The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-01-04
Washington N ews.
WASHINGTON, Dec. %.

WASHINGTON, Dec. %.
A report, which seems to be truthful,
states that the South Carolina Commits
sioners, Messrs.. Orr, BARNwELL and
ADAMS, in view of the alleged stipulation
on the part of the President, that the gar
risons of Charleston should not be augment
ed, or the military status Of the posts
changed, had requested the President to
inform them 1.-THE COMMISSIONER whether
Mai. ANDERsoN's movement was in conse-
quence Of any order by him or from the
War Department. The President respond
ed negatively, and added that Maj. AMBER
SON had acted on his own responsibility.
The Commissioners then requested the
President to remand Maj. ANDERSON to
Fort Moultrie, but on this point there was
no conclusion when the Cabinet adjourned.
The above statement was obtained from
source believed to be reliable, but there is
no means Of verifying its absolute credi>
bility.
The Cabinet continued in session nearly
twenty-four hours, and it is certain that it
adjourned till tomorrow without coming to
a conclusion on the affairs of South Caro-
lima. The action of Maj. ANDERSON is gen.
orally commended. Among other reasons
urged, is that while Fort Moultrie was
comparatively weak and might provoke the
assault of a mob, the impregnable defences of
Fort Sumpter placed it beyond such con-
tipgency, as it could be reduced only by a
regular and protracted siege, thus avoiding
an immediate collision.
WASHINGTON, Dec. %.
About seventy.fve border state congress
men met in caucus tonight. Senator Crit.
tenden presided, and Colfax, of Indiana,
and Barrett, of Missouri, were the Secreta-
ries. The following propositions were Of
fered:
By Mr.. Barrett: Consisting of eleven
amendments to the constitution, on the
slavery question.
By Mr.. Pryor: That any attempt to pre-
serve the Union between the states of the
confederation by force, would be equally
unconstitutional, unpolitic, and destructive
of Republican liberty.
By Mr.. Vallandigham: The Crittenden
resolution.
By Mr.. Colfax: That the laws of the
Union should be enforced, and the union of
the States be maintained and that it is
the duty of the executive to protect the
property of the United States, with all the
power placed in his hands by the constitu-
ton.
By Mr.. Morris, of Illinois; That in ma.
turing any plan for the adjustment of the
existing difficulties, we will keep steadily in
view the preservation of the Union, under
the constitution, as paramount c0nsidera-
ton.
After q desultory debate, in which
Messrs. Cox, Smith, Pryor, of Virginia,
Clemens, Sherman, Stanton, Colfax, Noel,
Hickman, Montgomery, McClernand, Har-
ris, of Virginia, and Harris, of Marylands
participated, all the pending propositions
were, on motion of the latter gentleman,
referred to committe of one from each of
the fourteen states represented, to report at
future meeting, 10 be called by them, if
they agreed.
WASHINGTON, Dec. %.
Mr.. Holt, the Postmaster General, has
sent orders to the Sub-Treasury at Charles
ton, to remit all the balance, So, 500, on the
Post Office account in his possession imme-
diately, to the credit of the department. If
this order is not complied with at once, he
will demand of the Federal Government to
enforce his orders. He is also determined,
as before suggested, to suppress mail matter
to and from South Carolina, if the mails are
interfered with in that State.
The Cabinet broke up tonight, after five
hours session without coming to any conclu-
sion relative to the disposition of troops at
Charleston. The impression prevailed that
q conflict was inevitable. Secretary Toucey
and Mr.. Holt, Postmaster General, urged
defence. The others further evacuation
if necessary.
A despatch was received tonight, by q
member of the Cabinet, which says that
troops are pouring into Charleston from all
directions.
The opinion was expressed by promi-
nent member of tina Cabinet, tonight, that
war is already begun. Georgia troops, at
last accounts, were called upon to join the
South Carolina forces.
A despatch from Charleston states that
the proposed State loan of 100000 is al
ready parcelled out among the wealthiest
men Of the State, mainly in Charleston, and
that each one is expected to furnish his
share under the penalty Of being considered
disafected.
WASHINGTON, December "a.
Tribune Correspondenee.l-Ine Com
mittee Of Thirteen sat three hours to-day,
and reached one important result. 1t has
been constantly charged by the South, and
was repeated in Mr.. Nicholson's speech to-
day, that the growing power Of the Repub-
lican party threatened amendments Of the
Constitution by which their rights in the
Senate would be impaired, if not destroyed.
To meet this difficulty the Republicans
conferred together, and submitted the fol.
lowing propositions through Mr.. Seward
though they were drawn by Messrs. Grimes
and Collamer:
/. No amendment shall be made to the Con.
stitution which will authorize or give to Con.