Free Republic

WASHINGTON, Tuesday, Jan. 15. The Post-office Department is making up the accounts of the Mail contractors in South Carolina for the fourth quarter of 1860. Some seventy thousand dollars of balances will be due contractors, for which it is proposed to give orders on, the Sub-Treasury of Charleston. The resolution of the New-York Bankers at their meeting on Saturday to sustain the Government with money, is hailed here as a most encouraging token of confidence in its stability, and chills the movers for the Southern Confederacy, for they foresee that the two Republics cannot borrow in the same market. Private...

WASHINGTON, Monday, Jan. 14. A Cabinet meeting was held to-day, but no one knew the object of the visit of Messrs. HAYNE and HALL, who arrived from Charleston at 4 o'clock. Neither has seen the President yet. I am informed the operations relative to affairs at Charleston are suspended until to-morrow. On the other hand there are ominous whisperings that the President is receding from his recent firmness, and that no more troops will be sent to Fort Sumter. Another rumor is that the President is disposed to accede to a proposition from Gov. PICKENS for the absolute suspension of...

WASHINGTON, Sunday, Jan. 13. To-day, has been the quietest that we have had here for a month. Mr. SEWARD's speech, despite the articles in the Constitution, which denounces it in unmeasured phrase, has had a decidedly soothing effect and is doing much good, Mr. CRITTENDEN declares that it is in the right direction, patriotic and statesmanlike. The Southern extremists insist that it offers nothing, but the more moderate confess that it reassures the South as to the purposes of the incoming Administration, and indicates that there is no insuperable obstacle to the South getting constitutional guarantee against Northern interference with...

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The excitement here has somewhat abated, in consequence of pacific news from Washington. The enlistment of soldiers goes on, but all is quiet. The Legislature did nothing to-day. The steamship Marion will resume her regular trips, to New-York. HENRY W. CONNER, a member of the South Carolina Convention, died at 6 o'clock this evening. He was a banker, doing business at Charleston and New-Orleans.

CHARLESTON, Wednesday, Jan. 9. About 11 o'clock this morning a boat from Fort Sumter, bearing Lieut. HALL with a white flag, approached the city. Lieut. HALL had an interview with Gov. PICKENS, and was afterwards escorted to his boat and reembarked for Fort Sumter. The communication from Major ANDERSON is as follows: To His Excellency the Governor of South Carolina: SIR: Two of your batteries fire 1 this morning on an unarmed vessel, bearing the flag of my Government. As I have not been notified that war has been declared by South Carolina against the United States, I cannot but...

CHARLESTON, Wednesday, Jan. 9. The Star of the West, in endeavoring to enter our harbor about daylight this morning, was opened upon by the garrison on Morris Island, and also by Fort Moultrie. The steamer put about, and went to sea. I have not been able to learn whether the steamer or any person on board was injured. The belief is that no injury was sustained by either the beat or those on board. Fort Sumter did not respond. Lieut. HALL, of Fort Sumter, came over to the city about 11 o'clock with a flag of truce. He repaired to...

OUR WASHINGTON DISPATCHES. WASHINGTON, Tuesday, Jan 8. Secretary THOMPSON resigned his place in the Cabinet to-day. His conditional resignation has been tendered more than a week. The President pledged himself -- so THOMPSON charges -- that no troops should be sent Southward without his knowledge. THOMPSON knew nothing of the sailing of the Star of the West until last evening. It is currently reported that Mr. THOMPSON and the President had high words, in consequence of which the President hinted that he had better resign. The news of the sailing of the Star of the West created intense excitement here,...

WASHINGTON, Monday, Jan. 7. The Senate was full to-day. Mr. TOOMBS made a very noisy and ranting secession speech, and at the close was greeted with a storm of hisses and applause, which was continued some time. His language towards the Republicans and Northern men was most insolent, and towards the Federal Government defiant. Mr. CRITTENDEN's appeal to save the country was well put and in good taste, but created little or no additional favor for his compromise measure. Mr. WILSON is preparing to make a strong defence of the Republican Party, and especially New-England, which Senators BENJAMIN and TOOMBS...

WASHINGTON, Sunday, Jan. 6. The excitement to-day is somewhat increased. THURLOW WEED, HAMILTON FISH, ERASTUS CORNING, ISAAC BELL, and other influential New-Yorkers have arrived. While they counsel moderation and conservatism, it is understood that they are unanimous for the preservation of the Union at any cost. WEED says he sees little probability that any satisfactory compromise will be arranged. The Committee appointed by the caucus of the Border Slave and Free States agreed -- SHERMAN, of Ohio, alone dissenting -- to a proposition substantially the same as CRITTENDEN's compromise, except in two points. First, it guarantees a jury trial to...

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WASHINGTON, Friday, Jan. 4. The Fast was generally observed to-day and the town was exceedingly dull. At a Republican caucus, held to-night, ninety members of the House were present Hr. HOWARD, of Michigan, was Chairman, and Mr. GOLFAX Secretary. A proposition, made by Mr. SHERMAN, that the Republicans should discourage all discussion of the political crisis, and devote their time altogether to the Appropriation bills, and other necessary legislation, as such discussion only tends to exasperate the Opposition and divide Republicans, was adopted. A resolution was adopted pledging each Republican delegation to see to it that their members are regularly...

WASHINGTON, Thursday, Jan. 3. The President has returned the last communication of the South Carolina Commissioners unopened; and he has declined to receive anything more from them. They left in the morning boat for Charleston. The Savannah forts were seized by Citizens of Georgia, at suggestions telegraphed from this city by the Georgia Delegation in Congress. The Augusta arsenal has been some days in their possession. Prominent citizens of North Carolina, on hearing the that troops were ordered South, called on Gov. ELLIS, and demanded the seizure of the forts at Wilmington. The demand being refused, they determined to act...

WASHINGTON, Wednesday, Jan. 2. We have a Government at last. High authority announces that the policy of the Administration, towards the Secessionists, is entirely changed. Henceforth it will be concillatory but firm in the execution of the laws. The steam frigate Brooklyn and another vessel at Norfolk were yesterday ordered to be in readiness for immediate departure to Charleston. The Brooklyn's cruise is up, and her crew are waiting to be paid off and discharged. But the emergency is considered too pressing to admit it. The secession leaders discovered yesterday the intention to start these vessels, and notified their sympathizers...

WASHINGTON, Monday, Dec. 31. The scene in the Senate to-day was the most intensely exciting that was ever witnessed in that chamber. Senator BENJAMIN, of Louisiana, who, it had been reported, would make a conciliatory speech, gave out that he would make a parting secession speech, -- an announcement which drew an immense audience. Every corner was crowded. The lobbies were full. Senator BENJAMIN spoke calmly throughout, but the character of his speech at the close opened up to everyone the new era in national affairs. His closing declaration, that the South could never be subjugated, was greeted by the...

OUR WASHINGTON DISPATCHES. WASHINGTON, Sunday, Dec. 30. Another prop of the Old Public Functionary has been knocked from under him. The resignation of Secretary FLOYD yesterday, after an excited Cabinet discussion, running through forty-eight hours, will surprise no one, after what is already known. Yet some details, from reliable authority, may be interesting. It appears that Secretary FLOYD, with the full knowledge and consent of the President, pledged his honor that no change should be made in the position of affairs in Charleston harbor, -- South Carolina giving a pledge to respect all public property in the meantime, -- until...

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CHARLESTON, Friday, Dec. 28. The Palmetto flag was raised early yesterday afternoon over the Custom-house and Post-office. At 5 o'clock last evening the Palmetto flag was raised at Castle Pinckney. A large military force went over last night to take possession of Fort Moultrie. Fort Moultrie and Castle Finckney were taken possession of by the South Carolina military last evening. CHARLESTON, Friday, Dec. 28. Capt. HUMPHREYS still holds possession of the Arsenal. Castle Pinckney and Fort Moultrie are occupied by the State troops, under the instructions of the Governor of the State, to hold peaceable possession of these forts, and...

CHARLESTON, Thursday, Dec. 27. WASHINGTON, Thursday, Dec. 27. The proceedings of the House and Senate were completely broken up by the news from Charleston, and soon after its reception they adjourned. Fort Moultrie was evacuated last night. Previous to the evacuation the guns were spiked. Only four soldiers were left in charge. The troops have all been conveyed to Fort Sumter. Intense excitement and indignation prevails. The Convention is in secret session. The gun-carriages are being burnt at Fort Moultrie. The cannon are spiked, and it is reported that a train is laid to blow up the fort. The last...

WASHINGTON, Wednesday, Dec. 26. The report that the Military Committee of the Senate had under consideration the Pittsburgh affair, is incorrect; but the Cabinet being in session it was discussed by them. It is universally conceded that if the Government insists upon the shipment of arms from Pittsburgh, it must also reinforce the Southern forts, and enforce the laws there. The Administration is in great tribulation about it. Efforts will be made, by influential persons sent from Washington, to induce the people to desist, and allow the arms to be shipped. Mr. CASS was on the Avenue this afternoon. He...