The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-01-16
SOUTH CAROLINA AFFAIRS-ITEMS FROM
CHARLESTON PAPERS
The Charleston papers of Saturday contain the
following items:

Total contracts paid and unpaid. COB
All these contracts, with the exception of a
portion OF marble contract, of perhaps S20-
600 or OOO, are to be completed and paid for in
1861.
Mr.. Rhett read statement of the affairs of the
country, and ended by saying that we would not
be far from the TRUTH it the expenses of the com
ing year should be set down at two millions, and
the total resources amounted to only one million
five hundred and ffty-five thousand dollars
Mr.. Rhett continued:
In candor, will state. that we are willing to
take 200, 900 of our certificates in addition to the
lOO,C COO already taken. This is not official, but it
is reliable. Still, there is S200,O less than what
is needed. Now, is this time to carry on the
building? Some gentlemen think that the Bank
is not the Treasury. But what is the case ? There
are only $50 900 in specie in bank to day. The
$3.50, 600 advanced the other day was made bv
request of the Legislature. Perhaps the handsome
donations of Mr. Mordecai and Mr.. Lazarus are
there still.
But, Mr.. President, the bank is the treasury
Gentlemen othigh honor are placed over the bank
and they will not allow the bank to become bank.
rupt. They will do their duty, if they shut the
doors IN yoar face. Now, when we are taxing
everything we can lay our hands on must we 90
on with such buildings as this? This bill has more
friends than the bills to arm the State. What had
you yesterday? proposition made that
S3OOO asked to assist in the education of girls for
teachers would be cut down to one. The bill to
provide for Coast Police was nearly cut down to
S400,000 Nov, | hesitate about this bill. This
work can be conducted to the end of the year for
S45,00O instead of 100000. Let the contractors
take the paper of the State. Is it not good? We
must look to it, that not bankrupt before
the end of the year. The taxes are our only re-
source Are you prepared to tax the bank $4,000
additional?
Mr.. Palmer-What is the estimate of the wants
of the State?
Mr.. Rhett-It is estimated that the State needs
81, 100000 But to this add $3.50 0G0 for the of
the Ordnance Beard Add, also, 100000 for the
| of Iha D,,+t
does not pledge himself to any particular amount.
FORT SUMTER.
We understand that certain communications
have taken place between the authorities of the
State and the Commander of Fort Sumter, which,
it is hoped, may the efusion of blood, and
secure to the State the possession of that fortress
which, if unsuccessful in that are vet the proper
preiminaries to condition OF avowed and open
warfare. The precise character of these cOmmuni-
cations, or the measures which will be adopted in
consequence thereof, of course, it will be Improper
to make public at this moment.-Nercmy.
THE STEAM SLooP-oF-wAR BROOKLYN.
| Capt. Payne, of the steamer Aid, brought word
to the city this morning that while outside of the
| bar he saw steamship of war off the Rattlesnake
Shoal apparently making for the bar, but that she
afterwards stood off toward small schoone~, and
spoke her, for the purpose no doubt of getting in-
| formation. She was also seen bv the Captain OF
| the brig VIM. Mason, from Baltimore, which ar.
rived here this forenoon, who says he observed her
! well Oft shore about sundown yesterday evening.
information from outside, reports having observed
her speak small schooner from this port and that
she afterwards steered off east northeast and set her
| canvas-she has been spoken by no vessel which
| has yet arrived here, but there can be no doubt
that the war steamer is the Brooklyn sloop-of
war.-Netcs.
THE MISSION or THE BROOKLYN.
A gentleman of Charleston yesterday received a
despatch from Hon. jeff. Davis, saying that he
| (Senator Davis) was reliably informed that the
| Brooklyn sent to the return of the Star
of the West, and not to enter Charleston harbor.
| TIE STATE FLAG.
AS q mark OF respect to the late H. W Conner,
| Esq, the State flag over the Custom House was
| placed this morning at halfmast, but on the an.
nouncement of the sloop-of-war Brooklyn being in
the ofiing, and request being made to the Collec-
tor, it promptly up to the head of the staff
| where it now flies.
LIEUTENANT GENERAL SCOTT
| There was but one man wlA had power to tar.
nsh the laurels that were kept green for the brow
| OF Winfield Scott, and to turn to scorn the gene
rous admiration which South Carolina has enter.
| tanned for him, notwithstanding admitted errors.
That man is Winfield Scott, who has lived too long
| for his fame.
THE RESIGNATION OF SECRETARY THOMAS.
The following are copies of Governor Thomas
letter to the President resgning the office o!
! Secretary of the Treasury, and of the Presidents
reply accepting the same:
WASHINGTON, d. c., Jan. IL, 1861.
| My Dear Sir-It has not been in my power as
| you are aware, to agree with you ana with ma
iority of your constitutional advisers in the meas
| ures which have been adopted in reference to the
present condition of things in South Carolina; nor
do think it at all probable that | shall be able to
concur in the views which you entertain, far as
understand them, touching the authority, under
existing laws, to enforce the collection of the Gus
| toms at the port of Charleston.
Under such circumstances, after mature conside
| ration, have concluded that cannot longer con
tinue in your Cabinet without embarrassment tC
you, and an exposure of myself to the Just criti
| cism of those who acquainted with nv opinions
upon the subject. l, therefore, deem it proper t.
tender my resignation of the commission now hole