The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-02-21
The NeWa.


Mr.. Lincoln yesterday received his fellow citi-
zens at the City Hall. Mayor Wood delivered an
address of welcome on the occasion to which Mr.
Lincoln responded. In the evening Mr.. Lincoln
attended the Opera, and at midnight he was sere-
naded Mr.. Hamlin, the Vice President elect ar
rived in town yesterday. and stopped at the Astor
House. The movements of these distinguished
personages are described in another part of to-
days paper.
Reports to the effect that the South Carolinians
were about to had already attacked Fort
Sumter were in circulation in Washington yes
terday. They were doubtless mere idle rumors,
devoid of foundation in truth.
The Peace Congress yesterday voted down the
proposition in favor of half hour speeches. The
debate on the various plans of adjustment was
then continued. 1t is thought that the Congress
will vote the subject before them on Saturday,
and il is predicted that the Guthrie plan will be
rejected, aud that call for national convention
will be agreed to.
In Congress yesterday the Senate passed several
private bills. The House bill authorizing the dis
continuance of the mails in States where the pos
tai service is liable to be interfered with, was
taken up. An amendment was offered. that the
Postmaster General be directed to discontinue the
mail service in the seeded States and make ar
rangemeuts with the government of the Southern
COME deraoy for inter postal communication there
in. Without taking action on the subject the bill
was laid aside, and the discussion Of the Tariff bill
was resumed. The amendment reducing the duty
on sugar, and placing duty on tea and coffee,
was agreed to- the tax to continue for two years.
A five per cent duty on wool was also agreed to.
Several other amendments were adopted, and the
bill was passed by vote Of IS to Ia.
In the House yesterday Mr.. Bocock, Of Virgil
MIA, occupied the morning hour in an elaborate
speech in opposition to the bill empowering the
Preside nj to call out the military forces of the
country and accept the services of volunteers.
He characterized the bill as declaration Of war
against the seeded States. The Naval bill was
taken up, the question being on agreeing to the
Senates amendment providing for the construc-
ton of seven steam sloops-ofwar. The PROPOSE
ton was warmly opposed by the democrats, but
the amendment was agreed to by vote of Ill to
80. In the evening session Mr.. Rufiin, of North
Carolina, made speech in favor of secession. In
the course of his remarks he spoke of Mr.. Bu-
chanan as driveller, and Gen. Scott as guilty Of
usurpation.
Late accounts from Fort Smith, Arkansas, state
and the employees Of the company imprisoned. 1t
is also reported that Forts Chadbourne and Bel
KNAPP have been seized by the secessionists.
Nothing Of importance occurred in the Legisla-
turc yesterday.
BY way Of New Orleans we have advices from
Havana to the 10th inst. The sugar market was
easier, with a stock of sixty thousand boxes. A
grand military review had been given by the Cap
tain General in honor of ex-Presdent Miramon, of
Mexico.
Early yesterday morning the premises Nos. 20 and
81 Park place, occupied by VIM. Watson Co.,
importers of linen goods and Chapman, Lyon &
Noyes, importers Of fancy goods. were discovered
on fire. and before the flames could be extnguish-
ed about $4,000 worth ofproperty was destroyed
The loss is covered by insurance.
meeting Of importers, distilers and liquor
dealers was called at Thorps Hotel, in Union
square, last evening. for the purpose Of making
efforts to repeal the present excise law, and to try
and secure the passage Of a good liquor law by the
present Legislature; but they were unable to or
Qanize and had TO adjourn until next Tuesday
evening.
At the meeting Of the Commissioners Of Emigra.
ton yesterday 1t was agreed TO hold special
meeting on Friday next, at eleven O'Clock A. M.
for the purpose Of receiving and acting upon the
annual report. The weekly statement showed the
number Of emigrants arrived during the past week
10 be 4s3, which makes the number since January
l,3,476. The balance Of the communication fund
TO the credit Of the Board is now 1897 50.
In our personal notices of the Presidential party
yesterday We stated that Messrs. w. 8. Wood and
Burnett Forbes belonged TO Springfield. II should
have been, as we are informed, New York, a.
those two gentlemen were specially sent from this
city TO take charge Of the President and cortege
during Ne route.
In the Board Of Education last evening a com.
munication was received from the School Officers
of the Twentieth ward asking an appropriation of
s34 ,069 for the erection Of new schoohouse; aud
another from the School ofscers Of the Fifteenth
ward asking for GIG, ls4 to alter and enlarge Ward
Schoolhouse No. IS. Both we're referred to the
Committee on Sites and Schoolhouses. An appl.
cetion from the Committee on Free Academy for
authority TO advertise for proposals and speci6ca
tons for the erection Of library building the
Free Academy, in connection with that building
was made the special order for the next meeting.
A resolution was passed directing washington's