Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-04-01
FROM PORT ROYAL.
ARRIVAL OF THE EMPIRE CITY.
OPERATIONS OF GEN. SHERMAN.
UNION MANIFESTATIONS IN EASTERN FLORIDA,
rsn.aeo,a and the Fort. nvasua,sd.

pensnC Oia and the Forts Evacuated.
The steamer Empire ON, from Port Royal
has arrived at New York.
The following is from the Nrp South news
paper OF the ND ult
General Sherman visited Jaekeonyille on the
llth ult., and was waited on by committee Of
citzeHs who represented the feeling of all in the
town as strongly for the Union Many OF the
inhabitants hud left jacksonville with the rebels,
who threatened to return and hang all that Ie-
innined.
Bands Of rebel regulators or gnerrillas were
pllaging aud destroying all the property of sus-
pectel Unionists, under orders from the rebel
General rrapier. At Jacksonville, the night
before our troops arrived, these regulators burn
Ell large foundry, several saw mills five million
fleet of lumber large hotel and dry goods
warehouse, supposed TO belong TO Unionsts, aud
threatened to burn the entire town, hut the gun
boats making their appearance they postponed
their threats
Many are returning to jacksonville, among
whom are rebel desetters, anxious to take the
oath OF allegiance, and who state that the deser
tiOns will he numerous.
The sentiment in Eastern Florida is declared
to be loyal, and many are willing to take up
arms 10 defend themselves against rebel tyranny,
aud on one occasion, when the regulators were
reported as coming, even the women seized arms
To protect themselves.
The national troops are treated TO every hos
piIaliiy the town affords, aud the people state
Tint they will go with the gunboats if they leave,
but measures have been taken to fully protect
them
The gunhoat Otd1ra had been 20 miles up
the st. Johns river above Jacksonville meeting
with no opposition, white iiAgs being displayed
by the nhabilants who claimed protection.
The steamer 81 Mdrgs and yacht imerid were
found sunk, but the captain ot the O3ded Was
raising them.
Pensacola has been evacuated, including, also,
Forts Barrancas and McRae, and the rebels An
uounce the entire abandonment Of Florida. The
rebel troops raised in Florida have been ordered
oil, hut refused To 60.
Colonel Whipple, Of the Fourth New llamslirc,
has resigned and Lieut. Col. Bell now commands
that regiment, with his headquarters ut 81.
Augustine.
General Wright was about removing the heal.
quarters from Fernandina to Jacksonville,
Some eighty inhabltanta of .Fernanlina have
returned to their homes
The steamer Orientdi hal arrived from New
York with 10000 letters for the lari Royal
/ TROOPS,
The news Of our victories greatly rcioiccl the
I troops.
4 General Sherman has issued proclamation to
/ the people Of Florida, in which be states that
1 the troops Of the United Strtcs had come to pro
tect the loyal citizens in their property, AMI
| enable them TO resuscitate Il government All
| loyal people who remain nt, on return to. their
homes, in the quiet pursuit Of their lawful occu.
pAtions, shall be protected in all their eoustitu-
tiunal rights. The sole desire and intention oil
the Government is to maintain the integrity Of
the Constitution and laws, and to reclaim the
States revoed from the national allegiance Ia
their former prosperous and happy condition
1 lie expresses great satisfaction at the evdeu.
ces of loyalty, and recommends the citizens to
assemble in the cities, towns and precincts and
throw on the Bham Government forced upou
them, swear true allegiance and fidelity to lht
Constitution Of the United States, organize
government, and elect officers iu the good oil
wnys of the past. When this is done, he predict.
return to prosperous and happy times, immu-
nifty from want and suffering, and the enjoyment
of the fruits of their honest labor, the sweets Of
happy homes, and the consolation of living under
the wise aud salrlary laws due to an industrious
and aw.abiding people.
At meeting of the loyal citizens Of Jackson
willie, On the 20th, declaration of rights, pro
test, and resolutions were unanimously adopted
to the following effect:
That no state has the constitutional right tC
separate from the United States that the act oil
Secession adopted by the State convention is void
hclnH III cQnHlct WIN tue CoubtltuuouI IN never
having been submitted to the people for ratilica
tou. That Florida is an integral part of the
United States, subject to its constitutional jurs.
diction, aud we believe that thousands of her
citizens will hail with joy the restoration Of the
Government, bringing deliverance from the ter
rOrs Of unrestraned military despotism
They protest against all the acts aud ord-
nances of the convention depriving them ol
rights as citizens of the United States; agaius
the despotism which denied the freedom ol
speech aud of the press, against the contribu
tons in money, property, md labor and mill
tAry enlistments forced upon them against the
tyranny which demands the abandonment OF
homes and property, and the exposure of theft
wives and children to Sickness desttution, ia
mine, aud untold miseries against the harbar
Gus policy which sends brutal HodeTy to pi
age, burn property, and destroy life as pun
ahment for remaining in their homes agains
the Government who threatened to hang them
because they would not tamey submit 10 sucl
indignities.
Having been released from auch dangers an,
inlignties, and restored to the Government o
the United States, and the reign of terror hayinl
passed, it now becomes them as loyal citizens Il
raise up State Government, and we recommend
that convention of all loyal citizens he oalic,
iorlhWith to organize State Government of th,
Stnte Of Florida. Also TINT the chief of th,
military department Of the United States lie re
qnested to retain sufficient force 10 mniniaii
order and to protect the people in th,ir person
and property.