March 24, 1861; The New York Herald
The news from Washington this morning is highly important. The official order for the evacuation of Fort Sumter was issued on Friday, and a special messenger was immediately despatched with it to Major Anderson. The fort is to be evacuated on the arrival in Charleston harbor of a United States vessel to receive them. Should the South Carolina authorities oppose the departure of the troops in the manner directed by the instructions to Major Anderson, that officer has been ordered, it is stated, to open his batteries. There is no doubt, however, but that the garrison will be permitted to depart in the manner prescribed.
Despatches received by the government from Fort Pickens represent that the garrison is short of provisions, and can hold out but a short time longer. The squadron off Pensacola are unable to reinforce the fort or land supplies. The administration will doubtless before the lapse of many days be obliged also to abandon that stronghold to the secessionists.
Later accounts from Texas state that both houses of the Legislature have taken the oath of allegiance to the new government, and that Gov. Houston and the Secretary of State have retired from their office and surrendered the archives. Gov. Houston has issued an appeal to the people denouncing the State Convention.
In the United States Senate yesterday, the Vice President having signified his intention to be absent during the remainder of the session, on motion of Mr. Hale, Mr. Foot, of Vermont, was chosen President pro tempore. Mr. Foot, returned this thanks for the honor in appropriate terms. Mr. Sherman, the newly elected Senator from Ohio, was qualified and took his seat. The resolution of Mr. Hale, to go into an election for Sergeant at Arms and doorkeepers, was then taken up. The democrats opposed this first attempt to bestow the offices of the Senate upon political partisans with warmth and spirit and, after an expenditure of considerable gasconade on both sides, succeeded in postponing the election. The Senate then went into executive session, and confirmed a number of appointments.