, 1861-12-13
Present Indications.

the dissolving of the Charleston Convention,
we have never had brighter sky in our
national affairs. Already some of the sece-
ding States have manifested desire to re-
turn again to their former position in the
Federal Union, by holding conventions for
the purpose of hearing and obeying the will
of the people on that subject. North Car
Olina is the first to make move in this di-
rection and at convention which met at
Hatteras, recently, wherein forty-fve coun-
ties were represented, resolutions were pass
ed condemnirg the Secession Ordinance,
which was passed at Raleigh on the goth of
last May, and adopting the State Constitu-
ton, with the statutes and laws contained
in the Revised Code of 1856. This con
vention elected Provisional Governor, vest
ing in him the power of appointing, tempo
rarily, officers tc fill all official vacancies !;
also, the authority to call an election for the
purpose of electing members of Congress.
The convention adjourned to meet again
when required by the President of the
United States.
Until very recently, there has been no
movements of Importance by either of the
hostile armies now in the field However,
by our latest dispatches from the seat Of
war, we have news of the taking of Ports
Royal and Beufo1t-two very important
forts to whoever may be in possession Of
them. Port Royal lies between Charleston
and Savannah, and can be easily approached
at any season of the year by vessels going
to and coming from Europe. 1t is SOC
miles nearer the mouth of the Mississippi
river than New York. The Island of Port
Royal is about five miles wide by ten long
On one side lies Beufort river; and on The
other side lies Broad river, two miles ir
width and with depth of water sufficient tc
float the largest sized vessels.
1t seems that great dissatisfaction existed
among the Confederate troops on receiving
the news of the taking of forts Royal ant
Beufort, and it vas almost impossible tc
keep them from becoming thoroughly de-
moralized.
In addition to the above named forts, il
appears that the Federal troops have cap.
tured forts Beauregard and Walker, which
are points of no less Importance than the
former two, as they command the entrance
to Port Royal.
General Price is now in winter qnarters
in Arkansas ard in Missouri, where SC
lately the hottest contests were had hostil-
tiles have almost entirely ceased The Fed
eral troops have nearly all gone down the
river to St. Louis Springfield, so recently
the bloody battle field, is said to be evacu-
~.ea.
We may hope that the next news we re-
ceive by Continental telegraph will be ol
the same character of the last; and that
other States have followed the example set
them by North Carolina. A few months
since, when all was excitement, or rather
madness, it seemed as if it were impossible
for this glorious Republic to assume its for
mer political position OF geographical di-
mensions; it seemed that the noblest fabric
ever ordained by God and constructed by
man for mans government, was destined to
perish. But now that little time has in
tervened, and the good people, the sover-
eign power, have used it literally for mo-
ments of reflection, we see ne good reason
why South Carolina might not follow in the
wake of her sister State, and yet occupy hel
former position in the old Confederation Of
States, and claim their mutual assistance
and protection.