January 9, 1861, The New York Herald
The news from Washington is highly important. Mr. Thompson yesterday resigned his post as Secretary of the Interior. The despatch of reinforcements to Major Anderson at Fort Sumter by the Star of the West from New York is the cause of this step on the part of Mr. Thompson. It would seem that these reinforcements were sent forward without authority from the President. In fact, it is stated that the President directed the Secretary of War on Saturday to telegraph the commander of the Star of the West to land the troops at Norfolk or Fort Monroe, but the despatch did not reach New York until after the departure of the steamer for Fort Sumter.
The official confirmation of the report of the reinforcement of Major Anderson created intense excitement at the capital and the secessionists there immediately telegraphed to Charleston to sink the steamer if possible before she lands her troops. The act is regarded by the Southerners as a declaration of hostilities, and news of the inauguration of a blood civil war is looked for at any moment.
The brother of Major Anderson arrived in Washington from Fort Sumter yesterday, having been sent thither by the President to ascertain the state of affairs. He reports that Major Anderson has ample supplies, and is confident of being able to hold the fort against any force. He makes no requisition for reinforcements, leaving that matter to his superiors.
The government has chartered the steamer Joseph Whitney, at Boston, to convey troops and munitions of war to the forts on the Florida coast. She will sail on Saturday next.
Our Washington despatches state that news has reached there that the Mississippi State Convention yesterday adopted an ordinance providing for immediate secession from the Union. Our reports from Jackson, the capital of Mississippi, confirm this news, and state that the Committee on the Ordinance of Secession had adopted the ordinance unanimously, and that it will be adopted by the convention today.
The Florida State Convention on Monday adopted a resolution, by a vote of 62 to 5, declaring the right of States to withdraw from the Union, and that the existing causes are such as to compel Florida to proceed to exercise that right. It is reported that the Governor of Florida has taken possession of the forts and other federal property in that State.
A committee of the Virginia Legislature have prepared a bill providing for holding a State Convention. The election of delegates will be held on the 7th of February, and the convention will meet on the 18th of that month. Our correspondent at Richmond is of opinion that Virginia will secede from the Union about the 20th of February. In order to meet contingencies growing out of secession, the Legislature have before them a resolution appropriating ten millions of dollars in defence of the State.
One of the most important measures of the south, in connection with the secession movement, is developed in our Washington telegraphic correspondence. The State of Georgia has appointed a Commissioner to proceed, abroad, to obtain from foreign Powers the recognition of the seceding States as governments de facto. He will also be charged with the duty of negotiating a basis of credit and exchange, by which the cotton crop can be hypothecated in Europe and moved for joint account. But the most important duty of the Commissioner will be in regard to the question of revenue. If the federal government shall make arrangements to collect the revenue off Southern seaports, it is arranged that the cotton State will pronounce for free trade and direct taxation. They will proceed to raise the revenue for the South by direct taxation, giving notice to foreign governments that Southern ports are open to the importation of their merchandise free of duty, and that the imposition of duties by the United States government is unlawful and unauthorized. The question would, therefore, become a foreign one, and England and France will be left to decide between a Northern alliance and free trade with the South.
In the Legislature yesterday the Senate unanimously adopted a resolution to present a sword of honor to Major Anderson. The subject was warmly discussed in the Assembly, but no definite action taken. Several important local matter were presented, as will be seen by our despatches. On motion of Mr. Robinson, of (?), the House ordered the appointment of a select committee of nine on the subject of Federal Relations, to which all resolutions on the subject were referred. The Senate will probably order a similar committee, to act with that of the House.
The Pennsylvania Legislature yesterday elected Edgar Cowan, republican, of Westmoreland county, United States Senator, in place of Mr. Bigler, whose term expires on the 4th of March next.
The anniversary of the battle of New Orleans was celebrated in this city yesterday by a banquet at Tammany Hall, and a ball at the St. Nicholas Hotel. Both are fully described elsewhere in our columns. Salutes in honor of the battle, coupled with similar demonstrations in honor of Major Anderson, were fired yesterday in places too numerous to mention.