The New York herald., 1861-12-08
:.
BY the Mayor-JoHS r. HoRsEy Clerk Of the Couacn.
THE FIGHT WITH THE REBEL STEAMER
PATRICK HENRY

FROM tho Norfolk Day Book, Dec. 81
For some days past threo Of the federal gnn-
boats have been in the habit Of running up James river
Eve or six miles above Newport News each evening and
remaining there all night What the object Of this was is
unknown, unless it may have been to keep watch on
the movements OF the Confederate steamer Patrick
Henry These gunboats on Sunday evening repeated INA
same maniyre, and on yesterday morning the Patrick
Henry got under way from her position further M anes
river and came down On seeing her the ginboals left
Immediately and put out down the river towards the block
aiding ships Tho Patrick Henry continued her chase
after them and they ran in under tho protection the
guns of the rgaes Cumberland and Congress and the fort
at Newpor, News The Patrick Henry opened Are among
them, after getting desirable position, from her after
gun hrng shea; aud our informant tells us for
shell on and around the frigate Congress- many
Of which, i Is believed, bursted on her decks,
with what eject shall be unable TO determine as the
fsdcras keep all sach matters close. The engage
ment commenced about quarter past aud lasted two
hours During the time the gunhoas would frequently
sally out from behind the frigates to give the Patrick
Henry shot, and such she would soon force
them back by wen directed shot, several Of which is
believed, struck these ganboas Two OF them (lhere
we're four atogeiher) after receiving shot from
the Patrick Henry, retired to the immediate
the other two kept their position out Of
harms way in the rear Of the frigates. They at
one time made an attempt to pass James river
hank the Patrick Henry and when getting well from
under the protection OF the fgaes batteries Patrick
Henry put chase after them, and they scampcred back
After this they appeared TO have become afraid ven
ture out again. and the Patrick Henry had then remain
satisfied with pepperng the rgates which she did it is
said In mastery and beautiful manner.
II said by those who witnessed the entire engage
men thai the Patrick Henry was handled in y thoroughly
seamanke manner by those on board, and her guns
yoked to perfection. Che played upon the enemy
NV with fer after gun while lying of Newport News and
would occasionally back up towards the enemy when she
would drift Of range OF her mark. is supposed she
used her after gun in order to keep the best position to
prevent being outarked, and to keep tho enemy from
having a chance OF her broadside.
We are unable TO what damage was dopo to either
party in this engagement, and far the federal
sells are concerned shall not be able ascertain but
our informant tells is his opinion that the Patrick
is tho
single object Of attack from the four gunboats the
frivates and four guns from the Newport News
After the firing ceased he passed up James river her
position, apparently as fresh as a lark
THE BOGUS SECESSION OF KENTUCKY.
pECLARATioN OF INDEPENDENCE AND ORDNANCE or
sEPARATIoN-THE PLAN OF THE PROVISIONAL
GOVERNMENT.
from the Richmond Examiner, Dec. 81
The injunction Of secresy being removed ro the ac,iot
Of the sovereign Convention OF Kertucsy which me
at Russelvlte we enabled TO give COPY Of tho dc
claraton Of her Independence and ordinance OF separa
tion and the plan of the provisional government ms
tuted by the Convention
Declaration Of independence and Ordinance Of SEPARATION
Whereas the federal constitution, which created tn
government of the United States was declared BY TN
framers thereof TO be the supreme law Of the land
and was intended TO limit and did expressly limit
the powers Of said government to certain genera
specified purposes, and did expressly reserve TO ia,
States and people all other powers whatever, and the
the Union with contempt, and usurped to themselves III
power to interfere with the rights and liberties Of the
States and the people against the express provisions
the constitution and have thus substituted highcs
forms OF rational liberty and constitutional government
central desp0tsm founded upon the ignorant
the masses OF Northern society and instead giving pro
lection, with the constitution to the people of nrtee
States OF the Union have turned loose upon them the un
restrained and raging passions Of mobs and fanatics an
because now seek to hold liberties property
homes and our families, under the protection OF tn
reserved powers Of the States have bockaded our ports
invaded our soil and waged upon people for til
purpose OF subjggatiDg as 20 their will
And whereas, our own honor and our duty TO poster
~ demand that shall not relinquish our own bert,
fnd shall abandon the rights OF doscondan,s
the world TO the inestaabe blessings OF constitutions
government, therefore,
Be II ordaipe1, That do hereby forever sever on
connection with tho government, OF the United States
and In the name Of the people do hereby declare
lucky to be FREQ and independent State, clothed with
the power fix her destiny and 20 secure her ow
rights and liberties
Ana whereas the majority Of the Legislature OF Ker
tucky have violated their most solemn pledges made b
forc the election and deceived and betrayed the people
have abandoned the position Of neutrality assumed b
themselves and the people, and invited into the State tn
organized armies Of Lincoln have abdoated the govern
men in favor Of the military despotism which they
placed around themselves bit cannot control and hay
abandoned the duty Of shielding the citizen with the
protection have thrown upon our people and the stat
tDe horrors anu ravaees OF war, instead Of attempting
preserve the peace and have voted money
war waged by the North for the destruction of our cot
stttutiona rights have violated the eypress words
he constitution by borrowing five millions Of money 70
the support OF the war without n Of the pe9na
have permitted the arrest and prisonmen OF our ci
zcns and transferred the constitutional perogatre.
the executive to a military commission OF narts. no
have the writ of habeas corpus suspended
effort for it's preservation and permitted our peonle
be driven 10 exile from their homes have subjected Of
property TO conscation and persons TO couGpee,
In the penitentiary feons because we NAV chooe.
take part Ia contest for civil liberty and constitution
government against a sectional majority waging ",
against the people and institutions Of fifteen States OF
old federal Union, and have done all these things