The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-02-08
The DisuniOn Movement.


that reaches US by mail and telegraph in re-
gard to the progress of the revolution at the
South. What is found upon our first page
came to hand the last of last week that
which follows hereafter is later.
1t is positively stated by most ofthe Wash
ington correspondents that Col Hayne, the
South Carolina commissioner, presented the
ultimatum of his state on Friday, which
was in substance proposition to buy the
government property in that state, with
threat that Fort Sumter would be immediate
ly attacked unless this proposition should be
accepted. Some days previous to this sena-
tors from the seeding states and the cabal at
Washington which engineers the secession
conspiracy had advised Col Hayne not to
present the South Carolina ultimatum imme-
diately. He replied that he would defer it
if he could be assured that no reinforcements
would be sent South. An assurance was ac-
cordinsiy procured from the secretary of war
that no rcnforcements would be sent to Fort
Sumter Immediately unless Major Anderson
should demand them. This state of the case
Col Hayne communicated to the legislature
of South Carolina, when resolutions were
passed Offering to pay for the forts, ard, if
that was refused, demanding their surrender
1t is expected that the presiden: will reply on
Monday, refusing to negotiate, and then Col
Hayne will telegraph to Charleston and re-
turn thither at once. After this the assault
on the fort may be expected at once. That
the South Carolinians are making extensive
and vigorous preparations for the assault is
evident. Three hundred bomb-shells were
received at Charleston Thursday night, by
railroad from Petersburg, Va. The South
teries, TO command Fort Sumter, in direc-
ton not covered by the guns of that fortifi-
cation. The officers expect that their batter
les will breach Fort Sumter after lombard
ment of twenty-four hours duration. An
assaul,ing party will then be thrown into the
fort, and the fort carried, sword in hand. if
possible. The plan for attack is common talk
among the citizen soldiery, and they only a.
wait the signal from leading conspirators at
Washington to begin the assault. SO immi-
nent is considered the danger Of an early
collision that numbers ofpeope are constant
" leaving the city. A letter from Charleston
dated the 18th, says:
g! know by direct information that the
state engineer will on Friday or Saturday
night report to the authorities that prepare
tons for the reduction of Fort Sumter are
completed demand will then be made for
the surrender of the fort if this is not COM
,, piled with, fire from three batteries will be
opened at once. If Major Anderson's shells
cannot reach the city, he cannot hold GU,
! long, unless reinforced for the revolution,
lists have a masked battery Of two columbi-
ads ard four 2i-pounders bearing on the
weakest part. also heard it openly said by
the foremost of the radical seceSs:oniSts that
Col Hayne was sent to Washington merely
20 occupy the attention of the administration
delay their action. and give to South Carroll
ia time to make her preparations. There is
an understanding with Alabama that For
Pickens is to be attacked at the same time
You may rely on this as correct, though, of
. course, when ready. they may lack the nerv,
to carry it out,and thus the project may han?
e fire"
One of the witnesses before the IIou.,
: committee on the Washington conspiracy
I testified on Friday that the scheme to TAX.
: possession of the capital and prevent the in
auguratlon was contingent on the course of
i Virginia. If Virginia votes for secession. he
= said, the attempt will be made, whatever Ma
: ryland may do. Gen Scott is reported to be
in favor of calling on the states for voiun.
teers to the number of forty or sixty thou
sand, but the president will not believe there
, is any occasion for it. The reason that the
: committee obtains no more distinct evidence
in regard to the conspiracy is that Gen Scott
and those in his confidence do not consider
it good policyto disclose what they know and
thus put the conSpirators on their guard
One of Gen SCOTS officers, close in his conf
dcnce, replied to the questions of the COM
y mittee, "Gentlemen. | cannot answer YOU,
questions without violating private confidence
and doing great injustice TO the public ser
vice" 4 witness before the committee testi
fled 10 declaration, nv. Mayor Berret. that
y if Mary land seeded, he would give up the
city so far as he was concerned. a mounted
battery Of four guns with 20 men and horses
I left New York for Washington on Friday
! There are now at Washir gton three batter
! les, consisting Of eighty men and six pieces
each four six pounders and two twelve
pound howitzers. More companies will ar
rive in day or two, increasing the tota
number within the limits of the CITY to abou,
u one thousand men, which embraces one of
u the finest corps of sappers and miners in the
world, Judging from their record in Mexico
{ Orders have been issued for the enrolment o.
> all persons subject to militia duty in the Dis
: ,rict of Columbia.
= The seizure OF the L. S. mint at New Or
: leans is considered the grossest outrage ye'
e perpctrated by the secession rebels. \ dis
Y patch from that city dated the LIST, announced
y the fact thus cooliy: The mint and custom
9 house were quietly taken yesterday. To-da,
: the officials took the oath under the ordi
2 nance of the convention" "Quietly,' in
: deed. just as the pickpocket relieves sleep,
:. old gentlemen of his purse and very nice
j. set OF officers the government must have ha,
d IN lis mint, to become parties to the rohber,
e and transfer their allegiance so readily to tn
f robbers. A dispatch from Washington state
that some ten days ago, Secretary Dix CAV
to Adams express company draft on tn
n assistant treasurer at New Orleans. for tn
}, purpose of transferring the coin and bullion
IN the branch mint in that city to the mint il
II Philadelphia. The amount of the draft wa
1t S35O,OOO. Three days ago he received
IS dispatch from Adams agent in New Orlean.
e stating that the amount would be deliyere
r. in two or three days, but that the assistan
l. treasurer declined 10 deliver part. assignin;
as reason that he wished to paw the entir
r draft at once. The secretary immediatel
); 'eiesraphec to the treasurer to pay to the ex
" press agent on that day as large an amour
| as the agent could transport. The coin an,