January 13, 1861, The New York Herald
The sloop of war Brooklyn arrived off Charleston bay yesterday afternoon. She has not visited that port for a hostile purpose, but upon a mission of peace. Reports from Charleston state that the South Carolina authorities had communicated, under a flag of truce, with Major Anderson, but for what purpose had not transpired. Rumors were current that disaffection exists among the garrison, and that a surrender of Fort Sumter is contemplated. It is stated that there was good authority for believing that negotiations are going on with Washington for the surrender of the fort and a cessation of a warlike attitude. It is certain that Col. Hayne, on the part of South Carolina, and Lieut. Hall, on the part of Major Anderson, have left Charleston for Washington, respectively with proposals and to obtain instructions.
The proceedings of Congress yesterday will be read with unusual interest. The Senate Chamber and galleries and lobbies were occupied at an early hour by a dense throng of spectators, anxious to listen to the long expected speech of Mr. Seward upon the perilous condition of the country. The diplomatic corps were also in attendance. In due time Mr. Seward made his speech, which occupied some three hours in the delivery. A full report of it is given in today’s paper, and in the editorial columns may be found an analysis of the orator effort, with such remarks as the occasion suggests. At the conclusion of Mr. Seward’s speech the Deficiency Appropriation bill was discussed, and a resolution was offered enabling Commodore Paulding to accept of a sword and a tract of land given to him by the government of Nicaragua, in acknowledgment of his services in suppressing the Walker filibuster invasion.
In the house a resolution was offered calling for information respecting the reported occupation of the federal offices at St. Louis by United States troops, but the republicans refused to entertain it. A communication was received from the Mississippi delegation announcing the secession of that State from the Union and their withdrawal from Congress. The Navy Appropriation bill was taken up. Mr. Pryor announced the intention of the minority to oppose all appropriations for the army and navy, in view of the probability of their being employed to coerce seceding States. The republicans refused to allow debate upon the subject, and an interesting discussion ensued. It was finally agreed that no debate should take place on the Navy bill, but that when the Army Appropriation Bill is taken up it shall be open to discussion. The Navy Appropriation bill was accordingly passed. During the ensuing week, therefore, a debate in the House on the crisis will commence, and it has been suggested that, by holding night sessions, the subject may possibly be exhausted in three days.
The steamer Star of the West returned to this port yesterday morning from her unsuccessful attempt to land United States troops at Fort Sumter. The official account of her reception by the South Carolina forces does not differ materially from that heretofore published. Seventeen shots were fired at the steamer, one of which took effect on her port bow, another on her starboard quarter, while a third passed between the smoke stack and the walking beam, but no damage was inflicted, save some splintering of woodwork. The gunnery practice of the assailants is described as having been surprisingly accurate.
A rumor was going the rounds of the city yesterday that five hundred government troops had been despatched South from Governor’s Island, but we have reason to believe the whole thing to be a hoax: at all events, some of the persons connected with the island deny it in the most emphatic manner, and declare that there is no foundation for it. There is an order to prevent all persons from visiting the island, so that perhaps such a thing may be on the tap’s, but we feel confident that it has not yet taken place.
As we announced yesterday, the steamship Marion, which was taken possession of by the South Carolina authorities, has been surrendered to her owners, and is now on her way to this port, to resume her place in the line to which she belongs. An account of the seizure of the ship is given elsewhere in our columns.
The Central Park skating pond last evening was brilliantly illuminated, and many persons skated both by day and night. A large number of sleighing parties visited the Park during the day, causing quite a lively scene. In another column will be found some few remarks on the origin of skating, as well as on the recent improvements made in skates.
The Board of Councilmen made another attempt to effect a permanent organization last evening. The democrats, with the exception of Mr. Repper, answered to their names, but the republicans continued to absent themselves. It is understood, however, that a President will be chosen on Monday evening, either by the democrats or the opposition. The proposition ha been made by the democrats to draw for the presiding officer, and there is no reason to suppose that they will continue to prevent the organization of the Board. They will meet tomorrow at five o’clock.