? not st. .oned in tha ill*i ? in tin,< iit - on Morris island, from wh '-h the Brstgua wus tired, still a single representative of the corps, w? arc informed, was at one of tbe gun*- and to h.m befell the duty. Wi? believe tho nauio of the gentleman id l.ienUnsut J. I.. Branch. THK CTTT. After al) the facts of the affair in tbe harbor had be. eon e gemi illy known throughout the city the excile lii- i t in i wise abated. Several companies of tro< pa ne\ i r bSt'TO in actual service were called out and sent ta different localities, wh"re their presence might txi needed, and every precaution was taken by tho energe'id administration to s?><:nre all points that might be useful In ibe streets military uniform* MH numerous. Old and young assumed tho "cloth of v. ?r," nd t'xA their places in the rucks. War, actual war,seemed inevUtle; but. villi tJ,, 'housan<i and one rumor that ttow about, nothing Co Id be set down as certain. nt? n id or Tsvnt. Tovnrds eievi n o'clock a boat from I'Tt Sumter, bearing an officer In full uniform, with a white flag, wad seen to approcb the city. Tbe (floor was met at th? what' liytM or two gentlemin, and ?? seWwH 9 <|oietif ?? to land. He ksvb bis i.ame is 1 i4uten int " .1, l nit?d states Army, t>e-*rer of dispatches from ' r An dersin, eommandin^ Kort to th>i < ?'' "*?r og Houth (.'aroitna, and inqu red lb ? ?**}* to > nox+nat'l ?iuarters. I'naer the guidance t ? vsral ?'?ntlemen tho l ienti nant v??s taken to the t ,ty llall, tellowed by a? immerse tlKiiigb orderly and' ne led throng?attracted by curiosity to '? arn the of i t at his mission. Mt-^r rru ing at the City Hall It n,?s found thai tho Hover uir did sot oerupy any port'on of the building, and after ! a delay 'if nevemi minute* to learn where the Eisentiva could be found, the ofBcer n^s joined by a gentle man In military b.ihlt, whonndert"*togirobiaioonduct. Vhilo wHitluif at this point the crowd outside m mrrssiil at a tremendous rate. The .viurt room wan a lied, tbe stairs were fiil.'d, and even the street was denctly tbrongi'd, tliough not ttie slightest indignity, elt lie." hy word "r dee?i, was inflicted ujsm fhe rapre?en titne , ibe l'nit"d Watee. In perfect se< urltg be was all' w?d t" take his way to the fi?iv?raor, with wlaom t)? aft) rwsrd? remalno<V Tor ovor two bmirs. Ihe ob>'i t of the mission not 1, 'lng knowr, emted gr< it e*eltrment among tbe people, so much so that many of tin m lingered In the vic inity of tbe guherna'o. rial qesrters until after two o'ekirk, at which time Ma Hall innled bis interview. Hf w?g (1KB WWUd to ? Carriage and driven, in company with two aid 61 'li governor, to tbe wharf whete be re-emharlted fbr tb? fort. Tlie subject matter of the communication between Major And' isou and Governor rickens will be found at another column. INTT.RF^Tiy. NEWB FR< [ CHARLESTON. [Correspondence of the Baltimore American.] Rn chlmj or Socrn CUmuha, 1 Cinaijscmjf, Jan. ?, 1M1. f It Jati<r to '*< fi -tr of tKt WMt?Prmar*io I fin Her ?An .inMvut Community?A .*iiier A ? i ,Hh?t?All Vagcr far tV Prmn Ti* Mri it . ' v UK l iAunUrrt?TV Erptctttl t. ? > (.1 wi "H fd? Particular - f the AU*ck ?w At 11 th TV F110 nf True*, ?f . 11. " <n it. < 0 'y wan consummated the first act of what may In >p? : ' i'lty prove to be one of the bfoodl. est ?ts en r?SHfii l day y< -terday onr peonle wsrs eSClii Ibeyon.i n.' ? * anxi"ishr avpeetiug tho MM fWMi. wtiirra pmjim