February 13, 1861; The New York Herald
The Southern Congress at Montgomery, Alabama, yesterday in secret session adopted a resolution declaring that the new government takes under its charge the questions and difficulties existing between the States of the confederacy and the United States, relative to the forts, arsenals and other public establishments. We shall, therefore, have no collision by the secessionists at any of the points threatened, until a formal declaration of war is made by the Southern Congress, unless the federal government take the initiative steps. A resolution directing inquiry as to the propriety of sending Commissioners to Washington was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
The President elect and party, en route for the White House, left Indianapolis yesterday morning, and arrived at Cincinnati in the evening, where he made a speech to the people, a report of which may be found in our account of the journey of the party, in another column.
A large number of memorials relative to the crisis were presented in Congress yesterday. In the Senate Mr. Sumner and Mr. Crittenden discussed the perilous condition of the country. The Naval Appropriation bill was taken up, the question being on the adoption of an amendment providing for the construction of six steam sloops of war. Mr. Green opposed the amendment, but it was finally adopted by a vote of 27 to 17. After an executive session, in which a number of appointments were confirmed, the Senate adjourned.