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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