The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-02-14
LATEST NEWS.
I'ELEGRAMS. ,
FROM WASHINGTON.
THE COUNTING OF THE VOTES FOR
PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT.


| WASHINGTON, Feb. ia strong police force was
stationed in various parts of the Capio! this morn
ing, in the side occupied by the House of Repre-
sentatives, where the formaity of counting the
Electoral votes of the several States for President
| and Vice President to take place. Some parts
of the building usually open to visitors were
| closed.
At an early hour the galleries of the Hall of the
House of Representatives and all the passages lead
| ing thereto were densely crowded by persons
anxious to behold the ceremony of counting the
| votes.
Lord Lyons, Baron Huseman and other foreign
Ministers were among the distinguished spectators
present On no former occasion was there ever a
more animated and exciting scene within the pre-
| cucts of the Capitol
| Owing to apprehensions of conspiracy to seize
the public buildings, they have been privately
guarded, though not in large force for some weeks
past In addition to other fears the blowing up of
the Capitol was regarded event not mposs-
BILE, and hence every night thorough examination
of the cellars and vaults of that building has been
made by the Capitol Police, to be sure that ex-
plosve materials had been there clandestiney de-
posted for such purpose.
To day the officers of the Artillery were on duty
for the purpose of Immediately communicating
with Congress- should an attempt be made to at
tack CAPITOL military forces were ready to
advance at a moments warning, but there was
nothing whatever visible to excite the least appre
hension, and it safely be asserted that never,
during the last twenty years at least, has the
counting of the Presidential Electoral votes been
attended by better, if as good order, as on the pre-
sent occasion.
Governor Hicks of Maryland, was examined to-
day by the Special Committee. His belief that
conspiracy existed in connection with the Federal
Capitol, was, he said superinduced by private and
anonymous letters and newspaper articles and that
such a combination did not exist in Maryland, but
in other Southern States. That at the time of
his publication, about the beginning of January,
he satisfied there existing organizations,
having in view an illegal interference with the
Federal authorities and the seizure of public pro-
perty, but for some time past, whatever may have
been the designs of any such considerations or as
sOciations he was satisfied that such purposes have
been abandoned
The Special Committee are unanimously of opin-
ion that whatever combinations intents may have
existed at an earlier period, that for the last six
weeks there has been no appearance or vestlge OF
an organization with hostile intention against
Washington, or the public property therein.
Hon. John G. Wight, of Cincinnati, died here
this afternoon after brief illness of pneumonia
He was in attendance the Peace Congress Con-
ference, and was chairman at its organization
He member of Congress during the admins
tration of the younger Adams, and afterwards
many years editor of the Cincinnati Gazette. His
m aims will be taken to the Relay House tomorrow
morning to await the arrival of his friends from
that city.
The Engineer Department has sent to Congress
modified estimate for the purposes OF the fortifca-
tions, emitting all with the exception of Fort CAL
houp, Virginia, and Forts Taylor and Jefferson,
Florida. 1t is added that the sum of $3.50, 900 tor
each of the two last mentioned can be applied with
advantage to them within the next fiscal year and
should be applied to augment their efficiency and
strength, and to prepare them to serve particularly
at least naval depots on the gulf.
The Gaines was up in the Supreme Court
to-day. MIR. Perrin opened the argument, stating
that Mrs. Gaines heretofore appeared as heira
law but now as devise. Messrs. Gushing and Ma
gruder are associated with him. Messrs. Jarvin
and Henner represent the city of New Orleans
The Secretary of the Treasury has advertised to
receive proposals till Saturday, the 23d, for the
eight million loan under the late act. Successful
bidders are to deposit the amount accepted
before the lst of March.
In reference to the statement of Senator Benja-
min, before the Select Committee of the House,
that he had informed the President that Secretary
Floyd was issuing acceptances, it is due to the
President to say that he Immediately thereafter
sent for Mr.. Floyd, and inquired by what authori-
ty he had issued them. Mr.. Floyd said there
no law for or against it, but il had been the prac-
tice of the Department. The President said the
practice was wrong, and instructed him to pay
what he had issued, but no more, which Secretary
Floyd promised to do, the President being under
the impression that only small sum of money was
involved.