The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-01-04
Washington, D. c.. Dec. 81, 1850.

The bold stratesetic movement of Col. An
derson in command Of the forts Of the U. s., at
Charleston, in evacuating Fort Moultrie, and
retiring to Fort sumpter, where with the force
he has with him he will not only be able to
maintain himself but also to command the APP
proaches to the harbor, was telegraphed here
about noon, an 1 caused much excitement. Up
20 the present moment il is not known whether
or not he acted in accordance with instructions
from the war department. Ii is generally
supposed that he used the discretionary power
vested in him to do that which he thought best
calculated TO prevent the forts from being
taken, and to lessen the danger ofs collision be-
tween the few United States troops and the
secessionists. The dispatch says, before evacu-
ating the fort the guns were spiked. and the
gun carriages burned. Fort Sumptsr is con-
sidered as very strong fort, and as it is sup
piled with abundant provisions and can only be
taken by floating batteries, or by ssige. 1t Is
probable that it can be held against all the force
the secessionists can bring against 1t.
The South Carolina Commissioners are here,
and pretend to great Indignation at the act Of
Col. Anderson. which they say was in violation
Of some sort OF understanding between their
leaders and the administration. that the forts
should not be reinforced or the position Of
things altered, until the Commissioners had
had an opportunity to confer with the authori-
ties here. Evidently the act has somewhat
disturbed the plans of the rebels, and impaired
the running gear Of their secession engine
The Cabinet is in session, il is supposed de-
lberating on the news from Charleston. Nobody
would be surprised here, lift should turn out
that Col. Anderson acted on his own RESPONSE
bihty and the President would disavow the act,
though everybody but the secessionists,
who are greatly excited, look upon 1t as an act
of very great wisdom on the part Of Col. An.
derson.
The Senate to day has been the theatre OF
earnest debate. called out by the consideration
of Territorial Bill, we believe to Organize the
Territory Of Arizona. Mr.. Brown, OF Miss,
moved to amend the bill by addinga section to
it to incorporate into the bill the infamous
Slave Laws OF New Mexico, and in supporting
his amendment declared that the right ofproper-
~ in man, and the right of the Shareholders for
protection toslayc property must be recognized,
or the Union would not last ninety days. Mr.
Doolittle of Wisconsin replied to this, and with
calmness and effect. declaring that IL this was
the demand Of the South 1t would never be
complied with-that the North was willing to
abide by the guarantees of the present consti-
tuition, but it would not consent to such de-
mands as had been made. The speech, 1--WE heard
but part Of ill., is said to have been one Of
great ability and power.
In the House Gen. Stevens, Of Washington
Territory, defended himself from some charge
made by the news papers fNew York that
the distracted bonds from the Treasury. or
a portion of them, were used to raise money
upon to carry on the campaign for Breckin-
ridge. Mr.. Stevens was Chairman of the Breck-
inridge Committee, and said II was q SANDER
on the committee.
Both branches adjourned over until Mon
day.
The rumors of plots to resist the organiza-
ton of Lincoln thicken. Many people appre-
bend trouble. Many the Clerks in the DE.
partments are from the seceeding States. and
are ready il Is said for any act Of desperation.
The House Committee of33 rejected the
Rust proposition to extend the Missouri Com
promise line to the Pacific. L.o.c