The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-03-18
The News.

From Washington We learn that the question
Of evcauating Fort Sumter still continues to occu
py the attention of Mr.. Lincoln and his Cabinet.
There seems to be no doubt that the admiuistra
ton has determined to withdraw Major Anderson
and his troops, but how to do it appears not yet
to have been settled. Numerous plans have been
submitted to the President and his advisers but
none that appear to be practicable. The report
of collision between the State and federal troops
in Florida meets with 40 credit in Washington.
The appointment of Commissioners by the South.
ern coDfederacy to visit En- gland and France seems
to have startled the administration, and it is said
that a secret agent viii be Immediately despatched
TO inform those governments Of the policy intend
ed to be pursued in regard to the the seeded
States.
From Charleston we learn that everything was
quiet, but a change in affairs was hourly antici-
pated The appointment Of Judge Magrath by
the Confederate Cor gress as District Judge for
South Carolina, seemed to meet with universal IA.
vor. The floating battery is to be removed from
its mornings to-day but with no intention of at
lacking Fort Sumter.
II Is understood in Washington that the answer
Of the administration to the communication Of the
Commissioners from the Confederate States will be
communicated to them to-day. 1t is said that the
general government will decline holding any off.
cial intercourse with them.
The Southern Congress on Saturday confirmed
the following persons as District Judges for the
Confederate States:-A. G. Magrath for South
Carolins; II. r. Jackson, Georgia. W. Lanier
Harris Mississippi; Thos G. Semmes Louisiana;
John Hemphill Texas and Jesse ]. Finley, Florida.
On Saturday night the Congress adjourned to
meet in Montgomery on the second Monday in
May next.
By the arrival Of the steamship Arabia at this
port on Saturday we received the gratifying in.
telligence Of the safety Of the steamship Australia
sian. She left Queenstown at her appointed time,
and when four days out, during heavy gale, broke
two Of the flanges Of her screw. After vany en-
deavoring to make an American port, the captain
bore up for Queenstown, which place she reached
on the Sd Of March, the passengers and crew all
safe. The Arabia brought over the passengers Of
the Australasian.
BY way of New Orleans we are In possession Of
few additional items Of Mexican news. SO far
as determined by the late Presidential election
the republic is nearly equally divided between
three parties. Eight States are thought to be
for Juarez, representative Of tho Puros; eight
are for Lerdo dc Tcjada, candidate Of the ex-
treme radicals, and six for General 0rtega, rep
resentstve Of the army and moro moderate poll
ticians. 1t Is believed, therefore, that there
will be no choice by the people. The election
then goes to the Congress, where JuareS, 1t is
thought, will have large majority. In the mean.
time Gen. Arteags, tho Governor Of Qucretaro,
has put himself at the head Of movement against
the Central government. The press, however,
very generally condemn II, though IL has advocates.
A conspiracy had also been discovered at San
Luis Potosi and the city by Gen. Doblado, de-
ciared in o state Of siege. number Of the con.
spirators had been banished from the country.
Gen. Vol escaped on the 27th Of January on
board OF one OF the Pacific steamships at MANIA
milo. An attempt was made by the authorities to
seize his person, but the captain refused to give
him up.
Yesterday being tho anniversary Of the birth.
day of st. Patrick, solemn high mass was cele.
brated at st. Patricks cathedral, ard an eloquent
panegyric pronounced on tho Apostle. In the
evening Archbishop Hughes lectured 1T Irving
Hall on the subject Of Irish devotion to Catholi-
cism to a large and attentive audience. To-day
the military and civic societies will unite in Q
grand parade, and in the evening the Friendly
Sons Of st. Patrick will celebrate their seventy.
seventh anniversary by sumptuous dinner at the
Astor House.
Archbishop Hughes lectured last evening at
Irving Hall upon the subject Of Irish devotion to
Catholicism. Bishop Lynch, Of Charleston, was
previously announced TO deliver the lecture, but
owing to tho non-arrval Of the steamship James
Adger at the appointed hour, he was evidently un.
able to do 50. In order not TO disappont the large
audience which had assembled, the Archbishop
took this place and at the conclusion ofhis remarks
made some interesting alluiions to the duty Of
Catholics respecting the present condition Of our
national Affairs A report will DO found In another
column.
The st. Josephs Roman Catholic church, ID