The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-01-02

| doubtful whether either can be elected.
The Republican urges that no secessionist shoult
be elected Speaker but urges the passage of an &C
at an early day of the session. calling Convention
of Commissioners from the slave States, at Balti
more, to state explicitly their grievances and tht
| aggressiOns of the North.
FLORIDA.
| The Charleston Courier of Saturday says:
| A gentleman from Florida informs US that the of
nclal returns are coming in slowly.
lC is confidently believed that secession candi
dates are elected in every county except Clay, and
the secessonists in the Convention will be at leas
| four to one.
| The Convention will meet on Thursday, Sd Jan
uary, 1861, and the ordinance of secession will be
| passed on the next day. or at very early day.
IMPORTANT TELEGRAPHGC CORRESPONDENTS.
ATLANTA, Ca, Dec 26, 1860.
Hon. s. A. Do uglas or Hon. j. H. Crittenden:
Mr.. Toombs' despatch of the 22d instant unset
tied conservatives here. Is there any hope for
Southern rights in the Union? We are for the
Union OF our fathers if Southern rights be pre-
served IN 1t. III not, we are for secession. Can
yet hope the Union will be preserved on this prin-
ciple? You are looked to in this emergency Give
us your views by despatch, and oblige
WILLIAM EZZARD,
ROBERT w. SIMS,
JAMES p HAMBLEToN
Thomas S. POWELL.
s G HOWELL,
j. A. HAYDEN,
G. W. ADAIR,
r. G. HoNIEsTER.
WASHINGTON, Dec 90, 1860.
In reply to your inquiry, we have hopes that the
rights of the South, and of every State and section
may be protected within the Union. Don't give
up the ship. Don't despair of the Republic.
j. j. CRITTENDEN,
S. A. DOUGLAS.
GOVERNOR FLoYD's RESIGNATION.
Weappend Governor Floyd's letter to the Pres
ident rendering his resignation as Secretary of
War, with the Presidents reply:
WAR DEPARTMENT, Dec. 26, 1860
SIR: On the evening of the 9th instant | read
the following paper to you in the presence of the
Cabinet:
"coUycI CHAMBER,
Executive Mansion
SIR: It'is evident now from the action of the com.
mander at Fort Moutrie that the solemn pledges of this
Government have been violated by Major Anderson. In
my Judgment but one remedy is now left by which
vindicate our honor, and prevent civil 1t is in
vain to hope for confidence the part the people
OF the military One remedy only is left and that is to
Withdraw the garrison from the harbor of Charleston al
together hope the President will allow to make
that order at This ORDER in my udg ment alone
John B. FLOYD, Secretary of War
10 THE PRESIDENT December 27, 1862
then considered the honor of the Administra-
ton pledged to maintain the troops in the position
they occupied; for such had been the assurances
given to the gentlemen of South Carolina who had
a right to speak for her. South Carolina, on the
should be brought by them against the troops, or
against the property of the United States. The
sole object of both parties to these reciprocal
pledges was to prevent collision, and the effuson
OF blood; IN the hope that some means might be
found for peaceful accommodation of the existing
troubles, the two houses of Congress having both
raised committees looking to this object.
Ihus affairs stood until the action of Maj Ander-
son (taken, unfortunately, while commissioners
were on their way to this capital on a peaceful
mission looking to the avoidance of blOodshed) has
complicated matters in the existing manner. Our
refusal, or even delay, to place affairs back as they
stood under our agreement invites collision and
must inevitably inaugurate civil war in our land
| cannot consent to be the agent of such ca
lamity.
deeply regret to feel myself under the necessity
OF rendering to you my resignation as Secretary of
War, because | can no longer hold it under nv
convictions OF patriotism, nor with honor subjected
as | am to the violation of solemn pledges and
plighted faith.
With the highest personal regard,
am most truly yours,
JoHN B. FLOYD.
To his Excellency, President of the United States
WASHINGTON, December 81, 1860.
My DEAR SIR: | have received and accepted your
resignation of the office of Secretary of War; and
not wishing to impose upon you the task of per-
forming its mere routine duties which you have so
kindly offered to do, | have authorized the Post
master General to administer the affairs of the De-
Yours very respectfully,
JAMES BUCHANAN.
Hon. John B. Floyd.
From the Charleston Courier, Dec 29l
AFFAIRS AT FORTS MOULTRIE, SUMTER AND CASTLE
PINCKNEY.
Cur reporter visited the Island yesterday, and
found matters at Fort Moultrie progressing quiet
ly and satisfactorily
The rubbish left by the Federal troops is being
cleaned away, and the fortress assuming defen-
sible aspect. Many apprehended difficulties, of
nature we need not name, have been removed; and
the Volunteer Companies constituting the garri-
son are making merry over the hardships Of the
soldier Some of the guns are it is supposed, bad
ly injured by the burning of the carriages. Ac-
tivity prevails at the garrison, and its vigilant
officers are determined on the course that guides
their action.
Fort Sumter, as viewed at distance, presents
an appearance of lively activity. Schooners and
barges were plying between the fort and the chan
nel during the day. Everything seems to indicate
active preparation.
Castle Pinckney was reinforced in the afternoon
by detachment of the Marion Artillery from Fort
Moultrie, under the command of Captain King.
detachment of the Washington Light Infantry was
transferred from the former to the latter place in
the forenoon, thus retaining at Fort Moultrie the
same force as first occupied it.
The garrison at Castle Pinckney consists of about
two hundred men. Ten twenty four pound cannon
are mounted on the ramparts, besides some fifteen
pieces-a few of which are casemated-in the clover
tier. The work is well provided with munitions of
all kinds, and under the command of its field off
GERS, Bol. Pettigrew and Major Ellison Capers, will
make itself felt, if need be, when the time comes
1t is far from being the insignificant position of
which it has the reputation. Although defective
construction has impaired the power of the lower
batteries to considerable extent, thas effective
tier of rampant guns which, from its eligible posi-
tlon, are capable of much service. 1t is beyond the
reach ofthe largest guns OF Fort Sumter, and COM
mands the entire line of wharves and shipping
along, Cooper River, and in the hands of an enemy
would be capable OF doing vast injury to the city.
FORT SUMTER.
Some eighty mechanics and laborers reached the
city from this fortiication this morning, and will
leave this afternoon in the Key Stone State for
Philadelphia, Baltimore, &C., where they mostly
belong. They do not feel disposed 10 take part in
the battle, and as they could not remain without
the chance of such thing they concluded to stay
no longer.
They report about forty or fifty mechanics and
laborers still there and some seventy soldiers
About twelve case mate guns are mounted mostly
looking towards Sullivan's Island, and four five
Barbette guns which work pivots, and can be
worked facing in any direction. With their present
force they can place several guns in position each
day; and they have an abundant supply of shot and
shell and provisions, and water to last them for
months, the cisterns being large and amply sup
piled with good rain water The guns of the
largest calibre are not yet in position, and the
number of cannon in the fort amounts to half its
armament On the night the soldiers took posses
sion of Fort Sumter the great body of the troops
reached that place about seven o'clock, and the
workmen in the fort had no information or hint of
it until it took place.
From the Ne,o York Express
FROM SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS.
SPRINGFIELD, ILL.,, Dec. 3l.-The President elect
has no idea nor conception of what is going on in
the country. He will be found to fail in an almost
utter ignorance of the personnel that is to envelope
him, as well as of the terrible issues he is
to meet.
From long conversation with men here, as well
z from alact |
see that he wholly fails to begin to comprehend
the Southern movement. He is only about
where the New York Republican press was two
three days after election, when they were sure the
excitement was passing right off with the cleo
tion.
The following idea from him will illustrate what
mean. ~The words are mine, the ideas his:
Visitor-But, sir, the Gulf States are all seced-
ing together.
Reply of the President elect-Well, well, we
shall the easier get our appointments confirmed in
the Senate.
Comment is unnecessary.
ARMlNG OF THE PENNSYLVANIA MuITIA.-The