The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-01-15

the subject. He had also been asked If he intended
to interfere or. recommend an interference with
slavery or the right of holding slaves in the dock
yards and arsenas of the United States? His re
ply was, Indeed, sir, the subject has not entered
mind He was inquired of, whether he intended
to recommend the abolition of slavery in the Dis
trict of Columbia? To which he replied, upon
my word, haze not gicen the subject thought A
gentleman present said to him, 'We Mr. Lin
coin, suppose these difficulties should not be settled
Delore you are inaugurated, what will you do?-
lie replied, with smile, well l suppose | will
nave to run the machine as find it
"ln speaking on the subject of a compromise he
SAID: '1t was sometimes better for man to pay
debt he did not owe, or tolose a demand which was
just one, than to go to law about it, but then, in
compromising our difficulties he would regret to
see the victors put in the attitude of the vanqush
ed and the vanqushed in the place of the victors
lie would not contribute to any such compromise
as that.
at was discernible in the course ofMr. L. 5 con-
versatIon that he duly appreciates the difficulties
which threaten his incoming Administration; also,
that he regarded himself grossly misrepresented
and misunderstood at the South nor did he con.
ceal what was manifestly an invincibe conviction
Of his honest and intelligent mind, that ifthe South
would only give him a fair trial, they would find
their constitutional rights safe under his admin
lstration as they had ever been under the admins
tration of any President"
ARRESTS FOR TREASON.
The Charleston Merc"ry of the 10th inst. has the
following paragraph:
J. N Merriman, collector of the port of George
town, ). e., was on Monday last arrested by the
people of Georgetown on a charge of treason
against the State. A letter was found written by
him and addressed to MIR. Buchanan, stating that
he Merriman) had just cleared vessels in the name
OF the United States, and that he would continue to
do so The letter calls upon the President to send
boat and men to collect the Federal revenue, and
informs him of the progress made in the construc-
ton OF the works near Georgetown, and promises
i'm fnd from nl,A.,
the same. The letter is signed by his initials j.
n. NJ. When arrested he acknowledged having
written it. Lopse, his deputy, was also arrested
He said be had been in the habit of writing ont
Merrmans letters, but had not done so in this case
as he considered it treason. Both have been COM
mitted for trial.
PENNSYLVANIA is READY!
The Philadelphia Inquirer ofMonday says:
The old Keystone State can furnish fifty thou
sand men in support of the Constitution and the
laws. If General Scott desires assistance he has
only to issue his orders and our volunteers will
not only be found ready, but anxious to serve
their country. The following is summary of our
force: Number of divisions 20: number of bri-
gades, 81; number of companies, SOL; cavalry COM
panles, a; artillery companies, 54; infantry
panles, 10; rifle companies, IS; aggregate of
brigades, $1,000. Number of field pieces: Brass
four-pounders, 5; brass six-pounders 2S; ironsix-
Founders, 3; muskets, 7,664rfes, 2,675.
ADDITIONAL RESERVATIONS OF NAVAL OFFICERS
The resignation of another gallant officer of the
United States navy-Leut. Thomas B. Huger, of
South Carolina, who is at present on board of
United States ship in the Bay of Naples-has been
delivered to the Secretary of the Navy at Wash
lngton. The letter of resignation was written
some months ago, and left with relative to be de-
livered at the proper time.
Capt. Victor NJ. Randolph, of Virginia, has re-
signed, and has offered his services to Alabama.
james l.. Hoole, of Alabama, a graduate of the
Naval School at Annapolis, but at present mid.
shipman on board the steamship Susquehanna in
the Mediterranean, has through his father, B. j.
Hoole, Esq, rendered his services to the Governor
of Alabama.
Cadet James G. Cowan, of Alabama, has resign
ed his post at the West Point Military Academy,
and returned home, where he will tender his servi
ces to the Governor of his State.
A PATRIOTIC MAJOR.
The New Orleans True Delta pub fishes the an.
nexed telegraphic despatch from the Major in COM
mand of Fort Pike. Perhaps the troops which
left New Orleans on the 10th to seize that fort.
may find that they have not gone On a pleasure
trip
FoRT PIKE, Saturday, Jan. 5.-A. n.
j. q. Nc-e, Nelc Orleans:
The fort is now surrounded by fishing smacks
turned into armed gunboats, and filled with armed
men, the ttag-boat of the squadron having hoisted
at the peak the Palmetto and Pelican flags. A
peremptory order has been sent by the com
mander of the expedition to surrender the fort at
discretion, immediate attack would be made
My reply was prompt: That until | received or.
ders from headquarters, would defend the fort
while man remained to apply match to the
guns spring mine and, as last resort that
l would blow up the fort and perish, with the
star-spangled banner, in its ruins Posterity |
trust, will do my memory justice.
B. BoswoRTH.
MOVEMENTS on GOVERNORS ISLAND, NEW YORK.
The World, of Monday, says:
At an early hour yesterday morning, the troops
which were on board of the Star of the West were
landed from the tug which had been dispatched for
them at late hour on Saturday night The Gus
tomary drills were had during the day, those of the
recruits being very severe. At about O'Clock,
about 200 men, with their arms, were seen moving
from Castle Williams towards Fort Columbus. The
appearance of two schooners anchored on the south
side OF the island, gave rise to a rumOr that troops
were being embarked on board of those vessels
This was not the case, as the were only return
ing from drill, and the schOOners were waiting for
food tide to pursue their journey There are at
present upon the island about 625 men, most of
whom are raw recruits, party of whom arrived
from Boston yesterday morning and were immedi-
atey taken over to the island Extra drills are the
order OF the day, and there can be no doubt that
the officers commanding are making all haste to
prepare their men for active service.
From the ". 7. Tribune January I4l
STARTLING RUMoR.
SIR: have reliable secret and confidential infor-
nation that there is pratica expedition in cor
temptation among some reckless and desperate
men, some of them belonging to a vile portion of
this city, to forcibly seize the California steamers
with their immense treasure, in case of bloodshed
at Charleston. schooner has been already char
tered at New Orleans to take these pirates candes
timely to the Isthmus, where they will wait till the
treasure is aboard the steamer, and then seize the
vessel under the Palmetto flag and under the au-
thority of the South Carolina Government. They
intend to seize two vessels steamers in succession
in this way, and tow them into the Charleston har-
Dor, where the plunder will be distributed among
the revolutionary mob. This is no humbug-'tis
true and were at liberty, and if it would not peril
the life of my informant would state frankly and
fearlessly how | became possessed of this informa-
tion. Il would be sad thing for the merchants
in San Francisco
New York, Jan. IL, 1861. p NJ.