The Van Buren press., 1861-04-03

yastating the frontier, killing and driving
back the settlers.
The steamers Daniel Webster and Gen.
Rusk sailed from Brazos on the 10th with
Federal troops.
ST.. Louis, March 2S.
The Confederation newspaper at Wash
ington has received despatch that Fort
Sumter was evacuated. to-day.
A dispatch to the New York Herald,
Yesterday, says there is no change in the
aspect of affairs at the South. President
Davis has made requisition on this State
for troops for purpose unknown. He has
also called for 500 from Florida, and 1000
from Georgia.
The Florida convention ratified the Con-
federate Constitution. The Mississippi con-
vention will ratify, unanimously, but is di-
vided upon the question of its reference to
the people.
We are still without our regular teic-
graphic dispatches of the night of the Goth
which were cut off by storms east of st.
Louis, and consequently have not the Sen.
ate proceedings of the Goth. After the
proceedings given in your last report Of
yesterdays proceedings, the Senate made
another attempt to get quorum together
when Breckenridge again moved to take up
his resolution, stating that if the motion
prevailed. he would accept Clingman's sub
stitute.
Mr.. Rico was in favor of Mr.. Breckin-
| ridges resolution, but thought Mr.. Cling
mans went too far, questioning the right
&c x4n 80 81
Letting the revenue to the President.
Some conversation ensued. in which
Wade expressed the hope that the resolu
tion would be taken up, as he wanted a
! square vote on it.
Mr.. Rice said the Senate was travelling
far out of its way to advise the President.
He asked Mr.. Breckenridge if his resolution
extended to Key West and Tortugas, if so
he would never withdraw troops from
thence.
MIR. Brockinridge, supposed the resolu-
ton embraced these points, as they are
within the limits of Florida, but was will
ing to see these points excluded from the
resolution, rather than hazard its defeat.
and did not consider the withdrawal of
troops from Key West and Tortugas, es-
sential to the public peace. He disliked to
do SO, because he entertained the hope of
the reunion of all the States.
Mr.. Rice said if the seceeded States were
determined to remain out of the Union he
was in favor of their going in peace and
would give them the forts and arsenals for
the sake of peace. but they we're not in pos
session Of Key West and Tortugas and
never will be these forts are needed for
the United States, and not for them. The
commerce of the North will need them,
and he would not give them up under any
circumstance.
| Mr.. Douglas moved taking it up, with q
view of offering an amendment to bring it
in the scope it ought to take He thought
it would be wise to withdraw the troops
| from Fort Pickens. He said the govern
ment at Montgomery being a revolutionary
government could claim only what they oc-
cupicd. Under present circumstances, he
thought it best to give up Sumter and Pick
ems, they being of no use unless they were
intended as basis for military operations
and were now causes OF constant irritation
Mr.. Wade again urged vote; he was
anxious that this subject should receive q
full discussion, now that seven States had
gone OF of the Union, and are domincered
liz "nice in the government which had been
erected h'~. a military despotism tramples
their rights uuder foot. If thew had the
power they would call upon us u yindi-
cate their rights, and the constlt..ion
clothes us with the authority to do it.
After further debate, vote was taken on
Breckinridge's motion, which stood ayes,
10. nays, 10. There being no quorum, va
r.o ln
which failing, the Senate adjourned until
to-day, after unsuccessful motion of Brock
inridge to adjourn sine die.
"A dispatch to the Post says, Mr.. Lane
was nominated District Judge of Alabama
at the suggestion of Mr.. Cobb, of that
State.
n Washington despatch to the Express
says, Gov. Houston writes TO the President
that the Indians are threatning Texas, ask
ing If the Federal Government can or will
afford relief.
1t is reported that Riggs, the Washing
ton banker, contemplates investment in
part of the Confederate States soon,
Intelligence received at Washington on
the 10th, is to the effect that by the first of
April, there would be concentrated at Pen
sacola, 5000 troops from the Confederate
States, This sudden movement of troops
In that direction. was made upon the state
ment that reinforcements had been sent
from New York to Fort Pickens. The
Montgomery Government deemed it advi-
sable to be prepared for any emergency.
There is prospect, now, that every dol.
lar of the $8, 900 900 advertised for by Sec.
Chase will be .aken at first rates.
The Postmaster General is expecting
some trouble from the new mail agents in
Virginia, tho people along the routes threat
en- tar and feathers to the unlucky agents if
attempt to do their duty. One has already
resigned. and the other is expected 70 give
up his commission. Several Virginia Re
pnhlicans have presented themselves for the
vacancies. and will serve at all hazards. If
the people interrupt, the mails are likely to
be cut off ~
The New Orleans dispatch of YESTERDAY
says the State convention has adopted an
ordinance dividing Louisiana into six Con-
gressional districts :. also an ordinance
transferring public funds to the Confederote
States.
An act abolishing free banking and abo,.
oshing the charter system, which passed.
and the convention adjourned sine die.
Two companies of Zouaves left for Pen.