Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-03-20
From Washington.

From Washington.
WASHINGTON, Monday, March IL.
The Criminal Court to day discharged VIM H.
Russell, who was indicted in connection with the
abstraction of Indian trust bonds
The judicial course was in accordance with the
law of 1857, which exempts witnesses before inves
tigating committees from trial, Mr.. Russell hav
ing appeared as such before that of the House on
the subject of those bonds.
Ex-Secretary Floyd to-day gave 1000 secu-
rity for his appearance at court.
An official dispatch was read from Montgomery
this morning, instructing Messrs. Crawford and
Forsyth to at once enter upon the business of ne
gotiating with the Administration, without waiting
for the other Commissioner.
An official letter from Major Anderson, which
arrived on Saturday, says he had only fifteen
DAYS subsistence and wood. The question has,
therefore arisen with the Administration whether
reinforcements be attempted or the fort abandon
ed. The latter course, it is thought, will be
adopted from inevitable necessity, by advice of
Lieutenant General Scott. There is, however, a
conflict of opinion between Republicans this
question, but no conclusion was arrived at in
Cabinet council to-day.
The Cumberland and Pocahontas have, accord
ing to official advices, left Vera Cruz for Norfolk
and the PODhattan is on her way to New York.
The Macedonian is the only vessel left ut Vera
Cruz.
The National IntelAgencer of to-day contains
a long article recommending the REIMBURSEMENT
of Forts Sumter and Pckens rs an act of con-
citation, and saws that the new Administration
might, by moving first in the direction of concil
atiOn, do infinitely to consolidate its power
than by passvely awaiting the progress of events.
A Cabinet meeting was held at half past twelve
O'Clock to-day to take into consideration the pro-
posed evacuation of Fort Sumter.
Archibald Campbell editor Of the Wheeling
fnteIiigencer, has been nominated for Postmaster
of that place.
Reports prevail of the contemplated evacuation
of Fort Sumpter, but up to eight o'clock tonight
the President had given no order for that pur
pose-gentlemen Of prominence, however, say
they have information which satisfies them that
such course, from necessity, will be pursued.
The Commissioners from tie COnfederated
States did not see the Secretary of State but will
probably make formal application for inter
view tomorrow.
The Senate has confirmed R. j. Payne, as Dis
trict Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.
The President sent in the nominations, which
were referred, of J. z. Goodrich, Collector Of
Boston; George McCleland Second Assistant
Postmaster General; Archibald Williams, District
Judge of Kansas, and Dale of Illinois, Secretary
of Indian Affairs.
WASHINGTON Tuesday, March u.
1t is known that the intention of the President
is to first fill the vacancies which exist and which
must be filed, during the present session of the
Senate. Excepting in few instances other APP
pointments will be deferred until this is done In
the meantime applicants required to file their
papers in the proper department.
The officers of the Army met at the War De-
partment at noon to-day, and in company with
Lieutenant General Scott and Secretary Came
rom proceeded to the White house, and formally
paid their respects to the President.
The President to-day nominated to the Senate
Cassus NJ. Clay as Minister to Spain, and Thomas
Corwin, Minister to Mexico The latter is cor
sidered the most important mission under the
Government at this time considering the terri
torial extension question as connected with the
Confederate States.
The President to-day nominated Amos Tuck
Naval Officer at Boston. Willard Phillips Col
lector at Salem, Massachusetts, Rufus Hosiner
Consul at Frankfort the Main, Archibald
Williams as District Judge of Kansas, and VIM.
p. Dale Commissioner of Indian Affairs, and
were confirmed by the Senate to-day. Other
nominations were referred.
Inquiry at proper quarters warrant the asser-
ton that order has yet been issued in reference
to the evacuation of Fort Sumter
At Secretary Cbases request George Harring-
ton. Chief Clerk of the Treasury Department un
der Corwin to day attends temporarily on the
discharge of duties as Assistant Secretary.
Redman has returned to his former position as
Chief Clerk.
George f. Baker, of Albany, is appointed Dis
bursting Clerk in the State Department.
The municipal authorities to-day presented Mr.
Crittenden "a copy of joint resolution of respect
adopted by the City Councils. In acknowledge
ing the honor he said he should retire from pub
lie life with full confidence that the nation would
soon come out of its struggle, and be able to look
with JOY upon dangers which had cemented them
more firmly together.
The Armstrong court martial was organized
to-day. Com. Stewart, President.
WASHINGTON, Wednesday, March l3.
Gentlemen in Government positions, conf
IDENTIFY assert that Fort Sumter will be abandoned
in consequence of the peremptC nv opinion of
Scott; some say it will be done next Monday,
this information, however, is not official.
The report prevails that Crittenden is almost
certain TO be nominated to the Supreme Bench
What the Southern Congress have done so far,
has been informal in the direction of peace.
Senator Latham has succeeded in getting a
weekly mail service from San Francisco to Los
Angeles, with weekly service to San Diego.
A contract also closed for the removal OF
the Butterfeld to the Central route, with service
from st. Louis to Placerville California i'm six
teen days, Sundays included; also, Pony Elk,
press three times week for eight years, service
to commence the 18th Of June. The contract
was signed to-day, and the overland mail is dis
continued until the establishment of the Central
service as above
Mr.. Seward has declined conference with the
Southern Commissioners. They will, to-day adj
dress official formal communication TO him,
setting forth the character and purpose of their
mission.
The principal officers of the steamer Water
Witch, at Philadelphia, detained for special
service, are: Lieutenant Commanding, Boucken-
dorff Lieutenants j L. Davis, Cushman and
Eastman, and A. ID. Reed, Master.
The steam sloop-ofwar Pdionee is still off
Washington Navy-yard, with her officers and sup
plies on boards.
Workmen are engaged IN putting in the ma
chinery of the Pensacola, which will not be ready
| for sea for two or three months
| Mark H. Cobb, of Pennsylvania, has been APP
pointed Disbursing Clerk in the War Department
in place of John Polk, who is promoted to the
chief clerkshp
The Charleston Courier, of Monday, saws the
subscriptions delivered in that city toward the
establishment of steamship line between Liver
pool and Charleston have reached an amount
authorizing the definite organization of the com
| pany and the commencement of the work on the
contract.