The Sun.
London, England, 1861-04-29 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, APRIL 29, 1861.

AMERICA.

PROCLAMATION OF iVAR BY PRESIDENT

LINCOLN.

SOUTHAMPTON, APRIL 28.

The Hamburg-American Company's steamship
Borussia, Captain H. N. Trautmann, arrived off
Cowes during the night, and has gone on to Ham-
burg, with advices of the 15th inst. from New York.
She had easterly winds during the first three and
the last five days of the voyage, and in the interim
the winds were favourable. The Borussia has brought
12 passengers for this port, 120 passengers and a
large cargo of tobacco, cotton, and general mer-
chandise for Hamburg.
During the voyage the Borussia spoke the follow-
ing vessels:—April 17, in lat. 41 25 N., long. 64
W., the American ship Emerald, steering east ; 21st,
lat. 47 48 N., long. 41 W., the English bark, Caraia,
steering west ; 28th, lat. 49 43 N., long. 10 10 W.,
the English ship Stadvianga, from Poole ; same day,
long. 9 30 W., the French ship Arethusa, steering
east ; same day, long. 8 30 W., the Norwegian bark
Tremont, from Plymouth ; 27th, off the Lizard, an
English ship, showing 3d distinguishing pendant
No. 6,950, dismasted, with jurymasts up.
Advices by the Borussia are one day later than
those brought by the New York. They contain
news of the highest importance from Washington.
President Lincoln had issued a proclamation calling
for 75,000 men to take the field immediately, whose
first duty would be to retake the focts and public
property seized by the Secessionists. The New _York
Herald states that the quota of troops required from
the State of New York is 13,000. The proclamation,
a copy of which I subjoin, also convenes an extraor-
dinary Session of Congress for the 4th of July
By THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
" A PROCLAMATION.
g, Whereas the laws of the United States have
been for some time past, and now are, opposed, and
the execution thereof obstructed, in the States of
South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Missis-
sippi, Louisiana, and Texas by combinations too
powerful to be suppressed by the ordinary course of
Mjdicial proceedings, or by the powers vested in the
arshals by law ; therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln,
President of the United States, in virtue of the
power in me vested by the Constitution and the laws,
have thought fit to call forth, and do hereby call
forth, the militia of the several States of the Union,
to the aggregate number of 75,000, in order to sup-
press said combinations and to cause the laws to be
duly executed.

"The details for this object will be immediately
communicated to the State authorities through the
War Department. I appeal to all loyal citizens to
favour, facilitate, and aid this effort to maintain the
power, the integrity, and the existence of our na-
tional Union and the perpetuity of popular govern-
ment, and to redress wrongs long enough endured.
I deem it proper to sayithat the first service assigned
to the forces hereby called forth will probably be
to repossess the forts, places, and property which
have been seized from the Union; and in every
event the utmost care will be observed, consistently
with the objects aforesaid, to avoid any devastation,
any destruction of or interference with property,
or any disturbance of peaceful citizens in any part
of the country; and I hereby command the persons
composing the combinations aforesaid to disperse
and retire peaceably to their respective abodes
within 20 days from this date.
" Believing that the preseLt condition of public
affairs presents au extraordinary occasion, I do
hereby, in virtue of the power in me vested by the
Constitution, convene both Houses of Congress.
The Senators and Representatives are therefore
summoned to assemble at their respective Chambers
at 12 o'clock, noon, on Thursday, the 4th day of
July next, then and there to consider and determine
such measures as, in their wisdom, the public safety
and interest may seem to demand.
"In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my
hand and caused the seal of the United States to be
affixed.

" Done at the city of Washington this 15th day
of April, in the year of our Lord 1861, and of the
Independence of the United States the 85th.
" ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
_ _ _

" By the President,
" WM. H. SE WARD, Secretary of State."

Lt was stated from Albany that Governor Morgan
was about to issue a call for 25,000 men for the
assistance of the Federal Government.
A private letter from Governor Curtin, of Penn-
sylvania, to a prominent citizen of New York, states
that lie could have 100,000 Pennsylvanians in
"Washington within 48 hours, if required.

The following despatches from Charleston give
interesting details of the bombardment and surren-
der of Fort Sumter, and the arrangements for the
departure of Major Anderson and his troops :
"Charleston, April 13, Evening.
"Major Anderson has surrendered, after hard
fighting, commencing at half-past 4 o'clock yester-
day morning, and continuing until five minutes to
1 to-day.
" The American flag has given place to the pal-
metto of South Carolina.

" You have received my previous despatches con-
cerning the fire and the shooting away of the flag-
staff. The latter event is due to Fort Moultrie, as
well as the burning of the fort, which resulted from
one of the hot shots fired in the morning.
" During the conflagration General Beauregard
sent a boat to Major Anderson, with offers of assis-
tance, the bearers being Colonels W. P. Miles and
Roger Pryor, of Virginia, and Lee. But before it
reached him a flag of truce had been raised. An-
other beat then put off, containing ex-Governor
Manning, Major 1). 11. Jones, and Colonel Charles
Allston, to arrange the terms of surrender, which
were the same as those offered on the 11th instant.
These were official. They stated that ail the proper
facilities would be afforded for the removal of Major
Anderson and his command, together with the com-
pany arms and property, and all private property,
to any post in the United States he might elect.
The terms were not, therefore, unconditional.
" Major Anderson stated that he surrendered his
sword to General Beauregard as the
representative
of the Confederate Government. Gen. Beauregard
said he would not receive it from so brave a man.
He says Major Anderson made a staunch fight, and
elevated himself in the estimation ;of every true
Carolinian.

"During the fire, when Major Anderson's flag-
staff was shot away, a boat put off from Morris
Island, carrying another American flag for him to
fight under—a noteworthy instance of the honour
and chivalry of the South Carolina seceders, and
their admiration for a brave man.

"The scene in the city after the', raising of the
flag of truce and the surrender 1w indescribable ;
the people were perfectly wild. Men on horseback
rode through the streets, proclaiining the news
amid the greatest enthusiasm.
" On the ,arrival of the officers from the fort they
were marched through the streets, followed by an
immense crowd, hurrahing, shouting, and yelling
with excitement.

" Several fire companies were immediately sent
down to Fort Sumter to put out the fire, and any
amount of assistance was offered.

"A regiment of 800 men has just arrived from
the interior, and has been ordered to Morris Island,
in view of an attack from the fleet, which may be
attempted to-night.
" Six vessels are reported off the bar, but the
utmost indignation is expressed against them for
not coming to the assistance of Major Anderson
when he made signals of distress.
" The soldiers on Morris Island jumped on the
guns every shot they received from Sumter, while
thus disabled, and gave three cheers for Major
Anderson and groans for the fleet.
" Colonel Lucas, of the Governor's Staff, has just
returned from Fort Sumter, and says Major Ander-
son told him he had pleasanter recollections of Fort
Moultrie than Fort Sumter. Only five men were
wounded, one seriously.
"The flames have destroyed everything. Both
officers and soldiers were obliged to lie on their
faces in the casemates to prevent suffocation.
" The explosions heard in the city were from
small piles of shell, which ignited from the heat.

" Tlie effect of the shot upon the fort was tre-
mendous. The walls were battered in hundreds of
Plate,4, but no breach was made.
t :jor Anderson expresses himself much pleased
pr_v, ,:titives have been sacrificed, anti says that to
vi:toi;l__. e,).lalono is to be attributed the bloodless
ri Ins:Yanl
fire
the firing of the Caroli-
lying arounit° large number of exploded shells
4, The nutn'otatrteits their effectiveness.
of soldiers in the fort was about 70,
besides 25
woriinstock of provisionr' NV"
insisted at the guns. His
almost exhaissted, however.
fie would have beer,,,to
the
out in two more days.
$‘ The en t._ rarce
cataurit is. mined, and the offi
cers were told to be
squadron, dor, on account of the heat, alter the stirrer'.
it. should explode.
" A boat l'l.Jui the
has arrived at Morris Island, tNivealtrt a flag of truce,
be allowed to COlllO and take Majourlg. a request to
dersou and
his forces. Ail answ'e'r will be givel it
1 to-morrow at
9 o'clock.
The public fueling against the ileet is
strong, it being regarded as cowardly to m az Tell'
o not
even an attempt to aid a fellow officer.
" Had the surrender not taken place, Fort Sura..

ter would have been stormed to-night. The men '
are crazy for a fight.
" The bells have been chiming all day, guns firing,
ladies waving handkerchiefs, people cheering, and
citizenimaking themselves generally demonstrative.
It is regarded as the greatest day in the history of
South Carolina."

" Charleston, April 14.
" The last act in the drama of Fort Sumter has
been concluded. Major Anderson has evacuated,
and, with his command, departed by the steamer
Isabel from the harbour. He saluted his flag, and
the company then forming on the parade ground
marched out upon the wharf, with drum and fife
playing' Yankee Doodle.'
" During the salute a pile of cartridges burst in
one of the casemates, killing two men and wound-
ing four others. One was buried in the fort with
military honours ' • the other will be buried by the
soldiers of South Carolina,
" The wounded men were brought to the city,
where they are receiving the best surgical atten-
tion. The others went in the steamer.
" It is not definitely known whether Major Ander-
son will go to New York in the Isabel or in a man-
of-war ; but it is supposed the former, as he is said
to :be highly incensed against the United States
officers for not coming to his assistance during the
fire, in response to frequent signals of distress.
The Isabel was furnished him at his own request.
The people are equally indignant here, and say
it is the most cowardly act ever perpetrated. They
might have even made the attempt to aid him.
"In contrast with this, an old slave passed through
the hottest fire, with a sloop load of wood, on Friday
evening, and came safely to the city. Somebody
told him he would be killed in the attempt. Cant
help dat,' said he, ' must go to de town to-night. If
anybody hurt dis chile or dis boat, massa see him
about it, shuah.' His sloop received four shots.
" It is reported here that Major Anderson sent in
his resignation, to take effect on the inauguration
of the Lincoln Government, but no notice was taken
of it.

"The news received from Washington to-night
states that Major Anderson strongly expected trea-
chery. The idea is preposterous.
" The fort is burnt into a mere shell, not a particle
of woodwork can be found. The guns on one side of
the parapet are entirely dismounted, others split,
while the gun carriages are knocked into splinters,
" Major Anderson says the accuracy of the firing
surprised him, and if he had had 200 more men one
half would have been killed for want of suitable
protection.
" When Col. Chesnut, aid of Gen. Beauregard,
went to offer assistance, after the fire, he says the
fort was like an oven, and he could hardly breathe.
It was so hot that Major Anderson received him in
one of the casemates. Inquiry being made how many
were killed, he said, None. How many on your
side ?" None,' was the response. ' Thank God,' re-
plied Major Anderson, there has been a higher
Power over us.'
" Major Anderson says it is preposterous to fight
such a people. One of the officers in the fort re-
marked that they endeavoured not to fire on exposed
individuals. Yes,' said Major Anderson, I gave
orders not to sight men, but to silence batteries.'
" Both men and officers were begrimed with
smoke and powder.

" The batteries which have.done the most mis-
chief are the Dahlgren battery, Stevens's battery,
and the rifle cannon.
" The fort was set on fire three times with hot
shot on Friday, but was extinguished. On Satur-
day it was again in flames and then beyond con-
trol. After the fi:•e ceased the Surgeon-General of
the State troops went down and offered his per-
sonal services to aid the wounded.

"As regard.; harbour defence the fort is just as
good as ever. The casernates are perfect, the guns
there in prime condition, and bear on both sides.
" Major Anderson was obliged to throw overboard
a large quantity of powder to prevent explosion,
and it was floating around the fort to-day.
" One of the aids carried brandy to Major An-
derson in a boat after the fire, and the latter said
it was very acceptable, as the men were completely
exhausted by their labours. I mention this to show
the kind and chivalrous relations between the
officers.

' Before going into action Major Anderson sent
word by an aid of General Beauregard to the Go-
vernor, thanking him for kind attentions during
the past two mor.ths, and very solemnly said
Farewell, gentlemen. If we do not meet again
here, I hope we shall meet in a better world.'
" Just before the demand for the evacuation he
received a letter from his wife, informing him of
the Herald reports that the demand would be made.
He was much surprised ; but more so when the fact
was verified three minutes afterwards.

• " The fort has been garrisoned by the Palmetto
Guards, and put under command of Lieut.-Colonel
Ripley, who commanded Fort Moultrie after the
departure of Major Anderson.
" The Major's feelings were spared in every re-
spect, and no person, except authorised aids, allowed
inside. The harbour is full of boats around the
fort. But no parties without business are permitted
I to land.

" Special despatches to-night state that Mr.
Lincoln has called for 7,5,000 volunteers. The people
think there is a great deal of bluff about it.
" The city is resuming its usual quiet. Every-
body is exchanging congratulations over the suc-
cessful termination of the fight ; but the soldiers are
itching for a hand-to-hand brush.
" The Confederate flag and the Palmetto flag were
hoisted on separate spars simultaneously.
" It is believed that a blockade has been finally
established.

" LATER.

" The fire has broken out afresh in the ruins of
the fort. Two engines have gone down to operate,
and, if necessary, flood the magazine.

" ANOTHER ACCOUNT.

" Charles',on, April 13.
" Hostilities have for the present ceased, and the
victory belongs to South Carolina. With the dis-
play of the flag of truce on the ramparts of Sumter
at half-past one o'clock the firing ceased, and an
unconditional surrender was made.

" The Carolinians had no idea that the fight was
at an end so soon.

" After the flagstaff of Anderson was shot away
Colonel Wigfall, aid to General Beauregard, at his
commander's request, went to Sumter with a white
flag to offer assistance in extinguishing the flames.
He approached the burning fortress from Morris
'lsland, and while the firing was raging-on all sides
effected a landing at Sumter. He approached a
porthole and was met by Major Anderson.
" The commandant of Fort Sumter said he had
just displayed a white flag, but the firing from the
Carolina batteries was kept up nevertheless.
" Colonel Wigfall replied that Major Anderson
must haul down the American flag; that no parley
would be granted. Surrender or fight was the word.
" Major. Anderson then hauled down his flag and
displayed only that of truce.
" All firing instantly ceased, and two other of
General Beauregard's staff —ex-Senator Chesnut
and ex-Governor Manning—came over in a boat
and stipulated with the Major that his surrender
should be unconditional for the present, subject to
the terms of General Beauregard.
"Major Anderson was allowed .to remain with
his men in actual possession of the fort, while
Messrs. Chesnut and Manning came over to the
city, accompanied with a member of the Palmetto
Guard, bearing the colours of his company. These
were met at the pier by hundreds of citizens, and
as they marched up the street to the General's
quarters the crowd was swelled •to thousands.
Shouts rent the air, and the wildest joy was mani-
fested on account of the welcome tidings.
" After the surrender a boat with an officer and
10 ment was sent from one of the four ships in the
offing to Gen, Simons, commanding on Morris
Island, with a request hat a merchant ship or one
of the vessels of the United States be allowed to
enter and take off the commander and garrison at
Fort Sumter.

" General Simons replied that if no hostilities
were attempted during the night, and no effort was
made to reinforce or retake Fort Sumter he would
give an answer at 9 o'clock on Sunday morning.
" The officer signified that he was satisfied with
this, and returned. This correspondent accompanied
the officers of Gen. Beauregard's staff on a visit to
Fort Sumter. None but the officers were allowed
to land, however. They went down in a steamer
and carried three fire engines for the purpose of
putting out the flames. The fire, however, had been
previously extinguished by the exertions of Major
Anderson and his men.

" The visitors reported that Major Anderson sur-
rendered because his quarters and; barracks were
destroyed, and he had no hope of reinforcements.
The fleet lay idly by during the 30 hours of the
bombardment, and either Gould not or would not
help him ; besides, his men were prostrate from
over exertion.

"'There were but five of them hurt, four badly,
and one, it is thought, mortally, but the rest were
worn out.

" The explosions that were heard and seen from
the city in the morning were caused by the burst-
ing of loaded shells. These were ignited by the
fire, and could not be removed quickly enough.
The fire in the barracks was caused by the quan-
tities of hot shot poured in from Fort Moultrie.
Within Fort Sumter everything but the casemates
is. an utter ruin. The whole thing looks like a
blackened mass of ruins. Many of the guns are
dismounfed. The side opposite the iron battery of
Cummings Point is the hardest dealt with. The
rifled cannon from this place played great havoc
with Fort Sumter. The wall looks like a honey-
comb. Near the top is a breach as big as a cart.

The side opposite— Fort Moultrie is honeycombed
extensively, as is that opposite the floating battery.
" Fort Moultrie is badly damaged. The officers'
quarters and barracks are torn to pieces. The
frame houses on the island are riddled with shot in
many instances, and whole sides of houses are torn
out.

" The fire in Fort Sumter was put out and re-
caught three times during the day.
" Dr. Crawford, Major Anderson's surgeon, is
slightly wounded in the face. None of the Caro-
linians are injured.
" Major Anderson and all his men are yet in
Fort Sumter. I approached near enough to the
wall to see him bid adieu. In addition to this,
conversations were had which have been repeated
to me,

" A boat was sent from the fort to-night to
officially notify fleet at the bar that Major Ander-
son had surrendered.
" It is not known when the Carolinians will oc-
cupy Fort Sumter, or what is to be done with the
vanquished.
" Every one is satisfied with the victory, and
happy that no blood was shed.
" In the city, after the surrender, bells were rung
and cannon fired.

" April 14.
" The steamer Isabel is now steaming up, and
will take General Beauregard to Sumter, which will
be turned over by Major Anderson to the Confe-
derate States. Major Anderson and his command,
it is reported, will proceed to New York in the
Isabel.

" P.M.
" Major Anderson and his men leave to-night in
the steamer Isabel, at 11 o'clock, for New York.
" It was a thrilling scene when Major Anderson
and his men took their formal leave of Fort Sumter."

Under tha heading, " Nobody killed at Charles-
ton," the New York Herald has the following re-
marks on a circumstance that has excited the atten-
tion of most persons in this country since the re-
ceipt of the intelligence, as it seems to have done
also on the other side of the Atlantic :
A great deal of surprise is manifested in all quarters at
the fact that no one was killed on either side during 30
hours' bombardment of Fort Eumter, and the surprise is all
the greater because it is alleged that the firing from all the
batteries was excellent from the beginning to the end of
the conflict. The guns on Fort Sumter were splendidly
fought by Anderson's men, and yet it does not appear
that any of the Confederate troops were killed, and only
a few were wounded. But this can only be accounted
for by the superior skill and science with which
the batteries were constructed by the accomplished
officers of engineers who erected them. The defences
at FortMoultrie, Cummings Point, Morris Island, and the
iron battery were constructed with the intention that the
artillerists should not be killed at OA gnns, and it appears
that they accomplished this purpose. The experience
acquired in medern warfare, especially in the Crimea, has
rendered the effective working of batteries comparatively
safe, by the substitution of earthworks, sandbags, and iron
for the stone stockade and other defences formerly adopted.
It is therefore to science that we must attribute the
bloodless character of this terrific bombardment, and not
to want of skill in the use of the guns. The impregnabi-
lity of the defences round Charleston barb ur only shows
what protection such class of batteries could afford in case
of an invasion by a foreign power, so that, if no other good
has come of the assault on Fort Sumter, it has at least given
us a practical lesson in the efficiency of coast defences. The
fact that no life was lost in the 30 hours' heavy firing at
Charleston, however, need hardly excite much astonish-
ment, when we remember the results of the battle of New
Orleans, when, notwithstanding the terrible slaughter of
the British troops, who were exposed to the fire of Jack-
son's men, ensconced behind their cotton bale defences—a
slaughter in which the English General Pakenham was
included—only seven men were killed on the American
side, although they were opposed by skilled troops whu had
learnt experience in the wars against Napoleon.
A return has just been published of the revenue
and expense of collection in Southern ports for the
year ending June 30, 1860, as follows:

Duties Expenses of
Collected. Collecting.
Dols. Dols.
Chg.rleston, South Carolina 367,397 70,542
Savannah, Georgia
Mobile, Alabama
Vicksburgh, Mississippi
Fernandina, Florida 50,066 2,409
Pensacola, Florida .. 26,255 2,858
New Orleans, Louisiana
Galveston, Texas, 100,204 28,675
Brazos Santiago
Paso del Norto

Total .. 3,491,757 530,566
At Washington the Administration were making
active preparations for the defence of the capital.
The six steam sloops of war authorised by the last
Congress were to be put under contract without
delay. A despatch of the 14th says :

The answer of the 'President to the Virginia Commis-
sioners indicates the course of the Lincoln Government.
There i 3 no longer any doubt that the most f.'cive war mea-
sures will at once be taken to repossess all the Government
property at the South. Congress will be at once convened,
men and supplies asked for, and the whole power of the Go-
vernment will be exerted to its utmost capacity to maintain
its nationality and integrity. No means will be left untried
to inaugurate a war policy of the most gigantic proportions.
In spite of the Sabbath, thick crowds gathered to-day at
the street corners, and in front of the several hotels, and
kept up a continued and excited discussion of the events in
Charleston harbour.

About noon it became generally known that the Presi-
dent had a proclamation ready for promulgation, calling a
special Session of Congress, and making a requisition upon
the several States for 75,000 men. The feeling of oppres-
sedness under which the Unionists laboured ever since
Friday disappeared at once. Faces lighted up, and loud
expressions of gratification were heard in every direction.
The Attorney-General has decided that the President has
authority, under existing circumstances, to call upon the
States for troops without the special authority of Congress.
A special Session of Congress may be called for other pur-
poses, nevertheless.
The announcement was received as an earnest of the in-
tention of the Administration to prosecute the war opened
by the South Sarolina Secessionists with the utmost vigour,
and never stop until the revolution was fairly crushed out,
and greeted as such with the liveliest satisfaction by men of
all parties. That the North will be an unit in the support
of whatever measures the Government will now take for the
re-establishment and maintenance of its authority in the
seceded States is plainly shown in the unanimity of senti-
ment prevailing on this question among the Democratic,
'Republican, and American leaders now here.
A proclamation declaring 'Washington under martial law
is expected to be issued to-morrow. _ __ .

The requisitions upon the Governors of the several States
will be issued and sent forward to •morrow.

The quota of troops asked for from Pennyslvania is about
13,000, New York the same number, and Massachusetts
about 2,000, Maryland 3,000, and the other States in pro-
portion. The Government will accept more than the num-
ber asked for from each State if offered. There is no doubt,
from the present indications, that most of the States will
tender more troops than the Governnient want.

The War Department has been busy to-day in the pre-
paration of the details to be communicated to the State
authorities.

Efforts are still making to concentrate a formidable mili-
tary force in and around Washington, to be prepared for all
emergencies.

An additional number of Federal troops arrived to-day
by special train.

The roads and avenues leading to Washington are closely
watched. Arrangements have been made to promptly con-
centrate the military forces at any threatened point.
10,000 volunteers from Pennsylvania and New York will
be concentrated here in the course of the present week.
1,500 men are now under arms, guarding the public
buildings and every approaeh to the capital.
Governor Dennison, from Ohio, telegraphed last night,
offering 10,000 men to the President for immediate service.

Senator Sharman, and a number of other prominent
Northern men, returned home this afternoon to assist in the
organisation of the militia in their several States.

Governor Curtin, of Pennsylvania, was engaged all day
with Secretary Cameron making arrangements for the im-
mediate transfer of several Pennsylvania regiments to the
capital.

Two officers •f the New York city militia to-day an-
nounced to the President the readiness of their regiments to
respond to his call. •

Captain Newton, of Boston, Acting-Commander of the
2d Battalion Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, a very effi-
cient corps, tendered his services and his battalion to the
Presid6at yesterday.
_ _

General Lane, the newly-elected Kansas senator, speaks
of resigning and returning to Kansas to raise a regiment.
General Robinson, one of the oldest citizens of Pittsburg,
came hero yesterday, ready t• volunteer.
The President had repeated and protracted consultations
with the members of the Cabinet fo-day. He is calm and
composed, but det3rmined to put down Southern revolution
at any cost.

The military guard at the general public departments was
largely increased last night.
The war feeling is up among the Union ram of the coun-
try now here, and the city is full of Northern, Western,
and Middle States people.
A large number of military men have left for different
parts of the North for the purpose Df raising regiment 4.
Colonel Ellsworth goes immediately to Illinois for that pur-
pose.

Arrangements wilt be made immediately for the construc-
tion of the seven steam sloops of war provided for at the
last Session of Congress.

The Government is active in every department in pre-
paring for the most vigorous execution of the laws.

Three cavalry companies from Texas, and Sherman's
light battery of artillery, are expected hear to-morrow.
Addition Volunteer • companies will be mustered to-
morrow.

Five officers of the navy yesterday tendered to the Navy

Department their resignations, which were refused. Their
names will, probably, be struck from the list as dismissed,
as in the recent cases of several officers of the army under
similar circumstances.

The National Volunteers last night passed a resolution
severely denouncing the military operations of the Govern-
ment, and expressing sympathy with the Secessionists. It
is said these volunteers are several hundred strong.

Another despatch from the Federal capital, of the
same date, says ;
Information continues to be received from private sources
of secret plots in various localities in Maryland and 1 ir-
ginia, having in view the seizure of the public property and
even persons, the highest officers of the Government.
Though these accounts are not generally credited, they are
believed in official quarters, and hence the precautionary
movements. At all events they are considered necessary, no
one knowing what turn events may take during the preva-
lent excitement.

Information from what-are deemed reliable sources was
received last night to the effect that the Secessionists of
Delaware, whose head-quarters are reported to be in Vir-
ginia, were about to make a sudden attack upon Fort Dela-
ware, opposite Delaware city, for which they were prepar-
ing last month. Immediate steps were taken by the
Secretary of War to prevent the consummation of the plot.
_ _

The Virginia Commissioners returned to Richmond to-
day. They were cautious in expressing their opinions
relative to the President's reply.
Senator Douglas called on the President to-night. He
had an interesting conversation on the present condition of
the country. The substance of it was, on the part of Mr.
Douglas, that while he was unalterably opposed to the Ad-
ministration on all its political issues, he was prepared to
sustain the President in the exercise of all his constitutional
functions to preserve the Union, maintain the Government,
and defend the Federal capital. A firm policy and prompt
action were necessary. The capital of our country was in
danger, and must be protected at all hazards, at any ex-
pense of men and money. He spoke of the present and the
future, without reference to the past.
The interview of Judge Douglas with the President was
not only exceedingly gratifying to both, but is the subject
of much rejoicing by the friends of Mr. Douglas here.
Colonel Ellsworth intends to raise a regiment of picked
men in Illinois, who will be armed with an improved rifle
and sabre, and uniformed and equipped for the Zouave
drill. Every company will have one or more commissioned
and non-commissioned officers, thoroughly competent to
teach the Zouave drill, and the regiment will be hurried
through with all possible despatch. Colonel Ellsworth has
special instructions from the Government with regard to
the matter.

The news from all parts of the States gives evi-
dence of the greatest excitement everywhere, and
arming, recruiting, and other warlike preparations
were going on.

Advices from Havannah are to the 9th inst., but
they contain no news of importance. The Spanish
steam-frigate Princess of Asturias arrived on the
27th ult. from Cadiz and St. Domingo. In sugars
there is no change in quotations. No 12, 2 dols.
622 c. to 3 dols. I`hlc. Stock, 300,0b0 boxes. Mo-
lasses dull at 1,1- to 2 reals per keg. The arrival of
many vessels and the want of any action in the sugar
market have caused a decline in freights, which will
revive with a better-conditioned market. Exchange
on London, 9 to 10 premium ; New York, par to 2 ;
New Orleans, 3to 4. United states gold coins 4
premium.

THE WEST INDIA AND PACIFIC

MAILS.

SOUTHAMPTON, SUNDAY.
The Royal Mail Company's steam ship Seine,
Capt Revett, with the above mails, has arrived. She
brings 218 passengers, amongst whom are Lieut.
Governor Walker, Lady Pine, and Mr. W. L. Yan-
cey, Mr. Rost, and Mr, Fearn, commissioners from
the Southern States of America. The Seine brings
specie value 2,438,215 dols., of which 1,872,270 dols.
are from the Mexican ports.
The principal and all absorbing news from
Jamaica is the accounts of the reception of H.R.H.
Prince Alfred, who arrived on the morning of the
2d inst., and landed amidst every conceivable de-
monstration of rejoicings. The festivities and ex-
citement are described as having driven the city
prince mad, and was looked upon as one of the
greatest events iu the history of Jamaica ; but the
arrival of the Seine with the intelligence of the
death of the Duchess of Kent, suddenly put an end
to all subsequent entertainments, and the prince
privately embarked on board the Styx on the 6th,
which immediately steamed down to Port Royal.
His Royal Highness was to leave Port Royal for
Portsmouth on the 10th. De Cordova says :—There
have been but few arrivals, and stocks continue
light, and business in no way improved. Freights
—sss. for sugar, and 70s. for coffee, for London, are
the rates for charters. Exchange on London, Colo-
nial, and Jamaica banks, 90 days', per cent. pm. ;
60 days', 1 per cent. pm. ; 30 days', 11 per cent. pm.
The weather at Barbadoes has been very unfa-
vourable for sugar making since the sailing of the
last mail. The 'produce shipped to date amounted
to—Sugar, 7.212 hhds. 404 tierces 744 brls.;
molasses, 1,603 puns. 58 hhds. 369 brls. ; rum, 8
puns. 4 hhds. Fxchange on London—Bank bills
were quoted at 30 days, dols. 490 ; 60 days, dols.
4871 ; 90 days, dols. 485 ; private bills at 90 days,
dols. 580 ; bank bills on New York at 30 days, 5
per cent. prem.
The combined Court of Demerara met on the 3d.
It was agreed that applications should be made for
5,000 Indian immigrants and 3,100 Chinese for the
next session. Beyond this the business transacted
was unimportant. The Sebastopol, of Hong Kong,
had arrived with 328 Chinese immigrants ; only
three deaths occurred during the voyage. The steam
transport Avon arrived on the 24th ult. with 600 of
the Ist West India Regiment, but having scarlet
fever on board was put into quarantine for three
weeks.