The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-04-12
THE NEWS

Little else was talked of yesterday but the war
news. On emerging from their homes, men eager
Y sought the morning papers, in expectation of the
startling intelligence of sanguinary events threat
ened at the South The newspaper bulletins were
the centre of attraction to eager crowds and few
glaring capitals at any corner sufficient to
draw large crowd, who anxiousy peered over
each others shoulders to catch glimpse of the
latest telegraphic despatch from Charleston or
Washington. We present below synopsis ofsuch
intelligence as received up to the hour of going to
press.
The intelligence from Charleston indicates tn c
near approach of a conflict between the garrison at
Fort Sumter and the Confederate States forces.
Gen. Beauregarde made formal demand to Major
Anderson, yesterday, for the surrender of the
works. The most intense excitement prevailed in
the city, throughout the day, and hundreds of the
people were on the wharyes at late hour last
night, expecting to witness the commencement of
hostilities. We may expect, in few hours, to
hear of the Inauguration of civil war. 1t is not
known positively whether any of the vessels of tn e
squadron lately cent out have yet appeared off the
harbor, but it is reported that the cutter Harriet
Lane was cruising off the coast.
Our dispatches from Washington show that the
excitement occasioned there by the calling out
the militia of the District continued Yesterday
Several other companies were enrolled, but large
number OF the members of the organizations re-
fused to take the prescribed oath to support the
Federal Government, although it was understood
that they would not be expected to take up arms
against Maryland or Virginia in either of
those States should secede from the Union.
The Southern Commissioners left Washington
yesterday for Montgomery. Before leaving they
addressed note to Secretary Seward stating that
their mission had been unsuccessful, but the
possibility should rest upon the Federal Admins
tration.
Owing to other engagements, the Secretary of
the Treasury was unable to open the bids for the
Treasury notes until after o'clock this evening.
These exceeded the amount of the Treasury notes
offered, namely S49l 1000, by about S439,0OO, at
rates ranging from par to 27-l00 premium. The
Treasury is now in good condition. No part of the
proceeds of the last weeks loan has yet been used
or will be needed for some time to come. The re-
ceiptS from customs for two three weeks past
have nearly equaed all demands upon the Trea-
sury.
The Virginia Commissioners arrived at Norfolk
yesterday on their way to Washington. They will
arrive in this city this morning, and take the train
for the capital Immediately. Lieutenant Talbot
and Mr.. Chew, the federal messenger to Charleston
also arrived at Norfolk yesterday.
BY the arrival of the pony express, we have Cal
ifornia dates to the 30th inst The Legislature
had agreed to go into another election for United
States Senator. Great floods had occurred in Cal
fornia, destroying immense amounts of property.
1t is stated that the War Department at Mont
gomery is overwhelmed with applications of vol
unteers for the army.
There was less excitement at Richmond yester-
In fbaC
was under consideration. Several amendments
were offered and debated, but no action was taken
on the resolution.
We learn by the way of ST. Louis that the cti-
zens of Arizona, in convention, on the 10th of
March, resolved that territory out of the Union.
Vessels are prohibited passing Fort Pulaski, Sa-
vannah harbor, without previously giving infor-
nation of their pacific character.
A despatch received from Pensacola, without
date, states that all the guns from the lighthouse
to the navy yard, distance of two miles, are ar
ranged so as to bear upon Fort Pickens
The bids for the Treasury notes were opened by
the Secretary of the Treasury at Washington YES
terday, and found to exceed by large amount |
the notes offered. The bids vary from par to twen-
ty-fve per cent premium.
Extraordinary activity is said to prevail at the
Charlestown (Mass.l Navy Yard. Some thirteen
hundred men are engaged there in fitting out the
steamers Minnesota Mississippi and other vessels
for sea.
Several of the Washington correspondents of
the Northern journals state that a new military
department, formed of Maryland and the Distric
of Columbia, is to be established, with Col. C.
Smith as commandant, and Captain Talbot adju-
tant This intelligence has created indignation
among the military men of our city.
Four hundred of the Federal troops from Texas
arrived at New York yesterday, board the
steamer Coatzacoalcos. The rest of the troops in
Texas are reported to be in excellent health, well
provisoned, and are concentrating on some point.
By letter received in New York, from Havana,
the annexation of the Island of San Domingo to
Spain is confirmed. Ii IS stated that the move
ment is sustained by seven thousand troops, and
now only awaits the ratification of the Queen.
COL LamoD, recently appointed Marshal of the
District of Columbia, continues Geo. W. Phillips
who served under his two predecessors, as his De-
putty.
There is nc-truth in the rumors about Cabinet
changes
The balance in the Treasury last Monday was
S5,655, 600. The receipts from customs for the two
weeks ending April 9th, 1862 were 81 All ,24l and
for the two corresponding weeks this year 81 l5OO-
667, an increase of S29,4I6