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

in favour of the adoption of articles of consideration

for a provisional government.
In the seeret session, yesterday, Mr. Memminger,
to whom had been referred the resolutions of the
convention of citizenship, reported an ordinance :
" That every person residing in ' South Carolina at
the time of the secession from the United States,
whether born or resident or a naturalised citizen,
shall continue until death a citizen of South Caro-
lina, unless a foreign residence be established or
notice of intention be given of expatriation ; also,
that all free whites born within the territory of the
state, or those born outside the territory whose
father was then a citizen, shall be deemed citizens;
also persons from any one of the United States, who,
within twelve months from the secession of this
state, shall reside within its territory, with the
intention of remaining, shall, upon taking the oath
of allegiance, be declared a citizen ; also, that
citizens of other states, coming here after the expi-
ration of a year from the date of secession, and
actually residing seven months, with the intention
of remaining, shall become citizens upon taking
the oath of allegiance; also, all free whites enter-
ing the military, naval, or civil service of the state,
shall become citizens upon taking the oath of
allegiance."

-
PROCLAMATION OF THE GOVERNOR.
Governor Pickens, of South Carolina, has issued
the following proclamation:—
"Executive Department, Charleston, S.C.,
December 24, 1860.
"By his Excellency Francis W. Pickens, Governor
and Commander-in-Chief in and over the State of

South Carolina :
" Whereas, the good people of this state, in con-
vention assembled, by an ordinance unanimously
adopted and ratified on the twentieth day of Decem-
ber, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and sixty, repealed an ordinance of
the people of this state, adopted on the twenty-
third day of May, in the year of our Lord one
thousand seven hundred and eighty-eight, and
have thereby dissolved the union between the state
of South Carolina and other states, under the name
of the United States of America.
"I, therefore, as Governor and Commander-in-
Chief in and over the state of South Carolina, by
virtue of authority in me vested, do hereby proclaim
to the world that this state is, as she has a right to
be, a separate, sovereign, free, and independent
state ; and, as such, has a right to levy war, con-
clude peace, negotiate treaties, leagues or covenants,
and do all acts whatsoever that rightfully apper-
tain to a free and independent state.
" Given under my hand and the seal of this state,
at Charleston, this twenty-fourth day of December,
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hun-
dred and sixty, and in the eighty-fifth year of the
sovereignty and independence of South Carolina.
" F. W. PICKENS."

The Charleston .Mercury thus describes the
scenes attending the signing of the Secession
Ordinance :

" The scene was one profoundly grand and im-
pressive. There were a people assembled through
their highest representatives—men most of them
upon whose heads the snow of 60 winters had been
shed—patriarchs in age—the dignataries of the
land—the high priests of the church of Christ—
reverend statesmen—and the wise judges of the
law. In the midst of deep silence an old man,
with bowed form and hair as white as snow, the
Rev. Dr. Bachman, advanced forward, with up-
raised hands, in prayer to Almighty God, for his
blessing and favour in this good act of his people
about to be consummated. The whole assembly at
once rose to their feet, and, with hats off, listened
to the touching and eloquent appeal to the All
Wise Dispenser of events.
" At the close of the prayer, the President ad-
vanced with the consecrated parchment upon which
was inscribed the decision of the state, with the
great seal attached. Slowly and solemnly it was
read unto the last word—' dissolved;' when men
could contain themselves no longer, and a shout
that shook the very building, reverberating, long
continued, rose to heaven, and ceased only with the
loss of breath. In proud, grave silence the conven-
tion itself awaited the end with beating hearts.
"The members of the convention then advanced
one by one, and placed their signatures to the
ordinance, after which, amidst the most tumultuous
applause, the President proclaimed the State of
South Carolina a separate, independent nationality."
The Palmetto flag was raised early yesterday
afternoon over the Custom-house and Post-office.
At five o'clock last evening the Palmetto flag
was raised at Castle Pinckney.
A large military force went over last night and
took possession of Fort Moultrie.
Captain Humphreys still holds possession of the
Arsenal.
Castle Pinckney and Fort Moultrie are occupied
by the State troops, under the instructions of the
Governor of the State to hold peaceable possession
of these forts, and for the purpose of protecting the
Government property.
Castle Pinckney and Fort Moultrie were held by
about 12 men, who peaceably surrendered. There
was no collision. None was anticipated when the
troops left the city to garrison these forts. The
excitement is subsiding.
The .New York Times of the 29th says :--
The news from Charleston continues to be of an
exciting character, and indicates a determination
on the part of the South Carolinians to 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 Thursday afternoon on the
Custom-house and Post office, and in the evening it
was displayed on Castle Pinckney anal. Fort Moul-
trie, lately evacuated by Major Anderson and his
command. These two fortresses were occupied by
< the State troops, under the instructions of Gover-
nor Pickens. They found in them only 12 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 Charlesto-
nians, who will not permit any matter to be tele-
graphed 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 appear,
as the ordnance in it was rendered useless by Major
Anderson, and the guns of Fort Sumpter command
it in the most complete manner. The action of
Major Anderson in evacuating Moultrie continued
to be the exciting 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 expressed great indignation at
the act of Major Anderson, in view of the alleged
stipulation on behalf of the administration, that the
garrisons in Charleston harbour should not be aug-
mented, nor the military characters of the post
changed. The President thereupon assured the
commissioners that Major Anderson had acted
entirely upon his own responsibility, 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 arrived at. In case this modest demand is
not complied with, it is alleged that the gentlemen
making it have expressed the determination to
close the door to further negotiation, and return
immediately home. There appears to be some
doubt, however, as to whether Major Anderson did
or did not act upon his own volition, notwithstand-
ing the allegations of the President. Our corre-
spondent 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 matter, the movement of Major
Anderson is generally commended. Meantime the
hope that a compromise of the difficulties 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 Massachusetts, proposed a resolution
declaring it expedient to amend the constitution, so
that no future amendments in regard to slavery san
be made, excepting
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generally acceptable to
Cobb, of Alabama, and others openly endorsing it,
and expressing the bade.
belief that an amicable arrange-
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