Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-01-01
South Carolina Convention.

esu "a oiOiiS AiOu1ulii'
South Carolina Convention.
The proceedings of the South Carolina "Sov-
ereign Convention" On Monday, the Oath, SO tar
as made public, were not interesting or impor-
tant. Mr.. Rhett's Address to the People OF the
Southern States was debated and amended. In
the evening the Convention met in secret session,
and was occupied with the ordinance relating TO
the postal aud revenue laws.
The South Carolina Sovereign Convention"
on Christmas Day rejected resolution directing
the Governor to make preparations for main
tanning by force the right and jurisdiction OF
South Carolina in its territory. Governor Pick
ems affirmed the intention of the State to leave
the forts in the possession of the United States
until the Commissioners have concluded their
negotiations at Washington, unless an attemptis
made in the meantime to reinforce them. After
a long debate the Convention determined not to
officially notify the non-slaveholdng States OF
the withdrawal of South Carolina from the u
Mon. The indications are still said to be that
the Convention will a9opt the United States
revenue laws and order the receipts to be paid
into the State treasury.
In the Convention on Wednesday, the 26tb,
Mr. Rhett offered an ordinance providing for a
Convention of all the slaveholdng States, to be
held at Montgomery, Alabama, for the purpose
of forming Southern Confederacy. The ratio
of representation from each State to be the same
as at present in the Congress of the United
States, and recommending, on the part of South
Carolina, the present Federal Constitution as a
suitable basis for the new Confederacy. The
Constitution SO prepared to be adopted in the
Conyention by a vote by States, and afterward
submitted for ratification to the several States.
In secret session on Wednesday, the 26th, the
Convention adopted an ordinance continuing the
present rate of duties on imported goods, and
re-appointing, as State officers, the present Gov
ernment officers in the State.
The news of the evacuation of fort Moultrie
was received here by telegraphic despatch on
Thursday night last, and created considerable
excitement.
The announcement of the evacuation of Fort
Moultrie and the occupation of Fort Snmpter
was received with various expressions of opin-
ion, but the predominant one was feeling OF
admiration for the determined conduct and Mil
itary skill of Col. Anderson in abandoning an
indefensible position, and by strategetic coup
de main which has reversed the whole position
of affairs, transferring his force to fort Sumpter
the strongest of the Charleston Notifications
and the key of its defences. Col. Anderson is
believed to have acted in this matter without
special orders, but as be has charge of all the
forts, the disposition of the force under his com
mand is a matter in regard to which he may b.
supposed to Lave full authority. The even
caused the utmost excitement in Charleston
the military assembled and a disposition was
evinced to immediately attack Fort Sumpter.-
But as the transfer of the force from one fort to
another, though radically changing the aspect o.
affairs, is not reinforcement of these forts
and as Governor Pickens has declared that, ex-
cept in the case of an attempted re inforcement
South Carolina would not attempt to take pos
session of the forts, we scarcely think that The
immediate commencement of hostilites is prob
able. In one aspect we cannot but regard the
news as favorable. The continued possession o.
the forts by the Federal Government is a neces-
sity, if the efforts for peaceable settlement o.
the difficulties are to be continued. If the q
S. forces were once driven out, war would be
an almost unavoidable consequence.
At the secret session on Thursday, an ordi-
nance was passed authorizing the Governor
with the advice and consent of the Convention
to conduct negotiations with foreign powers, tc
make treaties in conjunction with the Senate, te
appoint ministers, ambassadors, consuls, etc.
and do various other acts appertaining to the
Executive of an Independent kingdom.
The Proceedings of Friday were unimportant