March 16, 1861; The New York Herald
The government of the seceded States has appointed Hon. William L. Yancey, of Alabama; Judge P.A. Rost, of Louisiana; Col. A. Dudley Mann and T. Butler King, of Georgia, special Commissioners to proceed to England and France to obtain the recognition of the independence of the Confederate States, and make such commercial arrangements as their joint interest may inspire.
The Cabinet and Gen. Scott held a protracted conference yesterday, partly on the subject of evacuating Fort Sumter, but mainly upon the distribution of the spoils.
There was a report in circulation in Washington yesterday, to the effect that the Baltimore sympathizers with the secession movement will be the first to offer resistance to the federal authority. They are, it is said, determined to oppose to the last the appointment of black republicans of office in Baltimore.
The proceedings of the Senate yesterday are of unusual interest. Mr. Mason offered a resolution calling upon the President for information as to the number of troops quartered in the district, when they are to be withdrawn, for what purpose they are maintained there, and whether the force is to be increased, and to what extent. The resolution was laid over. Mr. Douglas’ resolution, calling upon the Secretary of War for information in relation to the forts, arsenals, navy yards, and other public property in the seceded States, whether the administration intend to recapture those in possession of the secessionists, and if so what military force will be necessary, &c. was taken up. The resolution calls for a detailed exposition of the policy of the administration with reference to the seceded States. Mr. Douglas, in advocating his resolution, said that, the policy of the administration being peace he desired to relieve the apprehensions of the country by obtaining a reply to his resolution, which he believed would give quiet and restore good feeling among the different sections of the Union. He argued that the President has no power to collect the revenue in the seceded States nor call out the militia to recapture the forts. To carry on a war with the Southern republic would require an army of two hundred and fifty thousand men, at an annual cost of three hundred millions of dollars. In conclusion he advocated such amendments to the constitution as would hold the border States in the Union, and thus secure a reunion of all the States. Mr. Wilson said the administration would make known its policy through gentlemen in whom it had confidence. The debate was continued at considerable length, and finally degenerated into an undignified personal quarrel between Messrs. Douglas and Fessenden.
The steam frigate Powhatan, which arrived on the 13th instant from the Gulf, was laid alongside to dock at the Brooklyn Navy Yard yesterday. No orders have been received from the Navy Department respecting her, but it is expected that she will be dismantled preparatory to refitting, and that in the meantime her crew will be sent on board the North Carolina.
An association for the purpose of entering goods at the Savannah Custom House, in accordance with the revenue laws of the Southern confederacy has been started on a somewhat extensive scale. It is expected that the execution of the Morrill Tariff bill will compel Northern merchants to do their importing at Charleston, Savannah and other Southern cities, and the brokers and storage men down South are making their arrangements accordingly.