Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-12-24
T'he Republicans Defiant.
HIDNIGHT CABINET MEETINGS.
SERENADE-START RUMORS, DC

THE GAzETTE's SPECIAL DISPATCH.
WASHINGTON, December 23.-Hon. Jacob
Thompson, Secretary CT the Interior, has re-
turned to the city after a visit Of Il few days
to North Carolina. .a
Information having been received to the
effect that despatch had been published,
which stated that Fort Moultre would be
surrendered if attacked, and that Major An
derson had received crde~s to that effect, it
has been deemed necessary by the Secretary
OF War to o3fcioiiy contradict the state
ment.
1t is stated that the President will, on Mon
day, send 80 Congress special message with
reference to the formal secession Of South
Carolina. Special messerge gers were despatch
ed Charleston, yesterday, with, ii is sup
posed, instructions to the Collector and Post
master Of the city, and also to Maj. Ander-
son, the commander of Fort MGultrie.
II is said that, with The single exception
OF Mr. Corwin, Of Ohio, the Republican mem
bcrs of the House Committee Of Thirty -threc
are opposed to any amendment of the Con-
5titution The Republican members Of the
Senate's Committee of Thirteen are under
stood 10 take the same ground, and to be
resolved to adhere to it.
The Committee of Thirty-thrac are moving
slow y. Efforts are nov making to induce
them to adopt the proposition, sai.! 10 have
been made by Mr. H. Winter Davis, viz: to
Admit both Kansas and New Mexico, as
States, at once-aud this, with the repeal of
"personal Liberty Bills" and the proper
amendment of the Fugitive Slave Law, al
really accepted, will remove all the points Of
difference aud complaint.
Governor Dcnnson, 0f Ohio, has arrived
at this capital, and is preparing To defend
himself and his State in the suit brnught
against then: by Governor Magofin, for re-
tusing to surrender a fugitive in January
last. the trial will excite considerable in
terest, and involve grave constitutional CUES
tiona.
In tie House Committee Of Thirty-three Oh
Thursday last it was proposed by a conserya-
tive nembrr that on the next day, Friday, a
vote should he taken as to whether Slavery
was recognized as property Or nOt ny the
whole COmmittee-iu IL not Sc considered
there would he nc further use Or benefit
in the Southern members remaining in rhc
Committee The Northern members STAYED
III The vote until the adjournment of the
committee.
Since notice has been received here Of
Lincoln's dctiau5 position, the Republican
mem bcrs have assumed :. resolnte air and
in the Cnmmilyce Of Thirteen, their conduc:
was aimuSt unbe"ralie.
Last night, Senator Pugh, Of Ohio, was
serana,led by :. number of his friends, and
acknowledges! the compliment in a hand
some specnil Messrs. CrittcnGcn, Of Ky.
and Ealauaj1 h..m. being called ont, resppn-
ded briefly, ia the course OF wh;ah, Mr. {.
said: ''Ucntte.nen have been in public life
ior forty years, have seen the country enter
pass and emerge from many Il struggle, but
this is tie BLACKLIST day have ever seen III
the conmittee / marked sensation WAS pro-
ducod by the Senator'S speech.
Much iataYaSt is manifested about The aa-
Iicipatei arrival Of thc South CaraIin" Conn
:nisS;oners rewards the end ot this week.
4. H.! o'clock, last night, the Cabinet
was called together It's proceedings have
net been made: rn!;!i,:, hu. it is ru'n1red
that Gov. pickens had teIegraphed to the
President that II revenue Cutter bad enter
ed Charleston i!a,hnr, an,t that nnicss size
w#% ordered away at once, the ferris would
bc taken.