New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-01-17
to their commander and Of their entire readiness
TO share his fate.
MR.. wESDELL's LAST CLAIM.

Mr. Wendell as half proprietor of Messrs Gales
& Seaton's contract for printing State papers
more than the law contemplated, or had been
recognized in the previous settlements. Mr..
Thomas made that allowance after his resignation
had been rendered and accepted, and when he
was acting on Saturday Ministerialy until Gen.
Dixs return from New-York. Some of his i'm
mediate friends, and others, in and out Of the
Department, had large contingent share in this
job.
THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.
Moses Kelly, Chief Clerk is still acting as
Secretary Of the Interior, and looks after the
safe which Mr.. Bailey and bis confederates
deprecated.
MIR. THOMAs's REASONS FOR REsIGNNG.
Mr.. Thomas assigns reasons for leaving the
Cabinet which would have been good against en-
tering it, after he had read the Presidents Mes
sage and knew why Cobb retired.
MAJOR ANDERSON AND GOV. PICKENs.
As Major Anderson's correspondence with Gov.
Pckens has been subjected to come comments,
it is proper that certain important facts should
be known to the public In consequence Of his
communication being cut off, he had no means of
correspondence with the War Department, to
know its purposes or convey his own views,
cept by accidental and unfrequent opportunities
1t was decided here after his removal to Fort
Sumter, and the departure of the South
Carolina Commissioners, to send reinforce
ments, and four companies of artillery, from
Fort Monroe, were ordered to the Brooklyn
Tor that purpose. These orders were
afterward countermanded, and Major AndersOn's
brother carried him the intelligence OF that de-
cision. Regarding it as conclusive, he could and
did not expect to be reinforced. He had no
knowledge whatever concerning the movements
of the Star of the West or of her transports.
The first ntimatiOn that reached him was the
booming of cannon from Morris Island and Fort
Moultre. When he saw the national flag holsted
at her masthead, and heard the firing repeated,
his batteries facing Fort Moutrie and the ship
channel were unmasked, manned, and the gun
ners stationed with matches in their hands,
waiting the signal to fire. The steamer turned
and put to sea- and thus the bloody reckoning
was ayerted. This statement will explain the
general terms Of his first letter to Governor
Pickens concerning the firing upon the flag, as
he had none Of the information concerning the
steamer which was familiar to everybody else.
Had he known her mission, Fort MOultrie would
have been battered down.
POSTMASTER OF NETWORK.
Mr.. Taylor was nominated Postmaster of New
York, with general acceptance
THE PEACE OF THE CAPITAL.
Gen. Scott Gen. Weightman, and Mayor Ber-
ret will confer tomorrow as to the best arrange
ments for insurug the peace at the Capital.
DEFEAT or MR.. COBB.
Information here, states that Mr.. Cobb has
been defeated as Candidate for the Georgia
Convention.
To the Associated Press.
WAsHIsGroS, Wednesday, JAN l6, 1861
Gen. Dix has entered upon his duties as Secretary
of the Treasury. He attended Cabinet meeting yes
terday. Mr.. Rodman, Chief Clerk, has been commits
stoned ss Assistant Secretary, ad interim, in place Of
Clayton, retired.
Lieut.. Hall left to-day with instructions TO Major
Anderson. Their character has not transpred, but it
ID ascertaned from trustworthy that the troops
will not be withdrawn from Fort Sumter as demanded
POpt
will be defended. Such is the present. condition Of
affairs.
The Senate, in executive session to-day, confirmed
the appointment Of Mr. Taylor, Chief Clerk Of the
New York Post Office NJ Postmaster.
The minority reports have not yet been made from
the Committee OF 1hirtythree Mr.. Love, OF Georgia.
and Mr. Hamiltod, of Texas unite on something like
&c CTi;;epden basis. Messrs Nelson and Ferry nave
each presented their views. Mr. Adams of Massacbu-
sets, whdraws his assent to the majority report, for
a.
retired from the Committee, thereby showing an un-
willingness accept anything the North could yield
in the way Of compromise The minority report signed
hy the representatives Of the Pacific coast, Messrs
Bench ard Ston declares the requisite vote for cons-
utona amendments by this Congress cannot be had;
and since there lie such cOntrarety Of views and opln
ions among members Of the same party, as leave no
hope from their action which would meet all demands
they are willing 10 refer the matters Of difference be-
tween the North and South to the source Of Federal
power and the delegates elected with view direct
to their settlement. They in many of the meas
recommended by the majority, and report reso
lution additional TO theirs. This resolution received III
yotee while ID voted against il in the Committee and
proposes TO call National Constitutional Convention
The Secretary of the American Colonization Society
in bis report read at the annual meeting last night said
the statement that the Africans taken from aboard the
Echo had been sold into Slavery the African coast
was false. They are now in Liberia, and well.
Col. Hayne Commissioner from South Carolina, has,
it Is understood moderated his views since his arrival
here. lie will remain here several days.
The opinion is almost unanimous in secession circles
thai all collision for the present should be studtously
avoided. Col. Hayne has been counselng daily with
the leaders of the secession movement, who are dis
pc, ed to precipitating hosies. 1t is believed that
strong representations have been made within two
days past urging the authorities of South Carolina to
afford Major Anderson every facility for maketing, and
other domestic supplies
A plan il now before the Committee on Federal Re-
latiOns Of the House of Delegates at Richmond which
il regarded with much interest in the political circles
here. The idea originated with Mr. Pryor, of the Fed