Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-02-22
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WASHINGTON, February 2l.-Between nine
end ten o'clock this morning a window
awning at the War Department caught fire
from sparks from the chimney. On the Mes
senger hosting the window to suppress the
flames they were blown into the Secretary s
room, scorohing the papers on the table.
The early discovery of the fire was fortunate,
considering the building is not fire-proof
The Secretary, who carly enters upon his
business, was present and the first to give
the alarm.
Capt. Meigs has returned from Florida by
the direction of Secretary Holt to resume
the charge of the Washington Aqueduct
leaving in charge of the Notifications at Tor
tugss, Mei. Arnold, of the artillery. He rep
resents that they are in a good condition to
resist any attack from any quarter aud have
by this time been reinforced.
In the Peace Conference, to. day, Messrs
Dudley Field and Smith, of N. Y, made
strong speeches against compromise. An
attempt will be made to-morrrw to force
vote. The result is doubtful
The Virginia delegation to-day gave no.
tice that the next movement will be a Con-
yention of the Southern States, the adop-
ton of the Constitution of the United States
with guarantees and an invitation to all
States TO join the Confederacy.
Advices from Richmond state that
Stanton's force bill had created great excite
ment in the Virginia Convention, The Bell
members of Congress have changed their
policy, and will allow Stanton's bill to pass,
and throw the responsibility on its friends.
There is trouble in the French Legation,
owing to contradictory advices from Paris.
The Minister, Mercier, who is imbued with
Secession sentiments, having sent home re-
ports conflicting with official edvices from
Consuls and other sources. Explanations
have been required. Stoeckel, the Russian
Minister, also sympathizes with Secession.
Dispatches rom Europe announce the de-
termination of the European Powers to abide
by the fixed policy of recognizing no new
Government before its recognition by the
GoveInmentf from which it has separated.
Police regulations for the Inauguration are
completed. A large number of policemen
now attend the way trains between
Washington and Baltimore, and Baltimore
police are on duty on the Philadelphia road.
The Armstrong Court of Inquiry is dis
solved. Armstrong will only be censured,
particularly for not having turned over his
troops to Lieut.. Slemmer, at Fort Pickens.
Gen. Scott stated that he had intelligence
from Charleston that Fort Sumter would be
attacked to-day. 1t is said the intelligence
came from Maj. Anderson himself
Per contra, the Government has informa-
ton that an attack will not be made before
the 4th of March.
The Secretary OF the Treasury to-day sent
to the House elaborate documents, in which
he says he believed duties on imports will
continue to be collected at ports of entry
established in Carolina, Georgia, Alabama,
Louisiana, Florida, and vessels entered and
cleared in the usual manner, but collectors
assume to perform duties under State au-
thority; only about half the officers of Gus
toms in those States resigned while others
entered on the duties of the Government of
the States without considering it necessary
to perform this official ceremony.
The documents embrace correspondence
relative to customs the N. O., Mint, &c.