Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-01-12
The National Crisis.

The County Court OF Henrico are taking measures TO
put the county on "a footing" The sum Of $4,000
is to be appropriated for the purchase of cavalry revo
vers. Other needed arms will be procured by other
means Measures are foot to add cavalry squadron
and four infantry rifle companies to the forces already
organized Col. j. Lucius Davis an exoilicer of the
army and graduate Of Yves; Point the head of this
movement.
The Norfolk irg,ls recommends the erection Of earth
works at different points along the Elizabeth river for the
defence Of the city aud harbor.
William H. Seward has the floor of the Senate to-day
on the special message OF the President which sent
in to that body on Wednesday The speech about to be
delivered by the New York Senator viii pretty clearly
indicate what is to be the issue of the crisis.
Owing to typographical in Northern papers in the
list oil yeas the adoption of Mr. Abrams resolution aud
atory of Major Anderson &c, the of Mr.. Jenkins
of Virginia printed instead of that Of Mr. Junkn, Of
Pennsylvania The former not then in Washington
A gentleman in Petersburg has received letter from
Gloucester county, dated January Sh, which contains
the following paragraph "0ur county court appropria
ted 81 900 to-day for the purchase OF and ammu
nou to put the county in state Of defence-nOt that
there any unusual excitement but because desire
to be prepared FOR any emergency"
A letter to the Petersburg Express speaks Of
meeting at No,toway Court; House last Tuesday largely
attended in spite of the Indictment weather. The Rev.
Edward Martin, of the Presbyterian Church, and Dr.
Campbell both made eloquent speeches in favor of arm
ing the county, aud $1,000 subsequently raised in
the form of county bonds The Nottoway troop num-
berug ffty-two, were on parade. A Rifle company is
to be organized at Blacks and Whites Saturday.
FORT PULASKI.
The Savannah (Ga papers report th. fort to be still
in the quiet possession OF 225 volunteers ordered hiher
by the Governor of the State. One of the rules estab
lished is that any sentinel caught asleep his post
should be shot As against assault from the water it is
defended by ample number OF thrty-wo Founders,
much better mounted and in a much higher state of eff
fciency than had been supposed The Governor has
placed the disposal of Col Lawton, in addition the
usual of each soldier breach-oadug carbine,
throwing in the hands OF expert marksman sixteen
rifle balls a minute Colts revolver, and one sabre
The ditch around the fort being rapidly cleaned out
under the orders OF Col Lawton-riceeld negroes hav-
ing been placed at this work.
SUSPICIOUS CHARACTER SWITCHED A NEGRO
correspondent of the Petersburg Express, writing
from Prince Edward, the 18th inst, says
| The servants Of Rev. Jas. d. Crawey found, upon
going of his tobacco barns tins morning, dirty,
hafstarved Yankee stretched upon pile Of sticks and
straw which upon the ground tier Upon finding he
was discovered, ne quite anxious 20 get out and
leave but the servants differing from him. kept him in
duauce vile by guarding the doors with while
could 90 for the master. The Rev. gentleman came
and escorted the individual TO his house. where through
pity for his hastarved looks be gave him good break.
tas-n the meantime despatching servant for Justice
K. v Davis The statement made to the Justice of the
Peace being very different from those made the Rev.
Mr. Crawley he considered a very suspicious char
acter and in absence of other proof than his lying they
thought the best mode of redress would be to give him
hint to leave by making one of the sable sons of AT
rica' administer to him dose of dogwood brush
Thereupon the aforesaid individual ordered leave
and the dakey accelerate his pace by applying the
switches long he could keep in reach of him. This
ne did with right good cheer for distance when the
| Yankee gained little and made good his escape.
| LETTER FROM VICE PRESIDENT BRECKENRIDGE
Hon. John c. Breckenridge has written letter to Gov
Magofn of Ky in which, while asserting the comprc
mise propositions Of Mr. Crtenden he expresses him
self as utterly hopeless of their being adopted He
cludes as follows
The immediate question presented is, peace OF
war. Whether the right of State States dissolve
connection with the federal system be reserved right
or orc growing out of the Constitution or the right
reyouto' great fact lies before u.s. that the ha:
been done; and not permitted doubt tlat in
few weeks eight States, containing larger
population than the thirteen Colonies at the epoch of the
Revolution will have Withdrawn from the Union and de
cllred their independence. Under whatever name dis
! guised collision Of arms with them will be war.
The dominant party here rejecting everything propos
ing nothing, are pursuing policy which, uud the
name of enforcing the laws" and furnishing i,ors
threatens to plunge the country into all the calaies
! civil war.
The Federal Union cannot be preserved by rms The
attempt would unite The Southern States in resistance
while in the North a great multitude Of true and loyal
men would never TO shed the blood of peo
pie in the name and under the authority OF a violated
compact serious collision upoa existing issues would