davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-05-01
Destruction of Government Property al
Norfolk, Va.
NEw YonK, April 23d, 1861

NhN loNhJ hIIll Noh, ioui'
The steam tug Yankee has arrived from
Norfolk. She reports that on arriving ut
Norfolk on the afternoon OF the 18th,
finding that there was movement on
foot to seize her, she proceeded to the ma.
Wy yard, and took protection under the
guns of the battery. On the 18th the
custom house officers Of the State came to
seize the Yankee but the commander re-
fused to yield her up.
The Yankee then towed the United
States sloop Of war Cumberland to Fortress
Monroe.
The United States steamer Pucnce, un-
der command of orCommodore Paulding, on
her arrival at Fortress Monroe, took on
and proceeded TO the Navy Yard. On
arriving there they found that the Unit
ed States officers had commenced the des-
tructon of the public property, in order
to prevent its falling into the hands OF
The enemy. They had scuttled ali the
ships except the CmtbcrLud which was
the only one in commission. They had
cut down the shears, &C., destroyed the
machinery. and preparations we're made
20 make the demolition complete.
The steamer Pueace, assisted by the
steamer Yankee towed out the CumJzrlahd,
and after passing the navy yard, sent up a
signal rocket, when the match was applied
and in all instant the ships, sEiphouses,
storehouses and workshops were all in
flames; and so rapid were they, that
Commodore Rogers, Cf the navy, and
Captain Wright, Of the engineers, were
unable TO reach the rendezvous, where a
boa; was waiting Cor them, and they had
to be left behind Resides the buildings,
there was valuable stock of provisions,
cordage, aud machinery.
Among the most valuable property dcs-
troyed arc the following Government
vessels Ships s-ot.thc-line, Pennsylvania,
Columbus, and New York Frigates, Del
aware, Merrimack, and Potomac Sloops.
ot,war, Germantown, and Plymouth, and
the Brig Dolphin ; carrying about 35C
guns in all.
With the blowing up of the dock, the
burning of the Navy Yard, aud all the
other government property at Norfolk,
will result in loss to the government Of
at least Sl6,OOO,OOO. The policy of this
act on the part of tho government W i'll be
more fully realized and explained in the
future. A three months invasion by {
foreign enemy could not have cost the
government and people more than this
destruction of he public property at Nor
folk and llarper's Ferry, by the officer:
in charge.
Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-05-01
Letter from Secretary Seward.

The following letter was addressed, tc
Governor Hicks, OF Maryland, by the Sec,
retary of State;
DEPARTMENT or STATE, April 90, 1861.
Ills EyccH,ncy Thomas II. UicEs, GocerHo,
Of lfdy'aad:
SIR: ! have had the honor To receive
your communication of this morning, in
which you informed me that yop have
felt it to bo your duty to advise the Presi.
dent OF the United States to order else
where the troops off Annapolis, and also
that no more troops be sent through Ma =
ryland and you have further suggested
that Lord Lyons be requested to act as
mediator between the contending par
ties in our country to prevent the eiluSon
! of blood,
The President directs me to acknowl-
edge the receipt of that communication
and 10 assure you that lie has weighed
the eounsels which it contains with the
respect which he hobtually cheriShes for
| the Chief Magistrates Of the several States,
and especially for yourself. He regrets
as deeply as any magistrate or citizen of
the country can, that demonstrations
against the safety Of the United States
with very extensive preparations for the
etfusion of blood, have made it his duty tc
call out to which you allude.
The force now sought to be brought
through Maryland is intended for moth
ing but the defence of this capital Th,
President has necessarily confded the
choice Of the national highway which
that force shall take in coming to this
city 10 the Lieutenant General command
ing the army f the United States, who
like his only predecessor, is not less dis,
tinguished for his humanity than for his
loyalty, patriotism, and distinguished ed
public service.
! The President instructs me to add tha,
the national highway thus selected b,
the Lieutenant General has been chosen
| by him, upon consultation with promi-
nent magiS Srates and citizens of Mary
land as the one which, while q route i,
absolutely necessary, is further removed
from the populous cities of the State
and with the expectation that it woulC
therefore be the least Objectionable one.
The President cannot but remember
that there la, been time in the history
! W ou' Npu'i'll Nucll hCueIul OF tne
American Union, with forces designed fol
the defence of its capita, was not unwel
come anywhere in the State of Maryland
ahd certainly not at Annapolis, then, a.
now, the capital Of that patriotic State
and then, also, one of the capitals of tn,
/ Union.
II eighty years could have obliteratet
all the other noble sentiments of that age
in Maryland, the President, would bc
hopeful, nevertheless, that there is ont
that would forever remain there and ev-
erywhere. That sentiment is that no do
nestle contention whatever, that ma,
arise among the parties of this Republic
ought many case to be referred to an,
foreign arbitrament, least of oil to the ar
bitrament of an European monarchy.
] have the honor to he, with distin
guished consideration, your Excellency'
most obedient servant.
WILLIAM Ii, SEWARD,
Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-05-01
Awful CatastrOphe!

We learn by the Venango Spectator,
that dreadful explosion has taken place
in the oil regions, at which eleven per-
sons were burned to death, and about
twenty dangerously injured.
The fire buIea for 10 houI' when the
'mcn succeeded in putting it out. 1t IS
supposed that at least 400 barrels OF OIL
were consumed, and tine well is now yiel =
ing twenty barrels per hou:.
On Wednesday the 18th ult., an cxplo-
sion and fire occurred at the we'll of Little
4 Mcrrick, the melancholy results OF
! tire community. This we'll IS on the Bu-
chanan farm, on Oil creek, miles from
the mouth and about 10 miles from the
! Borough. About o'clock the workmen
employed at the we'll struck very heavy
vein OF oil which instantly commenced
! flowing over the conductor ut the top OF
the we'll. The immense force of the gas
threw out the oil in unprecedented guam
Itity generally estimated at the rate OF
100 barrels per hour. The report Of such
an unusually heavy strike drew to the
well number of spectators from the va
rious wells in the vicinity. At about L.
NJ. while the derrick and space around
the well, was filled with crowd of per-
sons looking at The gushing stream OF oil,
Il sheet of fire, sudden as lightning, en-
veloped the building on all sides, follow
ed instantaneouslv 10y an explosion, which
sounded to those ut distance like the
report of heavy piece of artillery. OF
the entire crowd, numbering some 100
persons, all were more or less stunned or
4 Ill so la, rntt
ted the clothing OF the unfortunates, and
as they returned to consciousness they ran
wild with horror, living masses OF iiame-
deprived Of the power to save themselves,
and beyond the reach of aid from Others.
Every effort was made by those who We're
uniajured or slightly hurt, to rescue and
assist others. All the people in the i'm
mediate neighborhood we're soon on the
spot lending their aid, and mary lives
were saved by heroic cXertions. Several
were, no doubt instantly killed. To those
who witnessed the ica!ful scene it Is a
wonder that any one within tbe building
escaped.
The flow Of oil was not checked by the
explosion, but continued in Il stream OF
about four inches in diameter, spreading
over the ground and being ignitcd rs 1t
fell adding Il dense smoke and sheets of
flame to the horrors of the scene. At the
top OF the jot of oil steady intense white
flame rose to the height OF 80 or 40 feet
with shoots of fire above that, to the
height of 100 feet About one hundred
barrels, when had just been filed were
soon burst by the heat and added their
contents to increase the fire. The oil in
the vats also burst out and with that from
the barrels, and the immense quantity
gushing from the well, ran in bitches or
covered the surface to considerable ex-
tent. All was one mass OF flame and
within this fiery circle we're some thirty
human beings, frantic with misery and
terror, or lying in death, O. prey to the de-
youring flames.
Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-05-01
Extra Session of the Legislature.

In obedience to the proclamation OF Gov.
Curtin, the Legislature of Pennsylvania
met in extra session yesterday, for
the purpose, as we surmise, OF putting our
State on complete war footing
We cannot see why the regular session
was allowed to close on the 18th April,
(only two weeks ago. as that was much
earlier than is usual, and the unsettled
condition of the country was as well un-
derstood by the Governor and members
then as now. Indeed, it was given out in
authoritative quarters, that il IN adjourn
ment would take place on the 18th, the
Governor would be under the II scessity Of
calling them together again at an early
day
Was this done under an absolute neces-
sity on the part of a majority of the mem
bers to visit their families? Or was it done
for the purpose Of securing to themselves
extra pay and mi!age? The people may
inquire into this matter hereaitar that is,
provided we ar. to be blessed with here
atier.
Our State Treasury has been largely de-
pleted during tie late session, ard at the
same rate it will not take long TO finish
up the job. The passage of the act allow
ing the Banks to issue small notes to an
amount not exceeding twenty Eer cent.
Of their capital stock, will be of great ber-
eft to those institutions. But will it be
such to the people? 1t may appear so
for time. But the effect will be to drive
gold and silver entirely from circulation
which has been quite abundant for some
years-to the injury and inconvenience Of
every one except the Banks.
We have had quite suriet of legisla-
tion of doubtful propriety and these war
times will doubtless afford a pretext for
quite an increase thereof
Among the first and principal objects
for convonins the legislature at this time,
is the passage of Stay law. Unless this
i, done, scarcel, one business man in an
hundred will be able to weather the storm.
Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-05-01
pERRYviLLE. April 2G.

PERRYvILLE. April 2G.
The communication with Baltimore is
becoming much improved. The steamer
which left at one o'clock thus afternoon
arrived hore just as the evening train was
about to start Cor Philadelphia. 1t was
boarded in the stream 10y the Captain OF
the Fairy, which brought the passengers
to Perryville, Among the passengers GO
ing North are five Maine timbermen, or.
dered out of Virginia. They report that
three schooners, the Gen. Knox Victory
and Georgia, OF Maine, had been seized in
the PaEuka river, Virginia. Cannon
had teen placed on board the Gen. Knox,
and the secession flag hoisted. The men
were ordered to leave on Saturday, and
placed under guard. They obtained a
pass from Governor Letcher out of the
State, but were stopped frequently at
Baltimore. Being intercepted 10y the
troops, they APPEALED to Gen. TrimLle pero
sonally, who expressed regret that tray =
c.ers were inter!ered with, and prutcctc d
their departure.
Intelligent men froro altimore express
confidence that the secession mob rule
will soon be overturned. The leader of
the San to day is regarded as the most fa-
vorable symptom, and an index of tuture
events.
A gentleman declared publicly, in a
parlor at Barnum's hotel, that the seccs-
sion flag would not Lo allowed IN that city
many days.
The most indisputab'e evidences have
been received to night of a powerful reacr
ton Of public sentiment in Baltimore. A
gentleman whose yeracty can not be
questioned states that before he left this
morning he was gratifed to see the stars
and stripes tiying over tho Minute Mems
Headquarters and Butchers Hill.
The silence Of the Union men seems to
have been more powerful than camor
would have been, and the rabid secession
lists have defeated their own purposes.
There is great feeling among the bus
iness men for the re>establslment OF
trale, and their silent conservatism is
gradually changing to unionism. There
is no doubt as to this state of affairs.
/ One of the passengers left Washington
at s o'clock yesterday afternoon, when all
was quiet There was no news Of impor.
taDce.
lie had heard nothing there of the rumor
that Lord Lyons had appealed to Presi-
dent Lincoln for on armistice of 60 days
lie witnessed the arrival ac the seventh
\. Y. Regiment on the afternoon of his
departure. All the regiment reported
well. They had built q bridge on the road,
and repaired tho rails.
While the Eighth Massachus etts Regi-
mert was moving to Washington an or
der was received to stop at the Juncr
| ton and guard that point.
Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-05-01
THE WAR NEWS!

From Baltimore--The New York and
Massachusetts, Troops-Troops at Rich
mond-ErectiOn of a Battery at Yorktown
1000 Troops at llarper's Ferry and
$500 at NOrf0lk-SchoOnor scized-Con-
scrvative feeling In Baltimore --- Th c
Baltimore Subtitle Stars and Jtripes
Hung to the breeze In Baltimore, Sc, sc.
PERRYsvILlE, Md April 2G-ll4 Pm.
Tho Baltimore Sm OF this morning re-
ceived here, says that passenger train
left for Washington yesterday morning,
but on approaching the Annapolis June
ton found the Federal troops lining the
road. The train put back, the conductor
apprehending that it would be seized.
] The Seventh New York Regiment and
part of the Massachusetts volunteers took
up the line of March from Annapolis on
"Wednesday morning, ard arriving at the
junction at 10 O'clock Yesterday morning,
left for Washington. The train returned
to the junction at 1 o'clock pm, and
again left with the Massachusetts Regi
iment. On the arrival of the Seventh
! Regiment at Washington they marched
up Pennsylvania Avenue to the Presi'
dents House and flom thence to the War
! Department.
! DIN lHOuSdIli NOIullctI uIC III hlC.l'
mond ready for service, The Virginia
troops are erecting 4 battery at Yorktown,
aud another one three miles above Rich
mond.
The steamship Jamestown is being
fitted up at Richmond for a war vessel.
Four thousand troops are at liarper's
Ferry, and $500 at Norfolk, anu it is said
there will be $4,000 at Richmond by TIE
close OF the week.
The schooner Annie J Russell, with a
cargo Of wheat for a Massachusetts, port
has been seized at Richmond.
1t is reported that the troops at lIar,
per's Fe ry have been ordered to another
point and it is supposed will move to Il
position near the Capital.
The Baltimore ,S,D, has leader which
seems to indicate that conservative in,
fluence is gaining ground in Baltimore
The SIN emphatcally declares it is ho, a
secession paper. 1t advocates the calling
OF q State Convention elected directly
from the people. The same paper denies
the stories Of violence done to Union men
in Baltimore.
Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-05-01

nue. q? shall have no Governmcnt-no
re sources"
DR.. Fuller expressed the opinion that
that the Northern States would constitute
an imposing Government, and furnish
revenue, but our informant could not
follow the exact turn of the remark,
The conversation turning upon The
passage of troops through Maryland, DR..
Fuller expressed very earnestly tho hope
that no more would be ordered over the
soil of this State. lie remarked that
Maryland had shed her blood freely in
the war Of independence, she was the
first to move the adoption ofthe Constitu
ton, and had oaly yielded her clinging
attachment TO the Union when the blood
of her citizens had been shed by by stran
gers on their way tc conflict with hei
sisters of the South.
Mr.. ncoln insisted that he wanted
the troops only for the defence of the
capital not for the invasion of the South
crn States. "And," he said, Il mus
have the troops, and mathemalically, tn,
necessity exists that they should come
through Maryland. They can't craw
under the earth, and they can't fly over it
and nathemarically they must come
across il. Why, sir, those Carolinians arr
now crossing Virginia to come here tc
hang me, and what can do?"
In some allusion to the importance of I
peace policy, Mr.. Lincoln remarked that
if he adopted it, under the circumstances
there - would oe no Washington in thu
no Jackson in that-no spunk in thai
DR.. Fuller hoped that Mr.. Lincoln
would not allow 'spunk' to override pat,
riotism.
Mr.. Lincoln doubted if he or Con gres
could recognize the Southern Contedera-
cy. Aud we suspect that such q Con-
gress as the next will be, with all the
Southern States out Of it, is not likely tC
recognize it, With regard to the Gov
ernmcnt, lie raid "he must run the ma
chine as he found it," And in reference
to passing troops through Baltimore ol
Maryland, he said, Now, sir, if you won
hit me, won't hit you"
As the delegation were leaving Mr.
Lincoln said to one or two OF the young
men, l'll tell you story. You have
heard of the lrihman, who, when tel-
ow was cutting his throat with n blum
razor, complained that he haggledit Now
if | can't have troops direct through Ma
| ryland, and have tnem all the way rounC
| by water, or marched across out.ot-the'
way territory, ! shall be haggled."
Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-05-01
The Border State Conve ution.

1t seems that arrangements have been
made for holding Convent on Of the
Border Slave States at Frankford, Ky. on
next Saturday, 4th inst. In reference TO
this Convention, late number of the 81
Louis Evening Ncrs has tte fol owing:
This body is to meet at Franford, Ky,
on Saturday the 4th Of May next. Mis.
souri, has appointed delegates TO represent
her in it; so has Tennessee; a canvass il
at this moment going on in Kentucky for
the election of delegates; Virginia will
appoint delegates to represent her and
it is hoped that Maryland, Delaware. and
North Carolina and Arkansas. will also be
present in the persons Of authorised rep
resontativcs,
To give the convention The inhue:Ce
and dignity which it deserves, and to ella.
bic it to speak with all the power and
authority of the six millions Of People Of
the Border slave States every one of these
States ought to be represented in it, ant
the entire eight should act as . unit.
The North is united; the South is Uni
ted why should not the centre also DO
united? Why should not the Border
slave States, to whom peace is all in all,
and to whom war would be utter desiruc
ton, assert their individuality, repel the
enticements and defy the threats of both
the hostile antagonists, and declaring fCr
neutrslity, declare also that they will
treat as an enemy whoever violates that
neutrality by treading on their soil?
If the Frankfort Convention shall &C!
with tue perception OF, and wise regard
for the interest OF the States it represents,
it " ii be an important body, potent for
good. 1t will have the power, even yet,
to arrest the March oil the opposing, and
avert the terrible conflict that will take
place, if the combiants meet ana cross
swords. II it resolves 10 maintain tho
soil OF the Border States inviolate, and 10
oppose by the force of arms if necessary,
the progress of the army of either power,
across that soil--they will, by this means
place wide strip Of sacred territory be
tween the hostile Northern and Southern
armies, and thus prevent general. inter
nal strife, in which the centre of the
Union would become the common battle
ground.
The contest between the North and
South thus driven from the land, would
have to be fought out on the sea, by
means of priyateers. 1t would be mere
extra-Union contest, in which the parties
alone would suffer and even they not
severely, since neither would have the
power to intiict any serious blow upon the
other, and both after time, becoming
weary Of the fruitless and resultless, strife,
would agree 20 cease from it, and to set
tie the dispute by treaty.
If the Frankfort Convention then
would avert general war, in which the
Border States would be ground to powder
and made weltering desert-if il would
protect the true interests of those states
let it cast aside all considerations maud.
lin sympathy, and oil considerations oil
imprac.icahe technical duty, declare the
eight border slave States neutral ground,
and, if need be, draw the sword 20 defend
that N ,sitiOn
Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-05-01
Interview with the President

INV ouH hpill <ou'
We learn that delegation from five OF
the Young Mems Christian Associations
of Baltimore, consisting OF six members OF
each, yesterday proceeded to Washington
for en- interview with the President the
purpose being to intercede with him in
behalf of peaceful policy, and to entreat
him not to pass troops through Baltimore
or Maryland. Rev. DR.. Fuller, of the
Baptist church, accompanied the party,
by invitation, as chairman, and the con-
versation was conducted mainly between
him and Mr.. Lincoln and was not heard
entire by all the members of the delega
ton
Our informant. however, youchc for
what we now write. He states that upon
the introduction they were received very
cordially by Mr. Lincoln-a sort OF rude
familiarity of manner-and the conversa.
ton opened.by DIR. Fuller seeking to i'm
press upon Mr.. Lincoln the vast respon, ,
sibility of the position he occupied, and
that upon him depended the issue OF
peace or war on one hand, n terrible.
fratiicidal conflict and OH the other,
peace.
But" said Mr.. Lincoln, "what am I
to do?"
Why, sir, let the country know that
you are disposed to recognize the indie
pendence of the Southern States. say
nothing of secession; recognize the fact
that they have formed Goverdment of
their oyn-that they will never be united
again with the North, and peace will in.
stantly take the place of anxiety and sus,
pense, and war may be averted."
And what is to become of the reye-