The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-01-17
FACTS AND RUMORS FROM THE WASHING
TON CORRESPONDENTS OF THE NORTH
ERN JOURNALS

Inc OBJECT ana purpose OF Col. HAYNES mission
to the government is entirely misunderstood The
people of South Carolina, regarding as they do the
occupation of Fort Sumter by the United States
troops as standing menace in their midst, some
time since notified Major Anderson that they in
tended to take it, cost what it would. Again on
Friday last, through their Minister of War, they
notified Major Anderson Of their intention to take
the fort
Major Anderson informed them that he had no
authority to act otherwise than to defend himself
lie was willing, however, to refer the subject to the
government, and that the President could take
such action as he deemed proper.
Col. Hayne accordingly despatched by the
authorities of South Carolina to demand the imne-
date surrender of Fort Sumter, as the only means
of preventing war; and all its long train of caami
ties.
They are determined to take it at all hazards and
have 50 informed the government. They believe
that they take it, but it will incur great loss of
life. This they are DESTROYS of preventing.
do not believe the President will entertain such
a proposition for moment. He has taken his
position, and will not swerve from il one Ota. He
is anxious, is major Anderson, to avoid blood
shed, and will do every thing in his power EXCEPT
surrendering up the fort, to prevent such ca
lamity.
Col. Hayne had private interview with the
President at O'Clock this afternoon. What franc
pred OF course Is not known.
Col. Haynes mission is one ofpeace lie is au-
th0rZed to NEGOTIATE Tor the purchase of the public
property in South Carolina, and is willing to paw
the government its full value for the same but if
declines to give it up to the State then they are
determined to take it let what will come This
course has been fully decided upon by South Caro-
lima. They hold that of right it belongs to them
and they do not mean that the United States shall
| hold possession oft much longer. The flag that
waves over Fort Sumter must come down-peace-
ably if they can, forcibly if she must This is the
whole story, and of this the President has been in
formed.
AFFAIRS AT CHARLESTON
l have had an interesting conversation to-day
with Lieutenant Hall, bearer of dispatches from
Major Anderson to the President He renresents
the condition o affairs at Fort Sumter to be healthy
and satisfactory. The reports that Major Ander-
son is short of supplies, and that his men are on
short allowance, is untrue. He has provisions and
supplies for three or four months and by economy
should 1t be necessary, they can be extended
siderably beyond that time.
His description of the scene in the fort when the
firing at the Star of the West progressing, is
| exceedingly Interesting He says that the next
day after the Star of the West left, two or three
large briggs, which had been purchased in Savan-
nah, were sunk in the channel. He says he has no
| doubt that extensive preparations have been and
stlll are being made TO defend the city For some
time back, immense cargoes of cotton have passed
into the harbor to be used in defence of the city,
| in what manner he does not know. 1t NAV be in
floating batteries. He says that Governor Pickens
| informed him that he had rendered to him upwards
of twenty thousand volunteers but that he had de-
| clined them. He notified them, however, to hold
themselves in readiness He says that in all his in
| treated
| him and the officers of the Fort with great kind
ness Should it become necessary, he saws thew
can she'll the city with perfect ease with their heavy
| guns, and all the batteries in Morris Island.
THE PosT-oFFICE SURVEILLANCE AT CHARLESTON
Information having reached the Post Office De-
! partment that under an order of the Governor of
| South Carolina the correspondence of Major An
| derson and his command is subjected to surveil-
lance of the Post-Ofice, or others in authority at
Charleston, Mr.. Holt addressed letter to Mr. HUI
ger, the Postmaster at Charleston making inquiry
in the matter. He replied that "when the communi-
cation between the city and Fort was first inter.
cepted, under the intense excitement and in order
| to avoid collision between unauthorized parties
| distinction was made, by order of Gov. Pickens
in two instances, between official and private let
tiers for Major Anderson. Subsequently, this deci-
| sion seems to have been reconsdered, and have
sent all mail matter for Major Anderson, and for
| his command, under sealed cover from this office
and continue to do so to this day, January 12th as
opportunity occurred, and do so without surveil-
| lance of the Post-Ofice other authority at
| Charleston.
THE TREASURY NOTES
Since the Cabinet has become a unit, and there
is some evidence of concert and determination to
| maintain the Government capitalists are more in
clined to sustain it with their means and influence
| The principal bids for the five millions of Treasury
notes, which to be opened on the 10TH will not
be made before Friday, but there every reason to
believe they will be taken at several per cent low
interest than the last 1t may not exceed seven,
| at least such is the present expectation.
INDIAN BONDS ROBBERY
The House Select Committee Indian Bonds
| continued the examination of Russell on Tuesday
! but did not conclude with him. The Committee
! procured in New York great quantity of accumu-
lative testimony, amounting to over eight hundred
document pages learn that an attempt may be
| made to recover these bonds wherever found in
| honest or dishonest hands, but it is the opinion of
| the best legal minds here that they cannot be
touched if honestly possessed by the holder-that
they are the same as bank notes-hence the Gov
f,puc no hal I ho,- loo.
expressed by responsible parties that Bailey will
not be accepted States evidence subsequent de-
velopments not warranting such course. Others
who were suspected of being parties to the robbery
Judging from the statements of Bailey, have COW
cred their tracks, and cannot be indicted. The
opinion is that Russell will be indicted as a re-
ceiver of stolen goods or accessory to the crime
Gen. SCOTS arrangements and precautions for
the protection of the peace here are ample and
| nearly completed, if any attempt at ruffanism
| should exhibit itself, which is not now seriously
! apprehended. Still there are some bad elements
conspiring, aud they may well know what is
in store for them, if public order should be out
! ragged.
| The Presidents reception on Tuesday night, was
rather dull. There were few persons present. and
no avowed secessonists. Lieut.. Hall, from Fort
Sumter, in undress uniform, was the lion of the
evening. Among the distinguished were Messrs.
General Harvey, Lieut.. Maury, Ewing, of Ohio.
and the diplomatic corps. The President looked
| very carewOrn.
Since the withdrawal of the secession members
of Congress, and the docle attitude of those who
remain, the disunion sentiment is not near so ram
pant in Washington as it short time ago, and
Governor Stewards speech, after being read and
carefully digested, is beginning to have beneficial
effect upon those who, upon hearsay evidence of
its import, thought disparagingly of it at first.
Gen. Hamilton, of Texas, is constantly receiving
encouraging letters from bis section of the State in
relation to Union sentiments. They state that the
stars and stripes still float there, and that the
Union feelingis spreading.
Letters from Louisiana report that Baton Rouge
and West Feiciana pronounce against secession.
The President said to-day that he would not vary
in the slightest degree from the policy embraced in
his recent special message, wherein he appealed to
the House to settle the matter on the principle that
the Union must and shall be preserved.
Mr.. Seward was yesterday actively engaged with
some of the more conservative Republicans, and it
is hoped that he may succeed in giving peace the
country.
The Post-office Department is making up the &C
counts of the mail contractors in South Carolina
for ths fouytb nuartar of 1890 Some sayantv