January 12, 1861, The New York Herald
Mr. Thomas yesterday resigned the post of Secretary of the Treasury, and the nomination of General Dix, Postmaster of New York, for the vacancy was sent to the Senate by the President, and confirmed without the usual reference. No nominations have yet been made for the War and Interior Departments. The resignation of Mr. Thomas and the appointment of General Dix have been brought about, it is said, by the subscribers to the government loan, who declined lending their funds to an administration of which avowed secessionists formed a part.
Florida and Alabama have seceded from the Union. An ordinance of secession was passed by the Florida Convention on Thursday, with but seven negative votes. The Alabama Convention adopted a secession ordinance yesterday. Four States have now bolted from the Union, as follows:
South Carolina Dec. 20.
Florida Jan. 10.
Mississippi Jan. 9.
Alabama Jan. 11.
Our dispatches from Washington announce an abatement of the excitement, in consequence of pacific news from Charleston. The authorities have relinquished possession of the steamer Marion, and she will resume her place in the line between Charleston and New York.
All the United States forts and arsenals in Louisiana were seized by the forces of the State yesterday. There was no opposition except at Baton Rouge, where Major Haskins, in command of two companies of soldiers, refused at first to surrender. Six companies of State troops were displayed, and after a conference between the Major and the Governor the former gave up the arsenal.
A dispatch from St. Louis states that yesterday morning, by order of General Scott, the federal troops took possession of the Sub-Treasury, Custom House and Post Office Building of that city.
The Legislature of North Carolina reassembled on Monday last, the 7th instant, after an interval of two weeks, during which the members have had time for reflection. The result of that reflection is that the first business taken up was the bill appropriating $300,000 for arming the State, and there is a general desire to make the appropriation at least one million. The bill has already passed the Senate. The peculiar attitude and harsh language of the republican party and leaders have operated with such wonderful rapidity on the feelings of the people that in the short space of fourteen days a complete change of sentiment has been effected among the hitherto conservative portion, and the State is now taking a position from which she will, perhaps, not recede. The Crittenden resolutions are popular in the State, but the belief grows stronger every day that it is folly to expect anything from a party who deny plain constitutional rights, and offer nothing at this tremendous crisis but coercion instead of justice and compromise.
In congress yesterday the Senate up took Mr. Crittenden compromise resolutions, and Mr. Hunter, of Virginia, made a speech on the condition of the country. A full report of his remarks is given under the appropriate head. Mr. Seward will address the Senate today. The House passed the Miscellaneous Appropriation bill, and devoted some time to the consideration of private bills.
The proceedings of the Legislature yesterday were unusually important. Both houses – with but two dissenting votes in the House and one in the Senate – adopted resolutions approving of the recent special Message of the President to Congress, and tendering him whatever aid in men and money may be required to enable him to enforce the laws and uphold the authority of the federal government.
The steamship Glasgow, from Liverpool 27th ult., arrived at this Port yesterday afternoon. Her dates are anticipated. She brings $412,210 in specie.
The steamship America, from Liverpool on the 29th, via Queenstown on the 30th ult., arrived at Halifax yesterday morning, bringing two days later news. The America also brings $810,000 in specie.
Extensive warlike preparations were being carried forward in France. Large purchases of horses have been made in Prussia for France and Piedmont. Steamers are also being purchased by the government, and transformed into war ships.
If reliance may be placed upon the accounts from Verona, the anti-Austrian agitation in Hungary is rapidly tending to a crisis of grave importance. ‘No taxes are now paid;’ in the more remote parts of the kingdom ‘The peasants are beginning to produce their long hoarded Kossuth notes;’ new notes bearing the signatures of the ex-Governor, Klapka, and Duschek, as well as French and Sardinian coins, are said to be in active circulation.
Another advance in cotton has taken place. Breadstuffs were active and firm, with a stringent money market, consols closing at 02 1/2 for account.
We are in receipt of our usual correspondence from Buenos Ayres, South America, with dates to November 14. The wool crop was being gathered, and promised to be not only unusually large, but of better quality than for some years past. It is estimated that the city will export about 20,000 tons. Prices range from $95 to $110 the arroba for fine, Mestiza, $85 to $100, and Mediana, $65 to $80. 2,500 tons had been bought at these prices. Ounces were quoted at 336. Freight, $5 per ton. The Custom House receipts for October amounted to $600,000, American. The Legislature, which had just adjourned, had been reassembled by the Governor to complete certain legislation in regard to telegraphs, railroads, immigration, &c. There is also a proposition to donate the Parana Islands to the present occupants. The President has issued a decree authorizing Buenos Ayres to consider and decide upon all consular questions. An important private conference had taken place on the 11th between the President, Dr. Derqui, Governor Mitre, of Buenos Ayres, and General Urquiza, now Governor of Entre Rios, at the residence of the latter. The precise result is not known. Mr. de Alvear, the popular Minister of Foreign Affairs, had resigned and received the appointment of Minister to the United States. His father filled the same honorable post, and died at Washington city several years since. Mr. Bravard, pupil and associate of the late Baron Cuvier, has visited the mining region of San Juan, and is said to have been surprised at its richness in gold, silver, copper and coal.
Advices from Rio Janeiro to November 25 have been received. There is no news of any interest. Exchange remained at previous rates, namely, 27.90. There was very little doing in coffee.
By way of New Orleans we have advices from Havana to the 7th inst. There was no news of importance. Sugar was dull, with a stock of 29,000 boxes, against 12,500 at the corresponding period last year.
The overland express, with San Francisco dates to the afternoon of the 29th ult., arrived at Fort Kearney at noon yesterday. The general news is unimportant. The weather was fine, but business remained very dull. The steamer of the 2st inst. would take about a million and a half in treasure. The Southern secession movement caused much discussion. It is said that the remark of Senator Latham, that California will remain with the Union of the North and West, is a correct representation of the opinion of a vast majority of the people.
A meeting of the Board of Supervisors was held yesterday. Very little business of importance was transacted. A resolution was offered and adopted directing the Comptroller to draw his warrant on Nathan C. Platt, late County Treasurer, for the whole amount of moneys in his hands due the county, and to deposit the same to the credit of the county. The quarterly bill of the four Coroners of the city was ordered to be paid. The bill amounts to $5,188 88. A veto was received from the Mayor on the resolution to authorize the Board of Police to pay out of any moneys in their possession the bills incurred for the cleaning of tenement houses. The board then adjourned until Wednesday at twelve onoon.
The newly elected Board of Councilmen met for the fifth time last evening, and on the calling of the roll the twelve democratic members answered to their names, the republicans and Mr. Repper (Mozart democrat) still refusing to appear. There not being a quorum present, the President pro tem declared the Board adjourned till Saturday at six o. Mr. Repper holds the balance of power, and unless some plan is devised by both parties, he can prevent the permanent organization of the Board. It is understood that should there be no election for President this evening, the democrats will propose to the republicans to draw for President, and should the republicans succeed in obtaining their presiding officer, the defeated party are to have the appointment of clerks and committees.
Judge Hilton delivered an elaborate opinion yesterday, deciding that Mr. Platt, the late City Chamberlain, was legally removed from office, that Mr. Devlin was duly appointed thereto, and that Mr. Platt must stand committed to the county jail until he delivers up the books and property of the Chamberlain to his successor. A full report of the Judge opinion is given in another part of todaypaper.
In the court of Common Pleas yesterday Judge Brady discharged the jury in consequence of there being no business before the Court. He wished it to be understood that the cause of adjournment was owing to the fact of counsel not being prepared, and not from any desire on the part of the Court to postpone the business.
In the case of arson against Frederick Freund, whose trial took place yesterday in the Court of Oyer and Terminer, the jury, at half-past ten ‘o last night, rendered a verdict of guilty, with a recommendation to mercy. Judge Leonard remarked that he had no discretion in the matter; the law made it imperative to sentence the prisoner to the State prison for life. However, the Judge said he would join with the jury to present the case to the Governor for commutation. The prisoner will be sentenced at twelve ‘o today.
There was a meeting of our Irish fellow citizens last evening at the Astor House to consult on the propriety of a sympathetic meeting with the movement now on foot in Ireland for national independence. There were about forty gentlemen present, among whom we noticed the Honorable Mayor Powell, of Brooklyn, and Judges O’Connor and Connolly; Messrs. John McKeon, Hennessey, Doheny, Roach, and Drs. Connery, Norris, Jones, &c. The meeting was very harmonious, and broke up at about ten o.
Skating was resumed on the Central Park yesterday, with nearly all its former vigor. A large number of ladies were present, who threw off their former reserve and skated on the larger pond instead of that set apart for their special use.
The sales of cotton yesterday embraced 2,400 bales including 300 in transit. The market closed firm, on the basis of 12 7/8c. a 13c. Flour was in more active demand for export and for domestic consumption. The market closed at an advance of 5c. per barrel for shipping grades of State and Western. Wheat was freely purchased and at full prices, mostly for export. Corn was in fair demand, with sales at 68c. a 69c. for new mixed Western, 70c. a 71c. for old, and 70c. a 71 1/2c. for Western white. Pork was firm but quiet: new mess sold at $17, and new prime at $13 a 13 12. There was a speculative feeling in rice. The sales within two or three days have amounted to about 3,200 casks, closing at an advance of 3/8c. a 1/2c. per pound. Of the amount sold 1,000 a 1,200 were taken for export. Sugars were some less buoyant and active. The sales embraced about 500 hhds. at rates given in another column. Coffee was in fair demand and at steady prices, with sales of about 2,400 bags, closing at rates given in another column. Freights were steady, with fair engagements, while rates were unchanged.