March 15, 1861; The New York Herald
The Commissioners of the Southern confederacy, now at Washington, on Wednesday sent a communication to the State Department requesting recognition by the government, with the view to the opening of negotiations, at the same time stating that the Secretary of the Commission would call for an answer at noon yesterday. At the hour designated the Secretary called at the State Department when he was informed that the administration desired time for further reflection on the communication submitted.
From New Orleans we are informed that Capt. Hill, commander of the United States troops at Fort Brown, Texas, agreed on the 6th inst. quietly to surrender that fort to the secessionists. It is said that he would evacuate as soon as transportation for his forces could be procured. The steamship, Daniel Webster was still lying off Brazos, awaiting the embarkation of the Untied States troops which she had been detailed to carry off.
In the United States Senate yesterday Mr. Mason offered a resolution calling for information as to whether any portion of the militia of the District of Columbia has been mustered into the service of the government. Mr. Sumner objected, and the subject lies over. The Senate refused, by a vote of 16 to 24, to proceed to the consideration of Mr. Dougals’s resolution calling for information relative to the Southern forts and other public property. Mr. Fessenden’s resolution, declaring the seats of Senators from seceded States vacant, and directing that their names be stricken from the roll, was discussed at considerable length. The resolution was modified so as to direct the Secretary of the Senate to their names respectively from the roll and then passed by a vote of 24 against 10. In executive session a number of appointments were confirmed. The names of the appointees may be found among our Washington despatches.
In another column will be found further particulars relative to the seizure of the schooner Restless, sections of the acts pertaining to the matter, and a description of the vessel.