The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-03-21
The NATIONAL CRISIS.
IMPORTANT FROM WASHINGTON.

oniANT FROM WASHINGTON.
AsHiNGToN, March 20.-Much curiosity is mani
rested respecting the action of the Administrative
relative to affairs in the South and various rumor
prevail IN this connection. But information dc
rlVed from authentic sources warrants the assertio
tnat Whatever movements may be in progress in
volVe nothing whatever of a hostile desipn-on III
contrary, they are in the direction of peace. II
generally agreed, however, that the military stain
OF the Gull forts now held by the Federal Govern
ment will be preserved.
Inc senate to-day confirmed the following nom
nations: Chas. F. Adams, Minister to ENGLAND
george L. Marsh, Minister to Sardinia; Jane
watson Webb, Minister Resident at Constantinople
ii. >. Sandford, of Connecticut Minister Residen
at Belgium; William S. Thayer, of New York
Consul General to Egypt; Patrick j. Devine, Con
sui to Cork; Green Clay, (nephew of Cassius NJ
CIay'} Secretary of Legation to Spain; Franci
Green, Postmaster at Niles, Michigan; Henr,
Shemo, Postmaster at Fremont, Ohio.
The Senate also unanimously confirmed the nom
lnation of John d. Defrees, as Superintendent o
fuolc Printing The appointment is a popuIa,
one. lie Will Immediately take possession of anC
organize the new Government Printing Bureau.
Among other nominations to-day were the fol
iowlng:-Anson Burlngame, of Massachusetts,
Minister to Austria; Rufus King, of Wisconsin
Minister Resident at Rome; Bradford r. Wood. OF
New York, Minister Resident to Denmark: James
.. Putnam, of New York, Consul to Havre. Ex-
Congressman Freeman H. Morse, of Maine, Consul
to London; j. N. Nye, of New York. Governor Of
the Territory of Nevada.
The designations of Capt. Frazer, of Mississippi
and Lieutenant o. Brannon, of South Carolina. o
the army, were received to-day
The two indictments against ex-Secretary of
ar Floyd, in the court here, have been dismissed
as untenable. The first was for conspiring to de.
fraud the Government The District Attorney
stated IN open court, that there was no evidence
10 sustain the charge, and with the leave of the
court ne entered nole prosequi. The second was
Tor malfeasance in office, in issuing acceptances.
The act of 1857 prohibits prosecution where the
party implicated has testified before Committee
of Congress. Touching the latter charge, this has
been Judicially decided to be not privilege of
the witness, bat mandate of law, and the case
would have come to abrupt termination. on the
iac' appearing in the course of the trial. On the
iact being submitted in advance to the Court. bv
tne counsel on both sides, the indictment was or
dered to be quashed as it could not have been main
tanned.
Inc Commissioners from the Confederate States
VIII walt leisurely for the action of the Govern
ment. Great efforts being made by distinguished
gentlemen to effect peaceful solution fthe South
ern complications
Inc Government at Montgomery have no appre-
henslons OF collision at Fort Pickens. II is said
that the accounts published are gross exagoera-
tons OF the true condition of affairs in that
ter The Commissioners have information that the
best feeling exists between the Federal authorities
and the officers in command of the Confederate
troops, and no danger of collision is entertained
IMPORTANT FROM THE SOUTH.
CHARLESTON, March 20.-There is nothing of in
terest transpiring here. The Georgia State Con-
Ventlon VIII probably adjourn in day or two.
Many speculations are indulged in as to the
course of affairs, and it is thought that the Mont
gomery Congress will soon re-assemble.
New ORLEANS, March 2O-General Twiggs has
declined the appointment of Brigadier General of
the Confederate States Army, on account of feeble
health.
There are no war vessels at Key West.
This city is quiet, and the people are calmly
awaiting events.
The steamer from New York, with the arma-
nents of forts Taylor and Jefferson, is overdue.
Advices from Texas say that two companies Of
U. 5. troops had arrived at Brazos from San An
tonic, and were awaiting transportation. Lieut.
ashington, of the United States Army, remains
to act as Quartermaster and Commissary, until the
Federal troops have all left the State 1t is stated
that Lieut.. Williams has resigned
THE MISSOURI CONVENTION
decided Vote Against Secession
81. LOUIS, March l9.-The State Convention has
passed the irst and second resolu tions of the Ma
)ority Report of the Committee on Federal Rela
uons. There was only one negative vote.
Several resolutions looking to secession were
tabled by decided vote
ARKANSAS CONVENTION
Secession Ordinance Defeated
LITTLE Rock, Ark, March l9--The ordinance of
secession before the State Convention has been de-
feated by vote of yeas 35, nays 80.
SOUTHERN NEWS ITEMS
no Conflict in Texas--Affairs Mt pe,s,co,,
Quiet.
NEW ORLEANS, March 20.--No fears are enter
tanned here of a collision between the Houstonites
and secessionists in Texas.
Pensacola affairs are in statu quo.
Mr.. Yancey is here.
1O-udS louh up the perma-
nent Constitution.
Governor Moore has signed the bill to transfer
the troops and arms of the State to the authorities
OF the Confederate States.
The Legislature will adjourn on Thursday.
Virginia Convention,
RICHMOND, March 20.-In the Convention TODAY
Mr.. Halcombe, of Albemarle, made an eloouent
speech in favor of Withdrawing from the Union.
The resolutions relative to taxation were taken
up and Mr. Haymand made speech Pending a
motion to table the resolutions the Convention ad-
journed.
MT. carlisle Will will offer an amendment to the
report OF the Committee Federal Relations, en-
oodylng the Franklin substitute entire.
Political Contest In st Louis
ST. Louis, March 19.-Daniel G. TayIor was
unanimously nominated for Mayor Yesterday bv a
Convention of the Democrats and Bell and Everatt
men. Resolutions were adopted "tbat we will 70
cognize no issue in the approaching municipal
siection other than Repubcanism and anti-Repub
lcanism. We challenge the Republican party OF
this city to meet us on that issue. That in choos
ng our candidate, we require no other oualiica-
ton than honesty, capability and fidelity to the
Union and opposition to the Republican party"
The ticket was called the "Union and anti-Re
publican ticket.
Release of the New York Vessels
SAVANNAH, March 19.-In consideration of the
surrender of the arms by the New York police, the
New York vessels held here and advertized to be
old on the 10Th instant, "or the purpose of indem
llfElng citizens of Georgia for the losses which
they have sustained" have been released.
IMPORTANT FROM THE SOUTH.
Special Despatch to the Ne,u York Hsrazd
CHARLESTON, March 19.-Paymaster Hinton. of
'he United States Army, visited Fort Sumter this
evening under flag of truce, and paid off fifty
United States soldiers.
Major Anderson sent to Quartermaster Hatch.
of the Confederate army, desiring to know by what
his troops can be transported NORTH
They will go by the Columbia on Saturday. The
abandonment of the fort is hourly expected.
The Southern Confederate States will be recor-
nized by the French Emperor and the Snaoisb
government. The British government is not ex-
Pecteo 10 DO SO Immediately. Russia; Sweden,
Denmark and the Italian confederacy are all favor
ably inclined.
NO reconstruction, consequent even upon the ex-
tinction of the Republican party will restore the
South to the old Union
Commodore lngraham and Captain Hartstein
have left Charleston on secret service.
The Montgomery tariff is acceptable to South
carolina and new works have already commenced
in consequence.
Charleston is thoroughly efficient in all military
points. There is no danger from bombardment.-
Were Anderson SO disposed, he has no war imple-
ments that can throw shells into the city.
The principal people here are desirous of a
speedy settlement of affairs; but all look to the at
tainment of that object outside and not inside othe
old Union.
have just left Governor Pickens.
S0ma aycitanapt