The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-01-04

The News.
The reports from the South are again of start
Ling character Ii is announced from Georgia that
the Governor Of that State has seized and garri-
soped with militia the forts in the harbor of Savan
NAH and there is reason to believe that plan has
been matured by the secessionsts for taking posses
sion of all the Notifications on the Southern coast
The intelligence from Charleston is to the effect
that Fort sumter j. besicged, that Major Ander-
sons communications have been cut off, that Fort
Moutrie has been repaired, that new batteries
have been erected and that everything is in road-
ness to open fire on the federal forces. The Flo
rida Convention met yesterday. Without doubt
this body will pass secession ordinance soon
a. the formalities can be gone through with. The
federal Judge of Florida has resigned his commits
sion.
In the Senate yesterday Mr. Crittenden offered
his plan for the adjustment Of the pending
troubles and it was laid over for future considera-
ton. A large number Of memorials from various
parts Of the country in support Of Mr.. Crit
tenden's proposition were presented. Mr..
Baker, of Oregon resumed and concluded his
speech on the crisis, and was followed by
MIR. Douglas who made of his best efforts in
behalf Of peace. In the House bill was reported
by the Judiciary Committee providing for the col
lection Of the revenue from on shpboard, or at
any point deemed advisable, when said collections
cannot be made at the usual places. The subject
viii be taken mp Tuesday next. Both houses
adjourned till Saturday.
The Legislature held but brief session yester-
day. In the Assembly notice was given of a bill
to repeal the Personal Liberty law of 1910. No
tice was also given of bill to reorganize the
New York Fire Department on the paid system.
a.. n \ An w..
condition of the republic is the absorbing topic at
the State capital, and the preparations in relation
thereto already before the Legislature are dis
Cussed in preference to lobby jobs. The demo-
cratic members of the Legislature held caucus
yesterday, and unanimously agreed to support the
resolutions introduced in the House by Mr. Robin
son, in favor of dividing all the territory of the
United States into two States and admitting them
into the Union thus taking forever the Territorial
question as regards slavery out of Congress.
The steamship Australasian, from Liverpool on
the I'D via Queenstown the 23d ult., arrived of
sandy Hook Wednesday evening, where she was
detained several hours awaiting the tide. She
reached her dock early yesterday morning
enabling us to give synopsis Of her news in our
yesterday issue. We this morning supply some
interesting and important details. The Australia
sian brings 1926 900 in specie.
The news from China is important. The latest
dispatches received at the British Foreign Office,
via St. Petersburg--a source always reliable-con-
firms the previous report of treaty of peace be-
tween the Allies and the Chinese. Both the Paris
fonste,o and Sir John Champion (the latter having
received letter from Lord Egn) confirm the in
telligence Of the termination of the and the
ratification OF the treaty. From the French
we learn that the Chinese government had agreed
to pay the sum Of two millions and half sterling
70 France: that the system, Of cootie immigration
srds 10 be duly authorized and that certain
cessions had been made behalf Of Christian
worship. We regret that we have good news
TO report respecting the missing English prisoners
A despatch from General lgnatief distinctly men
tions the death of Mr.. Bowlby but Lord Elgin in
his despatch to Sir John Champion Is silent the
subject.
The French governme ntal organs begin ser
ously to occupy themselves with the project Of
the sale Of veneta by Austria and Grandguillot
supports il in the Constitutional. The official
Journalists article significantly concludes with
what may be construed into threat, inasmuch as
he expresses the hope that Austria, who knows how
provinces are gained, " will also remember how
they are lost" The Pdtrie asserts that the Pope,
guided by concilistory spirit, consents to
revision of the Austrian Concordat'
The news from Italy is unimportant. Francis ii.
had issued an address, dated ut Gaeta, December
g. in which he states his determination TO fight TO
the last, and appeals 10 the Immaculate and In
yincible Virgin aud the patriotism of the Neapo
tans to sustain him.
According TO a despatch received AZ Paris from
Constantnople, Russia, Prussia and Great Britain
have proposed at Constarlnhople, and most proba.
bly, also elsewhere, the reopening OF confe-
rences for improving the situation of the Christians
b Turkey.
Our commercial reports show genSal weak.
ness in American securities Cotton and bread.
etuffs had advanced.
The English press continue their criticisms upon
the Presidents Message, and condemn II in I'M.
measured terms.
The steamship Northern Light, from Aspinwall
25th ult. arrived at this port at noon yesterday.
Che brings 81 4e2 900 in specie, and the mails and
passengers which left San Francisco on the 10th
nit, together with news from Central and South
America and New Granada. The advces from
California have been anticipated by the overland
Expresses.
From New Granada we learn that the town Of
6snts Marta, which had been besieged for some