January 16, 1861, The Charleston Mercury
Feeling in the North and in the South.
OUR SPECIAL WASHINGTON DESPATCHES.
(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
Washington, January 15. –
It is currently rumored in reliable circles today, that the Administration will withdraw the troops from Forts Sumter and Pickens before the close of the present week.
A despatch has just been received from Governor ELLIS of North Carolina, saying that the State troops have been ordered to evacuate Fort Cassell, and that it would be again placed in the hands of the Federal authorities.
All the Northern Democratic Senators, except THOMPSON and DOUGLAS, justify the secession movement.
The Southern Senators will all withdraw, but will not resign, in consequence of the embarrassment that would ensue in filling the vacancies upon the committees. No such vacancies now exits, as the Senate does not recognize the mere withdrawal.
Col. ALDEN late of the Unites States Army, is here, and will tender his service to South Carolina.
The Navy Department received today the following despatch from Flag Officer ARMSTRONG at Pensacola.
‘Armed bodies of Florida and Alabama troops appeared before the gate of the Navy Yard yesterday, and demanded possession. Having no means to resist, I at once surrendered and hauled down my flag. They (the State troops) are now in possession.’
Capt. FARRAN, the commandant at the Pensacola Navy Yard, has notified the government of his resignation. A private despatch to the Florida Senators today, says: ‘We repaired down to Pensacola, captured Fort Barrancas and the Navy Yard, set the officers at liberty on parole, and are now in full possession. The move was in consequence of the occupancy of Fort Pickens by the government troops.’
It is urged upon the Administration to follow out the statu quo ante bellum policy. The impression is growing more general that the withdrawal of the Federal troops from Fort Sumter will take place this week.
The Pensacola Navy Yard and $156,000 worth of ordnance stores.
I am authorized to say that DOUGLAS, CRITTENDEN, and a number of the Border States leaders, are maturing a new programme to patch up the existing difficulties. The gist of this new scheme will be made known in a day or two.
The Republicans hope to have full control of Congress by the first of February. They say among themselves that they will then press through force measures so as to involve the land in civil war before LINCOLN comes in, and he says that (he) will work the machine as he finds it.’