among them of societies whose avowed objeet is to disturb the peace and to endanger the property of the citizens of other States. They have encouraged and assisted thousands of our slaves to leave their homes, and those who re main have been hioited by emissaries, books, and pictures, to servile insurrection. For seventy-five years this agitation has been ateadily increasing, until it has now secured to ita aid the power of the common Government. Observing the forms of the Constitution, a sec tional party has found within that artiole estab lishing the Executive Department the means of subverting the Constitution itself. A geograph ical line baa beeD drawn across the Union, and •11 the States north of that line hsve united in the election of a man to the high office of Pres idout of the United States, whose opinions and purposes are hostile to Slavery. He is to be intrusted with the administration of the common Government, because he has declared that that "Government cannot endure permanently halt alave, half free," and that the public mind must rest in the belief that Slavery is in the oourse ' of ultimate extinction. This sectional combination for the subversion of the Constitution has been aided in some of the States by elevating to citizenship persona who, by the supreme law of the land, are inca pable of beonmiog citizens, and tbeir votes have been used to inaugurate a new policy hostile to the South, and destructive of ita peace and safety. On the 4th of March next this pirty will take possession of the Government. It has an nounced that the South shali be excluded from <he common territory; that the judicial tribunals ahall be made sectional, and that a war most be waged against Slavery until it shall cease throughout the United States. The guaranties of the Constitution will then no longer exist; the equal rights of the States will be lost. Tbe Sfaveholding States will no . longer have the power of self-government or •elf-proteetioD, and the Federal Government will have become tbeir enemies. Sectional interest and animosity will deepen the irritation, anO all hope of remedy is ren dered vain by tbe fact that public opinion at the North has invested a great political error with the sanctions of a more erroneous religious belief. . We, therefore, the people of South Carolina, by our delegates in Convention assembled, ap pealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intention?, have solemnly declared that the Union heretofore existing between this State and the other States of North America is dissolved, and that the State of South Carolina has resumed her position among the nations of the world, as a lree, sovereign, ana independent State, with foil power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, estab lish commerce, and to do all other acts end things which independent States may of right do. And, for the snppott of ibis declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine I'rovidence, wo mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor. For the Bedford Inquirer. | Ma. OVXB: —A sketch of a successful Bear-hunt will BO doubt be read with interest by the many hunters of Bedford County. It had been generally known that an old Btar with two cubs bad been | keeping on the Cove Mountain tor some time, and irequt-nt fcun's after them had proved unsuccess ful. ho. on Thursday the Ed inst., I, together with aix others, ull would-be hunters, with a handsome crew of dogs, equipped ourselves with guns, amn nition, knives, and "nary ichukey," started for the mountain. A council was now held, and it was determined to profit by the present favorable op portunity, a:.d try our hands at the grand hunting manoeuvre, calle d "ringing the wild game." Five of the hrnters stationed themselves at pro per dislances apart on top of the mouutain, and I, with another of tbe party, followed by the dogs, undertook to chase the game. We were soon on •the track of the Bears, and I left my Bear-dog, -♦Tog," loose, and off he went, helter-skelter; but enly one of the rest of the dogs would rua. They wete not long on the chase til! they brought the expected game to the top ot the mountain,within rifle shot of George Colebaugh, who settled the exis tence of one of the cu'ns by a well directed shot with hie lifle. It was vtry fat 3nd weighed 65 lbs. riven meat. This closed the first days hunt.. Tho next day we starled cut, equipped as before. Ow ing to the inclemency of the weather, we had a tedious hunt, and for a long time despaired of be ing successful; but being neteimined to gain sight ot Bruin, we scound tbe mountain over, but did net find any fresn trail until 8 o'clock, P. M., when we traced him into a hollow tree that bad been broke iff about twenty five feet from the bottom. We were altogether, eiger for the game. Our dogs began to fight around the old hollow stem, and I held my dog to keep him out of the fight, and Bruin, (1 presume) not liking the howl ing and fighting of dogs around bis homely dun geon, began to make his way up inside the old trunk. 1 stood ready with my gun to give him a warm reception when coming to the top. Up he -cottt'sl I sainted him with a shot from my rifle, not wounding bini severely, and niy dog jerking loose, tfartw me upon the snow) and started up the slantiDg old trunk—met Bruin about ten feet from the bottom—caught him by the neck, and down camo Bruin and dog among a set of dogs Insy fighting, and for a moment I thought Bruin weald kill my dog, but we soon got the rest of the dogs to his assistance, and then a fight ensued on parallelled in the annals of hunter's life. Such a yelling and howling and barking and scratching and biting and tumbling and hissing of dogs, that made tlie welkin ring. Poor Bruin got tho worst of tbe battle, and alter fighting nearly half an hour be was shot again, and one of the party undertook to bleed him, when Bruin not being quite dead gave him a toss of about ten feet in a pretty ab rupt manner. He weighed lbs. clean meat. D. R. IMLER. BDTCB Couwa. Secession of Florida. TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Jan. 11—The ordi tiance of secession, declaring tho separation of Florida from the Federal Union, was passed bw the State Couvsniion yesterday at 12 20 P. M". by a vote of 62 yeas to 7 nays. PROFCSED SECESSION Of WESTERN FLORIDA FROM THE STATE. WASHINGTON, Jan. 11.— A private letter received here from Florida, dated the 7tb iaat., says that a number of delegates from Weal Florida express themselves to the offcet that, if tbe Stale? shall secede without a proper and general uttderstuDuing, they will secede from tbe other part of the State, and all west of the Apal&cbiuul* river will annex themselves to Alabama. SEIZURE OF TFLE FL. FL. ARSENAL AT CHATTA HOOCHEE FLA. The arsenal at Ciatiabooebeo, Florida, has been seized by order -i the Governor, under the pretext that tbo United States officer was about to remove the arms. One of the South Carolina soldiers, named Robert Little Holmes, was accidentally killed at Castle Pmckuey, by the dwebatge of • musket in tbo bauds of a sentinel. A great loss was made over bim by the chivalry. BEDFORD INQUIRER. an. ■ . . ■■ ■ ; —r ■ 1 ■ - EEDrOKD, Pa. Friday Ilorntng. Jan. IS, tSttO, ."FEARLESS AMI FREE." D. OVLR-Editor au<l Proprietor. Won't some ol our subscribers who never pay us any money, bring lis some flour, wheal, rye. corn, buckwheat and wood I We need all these things, and haven't the money to buy them. Bedford Classical Institute. REV. JOHN LYON, PBWCIPAI.. THE second session of tho second school yenr of this institution, will opon Monday February 4th 1861. No pupil received for less than 2 quarters or one tessicn- Jan. 18,1861. Pennsylvania Legislature. At tbe Republican caucus for U. S. Monday evening a week, six ballots wele taken. as follows: Ist 2d 3d 4th 6th 6th Cowan of Westmorel'd 26 34 36 43 49 58 Wilmot of Bradford 23 26 30 33 36 38 Walker of Erie 10 (remainder scattering) Pollock of Northumb. 7 do Stevens of Lancaster 7 do Williams of Allegheny 7 do Hickman of Chester 6 do All others 12 do At tbe Democratic caucus First ballot—Foster of Westm'd had 17, Witteof Phila. 8, Biodhead of North'u 7, Magr.-w of Lan caster 1. At the election, in joint ballot, on Tuesday week, the vote stood— Edgar Cowan, Republican, SB—63 Maj • Henry D. Foster, Democrat, 85 Every member of tbe Legislature was pres ent, and voted. Both candidates reside in Grocosburg, and arc the leading counsel—in opposition—oti almost every tiial in the coun *7- Tbe Committees arc appointed in each brand). In the Senate— Uoi. Wharton oar Senator, is on the follow. iDg Senate Committees: Bauk, Canals, and Inland Navigation, Militia, and New Counties and County Seats. Mr. Ashcom, our member is on the following House Committees: Education, New Counties and County Seats. Mr. Sahrock, is on the Com mittee on Pensions ui Gratuities, sod Mines and Minerals. Last Tuesday, occurred the Inauguration of Gov. (Jortin. Col. Slifer having accepted the station of Secretary of tbe Commonwealth, and purposing to resign as State Treasurer, HOD. Ileury D. Moore of Philadelphia, was by the Republi cans unanimously nominated for State Treasu rer, both for tbe vacancy, and for a year from let May next. Election on Monday, 21st in?t. "Uuion saving" resolutions have been pro posed in each BraDcb. In the House, the seat of a Member from Luzerne, and one froui i'biladelpbia, are con tested. P. S. On tbe 10th inst., 001. Slifer having resigned as State Treasurer. Mr. Moore was elected for the vaoaney, receiving 95 votes to 35 for Rowe. The Lyceum will meet at the Court House on Saturday evening next. Declamation by J. G. Fisher; Essay by Wm. Fyan. Question for discussion: "Should Congress adopt tbe •Crittenden Amendments' as a settlement of our national difficulties I" Affirmative, C. N. Hickok; Negative, S. L. Russell. The Bedford Temperance Organization, will hold its next regular meeting at the Court House, on Monday evening next, 2lst inst , at 6| o'clock. An address will be delivered by Rev- Tbos. Heyden. The publio are invited to attend. Judge Smalley, U. S. Court, N. Y. in his charge to tbe Graud Jury has decided that Sooth Carolina, is guilty of high treason, and all who aid eud abet her. Several arrests, it is thought will be made of persons who have sold arms to the traitors. The remains of Mrs. Elizabeth McDowell, who died in Pittsburgh, in October 1859, were brought to this place on Friday last, and in ferred in tbe Presbyterian burying ground, by tbo side of her husband, tbe late Charles Mc- Dowell, Esq. HON. H. D. MOORE. —This gentleman has been elected State Treasurer, to fill the unex pired time of Eli Slifer. He will also bo eleoted for tbo full term. No better man* oould be eleoted to that important office. Mr. Seward made a great speech in ths U. S. Sena'e on Tuesday. It is conoilitory, and meets with the views of all eooservative men in tbe country. We will publish it as soon as we ean find room for it. Col. 8. S. Wharton of tbe Senate, and Messrs. Asheom, Sobrook and Sellers of the House, have our thanks for many favors. GOOD NEWS FROM LOUISIANA. —A majority of the delegates eleoted to the Convention in Louisiana, are opposed to secession. BEDFORD INQUIRER. The Bedford Gazette, and other traitorous organs, are filled with articles in defence of tbe secessionists, aud condemning all who ar? io favor of maintaining the Union at all hazards. For their benefit we publish tbe followiog ar ticle from that old, conservative paper, the Washington National Intelligencer. The arti cle was written by Mr. Eaton, formerly a member of Congress from Texas, and be atatfes nothing that he is not able to substantiate Read bis letter, and pause and reflect: From the Rational Intelligencer. DISUNION PROGRAMME. The subjoined communication, disclosing tbe designs of tboso who have undertaken to lead tbe moveineot now threatening a permanent dissolution of the Union, comes to us from a distinguished citizen of the South, who form erly represented his State with great distinc tion in the popular branch of Congress. Tem porarily sojourning in this city, he has become authentically informed of the faots recited to the subjoined letter, which he communicates to us under a sense of duty, and for the cou racy of which be makes himself responsible. Nothing but assurance* coming from such an iulelligcut, reliable source could induoe us to accept the authenticity of these startling sihteuicnts, which so deeply concern not only the welfare but the honor of tbe Southern peo ple. To them wo submit, without present comment, the programme to which they are expected to yield them implicit adhesion, without any scruples of conscience as without any regard to their own safety. WASHINGTON, JoDuary 9, 1861. I charge that on last Saturday mgbt a can jeus was heid io this city by the Southern Se cession Senators from Florida, Georgia, Ala bama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas and Texas. It was then and there resolved in ef fect to assume to themselves the political power of the South, and, to control all political and military operations for the present, they tele graphed to complete the piau of seizing forts, arseDals, and custom houses, and advised the Conventions now in session, and soon to as ascmole, to pass ordinances ior immediate se cession; but, in order to thwart any operations of tbo (xoveiuuieut here, tbe Conventions of the SecediDg States here are to rataiji their representations in the Seuaio and the House. They also advicd, ordered, or directed the assembling of a Couveution of Delegates from the Seceding States at .Montgomery, ou the 12ili of Febiuary This can of course only be doDe by the revolutionary Conventions 1 usurping the powers ot tbe people and send ing delegates over whom they w.ll lose all onu trul in the establishment of a Provisional Government, which is the plan of the dicta tors. This caucus aha resolved to take the most effectual* means to dragoon the Legislature* of Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri, Arkansas, IVxas and V irgiuia into following the Seceding States. Maryland is also to be influenced by suoh appeals to popular passion as have lod io the revolutionary steps which promise a con flict with the Smto and T edcrul Qovammects in Texas. i'hey have possossed themselves at *ll the avccUfS of information iu the South—toe tel egraph, the press, and the general control of the postmasters. They also confidently rely upon defections in the army and nary. The spectacle here presented is startling to contemplate. Senators entrusted with the representative sovereignty of the States, and sworn to stJppotl the Ooustitnfioo of the Uni ted States, wtnla yet acting as the privy oouo ctllors of the President, and anxiously looked to hy their coaetitucnts to effect some practi cal plau of adjustment, deliberately conoieve a couspirucy for the overthrow of the Govera meut through the mihtiry organizations, the dungerons seoret order, the Knights of the Golden Circle, "Committees of Satety," South ern leagues, and other agencies at their com mand; they have instituted as thorough a military aud civil despotism as ever cursed a maddened country. It is not difficult to foresee the farm of government wtneb a Convention thus hurriod ly tbrowu together at Montgomery will irrevo cably tiisteu upeu a dcluJed and unsuspecting people. It must essentially he "a monarchy touuded on military principles, *' or it caunot endure. Those who usurp power never fail to forge strong chains. It may be too late to sound the alarm.— Nothing may be ablo to arrest the action of revolutionary tribunals whose decrees are prin cipally in "secret sessions." Bat I oalJ upon the people to pause and reflect before they are forced to surrender every principle of liberty, or to fight those who are boaomiug taeir mas ters rather than their servants. EATON. As confirming too intelligence famished by our informant, we may cite the following ex traot from the Washington correspondence of yesterday's Baltimore SUB; " 1 be leaders of tbo (Southern movement are corysultiog aa to the best mode of consolida ting their interests into a Confederacy under a Provisional Government. The plau is to make Seuuior Hunter, of Virginia, Provisional Pre sident, and Jefferson Davis Commander in Chief o{ the army of defence. Mr. Hunter posscssos iu a more eminent degree the philo sophical characteristics of Jeffersou than auy other statesman now living. Col. Davis is a graduate of West Point, was distiriguishsd for gallantry at Bueua Vista, and served as Sec retary of War uuder President Pierce, and is uot second to Gen. Scott in military science or courage." The Governor of Pennsylvania has appoint ed Eli Slifer, late State Tieasuier, Secretary of the Commonwealth, and Samuel A. Parvt-r anoe, of Pittsburg, Attorney General. Gov. Curtm was inaugurated laat Tuesday. His inaugural addresa is conciliatory. Wo will publish it nest week. Hon. Jacob Thompson, Secretary of the In terior, resigned bis position iu the Cabioet ou Tuesday—thus relieving the President of another of his secession advisers. His masons for resigoioiog are that the Government has dispatched the Steamship Star of the West to Charleston to reinforoe May. Anderson. Philip Frank Thomas-has also resigned as Secretary of the Treasury. This ia the last of the traitors in the Cabioet. It is said the President gave bim a quiet bidt to resign.— Gen. J. A. Dix of Now York has been ap pointed in bis place. Buchanan's Cabioet is now clear of traitors. MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT. To the Senate and House of Representa tives:— At the opening of your present ses sion, 1 called your attention to tbe dangers which threatened the exiateooe of the Union. I expressed my opinions freely concerning the origioal causes of these dangers, and recom mended such measures as I believed would have tbe effect of tranquilizing the country, and saving it from the peril in which it had been needlessly and most unfortunately involv ed. Those opinions and rocomtnendutions Ido not propose now to repeat. My own convic tions upon the whole subject remain unchang ed. The fact that a great calamity was im pending over tbe nution, was even at that time acknowledged by every intelligent citizen. It had already made itself felt throughout tbe length and breadth of the land. Tbe neces sary consequences of tbe alarm thus produced were most deplorable. Tbe imports fell 08 with a rapidity never known before, except in time of war, in tbo history of our foreign com merce. The Treasury was unexpectedly left without tbe means which it bad reasonably counted upon to meet its public trade was paralyzed, manufactures were stop ped, the beat public securities suddenly uuk in the market, every species of property de preciated more or less, sud thousands of poor men, who depended ou tboir daily labor foi their daily bread, wero turned out of employ ment. I deeply regret that lam not able to give you any inform.tion upon the Stale of the Uuiou which is more satisfactory than what 1 was then obliged to coinaiuuioate. On the eoutraiy, matters are still worse at the present time tuan they wre. Wbou Congress met, a strong bope pervaded tbo whole public tutnd that some amicable adjustment of tbe subject would be speedily made by tbo Ropre* seutUives of the Status and of tbe people, which might restore peace between the con flicting sections of the country. That bope has been diminished by every hour of delay, and as the prospect of a 'bloodless settlement fades away, the public distress becomes more aud more aggravated. As au evidence of this it is oniy necessary to say that the Treasury notes authorized by the act of the 17th of De cember last, were advertised according to law, and that no respousiblo bidder offered to take any considerable sum at par, at a lower rata of luterest than 12 per ceut. from these fcis it appears mat, in a government organized Jike ours, domestic strife, or even a well grounded tear ot civil hostilities, is more destructive to our public and private interests than the most formidable foreign war. la my anuual message I expressed the con viction, which 1 have long deliberately held, aud which reoeut teflectiuu has only tended to deepen and confirm, that 00 state has tbe right by us own act, to secede from the Uuion, or throw off its Federal iilieginoe at pleasure.— 1 also declared uiy opinion to be, that, even it that right existed, aud should be exercised bv any bute of the Confederacy, tbo Executive Department ot the Government has uo autiior tty, uuder the Constitution, to recognize its validity, by acknowledging the independence ot audi a State. This left uie no alternative as the Chief Ex ecutive officer uuder the Constitution of the United States, but to collect tbo public reve nue, and protect the public property so far as this might be praciicaLle under the existing lawe. ibis i> still my purpose. Mv province is to execute, not to .make laws. It belongs ;to Congress exclusively tj repeal, modify or enlarge their provismus to meet the exigencies as they occur. 1 possess no dispensing power. 1 certainly have no right to make n aggres sive war upon any Stte, and 1 am perfectly satisfied that fho Constitution has wisely with held that power oveu from Congress. Rut the right and duty to use the military force defen sively against those who resist tne Federal of ficers in the execution of their legal fuuctious, and against those who assail the property of the Federal Government, is clear and undeni able. Rut the dangerous aud hostile attitude of Slate* towards each other has already far transcended aud cast into tho shade the ordi nary Executive dutiee already provided for by law, and has assumed such vast and aiaiming proportions as to place the subject entirely above aud beyond the Executive eoutrol. The fot cannot be disguised that we are in tbe midst of a great Revolution. In all its vari ous beariugs, therefore, I commend the ques tion to Caugress as the only human tiinuual under Frovidence possessing tbe power to meet the existiug emergency. To tbern exclusively belongs the power to declare war or authorise the employment of tbe military farce in all uses contemplated by tbe constitution, and they aloue possess the power to remove the grievances which might lead to war, andeeoure peace aud union to this distracted fiouotry.— Ou them, and ou them alone, rests the respon sibility. The Union is a sacred trust left by our Iter olatiouary fathers to their descendants, and never did any other people inherit so rich a legacy. It has rendered us prosperous in peace and triumphant in war. The national flag has floated with glory ovsr every sea. Uuuer its shadow American citizens have found protect,on aud re.tpeot in all lauds beneath tho suu. If we descend to considerations of pure y material interest, wlicu, in the history of U time, has a Confederacy been bound together with such strong ties of mutual interest? Each poiiiou of it iv dependent on all, aud all upou each portion for prosperity aud domestic security. A free -trade througuout the whole supplies the wauts of oue portion from the productions of another, and. stutters wealth everywhere. Tue great planting aud farming Stales require, aud commercial uavigatiug States seua their productions to domestic aud foreign markets, and furnish a naval power to render their transportation secure against ail hostile attacks, Should the Union perish iu the midst of the presuut excitement, we have already had a sad foretaste of the universal suffering which would result froui its destruc tion. The calamity would be severe iu every part of the Uuiou, and would be quite as great to say the least, in the Southern as in the Northern Slates. The greatest aggravation of the evil, and that which would ptaoe UK in a most unfavora ble light, both beiore the world aud posterity u, 1 aui iiruiiy convinced, that the accession movement ba been outeilj baaed upou a mis apprehension at tbe Boutu of the sentiments ut tho majority in several of the Northern States. Lot tbe question be transferred from political assemblies to the ballot box, and the people theuuglves would speedily redress tbe serious grievances which tbe death have suf fered. Bat, ia Heaveu's nam?, let the trial bo made before we plunge into an armed conflict upon tbe mere assumption that there is no otber al ternative. Tims is a great conservative power. Lit u pause at this momentous point, and af ford the people ofboth North and South an opportunity tor reflection. Would tht South Carolina had been convinced of this truth be fore her precipitate action. I,therefore,appeal through, you to the people of the couutry to declare, in their might, tb* *'Tht Union must and shall be preserved" by ait constitutional means. I meat earnestly recommend that you devote yourselves exclusively .to the question, how this can be accomplished in peace. Ail oilier questions, when compared to this, sink into insignificance. The present is no time for palliation. Action, prompt action, is required. A delay in Congress to prescribe and recom mend s distinct, practical proposition for con ciliation, may drive us to a point from which it will be almo.-t impossible to recede. A common ground, on which conciliation and harmony may be produced, is surely not uuat tsiuablo. The proposition to compromise by letting the North have exclusive control of tbe territory above a certain line, and giving Soutuern in stitutions protection below that line, ought to receive universal approbation. Iu itself, 10 deed, it may not be entirely satisfactory, but whan the alternative i* betweeD a reasonable coneessiou ou both sides, tbe destruction ot' the Union, it is an imputation on the patri otism of Congress to asseit that its members will hesitate for a moment. Even now the danger is upon us. In several States which have not seceded, the forts, ar senals aud tuigazines of the United States have been seized. This i* by f*r tbe most se rious step whten his been taken since tbe com mencement of tbe troubles. This public prop erty has long been left without garrison, and troops for its protection, because no person doubted its security under the flag of the coun ts yiu all the States of the Uuion. Beside, our small army baa scarcely been sufficient In guard our remote froutiers against ludisu in cursicns. The seizuro of this property, froia ail ap pearances, has been purely aggressive, and not tn resutauce to any attempt to coerce a State or States to remain iu the Uoion. At the be ginning of these unhappy troubles, 1 deter mined that no act of mice should increase the excitement iu either section of tho country. — If the political conflict were to end iu civil war, it was my determined purpose not to com mence it nor cveu to furnish an excuse for it by any act of this goverutueat. My~ opinion remains unchanged, that justice as well aa a sound policy requires us still to seek a poaoe ful solutiou of the questions at issue between the North and-South. Entertaining this con viction I refrained even from sending rein forcements to Major Anderson, who com manded the fort* iu Charleston harbor, until an absolute necessity for doing so should make it self apparent, lest it might unjustly be regarded as a menace of military coeroioo, and tuus turuish if not a provocation, at least a pretext tor an outbreak ou the part of South Carolina. No necessity for tbeae reinforce ments scorned to exot. I wa* assured by distinguished and upright gentlemen from South Caroliaa, tint no at tack on Major Anderson was intended, but that on the contrary, it was tho desire of tbe State authorities, as much as it was my owo, to avoid the fatal consequences which must iuevitably follow a military collisiou. Aud nero 1 deem it proper to submit, for your in formation, copies of a communication dated the 28tb of December, ISCO, addressed to me by R. W. Bsrnwc:!, J. 11. Adams and James L. Orr, Commissioners from South Carolina, w:tb accompanying document, aud conies of my answer thereto, dated the Slat of Decem ber. In further explanation of Maj. Anderson's removal front Fort Moultrie to Fort Sumter, it is proper to stale that, after my auswer to toe South Carolina Commissioners, the War Depart ment received a letter from tbet gallsut officer, dated on tbe 27t'u of December, 1860, {the day after the movement,! from wbi;b the following is an extract: "I will add, as my opiuioo, that many tbiogs convinoe mo that tbe authorities of the Stale designed to proceed to a hostile aot. (Evident ly referring to the orders dated Deo. 11th, of the Lte Secretary of War.) Under this ub pression, 1 could not hesitate, that il was my solemn duty to move my command frSui a fort which we-oou!d not probably hive held longer than forty-eight or sixty hours, to this oue, where my power of resistance is increased in a very great degree." It will be recollected that tho concluding part of these orders were in tbe following terms. "Tbe smallnesi of your foroe will net permit you, perhaps, to occupy more thau one of tbe three forts; but an attack ou, or aa attempt to take possession of e.tber of them, will be re garded as au act of hostility, and you may then yut your command into either of them which you uiay deem most proper to increase its power of resistance. You are also authorized to take similar defensive stops, whenever you bavo tan gible evidence of a design t> proceed to a hos tile act." It is said that serious apprehensions ate to some exteut entertained that the peace of this district may be disturbed before March next. In any event it will be my duty to proveut it, aad thin duty shall be petformed. in conclusion, it way be permitted to mo to remark that I have often warned my oountry won of the daagers which now surtound us. This uiay be the last ttm* 1 shall refer to the auojeut officially. I feet that uiy duty has been faithfully, though iuiperfeotly performed, and whatevor the result may be, 1 shall oarry to my grave life consciousness that I, at least, tueaut well for my oountry. Signed,) JAAIES BUCUANAN. Washington City, Jan. Bth, 1861. Mr. Howard of Michigan, moved that the message be referred to speoial committee of live, with iDstjuo'.ione to inquire whether any exeoultvo offijets of the United States have been ot are now treating or holding eomrnuni oatiou with any person or pcrsous, for the trans fer of the forts and other public property.— Whether BDJ demand for surrender has been made, and it by whom, aul what answer has been given. Whether auy officer oi officers of the United States have emeied iuto any pledge not to seod reinforcements of troops to the har bor of Charleston; and if so, when, where, -and by whom, and on what ooosideratious. Whether the custom house, post offioj, ur arsenal, at I Charleston have been seized, and by rhoin they | are held in possession. Whether any revenue 1 eutter has been seized, ao i whether any efforts have been made to recover it. That tbe com mittee bare power to scud for persons and pal pers, and report from time to time such facts as may by required by the national honor. The resolution of Mr. Howard was objected to by Houston of Alabama, Crawford of Geor gia. and Garrett of Virginia, but was finally adopted by a large majority. IMPORT*XT FROM CIHULESTOWV. THE FIRIJ\G UPOA THE STJR 0F THE WEST CONFIRMED , Al Jan. 10. I his morning * Charleston Courier the following particulars in relation to • . attack upon the steamer Ster of the West. About half past six o'clock yesterday even ing, the steamer General Church discovered iha steamer Btar of the West, and signalled the fcot Jto the occupants of the battery on Morris Is j laud. As s-jou as the fact was signalled, #ll , Morris Island w>s astir, and the men were at , their posts before the orders were given, j They remained in noxious suspense, but ready j for what they believed was sure to come—name -1 !y, a volley from Fort Sumter, j I'he Star of the Went rounded the point and took the ship channel inside of fbo bar, and pro | cacded straight forward untd she was opposite Morris' Island, three quarters of a mile from the battery, when a bah was fired athwart the bows of tbe steamer. The Star of the West | displayed the stars and stripes, and as soon as j it was unfurled a succession of heavy sluts i fired. : The ve-sol continued at iucreased speed; bu< ; nr > r two shots taking effect, her Captain con cluded to retire. Fort Moultrie fired a feu shots, but they were out of range. The daiuag j doue to the steamer was trifling, only two ou i of seventeen shots taking .ffect, hot there is d j idea *a to tbe ex:ent of the damage. Fort Sua: . tcr uude no deiuonsta*ioa excpt that tbe gun : were run uu' of the embrasures bcsriugonMor ris Island and Fort Moultrie, j Abju- 11 o'clock a boat from Fort Sumter ; bearing Lieut. Hall, witb a white flag, approach !ed the city. He had au interview with Go ! Fiokeos, and was afterward escorted to the fco; jtod re-embarked for Tort Su-ufer. Maj. tndersoa to (.of. Pickens. The communication from Major Anderson • ' as follows: TO IUH EXCELLENCY TOE GOVERNOR 0 j SOUTH CAROLINA: Sir —Two of your batteries fired this morr J ing on an unarmed vessel bearing the flag c !my Government. lam not notified that wt has been decMird by S<-uth Carolina against tii United States, aod 1 cannot but tbiok that tin j hostile act wj committed without your sane 1 lion or authority. Under that hope, I refrain 1 ed from opening fire upon your battery. 1 havt | the honor, therefore respectfully to ask whethet | tbe above mentioned act— one I believe witbotr j parallel :n tbe history of our country, or ac i other civilixed government—was committed is j obedience to your instructions, aud notify yos j that if not disclaimed, that I regard it as at j aot of war; and I shall not, after a reasonable j time for lb* return of any messenger, pormi: j any vessel to pass within range of the guns ol my fort, la order to save, as far as in my i power, the shedding of blood, 1 beg you will j have -due notification made of ray decision tit ; all concerned. Hoping, however, that your | answer any justify a further continuaooeof tor j beuraoce on my part, I am Respectfully, KOBT. ANDERSON. Reply of <io¥, Pickens. Gov. Piekeot in his reply, aft->r stating tbe i position of South Carolina to tfcv United Siatae, j and that any attempt to send Uuitod States troops to Charleston harbor to reinforce the . forts would be regarded as an act of hostility, says iu conclusion: Any attempt to reinforco the troops in Fort Sumter, or to retake and resume possession of the fort* within the waters of this Stato which you abandoned, spiking the guns and doing otherwise mtioh damage, canuot be regarded b\ the authorities of the Statu as indicative of any other purpose than a ooereion of the State bv the armed foroe of the government. Special agent*, therefore, have been placed off the btr to warn approaching vessel*, both armed and unarmed, having troops on board to reinforce •he forts, not to enter the harbor. Special or ders have been given to the comtuandcra of the forts not fco fire at such vessels until a shot across her bow would waru them of the prohi bitum of the State. Under such circumstance* the Star of the West, 1 have understood thi* morning, attempted to enter the harbor witb troops, and having been notified that she could not enter, she was fired into. The aot is perfectly justified by me. In re gard to your threat against vessels in the har bor. it is ouly necessary to ray that you must judge of your responsibility. Your position ia the harbor bus been tolerated by tbe authori ties of this State, and while the aot of which you complain is in perfect consistence witb the rights and duties of the State, it is not perceiv ed how far tbs conduot you purpose to adopt can find a parallel in the history of any country, or reconcile it witb any other purpose of your government than imposing on the State tbe con dition of * conquered province. F. W. PICKEN# Maj. Anderson's Rejoinder. The following is a second communication fir® Muj Anderson: To His Excellency, Gov. Piokons: Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge tb receipt of your communication, and say that under the oircumstancea 1 have deemed it pro per to refer tho whole matter to my government 1 aod intend deferring tho course indicated bf my note of this morning, until the arrival from Washington of the instructions 1 may rcoetve. I have the honor also to express the hope that □u obstructions will be placed in bis way, aod that you will do me the favor of giving every facility to tbe departure and retdru of the bearer Lieut. T. Talbot, who ia directed to make tbs journey. K. ANDERBON. Gov. Pickens granted tho permission desired, aud directed that every faoility and courtesy should be extended to the boarer cf dispatches, Lieut. Talbot, foi his government, both, going acd returning. DEPARTURE OF UEUT. TALBOT— KKTIRTAI.N -MK.VT GIVEN TO HIAI AT CHARLESTON. Charleston, Jd. 10 Lieut. Talbot left Charleston late la-1 night with dispatches fi'etn • f • 4 * -;<j. Auuoraou to his government. Ue gac Washington for instructions from the Proou. A party of gentlemen t'UUrtuind Liaut. Talbu* before he left. There is uo excitement hers.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers