The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1861-01-23
The Crisis.

ehe3 we uSNoto Jul PoPoi ~ 'NS '''''"S
events transpiring relative TO cur Southern
troubles. What follows is mostly made up
Of telegraphic dispatches, and in some in
stances, the news Of one day may be con
tradicted the next. We give the items for
the purpose Of showing the apparent state
Of affairs from dOy to day, believing that in.
formation on this subject will be more inter-
esting Especially to our country friends who
have no opportunity of reading the dsIy pa
pers,) than any thing else we could publish:
JACKSON, Miss, Jan. e.-Thc State Con.
ven,ion to-day passed an ordinance declar-
ine the immediate secession OF Mississippi
from the Federal Union. 1t was adopted by
q vote Of 81 yeas to Is nays.
A number Of public and priv te buildings
sre Illuminated TO night, salutes are being
fred and FIRE works displayed, and other
manifestations of rejoicing exhibited.
The Convention was in secret session
this morning.
A resolution was adopted, enid much sp
plause, inviting the delegates from South
Carolina and hlabsma to occupy seats on
the floor OF tne COHFeHtiUH'
All efforts to postpone action on the ordi,
nance OF Immediate secession were voted
down.
The fifteen opposing votes will sign the
ordinance to merrow. making it unanimous.
There is grand display OF Fl works OF
the Capitol to. night, in honor of the event.
The excitement is intense.
WLMINeToN, N. c., Jan. 10 FoIt
johnson and Fort Caswell, were taken pos
session OF on the night Of the 6th inst, by
the Smithyile Guards.
AUGUSTA, Ca, Jan. l0.-This mornings
Charleston Courier gives the following par
'ticulars in relation to the attack upon the
steamer Star of the West:
About half past six o'clock yesterday
morning the steamer Gen. C1iach discover
ed The steamer Star Of the West, and signal
led the fact to the occupants o! tho bsttery
on Morris Island. As soon as the IaCt was
signalIed, all Morris Island was Gstir, and
the men were at their posts before the Or
ders were given. They remained in an%.
ious suspense, but ready for what they be-
, .lieved was sure TO COme-namely, Volley
from Fort Sumter. The Star of The West
rounded the point, snd took the ship chan
mel inside of the bar, and proceeded s'rpi ight
forward until she was opposite Morris Is
land. three quarters of mile from the bat
terv, when u>ball was fred athwort the bows
of the steamer. The S:ar Of the WtSt dis
plcyed the stars and stripes, and as soon as
It was unrurIed, succession of heavy shots
were fred. The vessel continued at in
creased epeed but one or two shots taking
effect, htr captain concluded TO retire.
Fort MouItrie fired few shots, but they
we're cut of range. The damage done to
the steamer was trihiDg, only two out OF
seventeen shots taking effect, butthere is
no idea as to the extent OF the damsge.
Folt Sumter made no demonstration ex'
cent that its guns were run out of the en-
brazrres bearing Oh Morris Island and Fort
MouItrie.
About IL o'clock boat from Fort Sum
ter, bearing Lieutenant Hall, with white
nag, approached the city. He had en- inter
view with Governor Pickens, and ~ns after.
wards escorted to the boat, and re embarked
for Fort Sumter.
The communication from Major Anderson
is as follows:
To Hrs ExcELLENCV THE GOVERNOR OF
South CAROLINA:
SIR: Two Of your batteries fired. this
morning, on an unarmed vessel bearing thA
flag of my Government. | am net notified
thst war has been declared by South Caro-
Ina against the United States, and cannot
bat think that this hostile act was committed
without your sanction or authority. Under
that hope re!r lined from opening fire upon
your batteries. have the honor, therefore,
respectfully to ask whether the above men.
toned act--one, believe, without pora'-
lei in the history OF our country, or any 9th.
er civilized GoYernneDt--was committed
in obedience to your instructions, snd notify
YOU that il not dijcIaimed, that regard It as
an act of war, and shall not, after feG.
,sonabis time for the return of my messen-
ger, permit any vessel to pass within range
OF tie guns Of my fort. In order to save, as
fsr as in MY power, the shedding of blood, |
beg you will have due notification made OF
my decision to ell concerned.
Hoping, however, that your answer may
Justify further continuance of forbearance
va Dy part, am, respectfully,
ROBERT AEDERs N.
Governor Pickens in his reply, after stat
;oc The pcsition OF South Csroinn to the
Uuited States, and that any attempt to send
United States troops to Charleston harbor
10 reinforce the forts would be regarded as
an act Of hostility, ssys, in conclusion
Auy attempt to reinforce the troops in
Fort Sumter, or to retaks and resume pos.
session Of the forts whhin the waters
this State, which you abandoned, spiking
the guns, and doing otherwise much damage,
cannot be regarded by the authorities OF the
State as indicative OF any other purpose than
a coercion Of the State by the armed torcs OF
the Government Special agents, there fore,
have been placed of the bar to warn np.
preaching vessels, both armed and unarmed,
having troops on board to reinforee the forts,
mot 10 enter the harbor. Special orders
have been given to the commanders of the
forts NOT 10 FIRE at such vessels until shot
acrose her bow would warn her OF the pro
hibition of the State. Under such circun.
stances. the Star Of the West, ] have under
,,atood. this morning attempted to enter the
harbor with troops, and, having been notified
that she could not enter, was fred into
The act is perfectly justified by me. Ln re-
gard to your threst against vessels 10 the
bssbot, |, is only necessary to say that you
must Judge OF your responsibility. Your
Dositicn in The harkor has been tolerated by
the authorities OF this State, and while the
~ 81 vhish yon complain is in perfect con