BEDFORD INQUIRER. ' BEDFORD, Pa. fridni Sluriiln?, Feb. 8. IS6I. "FKARIKSS AND FREE." O. OVER—Editor and Proprietor. Bedford Classical Ins?tittle. REV. JOHN LYON, PRINCIPAL. THE second session of tho second school yenr of this institution, will open Monday February 4th 1851. No pupil received for less than 2 quarters or one tessUn Jan. 18, If6l. ATTENTION! We have beeu sending out for several weeks, accounts ;o oor delinquent subscribers. We ruost earnestly request tbein to pay up. Others that wo may have overlooked, wili please do the same thing. Couit Week will be a favor able opportunity for them to pay. Our circum stances are such that we must have money, as we have about §9OO, to pay on first of April. Crops have beeu good, and persons have no excuse for not paying us. If they have not sold their grain, let them bring the amouut of their indebtedness to us tu that kind of stuff, and we will make the uoouey out of it. VVe hope every one owing us will pay attention to this uotice. Towu subscribers, please pay at tention. ''The Union must and shall be Pre served."—JACKSON. MASS MEETING OF THE PEOPLE. A tnaas meeting of the Republican party of Bedford County, will be held at the Court House, in Bedford, on the evening of Tuesday, the 12th day of February, inst., being the Tuesday evening of Court Week, Tho members of tbe party, and all others who are opposed to secession ond disuuiou, now at tempted to be carried out by the Democratic leaders of the South, all opposed to treason, and to breaking up the Government, and who are iu favor of ihe Constitution, the Union, and the Laws, ate invited to bs present. Bj order of the County Committee. S. L. RUSSELL, Feb. 1, 1861 Chairman. TOE WASHINGTON CONVENTION. On Mouday 1 ast, the 4th inst., dels gates from a number of the States met in Washington, in accordance to the recommendation of tho Vir ginia Legislature, for the purpose of adopting incisure* of eoniprouiise and conciliation, '.hat may again unite the North and the South, and thus restore peace to the country. The following delegates havo been appointed to the Convention by the Legislatures or Gov ernors of the States named: Maryland—Roverdy Johnson, Wrn. S. Golds* borough, A. W. Bradford, John W. Crbfield. J. Dixon Roiiuu- Virginia—John Tyler. J. A. Seddeu, \V. C. Rives, Geo. W. Summers, John W. Brockcu brougb. Kentucky—Jas. B. Clay, Ex Gov. Moore head, James Guthrie, J F. Bell, Win. O But ler, C. A. Wickiiffe. New Jersey—o. S. Olden, Li. F. Stockton, J. K. Raudolpb, 11. M. Price, P. D. Vroorn, Benj. Williamson, F. T. Frelingbuyeeo, T. J. Stryker, Win. C. Alexauder: North Carolina—Thos. Ruffiti, J. M. More head, Geo. Dtvie, David S. lieil, D. M. Bar ringer. Pennsylvania—Wot. M. Meredith, Thomas White, James Polloek, David Wilmot, T. E. Franklin, Andrew W. Loomis and Win. Me- Kennan. Ohio —Ex-Gov. Chase, Thos. Ecwing, J. C. Win. Groesbeck, V. 11. Horton, R. Hitohccok, and F. T. Backus. Delaware —G. B. Rodney, D. M. Bates, J. W. Houston and Dr. Ridgeiy. The above list embraces one t-x-Ptesideut, one Governor, ten tx-Goveiuorf, one ex-At toruey General, two ex-Secrciariee of ibe Trea sury, most of the others arc ex-United States Senators, State Judges, &e. Rhode Islaud and Tenuessee, and probably other States, have also appointed delegates. The conference assembled at noon, on Mon day, and was opened with prayer by the Rev. Mr. Uurlcy. Ilou. Johu Tyler, was appointed President. Tbe session is eontiuueu with closed doors, and it is impossible to obtain the pro veediugK. It is to be desired that they may arrive to sonic understanding that, the people owl) approve, and which may not make the whole nation, a nation of slaveholders and slavery - extensionisfs. ACCIDBNT. — We regret that Peebles Heck ertuau, a youth of about 13 years of ago, son of Rev. H. HeckerufSb, of this place, whilst katiug on tbe street lost Saturday, uiet with * severe fall, by being tripped, accidentally, by another boy. He fell on his head, receiv ing a severe contusion, aod has been bedfast ever since, and insensible, ami for some days no hope was bad of his recovery. We are glad to state, however, that ho is now doing better, aud hopes are entertained that he may get veil. This should be a warning to tbe hoys. The population of tbe United States, ao cerdiug to the censtn of 1660, is 31,647,489, of which comber 3,99y, 353 are slaves. This in ikes tho freo population 27,642,624 —au in crease of 7,650,980, about 38 per cent, since 1850. The slave population bee increased, during tbe same period, 795,010; about 25 per cent. AID FOR KANSAS. A few week* ago, wc noticed a meeting for the relief of the sufferers by famine in Kan | MS, and the appointment of a commjftee to so licit contributions. Mrs. Qraci.% Barnes and Mis# Maty Russell, of that committee, deserve muob credit for their perseverance, and faith i ful discharge of duty. They eolleotecTtfeirty ; dollars from our oitiaseus, and paid it over to ! ! Fr. Jordan, Esq., to be forwarded to John E. Williams, Esq., who is acting as treasurer of t funds raised for this purpose, Below we pub lish bis acknowledgment of the money, and hope it may encourage othets to contribute to so good a cause. METROPOLITAN BANK, NOW York, ) January 31, 1861. j FB. JORDAN, Esq., Dear Sit : — I have yours of the 28th iost., with §3O in aid of the Kansas sufferers, j The want is much more pressing—from last advices—than we had auy idea of. Do stimulate your people to greater exer tions iu bebaif of those brave people. Yours, with respect, J. E. WILLIAMS, Treasurer. Gen. Siiuou Cameron. As an evidence of the feeling among the people of Blair county relative to Mr. Lin coln's tender of a positiou in the Cabinet to our distinguished fellow citizen, Gen. Simon Cameron, we clip the following item from the llollidaysburg Register, of a late date. We may remark, en passant, that the sentiment prevalent in Blair county extends throughout the entire State. The Republicans demand, as a matter of light and justice, that the old Keystone shall be represented in the Cabinet, and with unexampled unanimity designate Gen. Cameron as the man : HON. SIMON CAMERON —This is Court week in this eeunty, and the occasion has af forded us a favorable opportunity of gathering public sentiment in regrd to Mr. Lincoln's selection of Geo. Cameron as a member of his Cabinet; and wc gladly make the announce ment that our people are almost unanimous in their approval of it, regarding it as the best, both for l'enosylvduia interests and the coun try at large, that could have been mado. And as it is in Blair county, so we doubt not, it is in the larger portion of the Stato— Mr. Cam iron is the people's choice. Attempts have been made, we know, and perhaps are still making, to dragoon the President into a Te consideiotiuii and withdrawal of his volmrury tender of a place to Mr. Cameron, but t iey will not succeed. Mr. Liucolu is not 10 be driven about after iLat fashion. He is a man oi commanding Qrmnees, and what he says and does in regard to such matters may be set | down as done aud well done. The Philadelphia Daily Record, a strictly Commercial journal, the editor of which is a Democrat in politics, defends Geu. Cameron against the secret assaults made upon him in I certain circles, aud comes cut unequivocally in i favor of his selection as a Cabinet officer, for I the following well founded raasous : No state in tho Confederacy has so much I wealth aud prospeiity ut stake; none is so im portant in population and internal resources, and none so well entitled by position and in terest, to a Cabinet representation in the Fed eral Government, as 'he Keystone State, and that, too, independently of having cast her electoral vote for the dominant purl/. Her claim to an early consideration is self-evident, and wc know <;f no man withia her borders who is more entitled to the responsible posi tion, or letter fitted by habits and experience > for it, than Simon Camoros. Although a i shrewd and successful politician, he is not a politician only. He is ouc of t'ue few public men who, in audition to political sagacity, possess tbe comprehensive ability and practical experience necessary to coutrol the financial department of ag'eH nation. Mr. Cameron is warmly wedded aud closely connected with the most important interests of " the State of Pennsylvania, aud no man is more thoroughly familiar with her wants and the ■ various processes required to advance or to se • cure important rights and privileges. He has ever been a souud and persistent advocate of ' a protective tariff, and as the Stats voted for Mr. Lincoln more upon a tariff basis than auy , thing else, her claims should becoiue n iui . perative demand that the most important po sition in the new Cabinet be filled by a Pcun sylvaotao. SUUOQ Cameron commcuced life, ' at the very ♦bottom of the ladder,' but by en orgy aud uufljggiog perseverance he quietly j and surely ascended to his preseut positiou, aud not uoly accumulated property and wealth for himself, but also managed aud directed several mooied institutions aud important • works of internal improvement, with tho most 1 signal ability and success, and the most ua > blemished business integrity. A uiau so emi nently qualified to care for his own business and for that of others entrusted to his coutrol, ' is, iu our opimou, tar better qualified to pro ' vide tor tho financial contingencies and fiuctu -3 ations of a National Treasury, than all tho j bankrupt ♦windy' politicians in the country combined. If Mr. Lincoln is judiciously ad vised, Simon Uaiueron will be the uexi Secre tary of the Treasury, and tho State of Penn sylvania will have no jsst cause tor complaint. t VIRGINIA 1 ELECTION. The election in Virginia, on Monday, for members to the State Convention, has resulted > in tbe triumph of the Unionists. lion. Sher . rard Clemens, who, a short time ago, in Con > gross, made & patriotic union speech, has been i triumphantly elected in the Wheeling district. ; The result of this election will be gratifying to all lovers of the union. May it not be the beginning of the return of reason in the South? With Virginia and Maryland true to the Unioo, disunioDists will be foiled. SUMNER'S MEDICINES.— We have used a couple of bottles of Sbriner's Cough Medicine in our family, w th great sucoess, fur coughs, Golds, &c., and wo have no hesitation in rco oinmendiDg these medicines to our readers.— H. C. lleamcr has a constant supply on hands. See adrertiscutt-nt. BEBFOBB MMMM. i The I Farmer and Gardener,' as also the "Ameri can Bee Journal," for February, are received. The former, in addition to its usual embellishments, contains a finely engraved frontispiece of the cele brated Farmer's Market, of Philadelphia, the finest edifice of its kind in the world. In addition to this it is filled to repletion with the most useful and seasonable reading. The American Bee Journal comes to us with all the promises made in the first number fulfilled. As this is the only journal of its class in the United States, and as it is sot only printed in the most unexceptionable manner, but edited with marked ability, it cannot fail to suc ceed. The publishers, desirous of introducing these two valuable works, offer them both, together with a prepaid copy of a handsome Piemium Book, for the trilling sum of One Dollar and Fifty Cents ; or, either one of them and a Premium Book for One Dollar. This is certainly cheaper thaD any other publications of the same size and character iu the United States. lXF"Specimen numbers are fur nished without charge, by the publishers, A. M. Spangler <s■ Co., No. 25 North Sixth Street, Phila delphia. During our visit to Lowell we were shown through the Laboratory of our celebrated countryman, Da. J. C. AYKR. Scarcely could wo have believed without proof what is seen there beyond disputing. They make a barrel of solid Pills, about 15,000 doses, and three barrela of Cherry Pectoral, 120,- OCO doses, per diem. To what an inconceivable amount of human suffering does this point 1 170,- 000 doses a day ! I Fifty millions of doses per year!!! What acres and thousauds of acres of sick beds does this spread before the imagination! And what sympathies and-woe ! True, not all of this is taken by the very sick, but aias, much of it' is. This Cherry Drop and this sugared Pill are to be the companion of pain and anguish and sinking sorrow—the inheritance our mother 15vo to the whole family of man. Here the infant! darling has been touched too early by the blight that withers hall our raco. Its little lungs are af fected, and only watching and waiting shall tell which way its breath shall turu. This red drop on* its table is the talisman on which its lite shall hang. There the blossom of the world just bursting into womanhood is stricken also. Affections most as siduous care avails not, she i* still fading away.— The wan messenger comes nearer and nearer every week. This little medicament shall go there, their last, perhaps their only hope. Tho strong man has, planted in his vitals, this saimi disease. Tnis red drop by his side is helping him wrestle with the inexorable enemy ; the wife of his bosom and the cherubs of his heart are waiting in sick sorrow and fear lest the rod on which they lean, in this world, bo broken. O, Doctor! Spare no skill, nor cost, nor toil to give tho perishing sick toe best that human art can give.— Galces'on, Texas, Ncns. laox CITY COMMERCIAL COLLEGE. —Perhaps no similar institution in this country is more exten sively or more favorably known then this, the teachers have long enjoyed enviable reputations; 'the course of study Is full ana comprehensive.— Upward of FIVE HUXDKXP young men are now en gaged in active business, in the cities of Pittsburg and Allegheny alono, who Lave graduated at Ibis College within the past four years, mere than trebte tho number from any other School-in the country, in the same time.— Pittsburg Commercial Journal. TUB AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST for Feb ruary has been received. It is one of the best agricultural wo r k extant, and ought to be in the Lands of all our larmers and gardeners.— Price §l. Orange Jadd, New York. lieo. Ed. McPbersoa msdo an able speech in the House of Representatives, at Washing ton, oa the 23J olt., on the all important topic of the times. Wo will try lo lay it before our readers next week. FOR SALE. —We have on hand a Scholar ship Warrant in the Iron City Commercial College, at Pittsburg, whioh we will sell on reasonable terms. Tbe Restitution in Kansas. Kansas has at last, after unparalleled wrongs from the Federal Government, bean admitted Into the Union as a State, ller misfortunes appear to be not ended, however, for her citizens are suffering the unimaginable horrors of destitution aud famine. Much has been done for tbeir relief by contribu tions from benevolent individuals in tbe Fast, but their wants aro still far from being supplied. We must remember that we are in the midst of Winter, and that the insufficient amounts already sent to the sufferers in Kansas are soon consumed, while there is no opportunity ot obtaining aid except from contributions. When Spring returns the trials of the settlers will be much mitigated, and perhaps another Autumn will bring abundant crops, but until then the poor people must rely upon the generosity of those who are willing t contribute of their abundance to relieve the distress of their fellow creatures. The following letter will convey some idea of the state of things in Kansas: IV. C. Bryant, of the Kansas Relief Committee, New York: For the last four days we haTe bad a snow storm. No cars have been in during that time. The num ber of the suffering and distressed is truly alarm ing. God only can "temper the wind." Our peo ple are "shorn." My labors are greatly increased: over seventy teamsters are here now. Some have been twelve days on the road, aud have the most fearful appre heusious ot the condition of their families. One old men from Woodsor county just said to me, "I left my wife aud ten children nine days ago, with only one week's provisions, and there are no neighbors within four miles, I hope this storm did not extend to them"— aud so on lie talks and weeps, and longs to be home. I shall start off over one hundred tuns to-morrow. Some teams have been delayed here by the storm. We have a feariul responsibility, tryiDg to give daily bread to thirty thousand at' our fellow citi zens. Truly, tec. S. C. POMEROY. Atchison, K. T., Jan. 18. The Treasurer of tbe Kansas Relief Fund at New York acknowledges the receipf of $12,977 59 up to January 25. We hope that the citizens of Philadelphia will do their share in the praiseworthy work of affording reliet to these destitute fellow creatures.— Daily Netcs. The Legislature of South Carolina, in reply tojs request from Virginia, "unanimously re solved that that they haw HO desire or intention to procure amendments or new guarantees io the Constitution of the United States." They also "resolved that tbe sepaiation of-South Carolina from the Federal Union is final" So tho South see that they must all be dragooned by tbe u>ad-caps of oue State. Gov. CurUn to taOY- Hicks. | One of the first official acts of Gov. Curtin, ! vas to send the followiug letter to Gov. Hicks tf Maryland: EXECUTIVE CHAMBER, \ J HARRISBURH, Jan. 15, 1860, J My Dear Sir: —l have just returned from j .be oercmooy of uoy inaugnration; and, as the i irst aot of niy offioiul oareer, I wish to express to you my profound admiration of the patriotic resolution you bavo displayed iu assisting to maintain the Union of our beloved country in tbe present perilous crisis, la common with all the citizens of Pennsylvania, 1 have regard ed with tbe deepest respect and gratitude your firm and manly resistance of the efforts which have been made to swcive you from tbe path of duty which you had wisely resolved to follow; and in behalf of those citizens, t tender to you assurances of all (be aid that an earnest sym pathy and an active co-operation in whatever measures of just couciiiition may be proposed oan give you. Iu order that I may learn by what means svo can best sustain you aud your Union-loving coadjutors iu the accomplishment of tbe noble purpose you have in view, 1 have informally commissioned the Hou. K. M. Palmer, Speaker of the State Senate, tho Hon. Gideon J. Ball, a leading and influential member of our House of Representatives, and Morton MoMichsel, Esq., a distinguished oitizen of this COGUUDOD . wealth, to wait upon you for me, and in uiy stead, to convey you personally the opinions 1 . eutertaiu, and to confer with you geuerally on , all such topics as uiaj? he necessary to a full, mutual underst .udiug of our respective wishes sad objects. These gentlemen arc amply au thorized to speak to you in my uture, to spread before you my views, to receive from you imy suggestions you may feel inclined to make; and they are, also amply qualified to explain to you the feelings and opinions of the people of this State on the great questions whioh now agitate and distract too public mind. With avsurancesnt the most cordial e.itecm, I am, iiiv der sir, very truly. A. G. CURTIN. His Excellency, THOMAS H. HICKS, Governor of Maryland. Gov. Hicks, iu his icply, expresses his obli gations to Gov. Curtin, reciprocating tbe patri olio HUtiuisots of the letter, and pledging biiu se f for the Union. The Commissioners since speak of Gov. Ilicks in terms of the highest commendation AS a frank, straighforwurd, practical man, full of energy and pluck. Tbev concur in the opinion tnat tbe people iu and around Annapolis arc strongly for tho Union; indeed, they think the Union men aro certain of Gov. Hicks' unflinch ing determination to preserve tbe Union; that the Uuioo sentiment is kept quiet, and is not> therefore, nearly so demonstrative as the seces sionist!). This seems to he their imptession, not only derived from tbeir own observaaiou, hut oonfirmed by the opinion of the Governor.— They left him highly satipfied with tbeir inter view, and deeply impressed with the siuoerity uud high toned manliness o! tbe chief magistrate of Maryland. Parson Ilrtmiiloiv lor tbe lTuion— lie Is Ucady for a Fight, The Knoxville (Tenn.) Whig, edited by the Rev. \V. G Browulow, comes to us overflow ing with Uniou sentiments of the most earnest aud unmistakable character. We extract some paragrophs : THE IVARSON AND SENATOR JOHNSON—HE WILL FIGHT THE SENATOR'S TRADUCERS. A portion of the Breckinridge Democracy are stating that Whigs und Union mou origi nated the burning of J ohnsou in effigy. Ail men making this statement, whether of high or low degree, are liars uud ecoundiels, uud 1 so publish lb-in upon my responsibility. lam no admirer oi Senator Johnson, and don't shoulder bis quarrels, but write to viu dioate myself from tbe conspiracy of tbe scoundrels I nave published tbe names of. 1 seek uo difficulty, tnu will not attack any mail, but shall spend the entire day on Gay street, unaccompanied by *uy mm, to give these Gurf lorsaken, bell deceiving scoundrels an oppor tunity to inflict upon me such punishment as their uiat hicss wisdom may dictate ! A PIECE OF AUTOBIOGRAPHY. As regards my uativity, 1 was born aud raised iu Wythe county, Va , and my parents were both natives of tho same State. 1 have lived iu East Tennessee lor thirty years; uud, although lam fifty-five years ot age, 1 walk erect, have but few gray hairs, aud look to be younger than any whiskey-drinking, tobacco chewiug, profaue-iWearing secessionist in any of tne cotton States of forty years! THE PARSON'S CREED. I am for my country, and on tbe side of the geutral government, and in every contest, ei ther at sea or ou laud, i shall icjoioo iu the triumph ui the governmeut troops lighting un der ibe stars aui striper. Should Tennessee go out ot the Uniou, I shall continue to de nounce secession and war against the storms of fanaticism at the North, and tbe assaults of demagogues and traitors at the South, tho' their uumbers be Icgiou. in all candor, i be lieve that io a Soutneru Confederacy the freo doin of speech aud of the press will be deuied and for the exeieisu of them I will be bung. But, oomo what may, through weal or woe, in peace or war, uo earthly power shall keep me from denouncing the enemies of nay country, until my tongue and pen are paralyzed in death ! Once destroyed, this Union can never be re" constructed. Aud, with others, 1 have re solved that uo eaithly power shall prevail og liust it; that it sn&ll be 'perpetual,' as our lathers intended it —'oue aud indivisible, now uud tviever.' W. G. BROWNLOW, .{ Editor of the Knoxville Whig. Western Virginia* A geuileiuau jest returned from Western Virgiuia, through which he had been traveling for the last few weeks, reports but one senti ment in that region, and that is iu tavor of stand ing by tho Federal Government aud tbe Con stitution as it is. The peopie say that they j will hew thoir way to the Atlantic coast, if Eastern Virgiuia should dare do anythiug that will out theiu off from it. They defy the poli | ticians who want to carry the State out of the 1 Un'on. MESSAGE Ot THE PRESIDENT* TRANSMITTING THE VIRGIN.-! RES OLUTIONS. To the Senate and House oj Representatives of the Itoited States: 1 deem it my duty Jo submit to Congress a scries of resolutions adopted by the Legislature of Virginia on the 19th inst.. baviug in view a \ ppnceful settlement of the existing questions j which now threaten the Uuioti. They were de livered to me on Thursday, the 24fb iuat., by | Ex- President Tyler, who has left bis diguified and honored retirement in the hope that be ■say render some service to bis country in this its hour of need. These resolutions, it will be perceived, extend n invitation to all such States, whether slve boldmg or non-slaveholding, as are willing to unite with each other in an earnest effort to ! adjust the present unhappy difficulties iu the spirit in which the Constitution was otiginally formed, and consistently with its principles, so as tc afford the people of the slaveholdiog States adequate guarantees for the security of their rights, to appoint commissioners to meet on the 4th day of February next, iu the city of Wash ington, similar commissioners appointed by Virginia, to euusidcr, aud if practicable, agree upon some sort cf adjustment. 1 confess i bail this movement on tbc part of Virginia with great satisfaction. From t'ae past history of this ancient and renowed Common wealth, we have the fullest assurance that what she has undertaken she will accomplish, if it can be done by able, enlightened and persever ing efforts. It is highly gratifying to know that other patriotic States have appointed commis sioners to meet (hose of Virgiuia in council.— When assembled, they will constitute a body entitled iu an eminent degree to the confidence of the country. The Federal As-embly of Virginia have al.-o resolved "that Ex-President Tyler is hereby appointed by the concurrent vyte of each branch of the General Assembly, a commissioner to the President of the United Stites. and Judge i John Robertson is hereby appointed by a like vote a commissioner to the Btte ot South Gar olina and all other seeeding States that have seceded, or shall secede, with instructions to respectfully request the President of the Uui ] ted Stales, nod the authorities of such States Ito agree to abstain, pending tho proceedings ! contemplated by tbe aetiou of this General As ! sernbly, from any and ;li acts calculated to produce a collision of arms between the States j and tbe Government of the United States." ! However strong may be my desire to enter j into such an agreement, I am convinced that I ido not possess the power. Congress, and Cou | gress alone, uuder tho war-iuakiug power, cuu 1 exercise the discretion of sgreeing to abstain t from suy and all nets calculated to produce a | collision of arms between this and any other Govermeut. It would therefora he a usurpa tion for the Executive to attempt to rcstiain their hands by an agreement in regard to j matters over which he has no constitutional : control. ! if he were thus to act, they might pass laws i which he would be forced to obey, though in ! conflict with his agreement. Under existing circuinstances my piesect j actual power is coufiried within narrow limits. ; It is my duty at all times to defend and pro ' tect the Federal property within the seceding ■ -States, so far as this may be practicable, uud j especially to employ the constitutional means i to protect the property of the United States, j and to preserve to the public of this the seat ot | tbc Federal Government. If tbe seceding States abstain from any and all acts calculated to produce a collision of arms, then tho danger so much to be deprecated will no longer exist. Defence and not aggresstou has heeti the pol icy of the Administration from the beginning. But whilst I can enter into no engagement ; such as that proposed, 1 cordially commend to j Congress, with much confidence, that it will i meet their approbation, to abstain ftoui pasiug | any law calculated to produce a collision of ; arrn-i, pending the proceedings contemplated by | tho aetiou of the General Assembly of Vir ! ginia. lam oue of those who will never des ! pair of tho Republic, i yet cherish the belief i that the American people will perpetuate the : union of the States on some terms just and hun | orabic to all sections of the country. I trust that tho mediation of Virginia tuay be the destined means, uuder Providence, of ao j complishing this iuestiuiable benefit. Glorious us ure the memories of her past j history, such an achievement, both in relation j to her owa fame and the welfare of the whole ■ country, would surpass them all. JAMES BUCHANAN, I WASHINGTON CITY, Jan. 28, 1861. Lale from Fort Taylor, Key West. The Newport News publishes a letter from Col. i Thomas B. Curr, now at work on Fort Taylor, Key i West, Fla., to his wifo, in Nowport: KEY W EST, Jan. 15, 1861.—A steamer arrived here on Saturday. Irorn Philadelphia, bringing late papers from the Noith. I see by them that the Government ate going to put down this disunion, and also that the fort at Key West had been taken by the disnnionists. I wish to let you and all the people in .Newport know that Fort Taylor cannot be taken by the whole South put together. The lort is impregnable. It is twelve hundred feet from the shore, and has but one entrance, which is from the land, over a narrow bridge to a drawbridge, which can be shut up in a minute, if necessary.— There is nothing but water around the fort; it com mands the town, and could blow it down in thirty minutes. It is in the best condition for a fight, of which, however, there is no danger. The men worked last Tuesday to stop up all the port holes on the lower tier, which are twenty feet from the water. The fort has seventy 8-inch Col umbiad guns, which will send a ball or shell four miles, twenty 24-lb. howitzers, which flank the fort ; twelve 12-lb. howitzers, and a company of artillery. Capt. Iliint made a speech to the men on Sun day, and said that by the papers he saw that the Government intended to put down the disunion movement; and although he did not apprehend any danger, as it was impossible to take the fort, yet to prevent surprise he should bo prepared for them (the seceders.) He asked tho muu whether, in case of any attack, they would assist tho soldiers in defending tho fort, to which they all answered in the affirmative. He thanked them, and said he should continue the work until April, unless order ed otherwise by the Government. — Messrs. Milsou and Clemens of Virginia, aud Ktheridge and Nelson of Tennessee, have made sensible speeches in Congress on the Slavery question. Were tbe South all as reasonable as they are, secession would soon die off. The bill for the organisation of the militia of tho District of Colombia, requiring the custo mary oaths from tbe officers, passed by 119 to $2, the Secessionists opposing. important For respim deuce between the Minister* of Foreign Powers and the Secretary of htate. WABHXNOTOK, Janna ry 31.— 1t appears from official sources that ou the 27th of Jan uary Mr. Sehleider wrote to the Secretary of State, Mr. Black, informing bita tha* he bad received a letter from the Bremen Cousul at Charleston, stating that the consignee of the "Copernicus" had tendered duties af the Cus tom House, which were refused, an J from this i the Consul infers that the functionaries there are acting no longer for the United States,2nd the Minister therefore asks bow are the Bre men ojptaios and consignees of goods import ed from Bremen iu Bremen vessels to an* pott in South Carolina, to act iu order to avoid ah | violations of the revenue iiws cf the United I States? Does the Government hold itself re sponsible to the owners of goods now stored in or which uny hereafter be placed in tie Untied States bonded warehouses at Charles ton? and in case of the discontinuance of the Uuited States Custom Houve ut Charleston, wiil Bremen vessel? bo permitted to proceed' hvnee on their voyage without hindrance on the part of tLe United States autboriiieaf Loid Lyons, under date of December 31sr. acquaints the Secretary of State that he has received a letter frotn the British Oonsui at Charleston, iu which i; is stated toat South Laruliua has passed an utdinauoe declaring in effect, that the Custom Houses of the United States iu South Carolina are converted into Custom Houses of that State; and that tho revenue laws adopted show how duties are to be collected ou account of that State. Toe Uousul calls attention to several pract.cal dif ficulties eoouected with the tutry uud cleur i auce of British vessels, which may atisc at any 1 moment, aud Lord Lyons requests the Goveru- I mcut to furnish hiiu, without delay, such infor j tiiatiou respecting its wishes aud iuteutioos as | may enable hiiu to give definite instructions to 1 the Consul, aud to remove any apprehension i which may exist that ihe abolition lit Jacfo of J the United States Custom Houses will be ai j lowed to subject British vessels or commerce j to loss, injury or iucouvenience. Mr. lassaro, the Spanish Minister, un De i comber 31st, calls Secretary Black's attention- I to a letter from the Spanish consul at Charles • ton, relative to custom affairs tu that city, j Next, Secretary Biaek is informed by Lord i Lyons that South Carolina authorities have i removed the buoys, withdrawn the light ship, i etc., and requests that he cause the lights amj ■ beacons to he replaced to warn vessels of their ; danger, aud, in conclusion, desires such iufur j matiou as will allay the anxiety of Biiiiah subjects. Mr. ScUieiJer aiao complains, under d„tj of January Sth, that the iights in Charleston hr --i bor have been extinguished. | Arnoug tuo documents is also a letter from I ex-Judge Magrath, dated from Lxooutive De- J pai tment of South Carolina, saying thitthe activity of the pilots will preveut any serious injury or lucouveuienco to commerce. Ou the 10th u!t., Secretary Black replied j to Lorn LyoQs ; and sent a copy of his letter to j Messrs. Sobieider ana Tassaro. Ho says thai he had laid Lord Lyons' communication before i the Pieeident, who would deeply regret that auy injury should happen to the commerce of foreign aud fi loudly nations, and especially that British subjects at Oharlestou should suf fer t>y the auamolous state of things existin • there. Secretary Black then quotes from the law 10 show taat the jurisdiction of the Fede ral Government is to impose duties ou goods imported iuto the limits of the United States and collect duties is exclusive. Whether the ; rtate of affairs ucw exist tug atCharleston wili or will uot be tegarded as sufficient reasou fur not executing the penalties incurred by Brit ish subjects, I* a question, says the Secretary, which Lord Lynua will see uo necessity for ' rising uutii it practically arises. Bach o.ie 1 will no doubt have its peculiarities, aud Secre tary Black regrets ih*t this consideration j compels him to decline giving auy assurances ou tne points presented. The Treasury Da | partmeut, he says, wtil gtve public information | as to the condition iu which South Carolina ' Las pat the coast. WASHINGTON, Jan 31. The Select Com mittee of Five have examined about twelve witnesses as to au alleged conspiracy to seize the Federal Capitol. Nothing startling or convincing has been elicited. Lieutenant General Scott, was before them more than two Louts to-day. He said there was abundant evideuco to his mind, to justify him iu nuking | military preparations, '.hongh it was not of tho ! strongest character. tieo. Jackkoo'g Will. Iu JuDe, 1848, Gen. Jackson, in his retire ment at tbu Hermitage, wrote bis will with his own band. In ir, aming other bequests, are two, which ought, at this time, to be published for present reading. The seutiments therein expressed, in this solumu document, eviote nioro th&u iiouian patriotism, and should sink deep iuto the hearts of the people. _ Ilere is the literal language of the illustrious dead: "Snveuth. I bequeath to coy beloved nephew Andrew J. Donelsoo, eon of Samuel Dooelsoo, deceased, the elegant sword presented to ma by tbo State of Tennessee, with this injunction, ihat he fail uot to use it tvheu necessary in support and protection of our glorious and for the protection of the constitutional rights ot our beloved country, should they be assailed by Jordan enemits or domestic trait or s.' "Eighth. To my grand-nephew, Andrew J. Coffee, I bequeath the olegant sword presented to me by the rifle couapauy of New Orleans, comuiauded by Capt. Bcal, as a memento of uiy regard, and to briog to his recollection the gal lant service of his deceased father, Gen. John Coffee, in the late ludiaD and British war, un der uiy command, and his gallant conduct in defence of Now Orleans in 1814-'ls, with this injunction, That he wield it iu the protec tion ot the rights scoured to the American oit izeu under our glorious Constitution, agaiost all invaders, whether foreign foes, or intestine irat f ors. ,y borne ot the Democracy don't object to tho "enforcement of the Laws" where a poor uegto is to be caught, or a man punished for helping a brother intu to liberty. But they hwwi dole fully against punishing slave stealers, kidnap pers, or uien who rob arsenals, assault forts, haul down the stars and stripes, or rob the National Treasury! Tltey truly "stpain at a guat and swallow a camel!'*
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