The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-04-12
New York, Friday, April ne, 1861.
The New q.

lished in this mornings paper Major Anderson
was formally summoned by General Beauregard,
the commander of the secession forces at noon
yesterday, to surrender Fort Sumter. Major An
derson declined compliance, alleging that such a
course would be incompatible with his duty to
his government. The people of Charleston were
intensely excited on the receipt of this refusal to
surrender the Fort. The piers and housetops
and all the places from whence view of the
harbor could be obtained, were thronged
with men and women, eager to witness
the conflict, which was expected momentariy
TO begin. No hostile shot, however. was fred on
either side. But later in the day negotiations
were reopened between the commanders, and
pending their conclusion kostties have of course
been postponed. The federal fleet had not made
its appearance Off Charleston at last accounts.
The noD-arrval of the squadron off Charleston
is doubtless due to the heavy gale that has pre-
vailed along the Southern coast for the past two
or three days. The storm was so severe that a
large number of vessels, including several steam
ers, were obliged to take refuge in Hampton
Roads.
The Southern Commissioners to Washington
yesterday sent to the Department of State their
rejoinder to the note of Mr.. Seward rejecting
their offer to treat with reference to the troubles
of the nation. They believe war inevitable, and
have proceeded to Montgomery to report to the
Confederate States government.
Sc;ta in oh bv no
enrolment of volunteers for the defence of the
federal capital, was renewed yesterday, and con-
tinucd without abatement. There now, ii is
said about one thousand of the uniformed militia
Of the District mustered into service. The non
residents, including many office seekers, are or
ganizing volunteer corps.
Account. from New Mexico state that the citi-
zens q Arizona in convention at Mesilla, have
yoscd thJ, Territory out of the Union.
The bid- for five million dollars of Treasury
NOES we're opened ut Washington last evening
The entire amount was taken at par to 27-100 pre-
MUM There were $4,000 more offered than was
called for.
Abe present session Of our state Legislature
being near it, close both houses pushing
matters actively. A large amount of business was
transacted yesterday. In the Senate the Cover.
road appropriation bill was taken up, and I'M
successful effort made to pass it by two-thirds
vote. The bill arranging the new Congressional
apportionment Of the State on the basis of the
census Of 1860, was presented from the select
committee and discussed. Ii will be found in an
other column Of this paper. Various other matters
were acted on by the Senate. In the Assembly
the New York city tax levy bill was passed; also
~ apl hill ;nNn
rating the Artists Fund Society of New York.
The bill appropriating half million to promote
the efficiency Of the State militia was reported
back 90 the House from the committee to which
IL was referred the previous day, was discussed
warmly and at length, ard on being put on its
passage, was defeated. 1t was afterwards called
up again, and referred to select committee, who
will report it to the House again to-day.
The government steam transport Ceatzacoalcos,
from Pass Cavao Texas, with United States
troop arrived at this port yesterday. An ac-
count Of her voyage, together with the names of
her passengers and list of the companies of sol
diers RAY be found in another column. She land
ed companies and II, First infantry, at Key
West, to garrison the barracks at that place. The
troops remaining in Texas were in excellent health
and abundanty supplied with provisions. They
number abeut one thousand men, and viii be ship
ped on board the steamers Empire City and Star
of the West.
By the arrival Of the overland express we have
news from San Francisco to the afternoon of The
30th ult. Very heavy rains had fallen, which, to-
gether with the melting of the snow on the noun
tans, had swollen the rivers and streams in the
interior Of California, that the water was higher
than at any time since 1852. The flood had swept
away bridges, thousands Of acres Of land were
submerged large quantities Of stock drowned and
several lives lost The damage Is estimated by
hundreds Of thousands Of dollars. The impossible
condition of the roads, preventing the transporta-
ton of goods TO the interior, had checked business
operations, but prices had not been materially
affected. In the Legislature the committee APP
pointed TO investigate the facts with reference TO
the alleged mistake in the count Of the votes for
United States Senator had made O report and q
joint resolution was adopted to 90 into another
election on the I'd inst.
BY way of Havana VIC have received definite
intelligence in regard TO the long whispered of
descent on San Domingo. The Havana papers
have at length spoken, and it is somewhat sinpu.
lar that the very first mention made OF the affair
BY that press should be the announcement of It's
contamination. We have the authority of the
Diotio de Ia Marina, of Havana, and the pro.
ciamation of Santana, ex-President Of the ex.
republic Of San Domingo, for the statement that
the Domnicad portion Of the island has passed
once more under the dominion of the Spanish
crown, and is now held by seven thousand bayo.
nets Of her Catholic Meiesty's army. Interesting
details will be found in our news columns
There not being quorum Of Councilmen pre-.
sent al the ca Of the roll last evening the Board
adjourned til Monday.
The business at the Custom House continues
very dull Everything Is at a stand STILL Mr..
Barney having left for Washington the usual after.
noon reception was dispensed with yesterday, the