text: Sv ^ ^ fc^' TT'-i,/,. ^c.;?- -i- \ - ? ?? ";W.* *' ** 5-.v' (Sffe ':; || Y, < "? 4 v^^rjSER' iNiA'AO^ ALEXANDRIA: THURSDAY MORNING, February 7, 1861. Congress.?Unimportant business occupied the attention of both houses of Congress yesterday. Virginia Legislature.?The Senate, after an unimportant session, on Tuesday, adjourned over until Saturday. In the House of Delegates a bill was reported for amending the law making a subscription to the Alexandria, Loudoun and Hampshire Railroad. A resolution was offered to secure the State a more equitable representation in internal improvement companies in which she may be interested. A bill was passed for allowing Circuit Court Clerks to take orders of publication in vacation. A report was returned against exempting telegraph employees from military duty. A number of bills were advanced to a third reading. The House refused to adjourn temporarily. The bill to carry out the 19th section of the Constitution of Virginia, (respecting free negroes and the mode of voluntary enslavement of said class of persons,) was taken up and considered. Messrs. Duckwall and Kaufman advocated its passage, and Messrs. McIvenzie, Haymon and Myers advocated laying on the table. A motion of the latter to that effect finally prevailed. For a synopsis of the proceedings of the Legislature, see the letter of our Richmond correspondent. We learn by telegraph that the House of Delegates yesterday adjourned until Monday. The result, so far, of the Virginia election, and at the time of writing this paragraph, we do not know the actual result?seems to give the most unalloyed satisfaction on all hands. The Anti-Secessionists, or Conservative, who elated their candidates against a violent opposition, and under the boasts of the Secessionists, that Virginia would certainly go for "Immediate Secession," are, of course, highly gratified. While many of the immediate Secessionists, whose candidates have all been defeated, say that "it's of no consequence"?that the Union men are good enough Secessionists for them!! Well, then, "we are all agreed." The La Grange (Ga.) Reporter doubts as to the action of Georgia. "The action of the State," that paper says, "may be right, and it may be wrong!" The Augusta (Ga.) Chronicle appears, upon the whole, after what has happened, to favor the establishment of "a constitutional monarchy." This is coming to the point. Cul. Samford, of Alabama, (Gov. Wise's friend,) writes "we are in the hands of revolutionary cabals: it is Red against Black Republicanism." The Washington letter writers say that "a meeting held a few days ago, of persons from the Seceding States, was not at all harmonious." The action of Virginia should have but one effect at the North?and that is to increase the feeling among the conservative men there, in favor of a settlement of existing difficulties, and the exhibition of an earnest desire to have the Union restored upon just terms?terms which will guarantee to The States their rights and protect them from hostile or aggressive policy. The friends of "immediate secession" in Virginia are astonished, themselves, at the popular indications, thus far, against that measure. They had hoped to have carried the State, and consequently expected that tho State Convention would have ordered Secession in two weeks. The disappoint ment i? great. The annual report from the Department of State on the Foreign Commerce of the t'uited States, has been sent into Congress. It is said to be a very useful volume, pre pared iu the Statistical bureau under the direction of Mr. 11. C. McLaughlin, assisted ijy Mr. A. II. Dodge. .Mr. Harris, of Virginia, in his speech ?ri the House of Representatives, on Tues day, took the proper ground. He said, he conceived it to be the part of v. isdom as well as the command of duty for the Representa tives of the people to do all in their power to avert the calamity which threatened their common country. Iu the United States Senate, on Tuesday, the loan bill being under consideration, Mr. Pearce of Maryland urged its adoption.? He disclaimed the idea that the money was co be used for war purposes, and said that neither the government would be sustained nor the Union restored by force. One day last week, a son of Aaron S. lia ble, about 10 years of age. was accidentally shot with a rifle, by a playmate near his own age, in Wirt county, Ya. The ball en tered the boys shoulder and shattered it in such a dreadful manner as to cause his death in a few hours. The proceedings of the Southern Confede racy Congress, on Tuesday, were mostly con ducted in secret session. Mr. Stephens an. Nounced the principle that the States were represented there as independent sovereigns, and must vote as States. Charles Bruce, esq., State Senator from the county of Charlotte, had his pocket picked of a splendid gold watch in Richmond, on Tuesday, while engaged in reading the election news from the Whig bulletin board. The stand taken by Mr. Boulay, of Louisiana, in the House of Representatives, attracted much attention. He refuses to withdraw from the House, or to recognize Section. The session of Lent commences next Wednesday. Mr. Lincoln is expected to be in Washington at the close of next week. During the session of the Democratic State Convention of New York last week, a series of resolutions was adopted urging a compromise of the national troubles, and opposing coercion. As they were being read, Chancellor Walworth appeared on the platform, and his venerable locks claimed instant attention from the Convention, and he was received with an outburst of enthusiastic applause. He made a most eloquent and conciliatory speech. Mr. George, of Orange, (formerly of this place,) and Mr. Soutter, of Queens, each natives of Virginia, responded in touching terms to the remarks of Chancellor Walworth, and a large portion of the Convention gave vent to their feelings in tears. The scene was rendered yet more afflicting when Mr. W. H. Carroll, a Marylander, took the floor, and with all the The quence of deep feeling appealed to the North to stay its hand ere it did any act to plunge the country in civil war. An officer belonging to the garrison of Fortress Monroe sends the Richmond Whig the following denial of the sensation despatch, that preparations were making for the purpose of intimidating, coercing, and subjugating Virginia: "The statement going the rounds of the newspapers that this post is being put in complete armament for the purpose of menacing Virginia has no joint action there. There is no community in the country, outside the Old Dominion, possessing a warmer regard for her people than is to be found within the walls of this fortification, and therefore none less disposed to do anything against their rights as freemen." The Charleston correspondent of the New Orleans Delta writes as follows: "The opinion is steadily gaining ground here that the Southern Confederacy must be a Gulf Confederacy. There is danger that the Border States will be continually chasing the phantom of reconstruction. This, the people of Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina—for I see enough to know the current of public opinion of these States—will never agree to." The venerable Rev. Dr. Shurtleff, a Professor of Dartmouth College, died on Tuesday, aged 87 years. Letter from Washington. Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette. Washington, Feb. 0.?The news from the Virginia election has elated some and depressed others. One set of people sees too much hope shadowed forth in the result, and another set behold too little. They both cannot be right, nor can they both be wrong. It is argued on the one side that the voice of Virginia, so emphatically attuned to the music of the Union, will have a powerful effect on States like Tennessee and Maryland; that if she makes up her mind to stay in the Union, she can make the Union stay in with her. On the other side, it is argued that Virginia should go with the whole South, as that is the most effectual way of preserving peace, by making both sections of the country so strong that they will not dare to go to war with each other. That the South should present a united front; and even though the interest of Virginia and the States about her are not identified with the South, she and they should unite for the purpose of making terms, or agreeing upon some mode of peaceful secession. The Peace Convention can hardly get fairly to work ere the commencement of next week. New delegations are arriving daily, and there are a multitude of preliminaries to be arranged and disposed of before they can come to the consideration of the only question upon where there bids fair to be any considerable difference of opinion—the territorial slavery question. We hope, however, that by next Saturday night week, that will be in such a train of settlement as that all will understand that is certain to be fully and finally disposed of with much unanimity. Ex-President Tyler's address, on taking the chair yesterday, is one of the most affecting and eloquent efforts of the kind ever spoken in this country. Those who heard it, all speak of it in such terms. General Scott has held a council with the leading officers of the army now in this city. Lieut. Hall was present. This meeting, it is said, had reference to military operations at Charleston and in this city. It is undoubtedly true that Gen. Scott, under directions of the Secretary of War, has been engaged in most of the day preparing instructions for Major Anderson. The General looks a good deal earnest, the natural result of the arduous duties he is now performing. The President has made the following nominations to the Senate, viz: T. D. Wheaton, for U. S. Attorney for New Mexico; J. B. Howe, for Marshal of the Northern District of New York; and Henry R. Corbin, Assistant Judge of Utah. Letter from From Richmond. (Journal of the Almanac (Gazette) February 5, 1851. The following bills passed today: To authorize the Bank of Howardsville to change from a State Stock to a Bank on the old principle: to repeal that part of the law which forbids the catching of fish by will nets in certain waters of the Chesapeake, (not Potomac); to amend the Charter of the Town of Bath. The Committee on Roads reported a bill to amend the 3rd, and other sections of the Road Law of Loudoun; a bill to amend the 2nd section of the act, passed last session, making a State subscription to the Alexandria, Loudoun, and Hampshire Road - which were read a second time. A bill to authorize the Clerks of Supreme and District Courts to take orders of publication in the Supreme or district Courts, in vacations, was passed. A bill to amend the 1st section of the act to incorporate the Lewisburg Female Institute, was passed. A bill to authorize the School Commissioners of Jefferson County to elect a Treasurer outside of the Board of Trustees, was passed. The bill for the relief of Louisa Hunter, of Alexandria county, was engrossed. In the Senate, Mr. Taliaferro introduced a bill to prevent "Trot-Line" fishing, by foreigners. And after a large number of bills being reported and read, A second time, the Senate agreed to adjourn over until Saturday next. OBSERVER. VIEGINIA NEWS. Loi:i)or\ County Court. February Court on Monday next, will be composed of the following Justices: Asa Rogers, P. J.; Wm. Moss, Lewen T. Jones, James Grubb and J. T. Shreve, associates. The steamer Logan, under the command of Capt. Kirwan, has reached Baltimore from Wilmington, Del., and will commence running on the route between Baltimore and Fredericksburg. She will take the place of the William Seidell. The smallpox has been creating some alarm in Lynchburg, Va. There have been twelve cases and two deaths. C. W. Helm, esq., of Warrenton, Va., now a resident of Leavenworth, Kansas, has become editor and joint proprietor of the Leavenworth Herald. John A.Y. Hammer was on Monday last chosen overseer of the Poor for the 8th District in Louisiana, to supply the vacancy occasioned by the death of Benjamin Maulsby. News of the day. "To seek the very hand of the time." The Cincinnati Gazette, hitherto one of the most uncompromising and energetic advocates of Republicanism as embodied in the Chicago platform, has lately evinced through its columns an apparently earnest desire for conciliation and the restoration of amicable relations between the two sections. For that purpose it expresses a willingness to accept the Border State resolutions as a basis of compromise. The U.S. battleship Supply, Henry Walker, commander, at New York from Pensacola, brings as passengers the officers and marines lately stationed at the Warrenton navy yard and the Marine Barracks at Pensacola, but who were expelled by the Florida troops when those posts were seized. The families of those men accompanied them to New York on board the Supply. No reinforcements of any kind have been sent to Fort Sumter, and none will be until Major Anderson requires them. He expresses entire confidence in his position, and ability to defend it at all hazards. Since he has obtained access to supplies, he is quite satisfied. Edwin Forrest has entered his twenty-first week, in succession, of his present engagement at Niblo's, N.Y., making the sixty-third of the one hundred performances for which he has contracted. He has, for the past, been honored with crowded houses at most every evening. The Students of Georgetown College are leaving quite fast, on account of the Southern revolution. It is said that in a weak but few will be left within the walls of the College, which usually at this season are crowded. Terrence L. Mucus, one of the Irish exiles of 1848, who escaped from Australia to California in 1857, died in San Francisco on the 10th ult., aged 50 years. He occupied a prominent position among the Irish population. The tellers to count the Electoral votes of the States for President and Vice President in joint meeting of the two Houses are: Mr. Trumbull, on the part of the Senate, and Messrs. Washburne, of Illinois, and Phelps, on the part of the House. Captains Storer, Lavalette and Powell have been appointed a Court of Inquiry at the request of Captain Armstrong, to investigate the circumstances attending the surrender of Pensacola Navy Yard. He will meet on Friday. Judge Black, Secretary of State, has been nominated to the Senate for Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court, in place of Judge Daniel, deceased; and John Peltin nominated as District Judge of Kansas. At Harrisburg, Feb. 6, Governor Curran ordered a salute of thirty-four guns in honor of the result of the Virginia election. Mr. Shaffer, Republican, offered a resolution congratulatory to Virginia in the House tonight, but it was laid over under the rule. Commander Walker is to be court-martialed, for acting contrary to orders in bringing the store-ship Supply to New York, instead of proceeding to Vera Cruz with provisions for the squadron there. Messrs. Skinner and Childs, the two chief clerks of the bureaus, will, it is said, act as first and second assistants of the Postmaster General in consequence of Mr. King's motion to the head of the Department. A lady passenger who some months ago broke her arm while getting on board a California-bound steamer at Panama, has just obtained a verdict of $5,000 against Commodore Vanderbilt by a San Francisco jury. The Louisiana Convention has passed the Military bill, providing for two regiments of artillery and infantry—to consist of 1,700 men. The session has already begun to spring up respecting the choice of gentlemen worthy to inaugurate the projected Southern Confederacy. The Gaines case, which excites additional interest since the secession of Louisiana, has been postponed in the United States Supreme Court till next Monday. Several Alabama Postmasters have declined to render their accounts, say they await the action of their State. Additional evidence continues to be received that private correspondence is violated in South Carolina. Thaddeus Hyatt has just put forth an address in behalf of the alleged starving inhabitants of Kansas. Statements of Mrs. Siemmer and Mrs. Gii.man. Mrs. Lieut. Siemmer and Mrs. Lieut. J. U. Oilman, two ladies who have arrived at New York in the Supply, from Pensacola, have furnished the Times with some particulars attending their departure from that place. We quote: The exodus from the Barrancas Fort was made necessarily in much haste, there being little time except to hurriedly pack up the most valuable articles of furniture and wardrobe. No personal violence was offered to these retreating women and children, but the sudden and peaceable breaking up of so many peaceful households, and the violent separation of family ties, were cause of great distress. To many the parting of husband and wife was as if for the last time, and tears bedewed many a hardy cheek when the last "good-bye" was spoken. During the day and night of the evacuation of Barrancas, and the transfer of the garrison to Fort Pickens, every person, men, the officers and their wives, performed prodigies of labor, and never obtained a wink of sleep for nearly twenty-four hours; and the hard work fell about equally upon all, without regard to rank or sex. The ladies cheerfully performed their part throughout the trying ordeal. On the day following the embarkation of the families on board the Supply, Mrs. Oilman and Mrs. Siemmer, accompanied by officers from the storch, went on shore under a flag of truce to obtain a last interview with their husbands. Lieut. Siemmer asserted that he could hold the place against five thousand men, and declared he would do it. All the prisoners in the navy yard were permitted to leave after giving their parole, and those who could get away left. Such as decided to remain were compelled to take the oath of allegiance to serve the State of Florida. The United States steamer Wyandotte is kept constantly under steam at a sale distance from the reach of enemies, and in readiness to cooperate in defense of the fort. In case of an emergency, she will be at hand, ready to receive on board the garrison, should they be overpowered and obliged to abandon the fort to the enemy. There are arrangements by which the entire forces will be able to escape through a covered way to the beach, where they can take the boats and go on board any vessel that may be in waiting to receive them. In such cases, the United States will be able to take the oath of allegiance to serve the State of Florida. An event it will probably be blown up. It stated that every one of the lieutenants and most of the other officers on board the Wyandotte have resigned, and that, with the exception of the engineers, Capt. Berryman has been left entirely alone. The Commissioner's Convention. The Convention of Delegates from the several States cooperating with Virginia in the work of National preservation, was on Tuesday organized by the unanimous election of the Hon. John Tyler as its permanent President, and of the Hon. S. O. Wright, of Ohio, the Secretary. We take pleasure in giving to our readers the subjoined authentic report of the eloquent and appropriate address delivered by Mr. Tyler on taking the chair: Lectures: I fear you have committed a great error in appointing me to the honorable position you have assigned me. A long separation from all deliberative bodies has rendered the rules of their proceedings unfamiliar to me, while I should find in my own state of health, variable and ticklish as it is, sufficient reason to decline the honor of being your presiding officer, but, in times like these, one has but little option left him. Personal considerations should weight but lightly in the balance. The country is in danger; it is enough; one must take the place assigned him in the great work of reconciliation and adjustment. The voice of Virginia has invited her to meet her in council. In the initiation of this Government, that same voice was heard and complied with, and the results of seventy-odd years have fully attested the wisdom of the decisions then adopted. Is the urgency of her call now less than if was then our godlike fathers created; we have to preserve. They hold up through their wisdom and patriotism monuments which have eternized their names. You have to snatch from ruin a great and glorious Constitution, to preserve the Government, and to renew and in vigorate the Constitution, if you reach the height of this great occasion your children's children will rise up and call you blessed. I confess myself to be ambitious of sharing in the glory of accomplishing this grand and magnificent result. To have our names enrolled in the Capitol, to be repeated by future generations with grateful applause, this is an honor higher than the mountains, more enduring than monumental alabaster. Yes, Virginia's voice, as in the olden time, has been heard. Her sister States meet her this day at the council board. Vermont is here, bringing with her the memories of the past, and reviving in the memories of all her Ethan Allen and his demand for the surrender of Tenureroga in the name of the Great Jehovah and the American Congress. New Hampshire is here, her lame illustrated by a memorable annals, and still more lately as the birth place of Lincoln, who won for himself the name of Defender of the Constitution, and who wrote that letter to John Taylor which has been enshrined in the hearts of his countrymen. Massachusetts is not here. [Some member said she is coming.] I hope so, said Mr. Tyler, and that she will bring with her, her daughter, Maine. I did not believe it could well be that the voice which in other times was so familiar to her ears had been addressed to her in vain. Connecticut is here, and she comes, I doubt she, in the spirit of Roger Sherman, whose name with our very children has become a household word, and who was in life the embodiment of that sound practical sense which befits the great lawgiver and governor of governments. Rhode Island, the land of Roger Williams, is here, one of the two last States, to be a part of the jealousy of the public, liberty, to give in her adhesion to the Constitution, and among the earliest to hasten its rescue. The great Empire State of New Hampshire, represented thus far. But by one delegate, is expected daily in full force to join in the great work of healing the descendants of the times and restoring the reign of fraternal feeling. New Jersey is also here, with the memories of the past covering her all over. Trenton and Princeton live immortal in story, the plains of the last forgotten vision which the hearts of Virginia's sons. Among her delegation, I rejoice, to recognize a giant son of a signer of the immortal Declaration which announced to the world that thirteen Provinces had become thirteen independent and sovereign States. And here too, in Delaware, the land of the bayards and the Rodneys, whose soil at Sandywine was so situated by the blood of Virginia's southern Monroe. Here is Maryland, whose massive columns wheeled into line with those of Virginia in the contest for glory, and whose state-house at Annapolis was the theatre of a spectacle of a successful commander, who, after liberating his country, gladly ungirded his sword and laid it down upon the altar of that country. Then comes Pennsylvania, rich in Revolutionary lore, bringing with her the dorthless names of Franklin and Morris, and I trust ready in renew from the belief of Independence Hall the chimes of the old bell which announced freedom and independence in former days. All hail Georgia, with her Mecklenburg Declaration, and standing erect on the ground of her own probity and her rum of the public liberty, and represented in no other by her Maccabees, and in this assembly by her distinguished son at a great distance from me. Four daughters of Virginia als cluster around the council board on the invitation of their ancient mothers—the eldest Kentucky, whose sons, under that intrepid warrior, Anthony Wayne, gave freedom of settlement to the territory of her sister. She extends her hand daily and hourly across the land, to grace the hand of some one of kindred blood of the rude Strifes of Indiana, and Illinois, and Ohio, who have grown up into powerful States already grand, potent, and almost imperial. The success is not here, but is coming prevented from being here only by the deeds which have fallen her river. When he arrives, she will wear the badge on her warrior crest of victories won, in company with the great West, on many an ensanguined plains, and standard-torn irons the hands of the conquerors at Waterloo, Missouri, and South, and Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. Still linger behind, but it may be hoped that their hearts are with us in the great work we have to do. Gentlemen, the eyes of the whole country are turned to this assembly in expectation and hope. I trust that you may prove yourselves worthy of the great occasion. Our ancestors probably committed a blunder in not having fixed upon every fifth decade for a call of a general Convention to amend and reform the Constitution. On the contrary, they have made the difficulties next to insurmountable to accomplish amendments to an instrument which was perfect for five millions of people, but not wholly so as to thirty millions. Your patriotism will surmount the disadvantages, however great, if you will but accomplish but one triumph. In advance, and that is a triumph over party. And what is party when compared to the talk of rescuing one's country from danger? Do that, and one long, loud shout of joy and gladness will resound throughout the land. No. 1 CARBON Oil, Warranted to give a man; UK I J.LI A XT LIGHT AT LESS EXPOSITION Than any other Oil offered, and free from smoke. Manufactured, and by side by A. & W. J. HAMILTON, 30 South Frederick street and 12 North Bay street, Baltimore, Md., Jan 24?en t in * En-linnoro. T 7 L R GIX 1A M A X U FACT U KE!!? I have just received about it's of VIRGINIA MADE IRON, of best quality, embracing all the sizes, including Plough Plates, Land Sides, and Coulter Moulds. In order to close it out for the parties to whom it belongs, I will sell it at less than the regular rates. [feb 2] GEO. T. BALDWIN. THIRTY-SIXTH CONGRESS. [REPORTED FOR THE ALEXANDRIA CAZETTE.] In Senate, Wednesday, Feb. 6. Mr. Seward presented the memorial of certain importing merchants and others, of New York, protesting against abolishing the warehousing system. Mr. Ten Eyck presented six petitions of citizens of Philadelphia, asking Congress to stand by the Constitution. Mr. Wilson, from the Committee on Military Affairs, reported a bill for the better organization. ization of the militia of the District of Columbia. Messrs. Dixon and Bigler presented petitions from favor of Mr. Crittenden's resolutions. One of the petitions presented by Mr. Bigler was from a fire company of Lancaster, Pa., organized before the adoption of the Constitution, and was printed on a large American flag. Mr. Foster presented a petition numerous in favor of the Border States resolutions. Mr. Pearce reported the delicacy of appropriations bill, with the House amendments, recommending that the Senate insist on their amendments, and he asked a committee of conference, which was agreed to. Mr. Crittenden presented the petition of certain citizens of Massachusetts in favor of his compromise resolutions. Mr. Cameron presented petitions in favor of the Constitution and the enforcement of the laws. Mr. Leslie presented the petition of certain citizens of Maine, praying that the thing be done to save the Union. Mr. Douglas moved to reconsider the vote by which the bill organizing the territory of Colorado was passed. After considerable discussion, which, at times was quite spirited, participated in by Messrs. Douglas, Wade, and Green, the motion was lost—yeas 10, nays 10. The President's message was then taken up. Mr. Johnson, of Tennessee, resuming his speech of yesterday, urged that secession was a remedy for no evil. South Carolina had seceded, yet she had gained no power to carry her slaves in the territories. The secessionists were like the man who wished to shear the wolf; not because it would do any good, but because he had a right of dominion over the beasts of the forest. He repudiated the idea that he was an ally of Northern Republicans, and quoted various extracts to show that Northern Abolitionists and Southern Secessionists were allies in the course of disrupting the Union. He had rather be a black Republican than a Red Republican, he said that the secessionists were afraid of the people, and that if, even in South Carolina, a vote was allowed, the secession ordinance would be rejected. He closed with a vigorous appeal for the Union, and was loudly applauded. After a discussion as to the order of business, the Senate agreed to go into Executive session, and afterwards adjourned. House Representatives. The Speaker laid before the House a message from the President, enclosing the resolution of the Kentucky Legislature, which urges Congress to call a National Convention to make amendments to the Constitution, and commending the proposition to their consideration which its patriotic source and influence demand. Referred to the Select Committee of five. Mr. Nixon introduced the memorial of Jefferson, risking the adoption of the Crittenden proposition. said he was satisfied that a large majority of the people of that State desire that Congress should act speedily. The Senate's amendments to the loan bill were taken up. Mr. Phelps advocated a concurrence in that to repeal the act of June, 1866, authorizing the loan, and providing for the redemption of the Treasury notes. Mr. Sherman replied, saying, that if this was agreed to, it would leave no security for redeeming the Treasury notes authorized by the act of December, he trusted that the next Administration will never come here with a loan bill. In times of peace, the expenses should never be allowed to exceed the revenue. Mr. Phelps said he, supposed it was fixed a fact that the tariff bill, which contained a clause for a loan, would pass, and ample provision be afforded for the redemption of the Treasury notes. The bill was then read by Mr. Sherman, and was then referred to the Committee on Finance. On motion of Mr. Sherman, a conference on the part of the Senate was asked on this subject. Mr. Logan called for a regular order, being the bill introduced by him on last evening, entitled an act ceding to the State certain saline lands in Illinois. The bill was passed. Mr. Colfax called from the Committee on Post Offices and Post Roads reported a substitute for his bill providing for the discontinuance of Postal service in the seceding States. Said substitute provides that whenever in the opinion of the Post Master General, the postal service cannot be safely continued and the postal laws maintained and the mail contracts preserved inviolate, and delivered to the proper address on any postal route by reason of any insurrection or resistance to the laws? The Postmaster General is authorized to discontinue the posts on such route, or any portion of any post office there- until the same safely restored. Mr. Branch asked if the Postmaster General had not sufficient power bestowed, had to meet such an emergency? Mr. Colfax answered that it was very doubtful whether the Postmaster General could make arrangements for the transfer of the mails so that those States which had not seceded could correspond with those which had? Mr. Colfax replied that mails could be carried to the border of a seceding state. South Carolina referred to by that gentleman, under existing laws and contracts from whence they could be carried all over the State by express companies if the mail matter was placed in stamped envelopes. The substitute was adopted, yeas, 36; nays Mr. Harnett said in explanation of his vote that as the seceding states were still subjected to taxation under the Federal Government, and were treated as if they were still in the Union, and now it was attempted to stop their mail facilities, he would not vote for the bill. Mr. Hindman said that as this substitute recognized secession, and was decidedly a disunion measure, he would vote yes. Mr. Vance said that were this measure for the execution of the Revenue laws he would vote for it, but when it was to interfere with mail facilities, he believed it would but increase the danger of collision, and was the greatest bar to a peaceful conciliation, he would vote nay. Mr. Holman could not recognize any state as out of the Union, therefore he would vote against the bill. Mr. John V. Brown, of Ky., said that he recognized the right of a state to secede, and having done so they had no longer any claims on the bounty of this government. He voted yes. Mr. Niblack called up Senate bill No. 10, entitled, a bill to promote the progress of the useful arts, and referring more particularly to the patent laws. Mr. Niblack took the floor, and spoke in favor of the bill. The morning hour having expired, the special order took precedence; and Mr. Humphries, of New York, was entitled to the floor. Mr. Florence presented a memorial signed by 2,000 citizens of Pennsylvania, who had voted for Abraham Lincoln, praying for the passage of the Crittenden resolution. Referred. He also presented a memorial from the Board of Trade of Philadelphia, petitioning Congress to pass a law extending the limits of entry and delivery of the port of Philadelphia, accompanied by the draft of a bill to effect the purpose desired. Mr. Humphries said that the place to settle the present difficulties of the country was here, among the representatives of the people, who speak their views, and understand their feelings, and they are commissioned by them to represent their interests upon this floor, and to protect their government. This government was a stable government. It is not a house of cards to be blown down by a breath, he said that he regarded the right of secession and State independence as one of the greatest heresies of the day. Union was the object of the confederation, long before independence and State sovereignty was thought of. Florida, he said, belonged to the Union, had been brought with the money of the people of the Union, and could not secede. He would not vote for the Crittenden resolutions, and if there was a dissolution, and an attempt to reconstruct the Union, he would not allow any of the seceding States to come back without a recantation of their secession views. Mr. Harris, of Virginia, addressed the House, he said that many questions of grave consideration, and a variety of items for fruitful speculation, present themselves to the observer of current events. Issues which are involved would not only affect the present, but their consequences will reach far into the future generations, and determine for weal or woe, the destiny of Republican Institutions. Under such circumstances, and in view of such consequences, he conceived it to be the part of wisdom, as well as the command of duty, for every member of that body in the charge of his representative trust, to do all in his power to avert the calamity which now threatens our common country. The Republicans had the power now, if they would come forward, and not only prevent further rupture, but bring back those States already gone. If the government and this Union were entirely broken up, it would be impossible to reconstruct it. As well talk of reconstructing the shattered vase, or the earth after it has been consumed with fire as to attempt to reconstruct this government after it has been divided by Mason's and Dixon's lines. Let the friends of the Union and of adjust merit stand firm, and all our troubles may yet be ended. He urged upon the Republicans the acceptance of the Crittenden propositions; to do as Webster did in 1850, come forward in behalf of the country, and save it from total destruction, or would they under the name of executing the laws, "let slip the dogs of war?" If they failed to do the former, and pursued the latter course, he had no threats, no prophecies to make. He only asked them to remember, that "the race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong." The House then took a recess until 7 o'clock. Letter from the Hon. J.J. Crittenden. Senate, January 28th, 1856. Dear Coombs, I have under many obligations to you for many letters, and I beg that you will continue the correspondence, notwithstanding my omissions. What with business, consultations, and unavoidable company, I have, in truth, hardly time to write a line to my best friend, or even to draw a free breath. Your letters have a freshness about them that makes me feel and see the things you tell me. All things here are in chaos and darkness, yet I have every confidence, that though my resolutions may not pass, they will be the root out of which a settlement will grow. The news from Frankfort is, that you will not call a Convention. I am glad of it. There is no cause why we should hasten out of the Union, at this time, and unless that is intended, I do not know what we want with a Convention. Preparations made often induce us to do things from which more consideration would have restrained us. Old Kentucky has to much dignity and history to be drifted about by every changing tide in politics. Her movements in the present crisis ought to be well measured, well considered, and marked with steadfast manliness. We ought to see clearly what are to gain by disunion, before we abandon a Union in which we have enjoyed so much liberty, so much prosperity, and so many blessings. I write in haste and must conclude. Your friend, J. J. Crittenden, Gen. L. Coombs. Sockingham County. Harrisonburg, Va., February 4. A little girl about 10 years of age, was lost between McMill's Creek and Sparta, in this county, on yesterday. She was going to a neighbor's house on a visit, when she was either lost or met with foul treatment, and up to the present time has not been heard from. The latter surmise seems to be the general belief. She was a daughter of a gentleman named Brown. The election of Delegates to the State Convention is passing off with some degree of excitement. The probability is that Coffman, contingent, Gray, Union, and Lewis Union, will be elected. The reference of the action of the Convention to the people will be carried by a considerable majority. Closing in the polls at Harrisonburg present the votes stands as follows: Coffman (Contingent) "Cray (Union) 4-3; Lewis (Union) Woodson (Union) 5-2; Newton (Secession) 182; Liggett (Secession) 192. For referring 40-1; against referring US 2. The balance of the county will go, if anything, stronger for the Union candidate, and for referring. Correspondence of the Michigan Legislature. 