The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-01-01
THE NATIONAL CRISIS.
The South Carolina Convention.
FROM WASHINGTON.
&c., &c., &c.
THE SOUTH CAROLINA SOVEREIGN

&C., &c., &c.
THE SOUTH CAROLINA SOVEREIGN
CONVENTIONS,
PROPOSITION TO REMOVE THE LIGHT HOUSES AND
BUoYs-A SECRET SESSION.
CHARLESTON, Dec. 3l.-The Convention re-asseu-
bled at 10 o'clock.
After the usual preliminary business, the Presi
dent stated the question before the Convention to
be that which was under consideration at the close
of the secret-session yesterday, namely: A rescu-
ton relative to the removal of light houses and
buoys
Mr. Chestnut moved a secret session, whereupon
the house was cleared of all spectators, and the
Convention proceeded to a secret elaboration.
SECOND DESPATCH
CHARLESTON, Dec. 31-P. Nit is said on au-
thority of the Chairman of the Engrossinp Com
mittee, that secret sessions will principally occupv
the remaining time Of the Convention up to the
final adjournment.
SEIZURE OF UNITED STATES ARsENAL-sEvENTv
THOUSAND STAND OF ARMS IN POSSESSION OF THE |
sTATE-voLUNTEERs OFFERING ETC
CHARLESTON, Dec. 3l.-The troops of the State
who have been acting for some weeks mast ne |
guard to the United States Arsenal in this city
this morning under the order of the Governor.
took full possession, relieving the United States Off
Ger who has continued up to the present time in
command.
The Arsenal contains seventy thousand stand of
arms and other military stores
| Military preparations actively and zealously
| progressing Companies of volunteers have been
rendered from several Southern States as also
number OF officers of the Army and Navy, and 9th
er West Point graduates
| Capt ). Nj. Morgan, of Tennessee, has offered
| his services, and has been accepted.
There have been no restrictions nlaced nm the
transmission of intelligence from this city The
correspondent of the Press here has deemed it
needless to transmit mere rumors, and has confined
hlmse 10 lacts, all OF which have been faithfully
| chroncled.
| WASHINGTON RUMoRs AS TO THE APPOINTMENT OF A
| SUCCESSOR TO SECRETARY FLOYD.
| WASHINGTON, Dec. 3l.-The report which pre-
vailed throughout the city this afternoon, that
Lieutentant-Genera Scott has been appointed Sec
| rotary OF War ad Interim produced thrilling effect
and occasi0ned much indignation among the seces-
sionists, who are fully that General Scott is
in favor OF extensive military preparations The
truth is, Postmaster General Holt, is in temporary
charge of the War Department, and tonight was
attending to duties there in company with the Chief
Clerk.
General Scott has not been either at the Depart
ment or Presidents house to-day.
Both Secretaries Thompson and Thomas were at
the Cabinet meeting to-day, though rumor had de-
clared otherwise. Many reports prevail with no
truth for their foundation and which serve only to
add to the already intense excitement.
MIR. Prescott, Secretary to the South Carolina
Commissioners, will leave Washington for Charles
ton tomorrow. The Commissioners will remain to
await Executive and Legislative action.
There are almost any number of wild and i'm
probable rumors in circulation, which as they only
serve to excite the public mind are deemed unwor
thy of repetition.
THE CABINET STILL UNDECIDED IN REGARD TO THE
, SOUTH CAROLINA FORTS.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 3l.-No decisive action was
taken by the Cabinet to-day relative to the
Charleston forts
The Presidents special message will probably be
transmitted to Congress on Wednesday. 1t is uu-
derstood he will submit such facts as have come to
his knowledge for such legislative action as may
be considered necessary concerning the secession
movements.
Senator Hunter intends introducing a resolution
having IN view an adjustment of the property and
other questions with any seeding State.
MR.. FLOYD's EXPLANATION.
: The following is the most impo rtant part of the
: letter of Elk Secretary Floyd in explanation of the
acceptances granted to contractors, presented by
Speaker Pennington yesterday, and read before the
= House of Representatives
at time in the wear 1853 it became absolute
y necessary to start large trains of transportation
across the plains of tab, when there was no avail
/. able means to put those trains in motion. Accep
l., tances were given to contractors then to enable
o them to start, and they did So The practice thu
If begun was continued good while from necessity
e and was afterwards followed to afford accom-
r mediation to contractors in their very large
- and extensive work Their purrort is to Civ
= preference to the holder when filed in the De
y partment, out of any moneys due to contractors
Of These acceptances have, until the past autumn
t. been to large amounts nor has any complaint what
n ever, until then, been heard, that means were no
lie provided to meet and redeem them. There ha
le never been the least concealment mystery abou
le this business. 1t was perfectly known to all wit
had any interest in knowing anything about it,
They have been given only when there was A sub
sisting contract, out of which means to meet then
"a would certainly arise. and for the execution o
le which there was existing appropriation The,
g are prohibited by no law.
d The issue of these acceptances within this mont
Il rested upon the following considerations: Thos
u given for last seasons work, and which were hell
p collateral security in different places the con
tractors anxious to postpone until next
3 They represented that this could be done with &C
r. ceptances, which on their face represented tina
II they would be paid when the money they called 70
IN was earned by the contractors for next season
ar work. The strongest assurances were given tina
this paper was only to go, and certainly to 60, b.
- agreement already made, into the hands alon
a of those banks and firms who then hell
ar unpaid acceptances, and for which they were to bt
Il, substituted, and held collateral to their own oh
TO legations. The pay accruing under this contrac
for next season will be more than enough to cove
ar the amount of acceptances predicated on it. T.
lie insure this stipulation, consented to issue paper
IN only in large amounts, and in the form whicl
n would be acceptable. if at all, to those who knew
!, the perfect solVency of the contractors, and wit
a. had already money engagements with them to
TO large amount, and who had, as | was informed
Ut and as believed, already consented to and de
E. sired the arrangement.
E. If these promises and faithful engagements ha
IS been performed, no difficulty could have re
re suited from the transaction. 1t could not ant
to would not have misled or deceived any one. n
81 expectation based on it could by any possbilit
- have been disappointed But the promises mad
ct me were not kept-were broken. This paper was
it seems, placed in the hands of the Clerk of tn
er Interior who had distracted large amount of sc
IS. curtes belonging to the Indian Trust Fund. Find
ing this to be the case, have not hesitated to Civ
he order to cancel and annul all those acceptance;
n. The perversion has rendered them void and of n
II. effect.
1g am gratifed to assert confident belief that n
ne one connected in any way, directly, remotely, i
q. any shape form, with the duties of the War De
e. partment, had any the least connection with o
knowed ge OF this embezzlemen in its inception
of = Since have presided in this Depart
10 ment, not dollar, believe, has been lost to Gov
o. eminent by embeZZement or theft and within tina
m time sixty millions of dollars have been disburseC
m No system of administration, no line of policy,
think could reach better results; no system of at
le countability could be more perfect These facts
en- confidently assert and the Department is every
ue where full of the proofs of them. invite any il
ed vestgation which the House may think proper t
ne institute into any or all of my official acts.
- Especial Dispatches to the Ne,o Fork Herald
ed THE FEELING AT THE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. FO
Is WAR IN MASSACHUSETTS AND NEW HAMPSHIRE.
H. Boston, Dec. 29-There is no Disgusting the fac
on that Massachusetts is ready to respond prompt
~ to any demand made upon her for troops to SUI
Il tain the Union and the laws learn to day frol
the highest authority, that thousand troop
ce be put in marching order twenty -four hour
IT. notice, and that hundred and forty-fVe thou
III and men are enrolled in the militia of this State
.G S Of this number twenty thousand could be easil
Gu mustered.
or The financial resources of Massachusetts, wer
iIs in better condition for such emergency
reg and the people enthusiastic to be enrolled.
ie Adjutant General Abbott, of New Hampshire
u arrived here this afternoon from Washington, an
ID left Immediately for Concord, with the intentio
We ! of recommending to Governor Goodwin that til
&c Granite State be Immediately put upon a wa
IN footing.
IL Considerable excitement exists in consequence
e the reports that the muskets removed from Spring
~ field Armory have been distributed over the Soutf
r Mr.. Whitney, Collector of this Port, late Superb
~ tendent of the Armory at Springfield, returned
10 from there tonight, having been there, it is SUI
ny posed with reference to the report from Washing
Is ton to the Herald that twenty thousand muske
m have recently been taken from the Armory an
~, nS sold to Virginia.
"a The feeling is deep and not to be misinterpreeC
ti There is mistaking the fact that Massacnuset
H. is in earnest in this crisis The merchants ar
" plucky, and the of Anderson is uppermost
* every conversation.