The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-01-17
New York, Thursday, January IL, 1851.
The News.

The news from Washington this morning is of
the highest Importance Col. Hayne, the Com
missioner from South Carolina was informed by
the President on Tuesday that any communication
he had to make must be made in writing. Col
Hayne thereupon withdrew, in order to prepare
his propositions, but up to last evening had not
sent his communication to the Executive II is
known, however, that Col. Haynes mission is to
demand the prompt and unconditional surren-
der Of Fort Sumter to the South Carolina
authorities and it is also known that the
President will uncquivoeally and emphatieally re-
fuse 10 comply. Furthermore, it is known that
the President has despatched orders to Major An
sersoa to act entirely on the defensive but to de-
fend Fort Sumter against any attack TO the last
extremity. Colonel Hayne asserts that if the fort
il not given up oceans Of blood will flow. That
the South Carohnians will attempt its capture is
beyond question. Their chances OF success may
be judged of upon perusa Of description of the
iorti6caton and its means Of defence, given in
another part of to-dsy's paper.
We have reports Of terrible state Of aftsirs on
the Mississippi river. 1t is stated that the Mssis
sippi secessionists have planted cannon at various
points along the banks of the river, that one
steamboat has been denied passage, while others
have been oyerhauled, and that several respecta-
Bile persons have been compelled TO return to the
places from whence they started. Although these
reports are partially verified by member Of Con
gress yet we must have them confirmed before
placing implicit faith in them.
In Congress yesterday Messrs- Simmons and
Anthony Of Rhode Island addressed the Senate
on the crisis, and motion OF Mr.. Clark Of New
Hampshire the Crittenden adjustment was laid
on the table by a vote Of twenty-five to twenty
three. subsequently motion was made TO re-
consider the vote, pending which the Senate
adjourned. In executive session, the appointment
Of Mr.. Taylor chief Clerk Of the New York Post
Office to'tbe Postmastership, was confirmed. In
the House the debate on the crisis was renewed.
Mes-rs Garnet, Of Virginia, and Gurlcy, of Ohio.
we're the chief speakers.
The public will doubtless be surprised to learn
that Major General Sanford has rendered the
whole OF the First Division Of New York militia to
Governor Morgan, and that the offer has been ac-
cepted professionally. Nevertheless. such is the
fact a. the correspondence between these officials
Tae Georgia State Convention met at Mledge
vile yesterday, and organized by choosing George
v. Crawford chairman, and \. Il. Lamar secre.
tsry. A committee appointed to wait on the
South Carolina and Alabama Commissioners. and
request them 20 communicate with the Con, cntion.
The Convention then adjourned.
full report Of the speech of Gov. Floyd ex-
Secretary of war, at Richmond recently, at "a ban.
IN yrhfnh h. ted he dtpfr
given on the second page Of to-day's HERALD
This speech will attract considerable attention
from the fact that Gov. Floyd unreseryedy reveals
the secrets of the Cabinet. Of which h. mcm-
Der. with respect to the designs Of the admini,tra
ton relative TO the secession movements of the
southcrn states There are bat few instances
on record of Cabinet minister out of place reveal
ing state secrets, and the conduct of Gov. Floyd
in this regard has been severely aninadycrtsd
upon BY oil parties.
We publish in another column a circular letter
from prominent bishops and clcrgyrnen Of the
North addressed 10 the clergy and laity Of the
south. in which they counsel calm, discriminating
investigation Of the causes of the perils impending
over the country, and manly, Christian cn'ert,
under God, to avert them.
There was a rumor about town yesterday that
James f. Kerrigan member OF Congress elect
rom this city. il 10 be AFRO sted on charge of
treason, under the recent charge of Judge Smsey.
The circumstances which led o this rumor are de
tailed elsewhere ia our columns.
The first drill meeting Of toe Union Volunteers
wa held last evening at the Mercer House. Sub
sequent TO the drill resoluti, MS we're passed dis
claiming any political or sec, ional object.
In the state Senate yesterday the Committee on
Federal Relations made an, elaborate report ON
the various resolutions having reference to tho H..
turbed condition Of the country. y synopsis of
the report together with the resolutions recon.
mcndcd BY the committee, are given in our
despatches from Albany Arcsoluuon appointing
the 9Th Of February as the time for elccting
United States Senator in place OF Mr.. Seward vas
offered, and. laid over. Benjamin =. Bruce Of
Madison, las chosen Canal Commissioner.
There. was not quorum Of Emigration Commits
siouers present at the meeting Of thst Board yc--
tcrda !, The routine business was all that they
dsy osed OF In consequence. The weekly state
me nt shows only lie cmigrant arrivals al the port
during last week, which makes the whole number,
since January ], 5i?, Tbs does not indicate