The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1860-1863, 1861-01-17
Southern News.

hutooI uOouI daylight lhlS morning, wa
opened upon by the garrison ON Morri
Island, and also by Fort Moultrie. Tb
steamer put about AMI went 10 sea;
have not bsen able to learn whether til
steamer or any person on board was in
Jured. The belief Is that no injury wa
sustained.
Fort Sumter did not respond. Lieut.
Hall, of Fort Sumter, came over TO tn
city, about | O'Clock, with a flag of truce
lie repaired to the quarters of the Gov
erhor, followed by crowd of citizens
he was in secret conference with the Gov
ernor and Council for two hours. Al lwC
o clock, he was sent in a carriage, will
the Governors Aid, to the wharf. anC
returned to Fort Sumter. Tn, object o.
his mission is not known.
1t is not supposed that it relates to the
hrlng on the Star of the West. The peo.
pie are greatly excited. There were nc
demonstrations against Lieut. Hall, though
great curiosity to know What he cAm4 for
AUGUSTA GA, Jan. "a dispatch re
celved here from Charleston, states that
The steamship Star of the West attempted
TO reinforce For, Sumter this morning
when the batteries on Morris Island open
ed tre on her. Some ten shots were
fired at the Star of the West when she
retired. Fort Sum'er did not fire a gun.
MONTGOMERY, ALA, Jan. 9.---The
Convention of yesterday and to-day have
mostly been In secret session. A com.
m'ttee OF thirteen, consisting Of seven
secessionis aud six co.operajionis's, were
appointed yesterday to draw up the ord-
nance of session. The committee will
probably make their report to morrow.
Nothing OF interest was determined to
day.
Five volunteer companies departed for
Pensacola, Fla, TO day. 1t is understood
that they went on the requisition of the
Governor of Florida. On test vote the
secession ordinance will probably be pas
sed bv few majority.
NORFOLK, Va, Jan. 9.-The Brooklyn
has just put to sea. She passed the Clpes
at two o'clock this afternoon.
TIE LATEST.
CHARLESTON Jan. 9.-About II O'Clock
this morning boat from Fort Sumter,
bearing Lieut. Hall, with a white flag,
the city. Lieut.. Hall had an
interview with Gov. Pickens, and was
afterwards escorted TO his boat and re.
embarked for Fort Sumter.
The 'MMUNIcATIoN FROM MAJOR AMBER
son IS AS FOLLOWS:
To His RtcelLency, tile Gov, of South
Carolina.
Sir:-TwO Of your batteries fired this
morning on an unarmed vessel bearing
the flag of my Government. AS l have
not been notified that war has been de
clared by South Carolina against the Uui-
ted States, cannot but think this hos.
tile act. committed without your sanction
or authority. Under that hope, | refrain
from opening d fire on your batteries. l
have the honor, therefore. respectfully to
ask whether the above mentioned act
one which l believe without parallel in
the history of our country or of any other
civilized government-was committed in
obedience to your instructions, and notify
you that if it is not disclained, l regard
it as an act of war, and l shall, after roa.
sonable time for the return 'Ut my mes.
sengel, not permit any vessel to pass with
in the range Of the guns OF my fort In
order to save as far as it is in my power
the shedding Of blood, beg you will take
due notification of my decision for tho
good of sll Concerned. Hoping, however
that your answer may justify further
continuan e of forbearance on my part,
l remain respectfully,
ROBERT ANDERSON"
Gov. Pickens, after stating the position
OF South Carolina to the United States.
says that any attempt to send U. S. troops
into Charleston harbor to reinforce the
forts would be regarded as an act Of hos
tilily; and in conclusion adds, tina, the
attempts TO reinforce the troops at Fort
Sumter, or 10 re'ade and resume pos ses.
sion of the forts within the waters of
South Carolina, which Maj. Anderson a.
bandoned after spiking the cannon, and do.
ing other damage, cannot but be regarded
by the authorities of the State, as indica-
tive of any other purpose than the coer-
cion of the Stale by the armed force of
the Government.
Special agents, therefore, have been off
the bar 10 warn vessels, armed or unarm.
ed, having troops to reinforce Fort Sum
ter aboard, not to enter the halbor. Spe
cial orders have been given to rmmand-
ers at the forts not to fire on such vessels
ill shot across their lows should warn
them Of the prohibition of the State. Tn.
der these circumstances the Star of the
West, this morning, attempted to enter
the harbor with troops, after having been
notified she could not enter, and couse-
queully she was fred into.
The act is perfectly justified, by me- In
regard to your threat about vessels in
the harbor, it is only necessary !or me to
say, yoh alone must be the judge Of your
Your position in the har-
Dor has been tolerated by the authorities
Of the State, and while the act Of which
you complain is in perfect consistency
with the rights and duty Of The Slate, is
not perceived how far the conduct you
propose to adopt can find parallel in the
history Of any country, or be reconciled
with any other purpose than.that of your
Government! imposing on the State the
condiuon Of an acquired province.
(Signed) f. W. PIcKENs..
Second communication from Maj. An
derson:
To His Ercellency Gov. Pickens:'
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