March 2, 1861; The New York Herald
Our despatches from Washington state that the list of Cabinet officers of the incoming administration which was published in yesterday’s HERALD, and which is again published today, is the true one. The selection of Governor Chase to a place in the Cabinet is regarded as a triumph of the radical republicans over the Seward conservatives.
It is reported from Washington that among the first acts of the Lincoln administration will be the reinforcement of Fort Sumter, and an attempt to collect the revenue at the Gulf ports. Should this report be verified we shall soon witness the inauguration of civil war.
In Congress yesterday the Senate took up the report of the committee on the proposition of the Peace Congress, and a general debate ensued upon the merits of the questions involved. No definite action was taken, however. Indeed, the proposition meet with as little favor from the border State Senators as from the republicans. In the House the report of the committee of thirty three on the crisis was taken up. The clause providing for the admission of New Mexico into the Union, with or without slavery, as her people may elect, was laid on the table by a vote of 114 to 71. The amendment to the act for the rendition of fugitive slaves was passed – 92 to 85. The amendment to the act for the rendition of fugitives from justice – John Brown negro stealers and the like – was rejected by a vote of 47 to 162. A motion was made to suspend the rules in order to take up the proposition of the Peace congress. On taking a vote the motion was rejected by a vote of 92 to 66 – two thirds not voting for the motion. The Nevada and Dacotha Territorial bills were passed.
Major Anderson, who is in daily communication with the War Department, writes that the batteries and other works of the South Carolinians are nearly completed, and that unless the Southern Congress interpose, he expects Fort Sumter will be attacked immediately after the 4th inst. It appears that there is a large party in South Carolina who ignore the Southern Congress particularly as regards military operations in Charleston harbor, while the Governor and the conservatives generally are disposed to abide by the directions of the authorities of the confederate States.
Late accounts from Texas furnish an explanation of Gen. Twiggs’ connection with the recent seizure of the federal property in that State. On the night of the 15th ult. Major Ben McCullough, at the head of eight hundred rangers, entered the town of San Antonio, and in the same of the State convention seized upon the arsenal and stores at that place. After the seizure McCullough and Gen. Twiggs entered into negotiations; and while the negotiations were going on Gen. Twiggs received notice that he has been superseded in his command by Col. Waite. Gen. Twiggs immediately turned the matter over to Col. Waite. In consequence of this change in the aspect of the affair, the case of Gen. Twiggs has bee suspended by the War Department until the receipt of official information.
A despatch from the Secretary of the Treasury of the Southern republic, dated 25th ult. to the Collector of the port of Charleston, contains the following important information to the mercantile community: – Congress has just passed an act defining more accurately the act of the 18th February. The exemption from duty is defined to extend to goods which have been purchased bona fide, on or before the 28th inst. and which have been laden on board the vessel for export on or before the 15th of March. I will send you a copy of the act by mail. Your construction of the act, putting in force the laws of the United States, is correct. All duties are required to be paid in coin.’