Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-01-24

WAsHINsToN, Jan. % The following paper.
prepared by Representative Montgomery, was
TO-DAY circulated In the House. and, among others,
has been signed BY Mexrs. Bocock, Martin, of
Clemens. e
1--WE the undersigned members Of the Thirty
sixth Congress, convinced bv the various votes
taken on the several propositions presented for
our consideration from time TO time that there is
no hope that any measures which will reconcile
existing differences between the two sections Of
our country can receive the vote of constitution
majority, and as none Of the present members
Were elected In view Of existing troubles, and be-
ieving that in time OF great peril 1t 10 proper
to refer this question to the people Of several
districts, propose that the members of this Con-
gress shall resign, to take effect on the 2ist of
February next, and that we Immediately provide
for the election Of our successors by the people.
who shall assemble here on the 22d Of February
next. And to these representatives, bearing the
instructions of the people, the various PROPOSE
lions Of compromise now pending and hereafter
to be proposed shall be referred the said election
not to interfere with the officers and employees Of
this House,
The House Committee on Elections to-day
agreed upon making unanimous report confirm
ing Mr.. Sicklss in the retention of his seat
naval officer left Washington several DAYS
ago for Fort Pickens, with such instructions az
may prevent collision with the Florida authori-
ties.
A dispatch has been received here from Cover
nor Pickens, In which he says that the best under
standing exists between Major Anderson and the
apprehension Of immediate hostilities
The friends Of the Virginia peace proposition
assign as reason for pressing II on the attention
Of the other Border Slave States, that II will have
the effect OF preventing them from joining the
Cotton states; and, ifadopted by them, will afford
an opportunity for the latter to return to the
Union.
Senators Mallory and Yulee and Representative
Hawkins have been appointed Commissioners
from Florida, whose duty II Is TO egotiate with
the authorities here for the surrender to that State
| OF all the Navy Yards Forts, Magazines, Arsenals
| and all other public property within its limits
The Postmaster General has discontinued the
mail between Charleston and Fernandina, Fla ,
upon the ground that the steamers heretofore en-
ployed on that line have been appropriated 70 hos
| tile purposes against the General Government
This policy is to be extended as occasion may
| quire. twill depend on the states themselves,
and not on the discretion of the Administration
The bill introduced by Mr.. ColfaX, in the House,
proposes to give the President full authority to
discontinue the service In the seeding States IL
obstacles should be interPosed TO the free transit
| Of the mails
IL Louisiana follows the lead Of her Senators,
and declares herself out Of the Union, II 10 prob
able that Congress will Immediately Pass an act
| repeating all duties on imported sugars. These
duties levied for the protection Of that State,
| very oncrous, and their repeal would be hailed
with Joy by the great body Of the free States AID
| especially by the Northwest.
| Bills are being prepared bv the Military and
| Naval Committees of the House, and by the Com
| mittee Of Ways and Means, for Immediately
| placing the country upon a war footing. The
President will be authorized to call for the enlist
| ment Of volunteers, and a considerable number of
| war steamers will be forthwith constructed. The
| recent demonstrations in Southern ports show that
we are deficient in naval force, and especially
In substantial ght draft vessels. Hence the re-
| cent necessity Of employing an unarmed wooden
SHE'LL like the Star OF the West, to 60 upon war
like Grand.
| Gov Seward has taken the initiative, with other
prominent gentlemen, in getting up a grand in
auguration ball, at which men of all sections can
| join. and dance ''all hands round''
| OHcers who have arrived from Pensacola state
| that the surrender of the Navy Yard, with its
large stock OF provisions, was undoubtedly planned
in concert with certain officers favoring secession
| Before Lieutenant Simmer left for Fort Pickens
he made requtsition for pork, beef, and other
| stores, Of which there was an abundance, but be
| could not obtain them.