–Jefferson Davis, of Mississippi, withdrew from the Senate at Washington to-day. The ordinance of secession having passed the Convention of his State, he felt obliged to obey the summons, and retire from all official connection with the Federal Government.–(Doc. 23.) At the Brooklyn, N. Y., navy yard, the entire force was put under arms, and [...]

–The State Convention of Georgia has adopted the secession ordinance by a vote of two hundred and eight against eighty-nine. –(Doc. 22.) A motion to postpone the operation of the ordinance until the 3d of March was lost by about thirty majority. Alexander H. Stephens and Herschel V. Johnson are among those who voted against [...]

–In the Massachusetts State Legislature to-day, a series of resolutions was passed by a unanimous vote, tendering to the President of the United States such aid in men and money as he may request, to maintain the authority of the general Government. The preamble to the resolution declares that the State of South Carolina, in [...]

–The names of William L. Yancey of Alabama, and James H. Hammond of South Carolina, appear in the Apalachicola Times of this day, as candidates for the presidency and vice-presidency of the Southern Confederacy.

–Major-General Sandford tendered the whole of the First Division New York State Militia to the Commander-in-Chief, to be ready for service in an hour’s notice. –Colonel Hayne, a Commissioner of South Carolina to Washington, was received by the President, and demanded the withdrawal of the garrison of Fort Sumter. He was requested to submit a [...]

–Judge Smalley delivered a charge to the grand jury of the Federal court in New York, specifying what overt acts constitute treason. (The Evening Post of the 14th of January contains this charge in full.)

–Governor Pickens, of South Carolina, sent to Washington for a balance of $3,000 due him as late Minister to Russia. The Department adjusted his accounts by sending him a draft on the Charleston Sub-Treasury, the money in which has been seized by the State.

–The Star of the West arrived at New York, having failed to land her troops at Fort Sumter. The Captain reported that unexpected obstacles in the removal of buoys, lights, and ranges, which, though he arrived in the night, compelled him to wait till daybreak outside the harbor, rendered a successful entrance impossible.–(Doc. 21.) –Senator [...]

–To-day a party of Louisiana State troops, under command of Captain Bradford, took possession of the United States Marine Hospital, about two miles below New Orleans. The patients in the Hospital, numbering two hundred and sixteen, were ordered to be removed; those who are convalescent, immediately, and those who are confined to their beds, as [...]

–An intense excitement at Charleston on account of a rumor that the sloop-of-war Brooklyn was dispatched for that place. Great preparations are made to receive her. The buoys in the harbor are removed, and threats are made to fire on the ship. –A steam-tub called the Aid left the wharf to-night for the purpose of [...]

–Mississippi State Convention passed the ordinance of secession. Delegations from South Carolina and Alabama were invited to seats in the Convention. They were greeted with applause. Efforts were made to postpone action, which were voted down. The fifteen delegates who opposed the ordinance will sign it to-morrow, making the vote unanimous. Fireworks were displayed at [...]

–The Southern Confederacy (published at Atlanta, Ga.), a paper which has been fighting most gallantly for the Union and the laws, says of the late election for members of the Georgia Convention: “It is a notable fact, that, wherever the ‘Minute Men, as they are called, have had an organization, those counties have voted, by [...]

–A variety of plans for capturing Fort Sumter have been devised, but as yet none have been put in practice. One man thought it might be taken by floating down to the fort rafts piled with burning tar-barrels, thus attempting to smoke the American troops out as you would smoke a rabbit out of a [...]

–A meeting of citizens, irrespective of party, was held at Chicago, Ill., this evening. The resolutions adopted express love for the Union; regard every attempt to rend it as the basest treason and most insane folly; regard the Constitution of the United States as forming a union between the people of the several States, and [...]

–A large meeting was held at Norfolk, Va., this evening. Strong speeches were made, urging the citizens to arm themselves and place themselves in a state of defence for any emergency, which were loudly cheered. Resolutions recommending the Legislature to organize thoroughly the military power of the State, and prepare for civil war should it [...]

–Great excitement prevailed at Norfolk, Va., in consequence of the report that four companies of soldiers at Fortress Monroe had been ordered to Charleston.–Balt. Sun. –It is stated in Washington, on the authority of a member of the Georgia delegation, that the United States revenue cutter Dolphin was fired upon and seized to-day, by the [...]

–The order for the removal of guns from the Allegheny arsenal to southern forts is revoked by the War Department, under a decision of the Cabinet. –Fort Pulaski, at Savannah, Ga., is taken possession of by State troops, by order of the Governor. –A book is opened in New York city, for the enrolment of [...]

–The steam frigate Brooklyn and another vessel at Norfolk are ordered to be in readiness for immediate departure to Charleston. The secession leaders discovered the intention to start these vessels, and notified their sympathizers at Norfolk to have minute-men ready to seize them if they attempted to go to sea. The Administration is on the [...]

The evidences of a purpose on the part of the secessionists to seize upon the public property and usurp the Government at its capital, have become so clear that energetic measures are taking to defeat their plans, and repress the treason. Now that the Administration begins to appreciate the necessity of preserving the Government, and [...]

Troy, December 31, 1860. My dear Sir:—South Carolina, after twenty-seven years—Mr. Rhett says thirty years—of constant and increasing efforts by her leaders to induce her to secede, has declared herself out of the Union; and this, too, without the slightest wrong or injustice done her people on the part of the government of the United [...]

—Strong fortifications have been ordered by the South Carolina Convention in and around Charleston harbor, to resist any reinforcements that may be sent to Major Anderson. Governor Pickens is in daily receipt of dispatches from the South, tendering men to defend South Carolina from invasion. —The scene in the Senate at Washington to-day was intensely [...]

—It is generally considered that Mr. Floyd has not resigned because of Major Anderson’s patriotic course, but merely used it as a pretext to conceal the real cause. The whole country knows that his position, under the “trying circumstances,” has not been a very agreeable one, especially during the last two weeks. The alleged cause [...]

War Department, Dec. 29, 1860. Sir: On the morning of the 27th inst. I read the following paper to you in the presence of the Cabinet: Counsel Chamber, Executive mansion. Sir: It is evident now from the action of the Commander of Fort Moultrie, that the solemn pledges of the Government have been violated by [...]

—Major Anderson is denounced by the Charleston papers. The Courier says: “Major Robert Anderson, United States Army, has achieved the unenviable distinction of opening civil war between American citizens by an act of gross breach of faith. He has, under counsels of a panic, deserted his post at Fort Moultrie, and, under false pretexts, has [...]