, 1861-05-03
Extra Session Of Congress Called
CIVIL WAR CoMMENCEDll
miscellaneous Itesaas

The steamer C0rtcs arrived at Portland
on Monday last, bringing dates from San
Francisco to the 26th ult, and from ST.
Louis to the 18th.
We are indebted 10 Capt. Ed. Giddings
and Purser I. Smith, Of the NnlinOmah
for a copy Of the Ala California Of the
9th April from which we clip the follow
ing startling intelligence
,al ST. LOUIS, April llth.
A dispatch from Harrisburg Of the 9th
states that Gov. Curtin has received let
ter from President Lincoln, stating that he
lLiDeoln) has information Of design to
attack the City Of Washington. Gov,
Curtin sent q special message to the Penn
sylVania Legislature to-day calling atten.
ton 10 the military organization Of the
State, and recommending the Legislature
TO make immediate provision for the remoV-
al Of the defects now existing, by establish
ing q military bureau at the Capital, by
modifying the militia laws aud making a
proper distribution of arms, &c. He calls
attention 10 the serious jealOusies and divis
ions distracting the public mind, and the
military organizations Of formidable char
aeter, seemingly not demanded by an exist
ing public exigeney 10 certain States. He
adds that Pennsylvania offers no counsel,
aud takes no action 10 the nature Of q me-
mace, but desires peace, and to effect the
preservation Of the personal and political
rights Of citizens-the true sovereignty Of
the States aud The supremacy Of law and
order. "Animafed BY these sentiments, /"
be says, 'indnlging the earnest hope Of
speedy ruslorafion of harmony and friendly
relations. u oospmit the graro subject to
your dellOeration.n The message was re-
ferred to joint select committee, to report
BY bill Il Is stated that no State loan is
required to supply half a million for war
purposes .--'li1al M .n''
In the Virginia Convention yesterday,
Mr.. Wise offered the following resolution:
That the people Of Virginia consent to
the recognition and Independence Of the
Seeded States, and that they are to be
treated as an independent power, and that
proper laws be passed to effect her separa.
ton. rHiill. 'i
This vas adopted by vote of l2s to
20. rr1 ...
William L. Adams has been appointed
Collector Of Astoria, Oregon, and Harri.
son b. Branch, Of Missouri, Superintendent
Of Indian AHaiFs, for the Central Superiu-
tendency at St. Louis. ,r
At New York, yesterday, several mer.
chants protested against paying duties,
claiming that they cannot be compelled to
pay nniilthe Revenue laws are enforced in
the whole country. ara
The State Department at Washington
yesterday replied to q note Of the Southern
Commissioners. declining to receive then
oFhciAlly. The Secretary expressed peace.
fnl policy on the part Of the Government
declaring It's purpose to defend itself only
when attacked. This reply requires con
tinuaiion Of the correspondence. 1t Il
thought that the Commissioners will moi
leave for some days.
A Havana letter, Of the 5th Of April
says that the annexation of Dominica tC
Spain, is folly confirmed. The army to sus
tain the movement consists Of 1000 men
aud four Spanish steam frigates. The
whole matter only awaits the Queens rati
ication, Santa Ana, Of Dominica, having
forcibly proclaimed her.
The Santa Fe mail OF the 25th March
brings the following: Col. Loring had ar
rived and taken charge Of the Military De
partmeut Of New Mexico, which gave salts
faction to the people Of that Territory. The
report Of The taking Of Fort Marcy by cit,
izens of Santa Fe, is incorrect-no demon
stration Of the kind having ever beer
thought Of. ......
Peace has again been made with the Ma
vsjo Indians.
One hundred and six fugitive slaves left
Chicago on the night Of the 7th Of April
for Canada, via the Michigan Southern
Railroad 1t is estimated that over ,O0C
fagitives have arrived in Chicago since last
fall, The most Of them have left since the
arrest Of Eve slaves by the U. S. Marshal
The Democrats carried the entire city
ticket in Hartford, Conn, yesterday, by
500 majority. s.
A Washington dispatch says that Rev,
erdy johnson entirely approves Of the pres.
ent moves Of the President, and that Mary.
land will give him a cordial support
A bill has been reported in the Pennsyl.
vania House, appropriating half a million
to arm and equip the military of the State
The regular dispatches from Washington
state that ten companies, comprising about
one-fourth Of the volunteer militia of the
District Of Columbia, are mastering to-day
for inspection. The order had been issued