The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-04-20
LATEST NEWS
IELEGRAMS.
WASHINGTON ITEMS.

| WASHINGTON ITEMS.
The Secession of ginia--Burning of Har-
per's Ferry Arsenal.
| WASHINGTON, April l9.-It is reliably stated by
parties direct from Richmond that the ordinance
of secession was publicly proclaimed yesterday.
The vote on the passage is kept secret.
Major A. M. Hancock, of Kentucky, has been
appointed Consul to Malaga
1t is currently reported on the streets this morn
ing that despatch has been received at the Post
office Department, to the effect that the Supernten
dent of the Harper's Ferry armory has ord cred
the arsenal and workshops to be fired, to prevent
being occupied and used by an overpowering
force of Virginians.
The United States steamer Pawnee has arrived
at Washington.
On inquiry at the Post Office Department, it is
ascertained that no measures are in progress
for disseminating any of the Southern mails. On the
contrary, contractors from that section recently
here have arranged for facilitating transportation.
The Postmaster General has discretion to suspend
them only in of obstruction.
Captain Pauldng, Commander Emerson and
Lieut.. Woodruff constitute the Board of Detail,
through whom all the naval prepar ations are
made. The Chief Clerks room is the only one in
the Navy Department accessible at times to the
public. The city is comparatively quiet this
morning. Those who feared an attack on Wash
iDgton during last night have not been alarmed by
any extraordinary notes of warning precaution.
Proclamation by the President of the United
States Prociaiming Blockade of South
ern Ports.
WAsHISGroN, April l9.-The President has issued
proclamation stating as follows:
An insurrection against the Government of the
United States has broken out in the States of South
Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi
Louisiana Texas, and the laws of the United States
for the collection of the revenue cannot be effectu-
ally executed therein conformably to that provi-
sion OF the Constitution which requires the duties
to be uniform throughout the United States;
And further, combination of persons engaged
In such insurrection have threatened to grant pre-
tended letters of marque, to authorize the bearers
thereof to commit assaults on the lives, vessels and
property OF good citizens of the country engaged
IN commerce on the high seas, and on the waters of
the United States;
And whereas, the President says, an executive
proclamation has been already issued, requiring the
persons engaged in these disorderly proceedings to
desst therefrom, calling out militia force for the
purpose OF repressing the same, and convening
Congress in extraordinary session to deliberate and
determine thereon, the President with a view to
the same purposes before mentioned, and to the
protection OF the public peace and the lives and
property of quiet and orderly citizens
pursuing their lawful occupations, until
Congress shall have assembled and de-
liberated on the said unlawful proceedings, or
until the same shall have ceased, has further
deemed it advisable to set ON foot blockade of
the ports within the States aforesaid, and in pur-
suance of the laws of the United States and the
law OF nations in such case provided
For this purpose a competent force will be
posted so as 70 prevent the entrance and exit of
vessels from the ports aforesaid,
IT., therefore, with a view to violate said
blockade, any vessel shall attempt to leave any of
QaIh lnrfc c1n ~ l,,1. l..
mander of one Of said bockadng vessels, who will
endorse on her register the fact and date of such
warning; and if the shall again attempt to en-
ter or leave the blockaded port, she will be cap
such proceedings against her and her cargo
may be deemed advisable.