March 3, 1861; The New York Herald
President Buchanan has signed the new tariff bill, and it is now the law of the land. The act complete has already been published in the columns of the HERALD. The last section of the new tariff provides that all goods, wares and merchandise actually on shipboard and bound to the United States, within fifteen days after the passage of this act, and all goods, wares and merchandise in deposit in warehouses or public store on the first day of April, eighteen hundred and sixty one, shall be subject to pay such duties as provided by law before and at the time of the passage of this act; and all goods in warehouse at the time this act takes effect, on which the duties are lessened by its provisions, may be withdrawn on payment of the duties herein provided. An explanatory and revisory act, correcting the errors of the Tariff act, has also been passed.
At last the Cabinet of Mr. Lincoln has been definitely arranged. It is as follows:
Secretary of State………. Wm. H. Seward, of N.Y.
Secretary of Treasury……. Salmon P. Chase, of Ohio.
Secretary of War………… Simon Cameron, of Pa.
Secretary of Navy……….. Montgomery Blair, of Md.
Secretary of Interior……. Caleb B. Smith, of Ind.
Postmaster General………. Edward Bates, of Mo.
Mr. Lincoln’s inaugural address will, it is said, be completed today. Its sentiments, so far as regards the all important question of our relations with the seceded States, have already been predicted by our Washington correspondents. It will favor that course of policy, in this respect, which is comprehended in the favorite phrase of the republicans, namely, enforcement of the laws. The Lincoln administration will, it is again announced, at an early day attempt to recover possession of the public works within the borders of the seceded States, and also attempt the collection of the revenue at the Gulf ports. Recent accounts from Montgomery show that the Southern Congress are prepared for the emergency. They have, it is stated, thirty thousand men in the field, and will have fifteen millions of dollars in their treasury by the 4th of March.
There was the usual confusion in Congress yesterday that attends the winding up of a session. But little of the actual business of the nation, however, was transacted. The Indian, Post Office, Pension, Navy, Military Academy, Civil and Diplomatic, and Legislative, Executive and Judicial bills have passed both houses. The Army bill has also passed both houses and received the signature of the President. The Senate yesterday made no progress on the adjustment of the Peace Conference. The House refused, by a vote of 103 to 62 – not two-thirds – to suspend the rules, in order to take up the bill providing for the collection of the revenue at the Gulf ports. The resolution censuring the Secretary of the Navy for accepting the resignations of officers of the Navy who have embraced the secession cause was adopted by a vote of 95 to 62. The House adjourned to meet at ten noon Monday morning.
In the Virginia State Convention yesterday a resolution declaring that the honor, interest and patriotism of the State require than an ordinance of secession shall be adopted and submitted to the people for ratification was presented and referred.
The Secretary of War has published an official order dismissing General Twiggs from the army for treachery to the flag of his country in having surrendered, on demand of the authorities of Texas, the military posts and other property of the United States in his department and under his charge.
Our correspondent at Norfolk, Va., states that some alarm is felt there in consequence of the Mayor of the city receiving intelligence from the Mayor of Petersburg that an outbreak would soon follow the inauguration of President Lincoln. The volunteers were ordered to patrol the city, and other measures taken to insure the preservation of the public peace. Our correspondent also states that much indignation prevailed owing to the discharge of all the workmen in the Gosport Navy Yard known to favor secession, and the appointment of Northern men to fill the vacancies.
Adams & Co.’s Express agent yesterday furnished us again with New Orleans papers in advance of the mail.