The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-02-05
FROM WASHINGTON.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 81 Il he Secretary OF State
has declined to admit that the secession authorities
in possession Of a commercial port have any power
to grant ciearances receive payment of duties.
In Il letter to Lord Lyons he defined the position
of the Government, and declares that the United
States laws will be regarded as in full operation.
The President denied to Senator Bigler, of
Pennsylvani in the most positive terms, the
statement that reinforcements had been ordered to
Fort Sumter. He also assured Senator Bger that
reinforcements will be ordered to Fort
Sumter under his Administration.
Application made to Congress, to-day, by
the masters and crews of (Northern) fishing YES
sells now of the coast of Florida, for protection
against the interference of the authorities Of that
State. They allege that they have been nsulted,
and demand immediate protection
Mr. Cochran, of New York in the House, re-
ported bill from the select COMMITTEE of five,
doubling the penalties of the Act of 1899, on
any master of a vessel clearing from any port in
the United States, under any other clearance or
manifest than that of the United States. This
bill, should it pass, will make the penalty fine Of
$1,000, besides rendering the ship and cargo liable
to con6scation.
This law is not to be enforced until the Presi-
dent procaims the fact and names the ports where
the United States revenue laws are intefered with
The report accompanying the bill opposes block
AIDE of the ports where this difficulty occurs, and
tavors this plan a remedy retaliation.
The demand of Col Hayne for the surrender of
Fort Sumter has created much feeling. Col
Hayne had an interview with the President to-day.
| understand that Buchanan will refuse his de-
mand and refer him to Congress
WASHINGTON, Jan. 29.-Judge Greenwood, of
Arkansas, has declined the Secretaryship of the
Interior.
Mr. Colfax, of Indiana, has received letter
from Mr. Lincoln, in which he favors compro-
mise.
Senator Douglas new amendments to the Fugi-
tive Slave Law provides for trial by jury in the
State from which the slave escapes. 1t further
provides that the shall be paid out Of the
Federal Treasury in the event of failure to
the value of the fugitive to the owner, and the
Attorney General shall recover the amount from
the county or State where he is lost
Lincoln has written private letters here, urging
Cancellation and compromise. He vindcates the
border State resolutions as a reasonable basis of
adjustment. Immediately after the electoral vote
is counted by Congress- he will announce his views
on the crisis.
Secretary Dix has instructed the commanders Of
revenue cutters that if attacked they must make
the best possible defence. If overpowered he
advises them to run their vessels ashore and blow
them up
The Post Office department has replied to Mr.
Ashmore, of South Carolina, answering his inquiry
whether he could the franking privilege allow
ed Congressman for mailing public documents
which he has now ready. The matter was laid be-
fore the Cabinet, and the Administration says it
does not recognize South Carolina out of the
Union, consequently Mr. Ashmore, as member Of
Congress, is entitled to the benefit of the ranking
privilege until the first Monday of December next
But if Mr. Ashmore himself believes that South
Carolina is out of the Union, the Postmaster-Gen-
eral says it is for Mr. Ashmore then to determine
whether he can conscentuusly use the ranking
privilege entertaining that opinion.
The President Of the Senate announced the
withdrawal Of Mr. Iverson of Georgia, who stated
in his communication, that if Georgia was allowed
to leave the Union in peace she would make an
equitable division of the Federal assets but if war
ensued it would abolish both public and private
debts fpeaceable separation is allowed there might
he reconstruction, but if war ensued all hopes of
future Union were at an end.