Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1860-12-14
Washington News.

We COPY the following items from tho
Washington correspondence of the New
York Times:
The Select Committee on the Perilous
Condition of the country was announced
to-day, and will 90 to work and report
each proposition separately, as agreed on,
beginning with that OF fugitive slaves
This, it is believed, will strengthen the
conservative party in the Gulf States, and
prevent separate secession.
The Republicans are alive to the dam
gers threatening the country. Sherman,
Foster, and other leaders, say they will
make every effort to save the Union.
The announcement of Southern mer-
chants that they will rot repudiate their
debts, is having a good financial effect
and acts fayorably for them.
The Post office Department gent out
yesterday blanks sufficient to supply the
Charleston Postmaster until July next
They were sent in response to his order.
The adjournment of the Senate and
House until Monday, it is thought by eau
tious men, will act favorably to the Union
cause as an exciting discussion will be sus-
pended and time gained.
Mr. Etheridge of Tennessee declared
that pcaccable secession is utterly imposs-
ible, and out of the question, which SUBJ
stantiates Senator Hale's position.
The Southern Senators will hold Con.
vention some time this week, and Mr..
! Crittendon will make, he says, great and
last effort t. save the Union.
The Territorial Committee will soon
take into consideration the best method Of
settling the pending Territorial bills.
Senator lyerson was severely reproved
to-day, personally, by Messrs. Crittenden,
Douglas, Hunter and Humphrey Marshall,
for his ill.adyised speech of yesterday.
Mr.. Stephens of Georgia has written
letter to a friend here, urging calmness,
aud delay in the secession moyement-dc-
prccating it, and urging a reconciliation
and continuance in the Union. Bonham
Of South Carolina declined to appear intho
Committee ON Military affairs to-day, and
will resign his position on the Committee
the first eli next week. So he declared to
day.
Mr., Crawford of Georgia says that the
secession of Georgia is beyond prevent
ion. \ telogram from Mr.. Stephens to-
night reaiiims the same declaration, Ho
gives up all hopes Of the Union.
Much trouble has arisen from the ina.
bility Of thc Treasury to meet obligations
Of Il petty character. Some members
have been paid only in part; others in
full. Washburn Of Illinois attempted to
get his money to-day and was refused
He said he would send the Speakers GER
titicatc to a notary and protest the Treas
ury. They then paid the fall amount,
seventeen hundred dollars, to save the
Treasury from protest The same course
will be pursued by other mcmbers.-
There Is money enough to pay them ALL
1t is reported that partiality has been
shown in this matter The Treasury was
never in so bad condition before. The
simplest calls are repudiated. Secretary
Cobb is not to be found to-day. He eth
er has resigned or seeretes himself to es-.
cape annoyance. 1t is stated tonight
that he has resigned, and the statement
is contradicted. Both statements are
from high sources,
The revenue has heoa greatly diminish
cd by the political excitement and the iis
nancial panic, 1t is several hundred
thousand dollars less this week than the
last, at time when ii should he greater,
Parties holding large claims against the
government offer to take pay in government
stocks and securities; but Mr.. Cobb will
not issue any, nor authoriso their issue
The finances are growing worse every