The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-12-15
ITEMS FROM THE WASHINGTON LETTE

ITEMS FROM THE WASHINGTON LETTERS.
We take the following from the special dispatches
TO the New York and Philadelphia journals:
Secessionists and antsecessionists have been in
great excitement over the news which has leaked
out from the Capitol day, concerning the requi.
sition of Major Anderson commander at Fort Moul-
trie, for more men and ammunition, and the action
of the Cabinet thereupOn.
1t is stated, on authority which think is not to
be disputed that Major Anderson has decided upon
the necessity for a reinforcement to his command
and his supplies not because he believed the danger
of attack upon Fort M0ultrie by the South Ca
rolina forces to be Immediately Y imminent, for the
assurances of leading secessionsts have been re-
ceived that there will not be crisis of this sort pre-
cipitated; but because, when the secession ord-
nance is passed, it doubtless will be in the early
days of the convention, there is security that
Charleston mob will not make desperate on
slaught upon the nearest Federal possessions. And
ifthe men at Fort Moultrie and Fort Sumpter are
to fight, they are too few and their ammunition too
scanty.
But whatever may be the grounds of his demand,
there is no doubt that it has been made.
The question of acceding to Major Anderson's
request has been up before the Cabinet and it was
decided not to grant it.
Secretary Cass, it is asserted strongly urged the
propriety and necessity of the opposite course
Either Major Anderson was justified in making the
requisitiOn not. If Justified his request should
be granted at once. Ifnot then he is incompetent
to ill his place, and it should be supplied by some
one who would not make a dangerous demand in
troubOus times. So long he is in authority, the
means of asserting his authority should be conceded
to him.
In spite Of these arguments, which are unan-
swerable, the Cabinet refused to send any more
men ammunition to Fort Moultrie, and there the
matter stands.
There are really but So men in garrison at Fort
Moultrie They are well drilled, and Col Ander-
is determined not to surrender, though the Ad-
ministratiOn seems willing to sacrifice him, from
fear of sending reintorcements.
The South Carolina delegation are unanimous
against any attempt to interfere with the collection
Of revenue or the federal property in the State,
until every attempt at negotiation with the GenGr-
al Government shall have been exhausted. No ad-
dtiona force is to be emnoyed on any of the forts
in the neighborhood of Charleston. Capt. Foster,
the engineer in charge, is merely carrying on the
work which he commenced last September. There
have been no new movements.
4 gentleman arrived this evening from the bor-
der counties of Virginia, reports the secession feel
ing to have spread with amazing and alarming ra-
pdity in that region within the past week. As the
period of the meeting Of the Conventions of the
other Southern States approaches the Nireinians
feel that their own State pride. and their devotion
to Southern interests, demand that they should af
fate with their Southern brethren, even to the
extent of revolution and armed resistance.
1t is too late to inquire, said distinguished gem
tleman from the South to-day, whether the North
or the South hlarnn hnt If is rs clear as light
that the North alone can now arrest the ruin that
impends.
1t is understood Kansas will be admitted next
week, the Democrats not designing nor desiring to
interfere with the wishes of the Republicans.
1t appears very certain that the Morrill, Tariff
bill will not pass without several very important
notifications. The Democratic Senators and
Representatives from Pennsylvania contend that
Lincoln carried that State on the cry Of "Protec-
tom aOne-that the question of slavery never, to
any extent, entered into the canvass. They assure
Southern members that il the issue TO be tried
in Pennsylvania tomorrow, for or against slavery
and the constitutional rights of the South it would
be decided in the affirmative by vote Of three to
one.
Mr.. Thomas entered upon the duties of Secre-
tary of the Treasury to-day. He is far aber than
Mr.. Cobb and his experience as Collector Of Balti-
more gives him useful qualifications. Personally,
he is quite acceptable, and greatly esteemed