The Van Buren press., 1861-03-01

House amendments, striking out duty on
tea and coffee, agreed to and the bill passed.
Army bill was taken up. Mr.. Hall nov
ed 10 amend that no officer Of the army ex-l
cept Gen. Scott receive over $4,000 year.
LATEsT-FRIDAY MORNING.
ST. LOUIS. March. 1.
Washington yesterday was filled with
flying reports-one was that Gen. Twiggs
had been shot by a private soldier. His
rumored death was received from several
sources, but not fully creditable. Another
story is that Gov. Houston sent his Aid to
Gcnl. Twiggs, to demonstrate against the
contemplated treachery, when an alteration
ensued, which resulted in the Aid shooting
General dead This, also lacks confirma-
tion.
Advices from Charleston say that short
" after the arrival of jeff. Davis at that
city, he paid visit to FIT Sumter, and had
a long interview with Major Anderson.
Late telegraphic advices from Texas say
that the arsenal at San Antonio has been
taken possession of by Texas troops, as
well as some military posts in northern
Texas. Advices from Texas as far as heard
from, say that the secession ordinance has
been approved.
Ey See advertisement of A. NJ. Gala
han and Co. They have received large as
sortment of Boots and Shoes which they
offer at Wholesale and retail.
Interesting from Washington.
The War Department has received advi-
ces from MAJ. Anderson to the 7th instant.
He writes in good spirits. and is fully pre-
pared tor any emergencies that may arise.
He mad not heard how the negotiations be-
tween the President and Col. Hayne had
terminated. He knew, however. for he
had been informed what position the Ad-
ministratiou would take in regard to the
demands of South Carolina. He had re-
ceived his instruction some time ago through
Lieut. Talbot, and he has been preparing
and arranging his plans accordingly. lie
expects to be attacked Immediately after
Col. Haynes return.
He says. Judging from the activity of the
people and the extensive preparations thai
are being made. that they will present a
pretty formidable display, and make most
desperate effort to take the fort. He is fully
prepared.
In a very short time after the attack is
made, the Government will attempt to
: throw reinforcements into Fort Sumter
They have made all necessary arrangements
and if it is possible to get men, munitions
and supplies into that fort it will be done
/ Major Anderson is of opinion that he cal
/ maintain his position, and resist an attacl
7 for an indefinite period. He has been in
formed by Government that as soon as al
attack is made, he will be Immediately re
inforced. That is all that he desires. Thu
Secretary of War and of the Navy hav.
been engaged for some time in arrangin,
matters to that end.
1t appears by letters received here from
I Charleston that the people doubt their abil
q ity to take Fort Sumter. A gentleman
there writing to this city says the impress
, sion is very general among the militai
\ men that they would not be able to take it
! that whether they take it or not, there mus
be fearful loss of life.
The President has received intelligenC
from Charleston stating that Gov. Picken
a has referred the question of Fort Sumter
6, it having become o national question:
the Government of the Southern Confede1
d acy at Montgomery, and that no movemcr
would bo made looking to an attack unit
= aet, on had been token by the Southern Re
nubl;c But, on the heels of this intelli
cerce. info, r-nation has been received here
1he eff;.c. that he Republic had decided q
once 70 ;nv.st Forts .Pickens and Folt Sum
ter.
This latter intelligence was received b
secession Senators.
Every effort possible is making here
the secessionists to prevent a. attSck o
Fort Sumter at Charleston. The l>nar SUI
prevails that the authorities cannot con 'ro
| the masses, they being moro like a mol
than anything else. If they can be con
trolled there is no doubt that the whole sub
ject of attacking Sumter will be referred to
the Montgomery Convention, or to Jeffer
son Davis. the newly elected President O
the Confedrative States by that Conven
ton.
The Secessionists here are aware that tn,
first gun at Sumter will not only preeipitat,
a fight at Charleston, but at Savannah
Pensacola, and at the mouth of the Missis
sippi river, and perhapst New Orleans.-
They are not ignorant of the fact that tn,
Federal Government has recalled a suffic-
lent number of naval ships to meet presen
emergencies that recruiting for the arm,
and navy is actively progressing in all the
principal commercial cities and, besides
that an army Of fifty thousand men stant
ready in the Northern States, to march at
a moments warning in the event their ser.
vices are wanted by the Federal authori
ties.
A PATRIoTIC SAILoR.-The United State.
store ship. Supply, which brought home