The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-01-15
The News.

The Cabinet had meeting yesterday and
decided not to send any achievements to Major
Anderson at present. The instructions to the
Major have not yet been completed.
Messrs. Hayne and Guardn, messengers from the
Governor of South Carolina, and Lieut.. Hall,
bearer of dispatches from Major Anderson, arrived
at Washington yesterday. The latter Immediately
sought an interview with the President but the
object of his mission had not been made public.
Nothing had officially transpred respecting the
mission Of the gentlemen from South Carolina, but
it was believed to have reference to measures for
the prevention Of hostilities.
There is but little news Of importance from
Charleston. The South Carolina Legislature has
declared that any attempt by the federal govern
ment to reinforce Fort Sumter will be regarded as
an act CT open hostility and q declaration of war.
The Legislature has approved of the attack upon
. the Star Of the West, and decided to support the
Governor in all measures of defence Military
companies were arriving at Charleston from all
parts of the State. Governor Pickens has tele-
graphed to the President of the Bank Of the Re-
public of this city, that vessel will be disturbed
or prevented from entering the harbor Of Charles
ton, unless bearing hostile troops or munitions Of
war for Fort Sumter.
telegraphic despatch received by Messrs.
Spoford, Tileston & Co., dated Charleston, Janu-
airy l3, states that it was blowing gale from the
northeast with heavy sea on the bar, and that
the steamship Marion was detained but would
sail when the weather moderates.
Both houses Of Congress were yesterday en-
gagged upon the pending troubles Of the nation.
In the Senate Mr.. Biger offered amendments to
the constitution similar to those embraced in the
Crttenden prop ssitions. The bill provides for sub
hitting the amendments to the people for ratifca-
ton on the 18th Of February. Owing to the
absence Of several Senators, the subject was
passed over. Mr.. Grimes, Of Iowa, introduced a
resolution requesting the President to com
municate any information he may have re-
garding attempts made or contemplated by any
large body of men to interfere with the free navi-
cation of the Mississippi river, and what efforts
have been made to suppress the same. Laid over
A motion to postpone the bill to admit Kansas, in
order to take up Mr.. Hunters crisis resolutions
was defeated-yeas "a, nays y. A motion to
postpone the debate on Mr.. Crittenden's resolu-
tons till Thursday was defeated-yeas 10, nays
IS. II was then agreed to let them lay over till
Wednesday. Mr.. Hunters resolutions relative to
withdrawing the federal forces from seeding
States were then taken up, and Mr.. Polk, Of Mis-
souri, delivered his views on the pending difficult
ties.
In the House leave TO offer resolution instruct.
ing the Committee of Thirty three to report the
Crittenden proposition Of adjustment was refused
by the republicans. The committee made majo-
rity and minority reports. The first mentioned
was made the special order for Monday next. A
resolution to suspend the execution Of the federal
laws in certain States was referred to the Com
mttee on the Presidents Message. Several other
propositions relative to the crisis were offered and
finally the House went into Committee of the
Whole when general debate on the affairs of the
country was inaugurated by Messrs. McClernand,
of Illinois, and Cox, Of Ohio. At the conclusion of
their remarks, Mr.. Reagan, Of Texas obtained the
floor, and the House adjourned.
Hinton Rowan Helper again attempted to deliver
hislecture "The Two Systems of Labor" at Gin
ton Hall, last evening; but the trustees closed the
hall against him. Quite large crowd assembled,
and Colonel Titus, of Kansas celebrity. was arrest
ed by the police. graphic report Of the whole
affair with the resolutions passed at an extemporc
meeting Of citizens, will be found in another
column.
At the monthly anti-slavery prayer meeting last
evening Of the congregation attached to Dr.
Cheevers church, several addresses were made in
which the speech Of Mr.. Seward was spoken OF as
being too yielding and conciliatory, and not at all
satisfactory to abotonist principles. The present
crisis was also regarded as the judgment Of God
for the sin of slavery.
In the Circuit Court yesterday, Judge Smalley
delivered an important charge to the Grand Jury
in relation TO the subject Of treason against the
federal government, defining what in the eye OF
the constitution, constitutes treason, as also the
lesser crime Of misprision Of treason. The
Judge charges that not only those who, act
ing under the authority Of different States,
have seized the forts arsenals and other federal
property, are guilty Of high treason, but also
those who may have lent them assistance by the