The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-01-23
The News.

The News.
All danger of an immediate collision Of the
Gderal and State forces at Forts Sumter and Pick
ems is at an end 1t is understood that peace shall
be preserved until the 4th Of March. Whether the
armistice will continue after that date no one can
predict.
The House Navy and Army Committees are, it
Ia reported. engaged in the preparation Of bills
placing both arms of the public service on a war
footing. The enrolment of volunteers will be re-
commended. and also the construction Of number
Of light draft steamers for coast service.
Mr. Dix, Secretary of the Treasury, has COM
inundated to Congress q statement Of the actual
condition of the Treasury. He estimates the
amount necessary prior to the LIST of July next, in
addition 10 the accruing revenue, at twenty mil
lions Of dollars. He also suggests measures to
raise this money, and, among other means, refers
TO the surplus revenue deposited in the States in
1886 a. a specific fund which might be pledged or
recalled.
In the Senate yesterday number Of petitions
In favor of the Crittenden adjustment were pre-
sented. On motion that the Vice President be
authorized to fill the vacancies in the standing
committees caused by the withdrawal Of Senators
from seeding States. long and interesting dis
cussion ensued. The Vice President said there
was no record on the journal Of the absence of
any Senators, that he had no notification of the
fact, and the names still on the roll Mr..
Irumbun thought the names should be stricken
from the roll, while Mr.. Hunter did not understand
that the seeding Senators had resigned, as no
resignation could be made unless in writing. He
thought those Senators still subject to the call OF
the Senate. Finally Mr.. Seward moved to lay the
whole subject on the table, and the motion was
adopted by vote of thirty 1.-TWO to twenty-five. Mr.
Crittendens resolutions were then taken up, and
Mr.. Powell, of Kentucky, spoke on the distracted
condition of the republic. The session closed with
o coiloquy between Messrs. Wade and Mason, re-
epecting the refusal Of Ohio to deliver up to jus
tee parties implicated in the John Brown foray.
In the House the Chairman Of the Post Office
Committee reported back the bill authorizing the
Postmaster General to suspend the mail service in
seeding States, and urged its passage on the
ground that it is the imperative duty Of the govern
ment 70 discontinue the postal service when Their
is no means Of protecting it. Mr.. Stevens, o
Pennsylvani proposed o substitute, authorizing
and,empowcring the President, when he shall deem
ii necessary, to suspend all laws and parts O
laws establishing ports Of entry and collection
districts in south Carolina Florida, Alabama, Mis-
sissippi or any other State that has now, or ma,
hereafter secede, or be in rebellion against tn,
United States, and TO continue such suspension
until such States shall return to thei
LOYALTY to the United States. The President
shall give notice Of such suspension by pro
clamation, and such suspension shall com
mence ten days thereafter. During the suspension
ii shall not be lawful for any vessel, excep
euoh as belong TO the United States, to enter o
leave any such ports Of the United States for for
eign ports OF coastwise. II any vessel shall b
found violating the provisions of this act, suc
vessel or cargo shall be forfeited, onc-haf TO tn
captors and the other half TO the United States
and those on board any such captured vessel shal
be tried before any Admiralty Court having juris
diction. The President shall also have powe
to suspend all laws establishing post Office
and post routes in any Of the secedin
States and the mails shall be carried only Z
the lines Of such States except where II Is neces
Eary to pass through them TO reach o loyal State
The mails shall not be opened in a rebellious State
And II is further provided that the President hav
power to use the army and navy for the cxecutio
of the laws. The consideration OF the bill was the
postponed until Thursday week. The considers
fion Of the report Of the Committee Of Thrty-thre
was then resumed and Mr.. Bingham, Of Ohio, an
Mr.. Clemens, of Virginia, made speeches Oh Ill
crisis Of the country. The remarks of the latte
speaker were strongly anti-secession, and create
D lively sensation among all parties
The preparations were continued at the Brool
iyn Eayy Yard yesterday to rcpel any attack tina
might be made by mob. The guns of tn
North Carolina and Ave twelve.pound howitzer
were placed in position to sweep the whole q
Wallabout bay. The military and extra force o
police were, however, Withdrawn, az no imme
aiiate attack was anticipated.
Thirty-eight cases Of muskets, containing tw,
dozen each, six large kegs Of musket balls. an,
two tierces, supposed to contain kegs Of gunpow
der, were yesterday seized by order Of superlr
fendent Kennedy, Of the Metropolitan polio,
They were taken from the steamship Montieell,
lying OF pier IL North river and ready TO sail Il
Savannah.
The steamtug Pope Catlin last night took fro
ihe pier foot Of Whitehall street fifty Unite
States troops to Fort Hamilton They came fro
West Point by the afternoon train.
The Mozart Hall General Committee held sp,
tal meeting last evening, at which a resolutio
was adopted calling upon the democratic elector
OF this c'ty to choose -four delegates from each
,hc A., mbiy districts Of the city 10 the Unto