Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1861-04-08
Affairs at the South

ne tJuIhItF question: III CiailtSlOli IL WI
IDENTIFY ON the eve Of Il crisis, and stirring
news may be expected ut any II oment from
that point. The excessive State pride and
the warlikc spirit Of the Carolinlans have
been excited TO the highest pitch by the in
comprehensive Curse Of the Administra.
ton, and the authorities at Charleston are
quite ready and apparently determined to
take the decision of the question, whether or
not Fort Sumter shall be evacuated, into
their own hands.
The Charleston Mercury Of Wednesday
confirms the reports that Major Anderson's
supplies had been ordered to be cut oft. 1t
says: Yesterday dispatch was received
from the commissioners to Washington, ad-
yising a change of policy. In their opinion,
no more roast becf-no more barrels OF po-
tatoes-n short, no more supplies vi any
description should be suffered IL reach Fort
Sumter. \ decision has been reached here.
Fort Sumter must shortly provision itself y
The Charleston Courier announces that
Governor pickcns aud General Bcauregard
were on Wednesday to visit and inspect all
the batteries for tic last time, and to ar
range matters for decided action, rs all the
batteries arc now thoroughly ready.
From points Soath Of Charleston we have
further reports Of the rapid assembling and
despatch Of troops toward Fort P!ckens, il
the neishborhoot Of which force OF I've
thousand men will SOON BIO assembled
On Wednesday night an unknown vessel
entering the harbor Of Charleston without
showing her flag, was fired upon from one
Of the batteries. The vessel put about and
wont to sea. The demand for an explains
ton of this act is said to have been made
by Major Anderson through the flag ct truce
which visited Charleston on Thursday,
though the fact that The interview resulted
in the despatch Of messenger to Washing.
| ton would Indicate that other matters must
have been under consideration. The excite.
ment at Charleston, oecasuned by the firing
upon The schooner and the subsequent flag
of truce, is said to have been intense.
In reply to inquiries, the Charleston Corr-
Ter states that the tariff rate on butter and
cheese imported into the Confederate States
il iJ per cent, and not ~ per cent.
The Charleston correspondent Of the
Richmond Dispatch tclegraphed that jour
nal on Thursday, that matters looked 'aqual-
ly" in the Palmetto city, and to look out on
Friday. The correspondent probably fore
shadows an assault upon Fort Sumter.
MIR Mrmniinger Secretary of the T"ea-
surv Of the Confederate States, has address
sed q circular to each Of the haLkS Of the
Couledaracy, recommending the adoption Of
resolution To redeem in specie such Of
their respective notes az may be paId in
upon the authorized loan Of Ghe Coutcderacv
This measure Mr.. Memminger states, IS ne
cessary to prevent the inequalities and con
fusion which must else arise from the pay
ing of subscription in currencieS OF varying
values. He also urges the present AZ the
most desirable time for general resunnp-
ton Of specie payment.
The Columbia South Carolinan says that
Col. James H. Riun, Of the Sixth Regiment
Of the South Carolina Volunteers, has ten
dered his command to the Confederate
States, in the contingency of collision
with the Federal forces becoming imminent,
and provided the Governor of the Statc will
consent 10 the transfer. This regiment IS
composed ut ely ht infantry Of The line :nd
TWO rifle companies, averaging eighty men
each.
The rcqusition of President Davis upon
Georgia for 900 troops has lit blaze al
military excitement in that State, and our
exchanges from that section come u us bur
deaed with glowing accounts oi the march
ing 70 and fro of eager volunteers, the pre-
sentation Of banners and other exciting
preparations for Il conilict. the horror oi
which appears to be entirely lost $! ght Of in
the warl!ke ardor and enthusiasm thus cx-
cited