The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-03-18
WASHINGTON RUMORS.

From the Cor. Of the Northern Journals
WASHINGTON, March l6.-Startling rumors are
in circulation here, to the effect that collision has
occurred at Pensacola.
1t is reported that the United States forces under
command of Lieutenant Slemmer have been at.
tackled by the Florida rebels, and that serious
conflict ensued.
Other reports, of a vague character, state that
the outbreak did not occur in the neighborhood OF
Fort Pickeps but in the Immediate vicinity of Pen
sacola.
No intelligence of definite character, however.
has been received, but sthere is intense excitement
and great anxiety to learn further particulars.
1t is understood that the Senate will adjourn next
week.
Orders have been issued from the Navy DEPART
ment for the sailing of several ships Of war, but
their destination is not announced
The Republican Senators will adhere to the line
of action indicated by Mr.. Fessenden yesterday.
There will be no premature discussion of the pol
| icy of the Administration towards the seeding
States, and the attempts of Douglas and his friends
| to force declaration will be frustrated.
Reports received here from the Republican legis-
| lative caucus of Ohio show that there will proba-
bly, be no choice of Senatorial successor to Sir.
Chase during the present session of the legislature
1t IS said that the appointments of Naval A gents
will all be withheld for the present.
Messrs. Blunt Dunning and Hodge are mentioned
as candidates for the Superntendency of the Assay
| Office in New York.
Benjamin Welsh is strongly pressed for the New
| York Surveyorsbip.
| New York appointments will not be considered fol
| a week to come.
The Cabinet held meeting to-day, when the
| Territorial appointments were discussed.
| Up to the time of closing this despatch, no off
cial intimation has been given concerning the For
| Sumter question.
Col. Cassius NJ. Clay has been unanimously con
hrmed as Minister to Spain and, after some hesita
tlon, has accepted. He will return to Kentucky
and make his arrangements for speedy departure
| to Madrid, taking his family with him.
Gov. Corwin, duly appointed Minister to Mexico
has at last agreed to accept. The main object tt
be accomplished by Gov. Corwin will be the con
structioG of the great railroad across the Isthmu
of Tehuantepec, in regard to which there has beer
much litigation and discussion since the last treat,
With Mexico Mr. Corwin has yet been con
tirmed, but doubtless will be.
Mr. Holloway, of Indiana, was Yesterday ap
pointed Commissioner of fPatents. He is the rient
of the Hon. Caleb B. Smith, the Secretary of th
Interior, and is said to be sngulary well qualified
for the place.
Evidences of decentralization in the army ar
daily received at the War Department, until it i
difficult to say who can be trusted. Col. Coope
distinctly states that he was prompted to resig
, by family considerations, probably stirred up b
his brother -in-law, Senator Mason.
There is no doubt that the Administration
desirous of appointing Mr.. Crittenden to the va
cancy on the Supreme Bench; but, before doing sc
the Senate. Up to this writing, two votes are ne
cessary to secure his confirmation.
CHARLESTON AFFAIRS.
CoNVoCATIoN OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CONVENTION
Hon. David F. Jamison, President of the So
Carolina State Convention, has issued proclama
tion summoning that body to meet at Charlesto
on the 26th day of March.
j LADY DAVIS
the first war vessel put atioat by South CaroIu
since the War of Independence, l776. This vess
] was bought by Governor Pickens at Richmond an
altered for service, armed with twenty -four pouuC
ers, and regularly equipped. She started la
d night on the harbor Defence with her compI
ment of enlisted men; Lieut.. Il. b. Huger, con
manding, with First Lieutenant Dozier and Lieu
o Grmball.
She is ready for her work of defence, and Go,
ernor Pickens has directed her to be named Lad
Davis, in compliment to the lady of the first Pres
: dent of our Confederate States.-Mercury, l4th
Charleston exults in the possession now of stea
fire engine the manufacture of her own mechanic
I Messrs. Cameron Co. Upon the experiment
trial, steam was got up in six minutes, and Wi
about forty pounds of steam steady stream WI
, played through. an inch and 1-l6th nozzle, whic
+ lasted over an hour. The distance thrown varie
Il from lS0 to 160 feet.
II FORT SUMTER
o A close observation with the aid of a large gas
It shows that the parapet guns facing Fort Moultr
nave peen concentrated on the east face of tt
/. work, to bear on Cummings Point; it is possbl
= however, that some of these could be brought
bear in the direction of Moutrie, if mounted
traVersers. The guns apparently crowded, al
IS this shows that Major Anderson proposed payir
e his respects to considerable extent to the ugl
y looking batteries on the Point.-Wercury.
d The observations and experience OF each d
e since the accession of Gen. Beauregard to the col
r mand at this place convince all that he is the rig
man In the right place, will be so when he is
Fort Sumter.-Courier
ot EXCURSION TRIP TO EUROPE
!; A COMMITTEE of Arrangements, composed of o
member of the Provisional Congress from ca
W State of the Confederacy, has been formed to
ganize an excursion trip by steamer from Savann
to Antwerp. The steamer will call en- route
as Havre, where the English mails and passeng,
IT will be dispatched to Southampton. The commit
consists of F. S. Barlow, OF Georgia, l.. NJ. Kei
r. of South Carolina, T. N. Waul, of Texas, l.
oi Seymour of Louisiana, J. P. Anderson, of Flori
". p Chiffon, of Alabama, Wiley P, Harris,