The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-02-01
THE NATIONAL CRISIS
ErOm WASHINGTON.


GOVERNMENT ORDERS, ETC.
| WASHINGTON, Jan. 31.-Capt. Randolph is the
only naval officer of that rank who has resigned
and he the reserved list. His resignation
was accepted before the information reached the
Department of the surrender of the Pensacola Ma
Wy Yard.
More is taken than heretofore by both
the Navy and War Departments to prevent their
secret orders from obtaining premature publicity,
which has on several occasions frustrated the de-
signs of the Administration, to the public detri-
| ment
| Applications continue to be received from post.
masters in the seeding States for supplies ofstamps,
| blanks, wrapping paper, etc., but these are fur
nished on the condition that the postmasters will
acknowledge and conform to the laws affecting the
postal service.
The Secretary of State has declined to admit
that the secession authorities in possession of COM
mercial ports have any power to grant clearances
or receive payment of duties. In a letter to Lord
Lyons, the Secretary has defined the position of
this Government, and declares that the revenue
| laws will be regarded as in full operation.
Hon. T. j. Judge, Commissioner for Alabama,
appointed to treat with the Federal authorities in
relation to public property in that State, has arriv-
ed here, and is in correspondence with Col. Hay
! OF South Carolina, and others.
Imrnrta~t Correspondence between the
Ministers of sforeign Powers and the Secre-
tary of State in regard to the Collection of
Customs at Charleston, etc, etc.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 31.-It appears from official
sources that on the 9th of January Mr.. SchIeiden
wrote to the Secretary of State, Mr.. Black, in
forming him that he had received letter from the
| Bremen Consul at Charleston, stating that the
consignee of the Copernicus, had rendered duties
| at the Custom House, which were refused and
from this the Consul infers that the functionaries
there are acting no longer for the United S aes and
the Minister therefore asks how the Bremen cap
talns and consgnees of goods imported from Bre-
men in Bremen vessels, to any port in South Caro-
lima, to act, in order to avoid all violations of the
revenue laws of the United States? Does the GOV
ernment hold itself responsible to the owners of
goods now stored in, or which may hereafter be
placed in the United States bonded warehouses at
| Charleston; and in of the discontnuance of
the United States Custom House at Charleston
will Bremen vessels be permitted to proceed hence
on their voyage, without hindrance on the part of
the United States authorities?
Lord Lyons, under date of December 3lst ac-
qualnts the Secretary of State that he has received
letter from the British Consul at Charleston, in
which 1t is stated that South Carolina has passed
an ordinance, declaring, in effect, that the Custom
Houses of the United States in South Carolina are
converted into Custom Houses of that State; and
that the revenue laws adopted show how duties are
to be collected on account OF that State. The Con-
sui calls attention to several practical difficulties
connected with the entry and clearance of British
vessels, which may arrive at any moment, and Lord
Lyons requests the Government to furnish him,
without delay, such information respecting its
wishes and intentions may enable him to give
definite instructions to the Consul, and to remove
any apprehension which may exist that the aboli-
tion de fdcto of the United States Custom Houses
will be allowed to subject British vessels or COM
merce to loss, injury or incon onvenience
Mr.. Tassaro, the Spanish Minister, on December
3lst, calls Secretary Blacks attention to letter
from the Spanish Consul at Charleston, relative to
custom affairs in that city.
Next Secretary Black is informed by Lord Ly.
ons that South Carolina authorities have removed
the buoys, withdrawn the light ship, etc., and re-
quests that he cause the lights and beacons to be
| restored, to vessels of their danger; and, in
conclusion, desires such information as will allay
anxiety of British subjects.
Mr.. Schleiden also complains, under date of Jan
uary Sth, that the lights in Charleston harbor have
been extingushed.
Judge Magrath, dated from Executive Department
of South Carolina, saying that the activity of the
pilots will prevent any serious injury inconven
ence to commerce.
On the 10th inst, Secretary Black replied To
Lord Lyons, and sent copy of his letter to Messrs
Schleden and Tassara He says that he had laid
Lord Lyons communication before the President.
who would deeply regret that any injury should
happen to the commerce of foreign or friendly ma
tons, and especially that British subjects al
Charleston should suffer by the anomalous state o.
things existing there. Secretary Black then quotes
from the law to show that the jurisdiction of the Fed
eral Government to impose duties on goods imported
into the limits the United States and collect duties
is exclusive whether the state of affairs now existing
at Charleston will or will not be regarded as sutf
cient reason for not executing the penalties incur
red by British subjects, is question, says the Sec
retary, which Lord Lyons will see no necessity fol
raising until it practically arises. Each will
| no doubt have its peculiarities, and Secretary
| Black regrets that this consideration compes hin
to decline giving any assurances the points pre-
sented The Treasury Department, he says, will
give public information to the condition il
which South Carolina has put the coast.
| THE DEFENCE OF FORT PIcKENs
| low TboT liza C.,4 a,,l,o
of war Brooklyn has probably joined the steam
frigate Macedonian at Pensacola, and should al
attack be made on Fort Pickens, which is not nov
improbable, within short time, considering thu
advice of parties distant from the scene these yes
sells will CO. operate with Lieut. Slemmer in its de
fence, although it is supposed here that he would
be able successfully to maintain his position withou
additional succor.
| THE ANTICIPATED CONSPIRACY TO SEIZE THE CAPITOL
| INVESTIGATION OF THE SELECT CoMMIrTEE-L1EU
| TENANT GENERAL SCOTT THINKS THERE is ABUNDANT
| EVIDENCE TO JUSTIFY MILITARY PREPARATIONS.
The Select Committee of Five have examined
about twelve witnesses, to alleged conspirac,
to seize the Federal Capitol. Nothing startling Oh
convincing has been elected. Lieut.. Gen. Scot
was before them more than two hours to-day. Ii
said there was abundant evidence to his mind t
Justify him in makiLg military preparations, though
twas not of the strongest character
There is certainly nothing to show that an or
ganization for that purpose exists in the District
Columbia; the bill reported yesterday from tha
Committee providing for calling out the volunteers
did not meet the concurrence of Mr.. Branch, o
MOI tn Carolina. Mr.. John Cochrane's bill autho
rizing the President to suspend, by proclamation,
the revenue laws, when obstructed by illegal com
binations, met the approval Of all, Mr.. Branch ex
cepted.
MASSACHUSETTS LEGISLATURE.
BosToN, JAM 30.-A communication was received
in the Senate yesterday from the Governor, trans
mitting copy of the secession ordinance received
from the President of the Georgia State Conven
ton. 1t was laid the table.
Resolutions from the General ssembly of Ten
nessee, proposing certain amendments to the Con
stitution, and from the Legislature of Pennsyl
vania, In favor of the Union and the Constitution
were also received and referred to the Committe
on Federal Relations.
The bill authorizing the Treasurer oil the Stat
to endorse the notes of the United States was re
jected after debate by vote of fourteen to nine
teen,