The Express.
London, England, 1861-01-11 00:00:00

(Stamped, ld. Additional.)

THE UNITED STATES.

THE SEIZURE OF THE FORTS BY THE
CHARLESTON MILITIA.

We have received New York papers to Dec. 29.
The most important intelligence is that of the
abandonment of Fort Moultrie by the United
Staten troops, and the taking possession of that
fort, as well as Castle Pinckney, and the Custom-
house, Pant-office, and Arsenal, by the Charleston
Militia. The New York Herald, of Dec. 28, says :
_ _

The news front Charleston yesterday was of a most ex-
citing character, and, until the details were received,
created no little alarm throughout the city, as the first
dispatches led people to believe that ► collision had taken
place between the population of Charleston and the United
State* troops garrisoning Fort Moultrie. and that we were
actually at war with the independent State of South
Carolisa.

The facts, however, show that Major Anderson, who
commands Fort Moultrie, knowing the position to be unte-
nable, evacuated it and took possession of Fort Sumpter, an
almost impregnable post, where, in the event of an attack
upon United States property, he would be enabled to defend
it against great odds. Before leaving Fort Moultrie Major
Anderson spiked the guns and set fire to the gun earrisges;
and this biter action no doubt led to the report that the
whole fort was in flames, leaving the intercom that it had
been token by the populace, and the garrison driven out.
This, however, is not the tact. Anderson withdrew for stra-
tegic purposes; for it to known that General Scott expressed
the sedition that Fort Sonitrleoould not beheld against a reser
hate attack for 24 hours, but that Sumpter was the strongest
fort of its sine in the world, and maid oily be Calton by
starving sat the garrison. Ia this opinion the mat ex-
perienced military officers in the country coincide. It is
conceded that it would require a continuous bombardment
of six months with gum of the heaviest metal to destroy
Fort Sumpter, and then it could only be done, if eat all, by
chipping the masonry piece by piece. This fort, moreover,
commands the entire city and harbours' Cliarlesion, &swell
as Fort Moultrie itself ; being built on an inland in the
middle of the channel, it can Gaily be relieved from the sea.
Thus it will be seen that the evacuation of a weak and com-
paratively worthless position for a stronger use was a wise
military movement. It was rumoured that a train was laid
by Major Anderson before leaving the Fort to blow it up ;
but that was not:believed. Captain Foster, with a smell
force, stall remains there.

The following is from the same paper of the
29th nit. :
The excitement occesiesed by the intelligence of the
aboodomeent of Fort Moultrie wee augmested yesterday by
the receipt of news that the troops of South Carolina had
taken possession of Fort Moultrie and Castle Pinckney, and
the Onstoce•home, Post-office, and Amenal at Charleston.
There were about a dosen men in the forts, and they made
no opposition to the troops. Am soon as the ititeHigeneo of
them movements was commueicated to the President, he
called the cabinet together, but it is believed that they
could not agree upon any decisive method of meeting the
emergency.

The South Carolina commissioners visited the President
yesterday, and had a long interview with him. It wee
strictly private, however, but it is known that the executive
pve no positive answer to the proposition submitted to
him by the corm botioriera
The *NW calamities' of congress on the crisis will ac-
complish nothing. The senate conuuittee met yesterday,
and, attar vo►ing down all the propositions before it, agreed
to report to the Senate on Monday that they could agree
upon no beak of adjustment for existing difficulties. The
house comibittee were alas in sassier, but accouiphshed
nothing. Representative" of fourteen border states held a
caucus, at which several proposition having is view a
settlement of the pending difficulties were presented and
referred to a coiumittee.
The New York Times of thu 29th says :

The news from Charleston continue* to be of an exciting
diameter, and indicates a determination on the part of the
Swath euphuism te precipitate a direct collision with the
federal government ; in fact, they have already gone so far
as to place themselves in an attitude of rebellion. The
Palmetto flag was raised on Thurday afternoon on
the Custom-house and Poet-office, and in the even-
ing it was displayed on Castle Pinclimey and Fort
Moultrie, lately evacuated by Major Anderson and
his command. These two fortresses were occupied by
the state troops, under the instructions of Governor
Pickens. They found in them only twelve men be-
, longing to the government forces, who of course
quietly surrendered. This is the account telegraphed
from Charleston; but as the telegraph-office there is
understood to be under control of the Charlestonians, who
will not permit any matter to be telegraphed which does
not suit them, it may or may not be the exact truth. What
Governor Pickens proposes to gain by his descent upon the
dismantled fortress on Sullivan's Island does not clearly
Anwar, as the ordnance in it was rendered useless by
Major Anderson, and the gone of Fort Sumter command it
in the most complete manner. The action of Major Ander-
son in evacuating Fort Moultrie continued to be the ex-
citing topic in Washington yesterday, and the excitement
received fresh impetus on the announcement that
the South Carolinians had taken possession. The
first information of these matters was communicated
to the President and cabinet by the commissioners

from the Palmetto state; who it is understood expreieed
great indignation at the act of Major Anderson, iu view of
the alleged stipulation on the part of the administnition,
that the garrisons iu Charleston harbour should not be aug-
mented, nor the military characters of the posts changed.
The President thereupon assured the commissioners that
Major Anderson had acted entirely upon his own responsi-
bility, whereupon they demanded that he should be ordered
back to Fort Moultrie. This demand was the subject of
serious consideration in the cabinet up to a late hour last

night, at which time no conclusion had been amved at.
In case this modest demand is not complied with, it is
alleged that the gentlemen making it have expressod the
determination to close the door to further negotiation, and
to retuin immediately home. There appears to be some
doubt, bower, as to whether Major Anderson did or did
Dot act upon his own volition, notwithatsuiding the allege.

tious of the President. Our correspondent intimates that
he may have proceeded upon private instructions from Mr.
Buchanan, and this view is borne out by the assurances given
by him to Mrs. Anderson, that her husband should come to
no harm. Whatever may be the truth in regard to the
meter, the movement of Major Anderson it generally com-
mended. Meantime the hope that a compromise of the
ditiickilties existing in the Union may be effected grows
strong every day. The house committee of 33 had a long
session yesterday, at which the members from the North
and South exchanged views and opinions in the most
friendly manner. The territorial compromise, before
alluded to, did not come up, but instead Mr. Adams, of
bhumachusetts, proposed a resolution declaring it expe-
dient to amend the constitution, so that no future
amendments in regard to slavery can be made,
excepting at the request of • slave state. This
proposition, it is understood, while it is considered
unnecessary by some of the republicans, is generally at.
ceptable to the Southern member+, Mr. Cobb, of Alsbarna,
and others openly endorsing it, and expressing the belief
that en amicable arrangement can now be made. The
Senate Committee have come to the conclusion that it is
treeless for them to make any further attempts to rime,
and held their last meeting yesterday. The Border State
Congressmen, to the number of 73, suet in caucus last night,
presided over by Senator Crittenden, and various proposi-
tions for adjustment were advanced. These propositions,
which were debated in a conciliatory spirit, were all finally
referred to • committee of one from each of the frontier
state* represented, to report at a meeting to be called when
they shall have agreed upon a plan conjointly.

The following i. a Washington despatch to the
New York Herald :

WAMMINCTON, Dec. 28.

The news of the capture of Fort Moultrie and Qutle
Pinckney reached the administration while in cabinet meet-
ing totlay.

_ .
The commissioners from South Carolina had a conference
with the harm:lent.

The commissioners demand that the troops be withdrawn
immediately, or this shall be their 44 interview, and they
will return to South Carolina sod rire!un, tir the worst.
The above statement was obt.tiaial from a source believed