The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-01-17

The news from Washington this morning is of
the highest Importance. Col. Haync, the Com.
missioner from South Carolina, was informed by
the President on Tuesday that any communication
Hayne thereupon withdrew, in order to prepare
his propositions, but up to last evening had not
sent his communication to the Executive. 1t is
known, however that Col. Haynes mission is to
demand the prompt and unconditional surrcn
der Of Fort Sumter to the South Carolina
authorities: and II is also known that the
President will uncquiyoeally and emphaticaly re-
fuse to comply. Furthermore, it is known that
the President has despatched orders to Major An
sersoa to act entirely on the defensive, but to de-
iend Fort Sumter against any attack to the last
ia not given up oceans Of blood will flow. That
the South Carolnians will attempt its capture is
beyond question. Their chances Of success may
be judged of upon perusal Of description OF the
iortihcation and its means of defence, given in
another part of to-dsy's paper
We have reports of terrible state of aftairs on
the Mississippi river II is stated that the Missis-
sippi secessonists have planted cannon at various
points along the banks Of the river, that one
steamboat has been denied passage while others
have been oyerhauled, and that several respecta-
BILE persons have been compelled to return to the
place. from whence they started. Although these
reports are partially verified by member Of Con
gress vet we mnst have them confirmed before
placing implicit faith in them.
In Congress yesterday Messrs- Simmons and
Anthony. of Rhode Island, addressed the Senate
on the crisis and on motion OF Mr.. Clark. Of New
Hsmpshire, the Crittenden adjustment was laid
ON the table by vote Of twenty-five to twenty
three. subsequently motion was made TO re-
consider the vote, pending which the Senate
adjourned. In executive session. the appointment
of Mr. Taylor, chief Clerk Of the New York Post
Office tofhe Postmastershp, was confirmed. In
the House the debate on the crisis was renewed.
messrs Garnet, Of Virginia, and Gurlcy, Of Ohio.
we're the chief speakers.
The public will doubtless be surprised to learn
that Major General Sanford has rendered the
whole OF the First Division of New York militia to
Governor Morgan, and that the offer has been &C.
cepted Professionally. Nevertheless. such is the
Tact, the correspondence between these officials,
which we publish in another column. will show.
Tae Georgia State Convention met at Millcdge-
vile yesterday and organized by choosing George
v. Crawford chairman, and A. II. Lamar sccrc.
tary. committee was appointed to wait on the
South Carolina and Alabama Commissioners, and
reques, them 70 communicate with the Convention.
The Convention then adjourned.
A full report Of the speech of GOV. Floyd. ex-
Secretary Of War, at Richmond recently, at ban
qpct 20 which he was invited by his admirers. is
given on the second page Of to-day's HERALD.
This speech will attract considerable attention
from the fact that Gov. Floyd unreseredly reveals
the secret. of the Cabinet, OF which he was mem.
Der, with respect to the designs of the admins,ra-
tion relative to the secession movements of the
Southern States. There arc but few instances
on record of Cabinet minister out Of place reveal
ing state secrets, and the conduct of Gov. Floyd
in this regard has been severely ani,nadycrted
upon BY all parties.
We publish in another column circular letter
from prominent bishops and clcrgylncn Of the
North, addressed 10 the clergy and laty Of the
South in which they counsel calm, discriminating
investigation Of the causes Of the pcrils impending
over the country, and manly Christian cfert,
under God, to avert them.
1ncre was a rumOI dDouL toNH ycstefuay tnab
James r. Kerrgan, member OF Congress elect
from tliis city. IL TO be AFRO sted on charge of
treason under the recent charge of Judge Smalley
The circumstances which led o this rumor are de
tailed elsewhere in our columns.
The hrsi drill meeting Of toe Union Volunteers
wa held last evening At the Mercer House. Sub
sequent TO the drill resolu,i, ms were passed dis
claiming any political or sect ional object
In the state Senate yesterday the Committee on
Federal Relations made an, elaborate renoyt 81,
the various resolutions having reference 60 the III.
turbed condition Of the country \ syuonsis or
the report, together with the resolutions recon-
mendcd b. the committee, are given in oar
despatches from Albany. Arcsolution appointing
the 9th Of February as the time for eccting a
United States Senator in place OF Mr.. Seward was
offered, and. laid over. Benjamin y Bruce, o
Madison, vas chosen Canal Commissioner.
There was not . quorum Of Emigration Commits
tioners present at the meeting Of that Board yc4
tcrda = The routine business was all that The,
disy osed of in consequence. The weekly state
ne Mt shows only lis cmigrant arrivals at the por
during last week, which makes the whole number
aimee January /, 1i2, Tbs docs not indicate
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