The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-02-16
BALTIMORE SATURDAY. FEBRUARY l6 1861

and war. Seward and Chase are the rival aspirants
The former is backed By the Wall street moneyed
interest and much of the old Whig element of the
Republican party. Whatever of indirect influence
the conservative, peace-loVng people of the coun-
try, can exert, is also thrown in the same scale;
and all of these influences are manipulated by the
Mephistophelean fingers Of Thurlow Weed, who is
unceasing in making bis arrangements.
Mr.. Chase is supported by the radical part of
the Democratic party that sleughed off in l848,
and again in 1854, assisted by Greeley and all the
fanatical abolitonists. 1t is powerful combina-
tion in point of numbers, talent and influence.
EUROPEAN INQUIRY INTO THE FINANCES OF THE
UNITED STATES AND MEXICO.
Mr.. Nichols, an English banker, and Mons. De
JeaneauX, Paris banker, arrived here few days
since on a secret mission to examine the financial
condition of the country, the probable stability of
the government, and other matters pertinent
thereto They tarried here a short time and pro-
ceeded South to investigate the pecuniary condi
ton and resources of that section, and to take
of European interests generally. After this they
will proceed to Mexico and make similar investi-
cations in that country, having in view the ult-
mate establishment of joint English and French
protectorate there. Mr.. Nichols has the authority
OF British bankers to assume the pecunary respon-
sibility of building a Pacific railroad to pass
through the territory of the Southern States of
America and the Northern States of Mexico.
Messrs. Nichols and De Jeaneaux will meet in
Mexico four other agents-two English and two
French-who have gone direct to Mexico, landing
own. The bankers referred to represent forty mil
lion dollars Mexican debt. The whole debt to EGG
land and France is about two hundred million dol
lars.
FORT SUMTER.
Plans have been organized here to reinforce
Fort Sumter whenever it may be deemed necessary,
but, under the present phase of Southern affairs,
this contingency will probably not arise soon. 1t
is known positively that Jefferson Davis has re
Gently stated that Forts Pickens and Sumter were
not worth the loss of life that must be incurred
under the most favorable circumstances even if the
attacks succeed. Now that South Carolina has her
point of honor relieved by the action of the Mont
gomery Convention, no demonstration is expected,
and Major Anderson feels no apprehension what
ever. He is fully prepared, and is now abundantly
supplied with provisions.
FORT TORTUGAs.
Reinforcements started to-day for Tortugas, and
others have been ordered from Texas to that and
the neighboring forts. In short time all the
points commanding the Gulf of Mexico will be
strongly garrisOned and beyond the reach of any
force the revolutonists can collect
MISCELLANEOUS.
The nomination of Mr.. Black for the Supreme
Bench was not considered by the Senate on Thurs
day, but Judge Douglas announced his position in
relation to the matter He said he ould not vote to
confirm Mr.. Black, that he would not vote to post
pone the holding of Executive sessions until the 4th
of March, and that ne would not agree to vote
against any other nominee who might be presented
in place of Mr.. Black. This rules Mr.. Black out,
according to the present position of the Senator's
and invites another nomination.
Since the declaration of the electoral vote the
influx of strangers has been largely augmented,
and now that the fears of a Reign of Terror have
subsidized there will be succession of private par
ties given by the prominent characters here
Oice-seekers continue to pour in, and the struggle
for place will Immediately commence.
A large list of patents have been issued this week
showing, to that extent that political troubles are
not affecting the interests of the country. The
number issued compares favorably with the best
days of the patent office. Three of the patents
granted this week to inventors in seeded
States. Protests continue to be received from the
West against extension of the Mccormick pa
tent.
Some excitement was created in Georgetown on
Thursday night, from the fact that signal lights
were shown from certain point in that vicinity,
and answered by signal rocket from some point
near the Arsenal in this city. 1t is not supposed
that in periIous times like these such demonstra
tions would be made if intended for peaceful pur-
poses. The unusual calm which now pervades the
public mind may, after ALL be but the precursor of
terrible storm.
/ learn, from an authoritative source, that Mr..
Lincoln has perfected his inaugural and that while
it does not violate the policy of the Chicago plat
form, it does not close Ia door against an AMIGA
BILE adjustment of pending difficult es, providing
the people, through constitutional convention
desire change in the fundamental laws of the