January 7, 1861

The New York Herald

Our Washington Correspondence

WASHINGTON, Jan. 5, 1861.

Those who are well acquainted with major Anderson are much amused at the descriptions which are given of him by Northern papers. He seems to be thought a phlegmatic statesman rather than a soldier, and to have acted, in removing the troops under his command from Fort Moultrie to Fort Sumter, from motives of pure national policy. The very reverse is the case. He is a highly honorable army officer, and has done no more than, without contrary instructions would have been instinctive and natural to any well informed, judicious military tactician. That is, knowing that Fort Sumter was the key to the entire federal strength in Charleston harbor, that the militia of Charleston, once in possession of it, could not be dislodged, and would possess the command of Fort Moultrie, and having been informed that its seizure by a mob was imminent, he retired to a vantage ground, which it would have been next to reasonable to have permitted insurrectionists to hold and menace him from. Any diplomatic afterthought no more entered his head probably, than it does that of, any responsible commander of a post in fulfilling present duty, leaving the consequence in the hands of Providence.

Important from Washington

WASHINGTON, Jan. 6., 1861

The President, in submitting the correspondence with the South Carolina Commissioners to Congress tomorrow, will accompany it with a special message, setting forth the condition of affairs in South Carolina and other Southern States that have and are still engaged in taking possession of property belonging to the United States and setting at defiance the federal laws. In submitting these facts to Congress he will leave to them to take such action in the matter as they may think proper, whether it be the enactment of a force bill or nay other measure which will meet the exigencies of the times.

It is generally believed that he will recommend something in the shape of a force bill. He will inform Congress as he did the Commissioners, that he intends to collect the revenue, execute the laws and defend the government property with all the power at his command.

The President’s Message will be accompanied by documents showing the position of Major Anderson, which, it is said, will reflect the greater credit upon that gallant officer than he has yet received. Nothing will do so much at this time toward allaying the tendency to treason, now so rampant, and uniting the people, without reference to party, of the Northern and border slave States in their adherence to the Union as the reported firm position that Mr. Buchanan will take in his Message tomorrow.

The Southern Senators and members have got an inkling of the contents of the Message, and are preparing for an onslaught upon the President. They intend to attack him after the manner of the South Carolina Commissioners in their communication, charging him with deception and falsehood, and will attempt to prove that he had given pledges to the people of South Carolina that the status which existed up to the time that Major Anderson changed his garrison should be rigidly maintained. They intend to read the reply of the Commissioners, which President Buchanan refused to receive and let it go on the journal as part of the correspondence.

The action of the Secretary of the navy in garrisoning Fort Washington with a company of marines is severely commented upon by the other men. They regard it as an indication on the part of the administration of the policy intended to be pursed towards the South generally.

The statement that Ben McCullough is engaged in recruiting volunteers in Maryland and Virginia for the purpose of making an attack upon this city, or to prevent the inauguration of Mr. Lincoln, is without shadow of foundation. He left here for Texas several weeks ago to attend to some private business. He is not expected here for several weeks to come.

Major Anderson is believed to have acted the part of a sagacious soldier. He was informed before he left for Charleston, that Fort Pinckney had a furnace for heating shot, which would enable him with a single company to defy all South Carolina, and reduce Charleston to ashes in case of attack. It was requisite, however, that he should hold Fort Moultrie with three companies more and two at Fort Sumter. With the small number of men under his command he did the wisest thing—what, as a soldier’s common sense exacted—in retiring to Fort Sumter, where he is comparatively safe, and with his own safety the chances of bloodshed are greatly diminished.  

The News

The present week, in all probability, will be an eventful one in the history of the Union. The Virginia Legislature will begin its session today, and the North Carolina Legislature will assemble after having enjoyed a short recess. The Tennessee Legislature will hold a special session commencing today, and, with the other Legislatures, with special reference to the present crisis. The State conventions of Florida, Mississippi and Alabama will be in session today; and, from what we can learn, in all probability will pass secession ordinances before the present week shall have passed.

Our despatch from Washington, given this morning, state that the President will today communicate to congress the correspondence with the South Carolina Commissioners, accompanied with a message setting forth the condition of affairs in such of the Southern States as have been engaged in taking forcible possession of the property of the general government. It was generally believed that he would recommend the enactment of a Force bill, and reiterate his determination to execute the laws and defend the government property with all the means at his command.

Governor Hicks, of Maryland, has published an address to his constituents, stating his reasons for declining to call the Legislature together, and giving his opinion of the entire secession movement in very plain terms. Several eloquent extracts from the address are given in our despatch from Baltimore this morning.

From Richmond, we learn that Senator Mason had arrived there, and will tomorrow address the people in favor of immediate secession. It was generally believed that Governor Letcher in his forthcoming message to the Legislature would favor the formation of a Central confederacy, but the project appeared to find but few friends.

The gentleman recently appointed Collector of the port of Charleston by President Buchanan, who has hereto fore been denominated as a Mr. McIntyre, we learn from the Charleston despatches, is a Mr. McKibben of Pennsylvania, the father of the Hon. James McKibben, late member of Congress from California.

A detachment of United States marines left the Marine barracks, Brooklyn, New York, on Saturday afternoon last, for Washington. They consist of the old guard of the Unites States ship Cyane, lately relieved from the Pacific station. The marine guard of the United States ship St. Marys, also on the Pacific station, has been relieved, and will arrive here by the next steamer from Aspinwall. On their arrival they will be immediately transferred to Washington, it being the object, it is reported, to concentrate all the available marine force at that place that can be spared from the different land stations and guards of vessels coming from sea, to better enable the Navy Department to meet any demand in the early completion of guard for vessels of war that may be called into commission, and likewise to more securely guard from molestation public property in the Navy yard at Washington. The steamer Nashville, from Charleston, which arrived at this city on Saturday morning, brought sixty of the laborers discharged from the forts by Major Anderson. The men appeared to have been provided for in such a manner as they should not find themselves destitute on landing in New York. In addition to a steerage passage, they had sufficient funds to enable them to reach their several homes in the North, whence they had previously gone to Charleston in search of work. The only reason assigned for their discharge was a suspension of the works progressing in Charleston harbor.

A despatch from Baltimore today confirms the report of the murder of Mr. Lucius Woodruff, in Northampton county, Va., on Monday last, by four of his slaves. The principal in the murder had escaped, but the other three were in custody. Great excitement prevailed in the neighborhood, and a determination was expressed to hang the negroes at once.

Charleston Mercury

THE MERCURY BULLETINS, we are proud to learn, are always looked for at all the forts and fortifications as containing the very latest and most reliable news in this great crisis. Yesterday afternoon, when copies or our special despatches from Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Alabama and Washington, reached Fort Moultrie, the glad tidings they contained were greeted by the garrison with huzzas that made the welkin ring. We fancy that the benighted folks in Fort Sumter were rather puzzled to know what their Palmetto neighbors were cheering at.

THE RICHARDSON GUARD, preceded by a fine band of music, passed through our principal streets last night, and in the evolutions of their drill evinced remarkable proficiency. They proceeded to the residence of their First Lieutenant, CHAS. H. AXSON, Esq; where, in response to repeated cheers and calls, he came out and acknowledged the compliment in appropriate terms. He then introduced F.D. RICHARDSON, Esq; in whose honor the company was named, who delivered a stirring address. Speeches were also made by Hon. L.M. KEITT and Ex-Governor MANNING, who has taken a great interest in this fine corps, and who has aided them in the purchase of uniforms by a munificent donation. The company then, by invitation, entered and partook of a handsome collation, during which the best feeling prevailed. Shortly before midnight the company was dismissed, with three cheers for Hon. R. BARNWELL RHETT, and separated with six more cheers for Lieut. AXSON

Diary of a Yankee in the Patent Office

by Horatio Nelson Taft

MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 1861.—The weather is soft and rather foggy and some rain. I went to the Bank of the Metropolis today and bot a Draft on N.Y. for $40 and sent to Prest of Elmira College on Julias account. Called upon Doct Fife Dentist with the Note from D Chapman & Co got no money, but a good promise. Was in at Willards, people much excited and everybody talking about public matters. Talk today that Senator Toombs of Georgia will be arrested for high Treason. He Telegraphed to Savannah it is said, to “Seize the Forts.” The fire bells ring every night. – We hardly know what to look for next. .

 

Adams, Rev. Dr............................................... 10

Anderson, Major Robert............. 4, 5, 6, 8, 13, 14

Axson, First Lieutenant Chas. H...................... 14

Axson, Lietenant C.H........................................ 9

Bates, Edward............................................ 11, 12

Beecher, , Rev. Dr............................................ 10

Bellows, Rev. Dr.............................................. 10

Bethune, , Rev. Dr........................................... 10

Bigler, Senator William...................................... 5

Boag, (Lieutenant)............................................. 9

Botts, —.......................................................... 12

Brown, Governor Joseph Emerson................ 6, 8

Buchanan, President James 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14

Cameron, Simon......................................... 11, 12

Capers, (Major).................................................. 9

Chamcey, , Rev. Dr.......................................... 10

Chapin, Rev. Dr............................................... 10

Chapman, D..................................................... 15

Chase, Salmon P........................................ 11, 12

Chateaubriand.................................................... 1

Clark, Governor Henry Toole.......................... 10

Cobb, Howell..................................................... 7

Crittendon, Senator John................................ 5, 6

Doubleday, Captain Abner................................. 9

Du Chailler, M............................................... 8, 9

emminger, Christopher Gustavus..................... 10

Fife, Dr. (Dentist)............................................ 15

Fillmore, President Millard............................... 12

Floyd, John Buchanan................................ 4, 5, 7

Foster, Captain J. G.,......................................... 9

Garlington, A. G.............................................. 10

Graham, William A.......................................... 11

Graham, William Alexander............................. 12

Greeley, Horace......................................... 11, 12

Harlee, W. H.................................................... 10

Hicks, Governor Thomas Holliday.................. 14

Hogany, , Rev. Dr............................................ 10

Hoge, Rev. Dr.................................................. 10

Jackson, Andrew................................................ 7

Jackson, President Andrew.............................. 12

Jamison, David F............................................. 10

Keitt, L. M....................................................... 14

Lebleux, L. F.................................................... 10

Letcher, Governor John................................... 14

Lincoln, President-elect Abraham.... 4, 11, 12, 13

Magrath, Andrew Gordon................................ 10

Manning, Governor John Laurence.................. 14

Mason, Senator................................................ 14

McCullough, Ben............................................. 13

McIntyre, Mr.................................................... 14

McKibben, Mr.................................................. 14

McKibben< James........................................... 14

Melchers, Captain A........................................... 9

Pickens, Governor Francis W...................... 5, 10

Pierce, President Franklin................................ 12

Porter, Rev. A. Toomer (Chaplain).................... 9

Raphall, Rev. Dr.............................................. 10

Rhett, R. Barnwell............................................ 14

Richardson, F. D.............................................. 14

Scott, General Winfield...................................... 5

Scott, Robert E.......................................... 11, 12

Seward, William H..................................... 11, 12

Smith, Rev. Dr. J. C......................................... 10

Spring, Rev. Dr................................................ 10

Stockton, Dr. (Chaplain).................................... 9

Stockton, Rev. Mr............................................ 10

Taft, Horatio Nelson............ 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15

Taft, Mrs. Horatio Nelson.................................. 9

Taylor, Rev. Dr................................................ 10

Thompson, Rev. Dr......................................... 10

Toombs, Senator Robert Augustus.................. 15

Tyler, Captain John.......................................... 12

Van Dyke, Rev. Dr.......................................... 10

Vinton, Rev. Dr............................................... 10

Weed, Thurlow................................................ 12

Welles, Gideon................................................. 11

Wells, Gideon.................................................. 12

Weston, P.D.J.................................................... 9

White, Captain E. J............................................ 9

White, E.J........................................................ 10

White, Rev. Dr................................................. 10

Wilkinson, William........................................... 10

Williams, Rev. Dr............................................. 10

Wilmot, David................................................. 11

Woodruff, Lucius............................................. 14