New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-01-16
THE LATEST NEWS
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MAGNETIC TELEGRAPH.
From Washington.
fpssiLl Dispatches to The n y Tribune

WASHINGTON, Iues0ay, JAN To- lOol'
DEFENSE OF THE AMERICAN FLAG.
II is stated, with some show of truth, that or
aers have heen given to Major Anderson to per-
init no indgnities to the American flag and if
smother occurrence like the firing into the Star
OF the West takes place, to open his batteries
upon the offending parties.
THE CRrTTENDEN COMPROMISE AND THE PACI-
FIC RAILROAD.
Tie Southern rebels evidently consider them
selves in straits aud Senators and Representa-
lives retire with lugubrious countenances. Their
eight missing votes in the Senate to-day gave the
goby to the Crittenden resolutions, and put the
Pacific Railroad in their place to the great dis
gust Of the author of the resolutions, who vigor
ously protested against the slaughter. But the
Senate was memorable
THE DIsUNION VOLUNTEERS.
An effort was made last night to smoke out
The DisuniOn Volunteers, who are holding mest-
ings for drill but the reporters were driven out,
not without first discovering however, that among
them were a number Of clerks in the Depart
ments
PURCHASE OF SLAVES.
Suggestions have been made here looking to
The introduction of proposition into Congress to
buy out all the slaves in Maryland, Delaware,
Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, and Louisiana, in
order to settle the Slavery and Secession question
in the country north of the Potomac and west
of the Mississippi River, in peaceful manner
Il is thought $4,000 900 would complete the
work, and carry this compromise in favor of
Freedom through Congress, and be a wiser ex-
Penditure than the same appropriated to put
down secession in those quarters by military
means. This proposition is more favorably re-
garded than the suggested compromises looking
TO the future impossible abrogatiOn of Slavery
anywhere. J. 5. p.
THE PoST-oFFICE SURVEILLANCE AT CHARLES
TON.
WASHINGTON, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 1861.
Information having reached the Post-Ofice De-
partment that under an order of the Governor of
South Carolina the correspondence of Major An
derson and his command is subjected TO survei
lance of the Post Office, or others in authority at
Charleston, Mr. Holt addressed letter TO MIR.
Huger, the Post Master at Charleston, making
inquiry in the matter. He replied that "when
fle communication between the city and Fort
was first intercepted, under the intense excite
ment. and in order to avoid collision between UNI
authorized parties distinction was made, by or
der Of Gov. Pickens, in two instances, between
Official and private letters for Major Anderson.
Subsequently, this decision seems TO have been
recOnsidered, and have sent all mail matter for
Major Anderson, and for his command, under
sealed cover from this Office, and continue to do
20 TO this day, January 10Th, as opportunity oc-
CURED and / do so without surveillance of the
Post-Ofhce or other authority at Charleston.
THE PORTS AT THE SOUTH.
The Macedonian which sailed under sealed
orders, has gone to the rescue of the forts at
Pensacola, though it is feared she will be too
late in consequence of the rush of volunteers
from Alabama and elsewhere, who are engaged in
4 The Secession scheme.
The command at Fort Pickens, which is still in
possession of the Government, Gen. Scott thinks
may be able to hold out until relief Is obtained.
The other two forts are in possession OF the Rev
Olutionists. There are no troops at Tortugas.
Capt Meigs and few laborers are in charge.
| He asked Ar. Floyd for protection some time
ago. but none was sent, and the President was
deceived with a false representation from the
/ ~
sufficiently progressed to require troops This
was q part of the system Of deception practiced
by Mr.. Floyd. A company was recently ordered
f-ere from Boston, and it is hoped reached
Il before the intended descent of the FlOrdans
wa made. Senator Mallory lately obtained from
tie proper bureau detailed statement of the
condition Of this work, without the object for
which it was intended being suspected at the
tine
Gov. Ellis of North Carolina has written TO
the President informing him that the forts which
we-e recently seized without authority will be
promptly restored to the custody of the Govern
fneOt accompanied by becoming expression of
ms condemnation Of the lawess act. This con-
ulet stands out in marked contrast with the rev.
ti0sioaary proceedings elsewhere.
TIRE BARBAROUs CONDUCT OF THE CHARLESTON
TRAITORS.
Some of the leading Secessionists here have
become ashamed of the barbarous and cruel
areaineit TO which Major Anderson and his
command have been subjected, being cut off from
su Communication with their friends, and denied
s'a Opportunity Of procuring the ordinary supplies
sed foyisions which are recognized among civil
ised htions in q suspended state of hostilities.
jeaersn Davis has written letter to Gov.
Rieken urging him to change this policy, which
M, Inter and others have Endorsed. II may
produceshe desired effect, though Gov. Pickens
has alresy lost all influence, and is mere in
strumentin the hands Of reckless aud desperate