, 1861-01-18
BY EXPRESS AND OVERLAND MAIL.
DATES FROM ST. LOUIS TO DEC. 2l!
Proceedings in Congress.
Nrisoeua1aeous 1tenas.

The steamer Pacific arrived at Portland
on Saturday last, bringing dates from San
francisco to 9Th inst.
The following summary Of news we copy
from the Portland Daily Adrsriisir of the
l4th inst:
Sr. LOUIS, Dec 20-P. NJ.
The Washington correspondent Of the
New York Times says that conservative
men find very little cause for confidence in
the speech Of Crttenden, and hold that the
manner in which it was received furnishes
no indication of disposition on the part
of the Republicans to accede tp the terms
proposed; though some Southern Senators
expressed the opinion that it would be sat
sfactOry to moderate Southern States.
The messenger with the vote Of Louisia-
ma reports that the Legislature of that State
refused almost unanimously to appoint Com
missioners to the other States, being deter
miued to act without consultation.
Mr.. Hamlin, Vice President elect had
long conference with General Scott. The
General expressed the hope that the pres
ent difficulties would be overcome and set
tied. Hamlin and CasS also had an inter
view
An article in the Richmond Enquirer
recommends the seeding States. to take
Washington City, with the public build
ings. 1t is laughed at in Washington City
by Southern men, and Virginians express
themselves ashamed of such pucrile stuff
The New York World learns that the
British and French Consus at Charleston
hs, C been approached by the Secessionsts,
with view to secure their cooperation,
but they replied that any communication
to them would be transmitted to the State
Department at Washington"
In the Georgia Legislature one of the
ablest Secessionists, (Hill) in blaze Of
eloquence characterized separate action as
the right way of accomplishing its own de,
feat-liberty forging its own chains; hap
piness poisoning its own cup, and prosperi.
ty committing suicide. Resolutions in fa-
vor Of cooperation were accordingly adopt
ed. The Mississippi Commissioner was
courteously received by the Georgia Legis-
lature and made speech, Of which thou
sand copies wer ordered printed.
At quarterly meeting of the Irish
Charitable Society, Of Boston, on the night
of the 18th, after the transaction of bust
ness, strong Union resolutions were unani-
mously adopted. Several patriotic ad-
dresses were delivered.
Private advices from New York, pub
lished, represent the feeling prevailing there,
! if possible, worse thanin Boston; the wri-
ter would not be surprised to see blood
shed in those cities before long.
The Postmaster General will stop the
South Carolina mails; the Postmaster ai
Charleston having signifed his intention to
resign after secession takes place, there can
be no distribution there.
The ST. Louis Democrat announced on
the authority of both Lincoln and Bates,
that the latter will occupy a place in the
new Cabinet probably Secretary of the In
terror.
A large meeting was held last night at
Norfolk. Resolutions were adopted in fa-
vor Of National State Convention, oppos-
ing coercion in favor of arming the State,
and declaring against the re-opening of the
African slave trade.
The Methodist Conference Of South Car
olina, on the 18th, passed resolutions fa-
Voring secession.
About eighteen young ladies seeded
from the seminaries Of New York and
Pennsylvania, and passed through Wash
iugton yesterday.
The Governor of Alabama, in conse-
quence OF the present crisis, has assumed
the responsibility of advising the banks to
suspend, and all have done SO but three.
CONGRESSIONAL NEWS.
At meeting Of the Committee of Thir.
ty-Three, the proposition Of Davis, of Ma
ryland, requesting the several State Legs-
latures to revise their laws, and If any were
found conflicting with the Constitution or
laws Of the United States to repeal them,
was adopted, with but two dissenting voices.
Davis, of Mississippi, uusuccessfully at
tempted to have the question OF the Terri
tories first disposed Of
A proposition Of Davis, Of Maryland,
previously submitted, embodying q bill
which requires the Marshal to deliver fugi-
tives to the District Judge in the Distrc!
of the State from which the fugitives es-
capped, for trial by jury, was referred to a
subcommittee of the members from the
from the border States.
The Postoffice Committee have the Pony
Express matter under consideration for a
contract with Russell & Co. to transmit
dispatches. 1t is thought that it will pass,
as the existence of the Express, it is said,
depends on it.
In the Senate to-day the Pacific Rail
road bill was received from the House.
Gwin moved to make it the special order
for the I'd Of January. Bragg moved to
refer it to a special committee: