mwkWw gtoffsinari's 7 'IStmM'-Sfi B. B. ROW, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR. CLEA RFIELD, PA.. JAN. 16, 1861. " V-V-,7 t. v WHAT CAN BE DONE! There is no use in any one trying to close his eyes to the real condition of cur country. So far as the action of the Gnlf States can do it) a dissolution of our beloved UnioD is ac complished Four of them have declared their connection with the United States severed. South Carolina having passed an ordinance to that eflcci on the 20th Dec, Mississippi on the 9th' January, Florida on the 10th, and Alaba ma on the 11th ; and there is scarcely a doubt that others will soon follow. Several ot them have seized upon the forts and other public property within their limits, and the first named is in open, armed rebellion, and has even fired into vessels sent to Charleston har bor "t by order of the . Federal Government. Thus far the wisdom of Congtess has failed to devise anything that seemed at all calculated to satisfy the Secessionists. Every plan of ad justmcnthas, we believe, been contemptuous ly rejected by them, and every step taken to conciliate them appears to have but complica ted and embarrassed, instead of helping to set tle the difficulty. The lenient course pursued by the President has been regarded by them as an acknowledgment on the part of the Govern ment that it was too weak to enforce its laws and protect the public property. In short, it looks as if the Secessionists desire no adjust ment, and are determined to go out of the Union, without regard to consequences. As these facts force themselves upon the public mind, every good citizen is anxiously inquiring, "what shall we do to be saved" as a nation, but as yet'no, one has been able to give an answer that is received with any con siderable degree of confidence. Some of the Breckinridge Democracy, it is true, are con tinually advising, as a remedy, that the Re publicans shall "retrace their steps," from whence is not clearly set forth. We believe onr heart throbs as strongly for the Union as that of any man in it ; we bcliave we are ac tuated by fully as patriotic motives ; we are willing also to accede to any fair and bonora blo ' arrangement that will settle the present difficulties ; but it is asking entirely too much to require the Republicans to give up all they have contended for, when Goy. Hicks, of Ma ryland, states in his recent address that the leading spirits of the Socth Carolina Conven tion hold that it is not the election of Mr. Lin coln and the non -enforcement of the fugitive slave law, which constitute their grievances, but declare the real cause to date back as far aa 1833. v Taking, then, all the circumstances . and facts together, it seems scarcely possible that anything short of a firm, unyielding ex ercise of the power at the command of the General Government, will check the Disunion movement, and that, too, might fail. We are not without hope, however, that something may yet be done. Indeed, the speech of Mr. Seward, delivered in the U. S. Senate on last Saturday, it is thought will induce the South ern States that are still loyal to the Union to make a strenous effort to counteract the rash and precipitate measures of South Carolina, Florida, Alabama and Mississippi. If we Tare mistaken in this expectation, the only course left the people of the North to pursue, willbe, to plant themselves firmly upon the immutable principles of Justice and Right, and leave the consequences to IIim who sh?.pcs and controls the destinies of all nations. U. S. Senator. On Tuesday, Jan. 8th, the two Houses of the Pennsylvania Legislature met in joint convention and, on first ballot, e lected Edgar Cowan, Esq., as U. S. Senator, for six years from the 4tb of March next, in place of Mr. Bigler. The vote stood thus : Edgar Cowan, Republican, -. - 08 Henry D. Foster, Democrat, - - 35 Mr. Cowan is a native and resident of West moreland county. His political antecedents are good, he having been an old line Whig whilst that party was in existence, and since its disruption has acted uniformly against the miscalled Democracy. Tho Pittsburgh Ga zelle, in speaking of Mr. Cowan, says he is a man of middle age, gigantic in stature and gi gantic in intellect ; bold, eloquent,7 forcible and logical as a public speaker; untried in public life, but possessing all the elements of a true statesman ; of gentlemanly address and popular manner v, well rooted and grounded in tho Republican faith, and with backbone e nough for a dozen Senators. He will make his mark in the Senate, and Pennsylvania will have no reason to regret that 6he has conferred o great an honor upon biro." : Mr. Gordon, one of oar members of tho Le gislature, on the 12th inst., offered the follow ing resolution, which was adopted by a vote of 50 yeas to 26 nays': . ' Resolved, That we affirm the doctrines of the Chicago platform as expressing the sentiments of a Urge majority of the people of Pennsyl vania, andtbst we have no reason to ignore it. We do not believe that anything in our politi cal condition demands concessions on our part. lion. Cbapin Hall, our Member of Congress, L. W. Hall, State Senator, and Messrs. Gor don and Lawrence of the House, will accept our tbaDks for documentary favors received. : It is said that Secretary Floyd issued anoth er million of acceptances beside the amount already known to the public V, . , . . THE FAMINE IN KANSAS. BURLINQAMK, ObaGE COUNTY, KANSAS, December 26th, 1800 - J Editor Raftsman's Journal : Dear Sir .- I wish to occupy a small space in your paper, while I attempt to give your readers a sketch of the condition, and want of provisions in Kansas. ; I shall base this upon my own expe rience; the truth of which will apply to hun dreds and thousands of the citizens of this un fortunate territory. In April I commenced preparing my corn ground, applying myself with great care and vigor. The ground was very dry, having had no rain and very little snow all winter, but expected the usual rains in Mav and June. About the 10th of May I planted my corn. It was in the ground three weeks, when a light rain fell just enough to make the corn germinate and come up about the 1st of June. I cultivated it when it was largo enough. Every two or threeweeks we had a little rain, wetting the ground at most two and a half inches. The corn tasseled, when about two and a half feet in hight. ' Po tatoes also were planted, and came up after a long time. Buckwheat was sowed, but nearly all was burnt up by the sun ; a few late rains, however, revived it, and it grew to the hight of from 8 to 12 inches, but when in full bloom the frosts killed it, So you see-that corn, po tatoes, beans, buckwheat, and everything of the vegetable kind, is an entire failure. Eight bushels of wheat that I sowed in the fall of 1859, grew line, but was entirely killed before spring. I had hogs enough for my own use. I fed them while my old corn lasted, and about the time it was all "the hog drovers came in from Illinois, and I sold seven large hogs for $18, which was only one third their.usual val ue. I kept a few pigs, thinking to keep them over winter, but they are now lying on a pile, having starved to death. The weather has been remarkably pleasant until within the last week. It is now very cold and we have tho first snow, which is four inches deep. Cattle have done very well. The prairie grass is ve ry short, was dried on the stalk before it was froze, and tho cattle eat it with considerable relish ; but now they cannot find it, and if the snow should remain for a month or two they will get very poor, and likely starve. I have commenced on my last little store of fodder, and when that is done I know not what to do. There has been no rain for eighteen months now, to start the streams, and they have all gone dry in- consequence. Stock water is hard to find, and in many cases cattle have to be watered out of wells. I am a Pennsylvanian, have served a time in the lumbering business, have went down the Susquehanna with a merry crew ot raftsmen, and I remember well the luxuries I used to enjoy. Not being content, I made my way to the far west. Nearly six years have passed away since I first set my foot on the virgin soil of Kansas. I came here to procure my self a home. I have worked hard and suffered much, and my hopes and expectations have been in a degree blighted, but I am happy to say I am a rich man. 1 have good health and common sense, a little to eat and a little to wear, but when I count and find that there are yet seven months before wo can raise anything to subsist on, it makes me feel a little queer in the absence of money and labor, and a wife and three children-to support. Kansas has suffered severely from drouth ; her people are reduced to starvation, and it depends in a great measure on onr benevolent friends in the States, whether we shall be aid ed or whether we shall be left to perish. I have always felt too dignified to beg. I have waited till the last moment, hoping that some thing in the train of Providence would pass by, so that we might procure enough : to live on until we could raise another crop. I have laid off all reluctance, having confidence that this will be published and read by many good and benevolent men, who aie able and willing to send a little money direct to me. Bills of any kind can be sent by letter. Your money comes direct into the hands of a man who has a higher motive than to apply it to bis own use,while his neighbor is in want. Provisions and clothing can be bought within one hun dred miles. Atchison City, 80 or DO miles from here, is where the railroad terminates. Thus, 1 have tried to tell you a little about Kansas and her. suffering people, yet there maybe some that will not be satisfied with this statement. . It is nevertheless titie, and 1 hope you will do something for us; and what ever that may be, I pray it will be done soon. Direct all communications to the undersign ed at Burlingame P. O., Osage Co., Kansas. Respectfully yours, David Hoover. THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE. Mr. Buchanan's Special Message, which the countiy has anxiously expecting for sever al days, was sent to Congress on the 9th. It commences by alluding to his Annual Message in December last, and to the explanations giv en in that document ot the causes ot the Pro Slavery rebellion, and also to its recommenda tions of remedies for the disturbed state of the country, which, absurd and offensive as they were, the President declares he still ad heres to, though he judiciously refrains from repeating them. " He states that the imports of the country have fallen off since the beginning of the re bellion with a rapidity never before known in our history except in time of war, and pro ceeds to sketch an alarming picture of the consequent distress of the laboring classes and the immense losses sustained by capitalists. We need scarcely say that the condition of things described by the President, so far as his description applies to the North, exists only in the heated imaginations of the South ern rebels, who, according to the latest ac counts,are stiiving to find conclusion for their own misfortunes in the supposition that the Free States are on the verge of bankruptcy and starvation, r The President has been mis informed, and his misstatement can only have the effect to strengthen the prevalent Southern delusion. Repeating his former declaration that there is no. such thing as the right of secesspn, and that he must exert the military force at his command to protect the property of the United States, the President declares that we are in the midst of a great revolution, and that Con gress alone is competent to deal with so seri ous a crisis. : -The most lamentable feature of the case he declares to be that the secession movement is based on misapprehension of the motives and feelings of the Northern States. To this mis apprehension, no man has contributed more than Mr. Buchanan. In all his Messages to Congress, since be entered the Presidential office, he has elaborately and most grossly misrepresented the opinions and designs of the party now dominant in . the Free States, and there can be little donbt that to. the cal umnies on the Republicans so widely and per severingly disseminated by him and his polit ical associates at the South is to be mainly at tributed : the frantic excitement now raging there.- - ? - - " Mr. Buchanan next very coolly remarks that "a proposition to Compromise by letting the North have exclusive control of the Territory above a certain line, and to givo Southern in stitutions protection below that line, ought to receive universal approbation." That is to say, if the ; opponents of Slavery extension will utterly renounce their principles, give up all (bey have been, on tending for during tho past fifteen years,, and acquiesce not only in the extension but in the perpetual protection of Slavery in all Territory South of 3G SO, everybody ought to be satisfied. - We have no doubt of it- But we fancy that those who ex pect to see a universal acquiescence in an Im pudunt proposition such as this is are very likely to be disappointed. The President states, in conclusion, that va rious forts and arsenals belonging to the Uni ted States have been seized, and are now held by armed forces of the Seceding States. He makes also an attempt to justify his base ne glect to furnish re-enforcements to Major An derson. His defense is that "distinguished, upright gentlemen" assured him that South Carolina meditated no violence that, al though she bad seceded from the Union, de clared herself independent, and hoisted the Palmetto flag, she meant nothing by-it.; y It does not seem to have occurred to Mr, Buchan an that it was neither wise, nor patriotic, nor ruanly for him, in. his position, to take, advice or assurances from traitors from men even then in open rebellion. Not only, however, did he take counsel of, and give his confidence to traitors, but he scoffed and spurned the prayers and entreaties of true patriots like Gen. Scott and Mr. Cass, who urged him not to leave a scanty and gallant garrison to the mercy of infuriated rebels. - - . Nothing, as the President himself now ad mits, but the prompt action of Major Ander son saved that garrison from destruction. . Fort Moultrie couldnot have been held for 48 hours against au attack, and the President knew it ; and yet, with an army and navy at his com mand, with a hundred thousand volunteers ready to rise at a day's notice on his call to arms, bo truckled and tampered with rebellion, until almost in defiance of orders a gallant sol dier was compelled to save his little force by abandoning a fortress of the United States to a South Carolina mob. Scarcely any transac tion in our history reflects so much disgrace on the Government as the cowardly neglect of duty in regard to the forts at Charleston Harbor. That anything has even at this hours been done to assert the rights and uphold the dignity of the United States, is due not to Mr. Buchanan, but to Gen. Scott and Mr. Holt. The cowardice and imbecility of the President have given a great stimulus to treason. Had the rebellion been promptly and vigorously met at the outset, it would never have reach ed its present dimensions. N. Y. Tribune. SPEECH CF SENATOR 8EWAKD. Washington, Jan. 12. Senator Seward de livered his speech in the Senate to-day on the state of the Union. The galleries were crowd ed to overflowing, and the distinguished gen tleman was listened to with the utmost inter est and attention by Senators and spectators. He commences his speech by avowing his adherence to the Union in its integrity ; with his country, his State, or without either,' as they may determine ; in every ercnt, whether of pence or war; with every consequence, whether of honor or dishonor, life or death. After rehearsing what courses will not save the Union, he desires a truce, at least, during the debate on the Union. It cannot be saved by proving secession illegal or unconstitution al ; nor can anything be gained by discusssng the right of the Federal Government to coerce States, if disunion is to go on, this question will give place to the more practical one, whether the many seceding States shall coerce the remaining members to acquiesce in a dis olution. He argues against the folly of sepa ration, its effect upon the standing of the U nited States among the naition? of the world, the difficulties a new Southern Confederacy would encounter in forming treaties, and liable at any time to become tho prey of stronger powers. In summing up his arguments, he states: Firstly That while prudence and justice would combine in persuading you to modify the acts of Congress so as not to compel pri vate persons to assist in the execution of the Fugitive Slave law, and to prevent freemen from being, by abuse of the law, carried into slavery, I agree that all State laws controven ing the Constitution or any law of Congress, ought to be repealed. Secondly Domestic slavery existing in any State is wisely left by the Constitution exclu sively to the care, management and disposition of that State. I would not alter the Constitu tion in that respect, if" in my ' power. I am willing to vote for an amendment of the Con stitution declaring that It shall not, by any future amendment, be so altered as to confer on Congress a power to abolish or interfero with slavery in any State. Thirdly While I think Congress has exclu sive authority to legislate for the Territories, and while I certainly shall never directly or indirectly give my vote to establish, or sanc tion slavery in the territories, yet the question with regard to what -constitutional laws shall be passed in regard to the Territories, to be determined on practical ground If Kansas were admitted under the Wyandotte Contitu tion, I could vote to orgauize the organization and admission of the remaining States, reserv ing the right to effect subdivisions of them whenever necessary into several convenient States, if such reservation could be constitu tionally made ; but if the measure were prac ticable, I should prefer a different course, namely : that when the eccentric movements of secession acd disunion shall have ended, and the angry excitements of the hour subsid ed then, say one, two or three years hence, I would cheerfully advise a convention of the people to decide whether any and what amend ments of the organic national law shall be made. Fourth I am ready now, as heretofore, to vote for laws to prevent mutual invasions of States. - Fifth I remain constant in favor of two Pa cific Railways one to connect the ports around the mouths of the Mississippi, and the other the towns on the Missouri and the Lakes with the harbors on our western cost. He conclud ed with the expression of an unshaken faith in the Constitution and the Union. lie feels sure that the hour has not come for this nation to fall. Its people are not preverse or wicked enough to deserve so dreadful and severe a punishment as dissolution. This Union has not yet accomplished what good tot mankind was manifestly designed by Him who appoints the seasons, and prescribes the duties of States and empires. No, sir; if cast down to-day by faction, it would riae again and re-appear in all its majestic proportions to-morrow. Woe ! woe ! to the man that meanly lifts his hand a gainst it. It shall continue and endure, and men in after times shall declare that this gen eration which saved the Union from such sud den and unlooked for damages surpassed in magnanimity even that one which laid Us foundations in the eternal principles of liberty, justice and humanity. ' : The guns of Fort Moultrie will be of little service to the secessionists. It is known that Major Anderson, before he left the fort, had given orders to tar the guns; inside and outside, and then : set fire to the whole. Those few persons who remainedjbebind bad further or ders to pour on the guns, as soon as red-hot, cold waiter. This order was also strictly car ried out, and the guns are now full of cracks; some of them imperceptible, and cannot be fired off without danger, of .bursting- The South Carolinians probably are aware of that fact, and, therefore, you may depend that they will let Major Anderson's'forsaken guns alone. Many; beautiful, women, while walking, in the street,. se?m very angry if they are gazed at, and sadly disappointed if they are not. ; . SUMMARY OF NEWS. t . MR. BUCHANAN AND THE RATTLE SNAKE COX ' - - MISSION EES. .;" : Much comment lias been excited by the rev elation in the President's letter to the South Carolina Commissioners, that the last verbal instructions from the Secretary of War to Ma jor Anderson at Fort Moultrie, on the 11th of December, which were communicated by Col onel Butler, were not brought to the Presi dent's notice until the 21st, ten days after. These orders were the most important issued, and were intended to tie Major Anderson's hands, by allowing him discretion in a contin gency not expected, bnt which did occur, for his full justification. The evidence convicts Mr Floyd with direct complicity, and -proves that ho. was willing to sacrifice Major Ander son" and his little band, to aid the traitors. The very means Mr, Floyd employed to furth er his designs, have turned out the most destructive- for that purpose, and seem almost providential. He removed Colonel Gardiner, an Eastern man, from the command of the forts, because a. party of soldiers were com pelled by the populace to return ammunition they were removing from the arsenal in the city to Fort Moultrie, under his orders, at the beginning of this rebellion. Major Anderson was substituted, being a Kentuckian, and be cause ho was supposed to have Southern par tialities, lie proved himself . incapable of treachery, and Mr. Floyd, instead of finding an instrument, cangbt a Tartar.: .-; THB STAR OF THE WEST. The steamer Star of the West arrived at N. York, during the night of the 11th on her re turn from the unsuccessful attempt to re-in-force Fort Sumter. She brings back tho troops destined for the relief of the fort. The report from Charleston was correct in relation to two of the balls fired at her taking effect. One struck her on the bow, and the second on the starboard quarter, between the smoke-stack and the engine beam. No person was hurt. She struck on tho bar twice in coming out. At night, steamers were seen coming out of the harbor, supposed to be in pursuit. The same night she spoke the ship Emily St. Pier re, from Liverpool to Charleston, and refused admittance in consequence of the American flag being displayed. When leaving Charles ton harbor, the Star of the West received sev eral parting shots from the battery on Morris Island, and they all fell short. The general feeling on board now is to return to Charles ton, with proper means of defence, and ef fect a landing at all hazards. THE PRESIDENT'S CABINET. The followiug resignations have taken place in the Cabinet since the secession crisis has assumed any considerable consequence, viz: Hon. Lewis Cass, Sec. of State ; Hon. Howell Cobb, Sec. of Treasury ; Hon. John B.'Floyd, Sec. of War ; Hon. Jacob Thompson, Sec. of Interior ; Hon. P. F. Thomas, Sec. of Treasu ry ; the latter succeeded Mr. Cobb. The Cab inet, as reconstructed, is as follows: Sec. of State, Mr. Black of Penn'a ; Sec. of Treasury, Mr. Dix of New York ; Sec. of Navy, Mr. Tou cey of Connecticut ; Sec. of War, Mr. Holt of Kentucky (acting); Sec. of Interior, Vacant ; Postmaster-General, Mr. Holt of Kentucky ; Att'y Gencial, Mr. Stanton, District Columbia. The members now in tho Cabinet are a unit on the present political questions, all those claim ing the right of secession having retired. : ; , ' MARYLAND. Senator Pearce has yielded to tho outside pressure, and united in a request fur conven ing the Legislature of Mary laud. Governor Hicks still resists this scheme, which has for its moving inspiration a purpose to make her an instrument of the disunion conspiracy, and of a revolutionary attempt to establish a Pro visional Government on the 4th of March for a Southern Confederacy. While Maryland refuses to join the plot, it has no hope of suc cess. Hence, every effort is directed there, but with no intention of allowing her any in fluence in the movement, if the traitors should succeed in inaugurating it. The whole pro gramme of the revolutionists is constructed on a Mexican model, and only needs a pro nunciamiento to bo complete, which Mr. Wig fal will probably issue before long.: THE REIGN OF TERROR IN CHARLESTON. The terrorism which prevails at Charleston has driven away some of the most substantial people who transacted business there. Two recent instances are known of large money contributions being demanded, with strong in timations that if not answered, they would be compelled. .The assessments were paid, and the parties removed their families. Squads of "Minute Men" call at private houses, com pel the family to prepare them a meal, and be fore leaving perhaps demand a fee of $5 or $10 to the man. Provisions are scarce and high, and two thousand soldiers thrown into the city, with Northern communication cut off, as it now is, would make a famine in thirty days, so short is the supply. Yet they pre tend to desire war. mr. Crittenden's resolutions. . Mr. Crittenden's resolutions were amended by bis consent on Wednesday last (9th) on mo tion of his colleague, so as to provide that all territory below the Missouri line, and all here after acquired, shall be devoted to Slavery. In this shape, a determined effort is about to be made to drive them through and have them presented to the people for a popular vote. After this is done, the Revolutionists will probably withdraw, take a warlike position, and , wait to see if it does bring the North to t'je succumbing point. If it don't, there will then be plenty of time for them to suc cumb themselves. But they expect the North to come down. - . FORTS SEIZED BY THE SECESSIONISTS. ' The following named forts have thus far been seized, by order of the Governors of the States which they are respectively , located, and are now, in possession of the secessionists: Forts Pulaski and Jackson, Savannah, Ga. ; forts Morgan and Gaines, Mobile,' Alabama ; forts Macon, Beaufort, and Caswell, Oak Island, N. C. ; forts Moultrie and Pinckney, Charleston, S. C. ; forts St. Philip, Jackson, and Pike, Louisiana. These forts mount 935 guns, which cost $777,248 ; and the lorts cost $4,925,089. Total cost of the above eleven ; fortifications and armaments, $5,702,337. MARINES AT FORT M'lIENRT. Fort M'Henry at Baltimore was on Wednes day last occupied by a company of 40 United States marines, enough to hold it against a sudden assault by a mob. Pensacola, Key West, and the forts of Hampton Roads are now secure, and a steamer was to leave Bos ton on Thursday last with additional United States troops for tho South. ...... A FORCE BILL TO BE PASSED. TheIIouse will meet the responsibility thrown upon it by the President by adopting, at the first opportunity, the force bill recently reported from the Committee on the Judicia ry by Mr. Bingham, of Ohio. It will then remain for the Senate and Mr. Buchanan to do their parts towards providing for the en forcement of the law.- . PENSACOLA, FLORIDA, TO BE ATTACKED.. A dispatch from Charleston states that the commander of the U. S. troops at Pensacola, imitating Major Anderson, has abandoned all the forts in the harbor except Fort Pickens, where he has concentrated his men, and that three hundred Alabamians have gone from Mobile to make an attack upon him. " , FROM CHARLESTON AND FORT SDMTER. Late advices from' Charleston report that tho excitement there had somewhat abated, in consequence ot pacific news from Washington. Lieutenant Talbot, Major Anderson's messen ger, has arrived at Washington, and it is re ported that the garrison at Fort Sumter is not in need of re-enforcements. ' THR CONSTITCTION NEWSPAPER. The President has made a formal order, di recting the heads of the various departments to .withdraw all their advertising patronage from the Constitution newspaper. The imme diate cause of this action is supposed to be the censures of that journal regarding the sen ding of troops to Charleston. MAINE UNITED STATES SENATOR. Ex-Governor Morrill of Maine was on Tues day last elected United States Senator to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Mr. Hamlin, the Vice-President elect. He re ceived the unanimous vote of the Senate, and had a majority of 101 in the House. CALIFORNIA FOR THE UNION. From California, we have the gratifying in telligence that the Union will find none but friends and supporters on tho Pacific coast. Even if secession succeeds In the Sonth, Cali fornia will adhere to the North and West. ' ' CONSPIRATORS IN WASHINGTON. There is said to be a military organization of conspirators at Washington to the number of 500, whose object Is to aid In the seizure of the Capitol by the slaveholders. '- THE LOUISIANA FORTS.' Armed bands from New Oi leans have taken possession of the United States forts in Lou isiana, and the Arsenal at Baton Rouge. 1 n ; . RUSSELL BAILED OUT. rl: Mr. Russell, the mail contractor was bailed out on Wednesday of last week. His bail having been reduced to $100,000. IMPORTANT FROM CHARLESTON. The Star of the West Fired Into. CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN MAJOR AN t DERS0N AND GOV. PICKENS. A SPECIAL MESSENGER SENT TO WASHINGTON. The arrival of the steamer Star of the West, with 250 men on board, - created intense ex citement on tho 9tb inst. at Charleston. The vessel rounded the point, took the ship chan nel inside of the bar, and proceeded straight forward until she was opposite Morris' Island, three-quarters of a mile from the battery, when a ball was fired athwart her bows. The Star of the West displayed the star and stripes, and as soon as it was unfurled a succession of heavy shots was- fired. One or two shots ta king effect, her captain ran the steamer back into the ocean out of range of the guns. Al together there were seventeen shots fired, but only two took effect. . ' Charleston, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 1861.'. About 11 o'clock this morning, a boat from Fort Sumter, bearing Lieut. Hall with a white flag,' approached the city. ' Lieut. Hall had an interview with Gov. Pickens, and was after ward escorted to His boat, and re-embarked for Fort Sumter. The communication from Ma jor Anderson is as follows : -.. "To his Excellency the Gov. of Smith Carolina: 'Sir : Two of your batteries fired this mor ning on an unarmed vessel, bearing the flag of my Government. As I have not been notified that war lias been declared by South Carolina against the United States, I cannot but think this a hostile act committed without your sanc tion or authority. Under that hope I refrain from opening a fire on your batteries. I have the honor, , therefore, respectfully to ask whether the above-mentioned act one which, I believe, without parallel in the history of onr country, or any other civilized Govern ment was committed in obedience to your instructions, and notify you, if it is not dis claimed, that I regard it as an act of war. And 1 shall not after reasonable time for tl.e return of my messenger, permit any vessel to pass within the range of the guns of my fort. In order to save, as far as it is in my power, the shedding of blood, I beg you will take due notification of my decision for the good of all concerned. Hoping, however, your ' answer may justify a furthercontinance of forbearance on my part. , I remain, respectfully, .', Robert Anderson." ' Governor Pickens, after stating the position of South Carolina to the United States,, says that any attempt to send United States troops into Charleston harbor to re-enforce the forts would be regarded as an act of hostility, and in conclusion adds that any attempt to re-enforce the troops at Fort Sumter, or to retake and resume possession of tho forts within the waters of South Carolina which Major An derson abandoned afterspiking the cannon and doing other damage cannot but be regarded by tbe authorities ot the State as indicative of any other purpose than the coercion of the State by the aimed . force of the Government. Special agents, therefore, have been off the Bar to warn approaching vessels, armed and unarmed, having troops to re-enforce Fort Snmter aboard not to enter tbe harbor. Spe cial orders have been given the commanders at the forts not to fire on such vessels until a shot across their bows should warn tbem of the prohibition of the State. Under these circumstances, the Star of tbe West, it is un derstood, this morning attempted to enter the harbor with troops, after haviog been notified she could not enter, and consequently she was fired into. Tl.e act is perfectly justified by me. In regard to your threat about vessels in tho harbor, it Is only necessary for me to say you must be the judge of your responsibility. Your position in the harbor has been tolerated by the authorities of the State ; and while the act of which yon complain is in perfect con sistency with the rights and duties of the State, it is not perceived how far the conduct you propose tq adopt can find a parallel In the history of any country, or be reconciled with aDy other purpose than that of yonr Govern ment imposing on tbe State the condition of a conquered province. ,; .... F. W. Pickens. , SECOND COMMUNICATION FROM MAJ. ANDERSON. To His Excellency Gov. Pickens. .- Sir : 1 have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication, and say, that under the circumstances, I have ' deemed it proper to refer the whole matter to my Gov ernment, and intend deferring the course I in dicated in my note this morning until the ar rival from Washington of such instructions as I may Teceive. I have the honor also to ex press the hope that no obstructions will be placed in the way, and that you will do me the favor of giving every facility for the de parture and return ot the bearer Lieut. Tal bott, who is directed to make the journey. Robert Anderson. Gov. Pickens immediately granted the per mission desired, and directed Lieut. Talbott to have every faoility and courtesy extended to him as bearer of dispatches to tbe United States Government both in going and return ing. : ' . ; -'. Lieutenant T. Talbott left Charleston" late the same night with dispatches, from Major Anderson to the President of the United States. 4 ; ; ; ; ' ;' 1 - ; ! -' Lieut., Talbott goes to Washington for fur ther instructions fron the President. A party of gentlemen entertained, him at the Charles ton Hotel previaus to his departure. - . HOME PROSPECTS. From tho Scientific American of Jn Our present number shows that w h brought out the big gun, and that e har- 9 upon the stocks iron plated frigates of ' soon to be in readiness for sanguinary conflir' upon the high seas. We have not y? t J ? ed those "last days" spoken of by the p. old prophet Isaiah wben "the mountain ot u Lord's bouse shall be established in the ton the mountain, when He shall fudge amonc u nations, and shall rebuke manv people ! they shall beat their swords into plowshar and their spears into pruning hooks - tut'"' shall not life up sword against nation,' neiih"' shall they learn war any more." For fifte years past we have lad extensive corresDoB1 dencc with mechanics and manufjetur throughout all the States, and we have 'vetT learn that the predictions of the Inspire prophet have even an incipient reahz:1tin 0 this or any other continent. We know rt an instance where a slngfe iniy oj s0fj has been beaten into' a' plow share, L'ltwc In heard it announced" that even the weathpr beaten muskets of our distinguislit.il idly citizenrGeorge Law, have at last found a raiv sale. .Amidst the general dullness ofir- and finance, the forges of Mars are bUz''-' away with unwonted fury, and even "Mrj .f fire" is isSufrig' forth from their sruoky i-i!!. Dragon's teeth have suddenly tjirnng , armed men, and we can almost hear -u ' shout, the shock, the groan of war." yj,;' then, is the ugly side ot the question. a before using our big gun to pour hroadiiiVi from our iron Irigateswe wiM stop to tliii, the matter over a little more seriously. The old adage says that, "It is an'ill win J that blows nobody goxl," and this is as'tmtr now as it ever was. If our readers siipp j. that the "rumors of wars" which now fin t,e country have destroyed all trade, enterpriie and business prospects, they are mindly mis taken. The printers ot daily newspapers hare all that they can possiMy to supply the immense editions for which the public mx iously calls. The want of a rew invention lv which papers eau be more quickly thrown c.-fl was never more sens"ibly felt than to-dsj-. yt are told that the fire-arms and gunpowder manufacturers are overcrowdd with' order, and, in some instances, are cmplo.vbitr duubi-' sets of hands and running their works d iv nr: night. Colt's great establishment, at Ha. if .r i. Conn., is said to be flourishing to an a,to::i,;.. ing extent. We hear of the farming on: fr.i: that concern to neighboring machine si -n; -n ..' one job involving forge' work for iv"L-nr thousand arms. We ar? also told that the England wagon manufacturers have recci.. l laige orders for baggage and transp'ir'rio-; wagons; this will also give employm-it t many. There Is an immense dx-m-in?. -.. hear, for rubber clothing, coats, pints. b'!, knapsacks, buckets, tents, blankets, r 'cr.i.. and every conceivable article required IV ; use. All the above goods are, at the pres., issue, cash articles. Several of the States have appropriated 1 ir sums amounting to millions of dollars in t' o aggregate, for .arms am) munitions f wir. Nearly all of this money will necessarily go t our mechanics and inventors, and keep thous ands of them busy through the winter. Th influx of money is very great at tho present time. Nearly every steamer from Europe brings us half a million or a million. Or? steamer, the Persia, from Liverpool, arrived, a few days ago, with three millions. From California the regular supply is from one to two millions monthly. Meantime, at New York, there are, in our banks and saving in stitutions, $32,000,000 in specie on hand, and the prices of stocks have, of late, much ad vanced. Tennnessee, North Carolina, Mm souri, and some other State stocks, havf im proved very sensibly Mnce the 18th of Decen ler. ' Illinois Central Railroad stocks, whie; stood, Dec. 7, at 51, sold January Sd forTi. an advance of 28 per cent. New York Stat 6 per cent stocks, New Loan, still remain -bove par, the latest quotation being 104. ! reference to the cot ton crop of the Souther . States, we understand thSt the shipments Iron' some of the seaports are very large. At t!. West, large orders for grain are reported, ac companied by the gold. Red Western wliat has risen, within a short time, from $1.08 p.-r bushel to$1.37.- The panic.or "hard times, ' that our people passed through three winter ago appears to have had the effect of prepari". -them for a similar contingency in the futur-. We notice that the savings banks of the single stale of Massachusetts, contain deposits to the amount of almost fifty millions of dollart. These deposits aro on interest, and consist, al most wholly, of tho earnings of mechanic and other working classes. As the total pop ulation of that State is only 1,831,499 souls, it will be seen that the financial condition of that great mechanical and manufacturing State H extremely good. This desirable state of things doubtless exists, in a proportionate de gree, in many, if not all of the other State. By the recent treaty of peace, ratified between China and tho Anglo-French allies, that im mense empire is now at peace with the world. The previously signed treaty between China and the United States is therefore now brought into practical operation, thns opening to onr people an immense and highly profitable nni ket for all kinds of American manufactures. Tho House of Representatives has lately pasi ed a bill for the construction of tiro great livtt of railroads a northern and a southern route from the Mississippi river to the Pacific ! I' is expected that the bill will shortly pass the Senate and become a law. The construction of these railroads will form one of the most gigantic enterprises of the day, will give oc cupation to hundreds of thousands of work men and engineers, and will impart a perma nent stimulus to every desciiptiou ot lusine. The Homesteart Bill, which has just become the law of the land, grr every man a farm fir almost nothing, provided he will go West and cultivate it. We have thrown together thee few items in order that our readers may ee that, notwithstanding the political trouble which now brood over the country, onr condi tlon.in a financial and industrial point of ie is better than in 18."7. With such abundant resources at command, and with our political difficulties composed, a thrill of Joy would sweep over our whole land, and start into new life the wheels of commerce and manufacturing industry. REGISTER'S NOTICE. Notice is ber by given, that the following account hajj been examined and passed by me, and remain of record in tbis office for the inspection ot hi'"-' legatees, creditors, and all others in any other w.r interested, and will be presented to the next Or phans' Court of Clearfield county, to be held the Court House, in the Borough of Clrfcli commencing on the Second Monday of Janurj 18fil. for confirmation and allowance : , Tho final account of John Maamanns, Admin istrator of all and singular the goods, chattirt. rights and credits which were of George Job'"' ton. jr., late of Bell tp, Clearfiold county, dec a. The partial acooant of Branson Davis, Admin; istrator oi the estate of Thomas C. Dari, le the Borough of Lumber-City, deceased. . . The final account of Charlotta Weber, Adm'D tratrix of all and singular the goods and cbat w which were of Wm. Weber, late of Brady tf. a " The Administration account of Wm- A woo Administrator of the estate of John S. Curry. " of Pike township, Clearfield county, dete1- -The account of John Graham, jr.. and Ji''s ' Nelson, Administrators of the good nl . which were of John Graham, senr- late of r" ford township, Clearfield county, deceased- JAMES WKIGLKY, KegnteT. CloarCeld, Pa., December 5, 18G0. " iMi'iiitfryfTT- wmni MiTim r rirrrM ,-"T"i tyiPTiTSMar'.! ' ' " mmimi.mx Mi0'ri',z7: ' ' "i " ' -"- " '" -r- - i " - J ' " ' ' ' -1- " ' "T' " . r . ' . '"" II
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers