The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-01-30

The announcement of the peaceful mission OF
the steam sloop-of-war Brooklyn to Florida is
confirmed by late advices from Washington. The
provisions on board the Brooklyn are to be de-
ivered at Fort Pickens, but she is not to enter
the harbor of Pensacola nor to land troops at the
fort, unless the fort should be attacked. Her COM
mander is ordered to act strictly on the defensive
and to give no pretext for hostilities.
Companies d and of the artillery went for
ward Yesterday from Governors Island to Wash
ington city. They numbered liz men.
The proceedings Of Congress yesterday are in
resting. la the Senate Mr.. King introduced o
L;authoriling the employment of volunteers to
idn enforcing the laws and protecting public
opcrty. 1t was referred to the Military Com
.uitee. A bill, introduced by Mr.. Wilson, for the
better organization of the militia of the District Of
Columbia, was referred TO the same committee.
The Pacific Railroad bill was taken up and dis
cussed. Various amendments were agreed to.
An amendment providing for the Central route
only was negatiyed-22 to Is. The bill was
reported 20 the Senate, and the discussion
was continued till the adjournment. In the
House the debate on the report Of the Committee
of Tbirty-three was resumed, and Messrs. Stevens,
OF Pennsylvania; Harris, of Maryland; Winslow
Of North Carolina, and yanWyck, of New York,
made speeches on the troubles Of the nation now
pending.
The first duel which has resulted from the pre-
sent political complications took place yesterday
morning, on the Pennsylvania border, between
DIR. Jones, partisan of Senator Douglas, and Mr..
Wilson, Breckenridge democrat, both residents
Of Washington. Wilson was wounded in the hip.
The constabuary are said to be in pursuit of the
parties.
There was quite a lively discussion In Com
mittee Of the Whole in the State Senate yesterday
over the bill making an appropriation for the bet
ter arming and equipping Of the militia. After
considerable debate on both sides progress was
reported, and the bill laid over for future consdc-
ration. A bill was also reported In reference to
our Central Park, relative to the appointment Of
the Commissioners. The Senate, by vote OF
twenty-four to one, adopted the Assembly resolu
tions rendering the Inequalities Of the State to
The President elect on his way to Washington. and
inviting him to visit Albany ca route. The pro-
seedlings in the Assembly were rather tame. A
great par, of the day was passed in Committee Of
The whole. The new Capital Punishment bill.
heretofore referred TO, came up, was discussed
pro and con-, and progress reported. The remain.
der of the proceedings related principally to mat
tiers Of local interest only.
The radical abotionists yesterday exhibited
another example Of the reaction on the slavery
question that is going on at the North. These In
cendiaries arranged for q Convention at Syracuse.
n place where they have had the largest liberty
for years past. But the citizens, determined TO
tolerate them no longer, assembled at the hall,
organized meeting, and compelled the abolition
ists TO beat q retreat.
Files from Turks Island to the 9th Inst. have
come 70 hand Salt Ia quoted at 9Ic. TO l0c.
The steamship Quaker City, from Havana the
25tb arrived here yesterday afternoon. The
house of Steiner 4 Co., Of Havana, had failed for
two million two hundred thousand dollars. Con-
siderable anxiety is felt in regard to the sugar
crop, which 1t Ii supposed will be short. The
United States officers at Key West, the Tortugas
and in the Gulf were quite active in their prepare
tons for the defence Of the federal property The
people at Key West were leaving, az were also
the inhabitants OF the Bahamas who have got an
idea that the Southern volunteers are an. or Hli
busters and contemplate descent on their islands
by the brig Princess Royal we have Bermuda
papers 20 the 18th. A brilliant meteor passed
over Bermuda on the 9Th, exploding some distance
rom land with terrific report
The steamship Bohemian, which left Liverpool
on the 18th aud Londonderry on the 18th inst, Il
now due at Portland. She will bring one days's
later European news
The court martial OF Colonel Corcoran was con
tinued yesterday afternoon and evening. The ex
animation Of Colonel yosburgh was resumed. He
was not aware Of any custom permitting the Ma
Cor General TO order out the First division more
than twice year, and considered that oil psrsdes