Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-02-20
TIE NAVY YARD.

TIE NAVY YARD.
Unusual activity is manifested in the Navy
Yard, and arrivals here Of ordnance stores
are sent from the latter place 10 distant mill
tary points almost daily. Persous having
been detected in giving improper informa-
ton as to the proceedings in the Navy Yard
and Arsenal, strict watch is kept over all
visitors, and many portions are closed alto
gether. e-
MEMBER ILL.
Mr.. Ashley of Ohio, was detained from
the House to-day, by illness.
DEATH OF COL. JOHNSON.
Z This morning, John johnson of Ohio,
sighty-six years of age, was found dead in
his bed, at the United States Hotel. He was
one Of the companions of the immortal Dan
iel Boone. Hepaid his sixtieth years sub
ssription, few days ago, 10 the National In
telligencer.
PEACE CONFERENCE.
The Peace Conference did nothing to-day
Of any Importance. Mr.. Clemens, of the Vir-
ginia Convention, telegraphs urging an inl-
mediate settlement, to resist the elements Of
secession, which ara growing in the Conven-
ton.
DAVIS INAUGURAL.
The inaugural of jeff. Davis is regarded as
very warlike, but it is not the theme of much
comment, and seems to excite no fears.
et coLoRADo.
The bill for organizing Colorado Territory
passed the House this evening, as it came
from the Senate. This gives the people of
Pixies Peak Territorial Government.
Mr.. LINCOLN IN WASHINGTON.
Mr.. Lincoln is expected here at 6 P. NJ. on
Saturday next as per official announcement
Miss Lane has invited Mrs. Lincoln to the
White House before the Inauguration.
Special Dispatches to Gin. Com.
WASHINGTON, Feb 18th.
Some very important measures passed the
House to day by heavy majorities. The first
was the so-called Force Bill reported by
Stanton of Ohio from the Committee on Mill
tary Affairs, in response to a resolution of the
House, adopted, Dec. 3lst 1860, in the fol-
lowing words:
H Resolved, That the Committee on Militia
~ Affairs be instructed to inquire aud report
how, to whom, and what price, the public
arms distributed since January, 1860, have
been disposed Of, and also into the condition
of the forts, arsensls, dockyards, &C., of the
country-whether they are supplied with aC-
equate garrisons, and whether any further
legislation is required to enable the President
to afford adequate protection to the public
property"
The committee submitted report and a
bill to revive scts of I775 and 1907, provid-
ing fer calling forth the militia of the United
States to suppress instruction and repel inva-
sion, and to extend their provisions to all
cases of insurrection against the authority of
the United States. The bill also enables the
Presidentin every case where it may. be ne
cessary, to call forth the military and to ac-
cept the services of volunteers as cavalry in
of the act. The reason assigned for passing
a new act was, that although the committee
deem the existing laws confer ample authori-
ty on the President, yet the late Attorney
General Black had given an adverse opinion.
Report states as the result of their inquiries
they found that late Secretary Floyd sold to
various persons and States between January
1860. and January 1881, thirty-one thousand
six hundred and ten flint lock muskets at two
dollars and fifty cents each which were claim
ed to be unsuitable for public service but
about which the testimony of officers of the
War Department differs. 1 -tt
Floyd also sold November 2lst, 1860, 100
600 muskets at 81 Is each, toa Mr.. Belknap.
Also, that during the spring Of 1850, Floyd
also transferred from Springfield Arsenal to
Arsenals Of States since seeded, 1l5,0OO
stands Of arms. Also, that on tie 10th of
October last, he ordered 40 Columbiads and
81 FOUNDERS from Pittsburgh Arsenal to
the States Of Mississippi and Texas, without
any report from the Engineers Department
or any officer thereof that forts in those
States stood in need Of any additional arna-
ment whatever. This order was counter
mandsd before its execution, by Floyd's sue
cessor.
Report states that there were remaining in
United States Arsenals and Armories on 2Ist
January last, a grand total of Sal, ,566 percus-
sion muskets and rifles. OF these, however,
COSTS we're deposited in States OF South
Carolina, Alabama and Louisiana, and have
been taken possession Of by those States,
leaving the arms actually in possession of
che United States only 480, ,6s7.
The Committee reports the following forts
taken possession Of by States in which stu
ated; Fort Eoultrie, South Carolina; Fort
Morgan, Ala- Baton Rouge Barracks, Louis
lana; Fort Jackson, Ala; Fort Phillip, Ala;
Fort Pike, Louisiana Oglethorpe Barracks,
Ga; Chattanooga Arsenal, Fla; Fort McRae,
Els; Fort Barrancas, Fla.
The COMMITTEES furthsrreportsd the actual
number Of esaboaEd forts Of fthe United States