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Henry A. Wise and John Quincy Adam*. A correspondent of the Richmond Dis patch, who witnessed the delivery of a speech by Gov. Wise in 1841, on the oc casion of the presentation of Abolition petitions by John Quincy Adams, to abo lish slavery in the District of Columbia, says: When I entered the hall Mr. Wise was speaking. I shall never forget his ap pearance. His stand was on the right of the speaker; Mr. Adams on the left. Mr. Wise was pouring hot shot into the abolition ranks generally, and into Ad ams particularly. It was the first time I had heard Mr. Wise. He was then in his prime. He wore his hair long ; he was dressed in a plain suit of black, and he seemed to address himself to Mr. Adams and not to the Speaker. I can never for get that fierce flashing eye; that long, bony finger, shaking tremblingly into the very face of the old lion ; and, as the burning, hissing hot words of sarcasm and defiance rolled out of that wide mouth of his, I really thought he was the hand somest ugly man I had ever seen. And when he taunted Adams with coming down from that lofty eminence which his oountrymen had once placed him, to dab ble in the filth and mire of political strife, and in such a cause the excoriation was eo severe—so much more severe than any one else could do it, that the old man could stand it no longer, and bounced to his feet and cried, “Mr. Speaker,” and was about to proceed, when he was called lustily to order, and had to take his seat. “ Wise turning to him,” coolly said, “be still old man, I have a few more shot in the locker for you,” and proceeded ; and of all the Hayings that was ever admin istered to mortality it was the most bit ing—the most withering. 1 stood imme diately over Mr. Adams, ami I could see tho blood rush and recede, ever and anon from that great bald head, showing the strife going on within. Letter from Fort Sumter. The following is an extract from a let ter recently received by a gentleman in Brooklyn, from an officer at Fort Sumter. Speaking of the proposed assault of the Palmettoans, he says : “They evidently intend to shell us, and also to make an attempt to breach this work on its south or weakest side. This they will find considerably easier said than done. The idea of an escalade, or an attempt to storm this place, is simply absurd. The excitement inside when the Star of the West was being fired on was intense. Breakfast was being served when the first gun was fired; on hearing the report of the second, an idea that “some thing was up” seemed simultaneously to take possession of every one. Before the third was heard, every man was at his post, eagerly waiting for, nay, in some eases begging for, the order to fire. The word was withheld, the Star of the West put again to sea, and the men skulked back to their quarters, disappointed, be cause, and puzzled to know why, Major Anderson did not five. Ono thing is plain to us now: that in the recurrence of a similar event in the reach of our guns, we are infinitely better prepared to resent it, although even then we could, I think, have silenced their batteries in less than an hour. Cramped in the grub line, eh? Not that I have seen, or am likely to sec, for a month or two yet. True, we have no fresh provisions, but the substantial parts of a soldier’s rations we have in abundance, and none complain. Our private effects were all lost on leaving Moultrie. I arrived here the indisputable possessor of all that I had on my back, but no more. Tobacco is far above par, and whiskey is unprocurable ” The Chronicle and Sentinel says : We are reliably informed by. a military gen tleman, just from Montgomex’y, who is now in the service of South Carolina, that President Davis declares that war is in evitable, and that within ten days. On the other hand, Vico President Stephens, Mr. Secretary of War Walker, and the Hon. Howell Cobb, concur in the opiuion that there will not be war. We learn also that the military bill will pass this week, and that President Davis will entirely ignore the two regiments now recruiting in Georgia, by order of the Governor, and all the Governor’s appointments, and that he will not allow civilians or West Point juniors to rank above West Point seniors, citizens of the Confederate States, who have heretore seen service, and who have resigned their commissions in the United Staten Army. Cols. Bragg and Johnston will likely be Major Gener als, and Csl. Wm. Henry Walker, of cur oity, a Brigadier. Capt. Bartow, of Sa vannah, Chairman of the Militrry Com mittee of the Confederate Congress, is winning golden opinions among the mili tary men. Indian Citizens. A petition was presented v to the Senate from twenty or thirty Sioux Indians, asking the Legislature to grant them all thff'rights of citizenship. They stated that they had adopted a number of cus toms in vogue among the whites, such as wearing pantaloons, living in houses, using knives and forks, being content with the possession and control of one wife, being willing to earn their bread “by the sweat of their brows,” total ab stinence from intoxicating liquors, regu lar attendance upon stated preaching, &c. In view of all these things, they asked that further and estimable privilege of voting “early and often.” It will be granted them without doubt, if the mem bers are satisfied that they will vote the straight ticket every time.— St. Paul Pio neer. Col. H. S. Wel)b. This distinguished gentleman, formerly of the United States army, is in the city. Although now at a ripe old age, he is as hale and hearty as he was during the Mexican war, and expresses his willing ness to serve the South again, together with his four sons. His services in the Mexican war and on our frontier are too fresh in the memories of our army friends. It is a notable fact that Col. Webb is a brother of James Watson Webb, of New I ork, and is as diametrically opposite in every respect as it is possible for two men to be.— A r . O. Delta. —.—• -<>• Taxes In Alabama—Extension of Time. The time for the collection of taxes in Alabama has been extended by the Legis lature to the first of May next, when they are required to pay fully all the taxes due for the year 1860. They may levy upon and sell property at any time between the first of March and May. The consent of the securities of Tax Collectors to the change is required to be obtained in writ ing and filed in the Comptroller’s office. The provisions of the Act do not oxtend to the fiscal year commencing March, 1860. - r r Fort Sumter. The Boston Post, of the 20th, says : We 1 have information in which we place con fidence, that the United States steamer ! Brooklyn, on her way to Pensacola, lan ded a detachment of troops with provis ions at Fort Sumter. They were put into the fort by night, in boats propelled with muffled oarß. One of the boats was fired into on the way, but no damage was done. The shot was fired at random, and the secessionists probably made up their minds that it was a false alarm, as the bombardment was not continued.— The secret has been well kept by the offi cers of the Brooklyn. Ileeiian. A New York letter writes says: “The Benecia Boy is sufficiently a public char acter to make his movements of interest to a large class of people who take and i deal in ‘the papers.’ H has been said k that he has ‘gone to New Orleans to en- | fS a g® in business, and hopes by strict at tention to realize a fortune.’ The busi ■■ess which John C. has gone into is un ■ps ood to ha,ve some connection with iogy-_i think they call it the ‘tiger.’” i Resolution*of tkeColumbus Guards COLUMBUS GUARDS A EMORY, 1 Fel*. 2-i.l. 1861, | Your committee on resolutions, in rela tion to the lato encampment of the Com pany beg leave to report the following: 1. Resolved, That we acknowledge the kind attention and generous hospitality extended to us by the citizens of Mont ! gomery, and appreciate the honor of the position assigned the embassy in the es | cort of the first President of the Confed ! erate States cf America. 2. Retched. That it would have afford | ed us unfeigned pleasure to have met our | old friends and companions in arms, the Montgomery True Blues, but that our re gret on this account is mollified by the fact, that their absence was caused by an engagement in performance of the highest duty of soldiers, and the cordial greeting of their gallant commander, Capt. W. G. Andrews, just returned from the field, in which his excellent Company had per formed the arduous labors of garrison duty, and other members of the Company who, as individuals, maintained tho rep utation of their absent comrades, by such acts of hospitality as have ever signalized our common meetings and intercourse. 3. Resolved, That we return our thanks | to the officers and men of the Montgom ery Fusileers for their notice of us on our leaving “Camp Farley.” 4. Resolved , That we shall ever remem ber gratefully the frequent acts of kind ness manifested toward us by Captain Seheusler, Messrs. Glackmeyer, Cara way, andotbers, during our encampment. 5. Resolved, That language fails us in furnishing appropriate expression of our profound gratitude to Mr. and Mrs. Jas. A. Farley, our kind neighbors, whose goods we were made to feel to be almost our own. As men do not gather grapffe of thorns, nor figs of thistles, neither does such generous hospitality spring from the hearts of the cold, indifferent, or selfish, but arc the characteristics of enlightened minds and cultivated tastes; and dis carding resolutions, how well soever they may be written, as too meagre an ex pression of our esteem and obligations, which the kindness unremitted of the generous family have placed us, we re commend to the Company the immediate preparation and presentation of a more suitable arid substantial testimonial of our remembrance of the numerous acts of kindness, to be forwarded to them as soon as practicable, in a proper commu nication. G. Resolved, That these resolutions be furnished the city papers for publication, with the request, that the Montgomery papers copy. Adopted unanimously by the Company. A. INGMIRE, Sec y. —. T3se Forts at Pensacola For the information of our readers says the Montgomery Mail, we have carefully compiled from personal knowledge, the number of guns, &c., at present in the forts at Pensacola, Florida, which is as follows : Fort Pickens. —ln bastion, 2G 24 lb. Howitzers; Casemate, 2 42 pounders, G 4 32 pds; 59 24 pds. la barbette, 24 8 inch How.; G 18 pds.; 12 12 pds.; 1 10 inch Columbiad, mounted; 410 inch mortars, in bad order. Fort Barrancas.—ll 32 pds.; 3 8 inch paixhans ; 2 3 inch Columbiads; 8 24 pus.; f> 18 pds.; 2 12 pds.; 8 121 b. Howitzers —flank defences; 2 18 inch mortars. Fort Mcßee.—Lower Tier, 22 42 pds.; 2d Tier, 12 8 inch Columbiads ; 18 32 pds. Barbette G 2 24 pds. ; 3 10 inch Columbiads—none mounted. In addition to the 500 barrels of pow der recently brought to this State, there still remains in the magazine at the Navy Yard GOO pounds cannon powder, 3500 pounds musket powder. In Sand Battery A, there are 2 8 inch Columbiads From Washington, Washington, Feb. 22. — Montgomery advices indicate that tho Southern Con federacy will authorize instantaneous reprisals of the United States attempts to maintain authority in the Seceding States. A large number of privateers are ready to commence operations at a moment’s warning. It is reported that arrange ments are also made in California for privateers on the Pacific. An army officer writes from Savannah, that privates are enlisting, and that 8,000 applications for commissions in the army of the Confederacy wero applied for the first week. The Governor of Georgia has ordered the purchase of a steamer, for SGO,OOO. ■< United States Congress. Washington, Feb. 2G —Senate.—The Senate passed the following bills estab lishing Territorial Governments for Colo rado, Nevada, and Dacotah. The postal route, consular, and diplomatic bills, and the army bill, were discussed. House.—ln the House to-day Stanton’s force bill was postponed until Thursday, which is considered to be equivalent to a defeat. The vote on the postponement was—ayes 100, nays 74. Crittenden’s resolution, or the sub stance of them, were under discussion ; and hopes are entertained by many that they will be adopted. The tariff bill of yesterday abolishes the duty on tea and coffee, but that on sugar remains unchanged. It is believed that Crittenden’s resolu tions will be introduced into the Peace Congress to-morrow, in lieu of Franklin’s substitute, which was voted down to-day. ♦ TJie MilleOgeville Court. House. We have already published a dispatch announcing the burning of the Court House of Baldwin county. The following particulars are taken from the Milledge ville Union of the 2Gth instant: The Court House in this city was des troyed by fire on Sunday morning last, about 8 o’clock. All the important re cords in the clerk’s office were lost. No thing was saved in that part of the build ing. Most of the books in the ordinary’s office were saved. There is scarcely a doubt that the fire was the work of an in cendiary. No fire had been made in the Court House all the day before. Our deputy sheriff rocmed in the building and did not even light a match to go to bed. The fire originated in tho clerk’s office. The Nashville Union says the Chatta nooga Rail Road still continues to move oft her freight according to turn, and now has cleaned out three of tho warehouses containing the accumulated freights that arrived at the time of break in Georgia State Road. The road is, however, yet so situated that it is beyond her capacity to receive as was her custom, consequent ly has to refuse freights consigned to her. Harrssou & Son now receive all the road refuses, which they store and send off in regular turn, at the additional cost of $1 15 per ton. The same paper says the shipments of cotton last week from Memphis by the Eastern Rail Road through Virginia to the North, was G,33.9 bales—and to New Orleans 16,084 bales. Trade with Charleston ami Savan nah. The Norfolk Day Book of the 19tb, says: Three vessels, loaded with rice, arrived at Norfolk on Saturday from Charleston, and several more came in yesterday and to-day from Savannah, loaded with the same staples; all of which is intended for foreign shipment, I having been purchased by our merchants j for that purpose. The cotton is of that ! class known as “ Upland,” and is well compressed. The most of these vessels were loaded*witb corn to those ports, and have returned, as above stated. We learn that on Monday of last week, that being County Court day, a beauti lul seeessiou flag, manufactured by the ladies of Cynthiana, was hoisted on a liberty pole one hundred and thirty feet high, in the capital of old Harrison, amid the shouts of the gallant men of that county. — Lou. Courier, Feb. 18th. Gov. Brown’s Letter. Executive Department, ) Milledgeville, Feb. 21st, 1861. j Sir: On the fifth day of thi3 month 1 directed you to cal! out sufficient military force, and seize all ships then in the har bor of Savannah belonging to the citi zens of the State of New Y'ork. The reasons for the seizure were briefly sta ted in the order. Citizens of this State had been robbed of their property by the police of New York, acting under the au thority of that State: I had demanded the restoration of the property to its own ers. The Governor of that State had given an evasive reply, excepting to the form of tho demand sent by telegraph; which clearly evinced his disposition not ! to comply by ordering the restoration of the property. If the protection of this State were not in such cases afforded to its citizens, it not only invited further aggressions upou their rights, but for feited all just claim to their allegiance. I therefore had no alternative left but to order reprisals. This is the mildest remedy provided not only by the law of nations, but by the law of nature, for the redress of grievances between sovereign States, in the last resort. Your prompt execution of the order, by the seizure of five vessels owned by citizens of New York, met my highest approval. The seizure was made on the morning of the eighth of this month.— On the evening of that day, I mailed to the Governor of New York, at Albany, a communication stating the fact of the seizure, with the reasons for it; and that I should hold the ships till justice should be done the injured citizens of this State, by the restoration of the property of which they had been robbed by the police of the city of New York. On the night of the ninth inst , I re ceived a telegiaphic dispatch from Mr. G. B. Lamar, of New York, whom I had appointed agent to receive the guns, seiz ed by the police, if delivered up by the authorities, stating that the guns were then at the command of their owners, and asking me to release the ships At the same time I received a dispatch from Mr. John Boston, the Collector of the port of Savannah, stating that he had just been informed by Mr. Lamar, that the guns had been delivered up. Regretting the necessity which com pelled me to resort to a means of redress which, while natural and legal, might interrupt the commerce between the two States, and expose to temporary hard ship individual citizens of New York, whose property, under the laws of na tions, is subject to seizure for such out rages committed by the authorities of their own State, though they may disap prove and condemn them, I was deter mined not. to occupy the position of an aggressor for a single hour. So soon, therefore, as I was iuformed that the au thorities of New \ T ork hau made repara tion for the robbery, I immediately or dered the release of the vessels. Since that time 1 directed Mr. Lamar to have the guns shipped to Savannah, that they might be delivered to their owners. He now informs me that he demanded their shipment, and was informed by the Su perintendent of the Police of New York, that he had changed his mind, and that he would not now permit the guns to be shipped; hut that he would order fur ther seizures of what he is pleased to call “contraband articles.” Twelve days have passed since T mailed to the Governor of New’ Y'ork the com munication above referred to, and I have received no response from him.— He has not only refused, therefore, to order the restoration of the property of which his police had plundered our citi zens, within the iimits of his own State on a demand sent by telegraph, but he has neglected and refused to answer a written communication upon the subject, sent to him through the regular medium of the mail. While I held possession of the vessels seized, my agent was informed that the guns were at the command of their own ers. Acting upon this assurance, I or dered the release of the vessels ; and my agent is now informed that the officer in possession of the guns has changed his mind, and that he will not now permit them to be returned to their owners.— These facts show very clearly that it is the settled policy of the authorities of New Y r ork to subject our commerce to sur veillance, which we cannot with honor submit to, and to seize upon our proper ty aud plunder our citizens at their pleas ure. Under these circumstances. I I‘eei that I, as the Executive of Georgia, would prove recreant to the high trust reposed in me by my fellow-citizens, were I to re fuse to protect their rights against such unprovoked aggression, by all the means which the laws of nations, or the consti tution and laws of this State, have placed at my command. It therefore becomes my duty again to direct you to call out such military force as may be necessary for that purpose, and to renew the reprisals, by the seizure, as soon as practicable, of vessels in the harbor of Savannah, or other property in the city, or elsewhere within your reach, belonging to the State or to citizens of New Y'ork, at least equal in value to double the amount of the original seiz ures made by you. Y'ou will hold the property seized, subject to my order; and it will be released when the guns in ques tion, (together with any other property of our citizens which has been, or may in the mean time be unlawfully seized by the authorities of New Y'ork,) are ac tually shipped from the harbor, and are beyond the reach or control of the police of the city of New Y'ork, or the authori ties of that State. Respectfully, &c. JosEni E. Brown. Col. Henry R. Jackson, Aid-de-Camp, Savanuab, Ga. <, Special Dispatch to the Memphis Press. Little Rock, Feb. 20. —The State will go (or convention by a small vote. There will be a respectable majority of seces sionists, on condition that the peace con gress does nothing to adjust matters. The immediate secessionists will be in the iui nority; so will the unconditional Unionists. In Hemstead county the anti-secession candidates are elected: in Sabine county the anti-secession candidates are elected ; in Clark and Dallas counties secession candidates are elected. - -Sfc Texas Ratification. The people of Texas voted lust Saturday on the ratification or rejection of the secession ordinance. The Convention convenes next Saturday (2d of March) to receive and act upon the verdict of the people. There can be little doubt, we think, that the vote for the ordinance will be found to be almost unanimous, and that Texas will at once take her place among the Confederate States of America. A Female Travis. A correspondent relates to the St. Louis Republican, a shooting exploit of a Mrs. Hord, wife of Willis Ilord, Esq., resid ing near that city, which has gained her much notoriety in the neighborhood.— Recently four wild turkeys alighted in her yard, where a flock of tame turkeys were feeding, and at once commenced a \ war of extermination upon the domestic ! fowls, which the fair marksman (?) ter j minuted by producing a six-shooter and killed the invaders with four successive shots, at ten paces distance. The Memphis Avalanche says that freight has accumulated in the depots of the Memphis and Charleston Rail Road to such an extent that it is impossible to remove it fast enough. In consequence no more freight will be received until what is on hand has been forwarded to its destination. T. N. Gardner, editor of the Brunswick Advocate, was elected on the 23th inst., a member of the House of Representa tives, Georgia Legislature, from Glynn county, vice John L. Harris, resigned. The Southern Confederacy.” Were we to venture a prediction, we would say that we here have the germ of a Republic which history, at no far dis tant day, will record as the most power ful and wealthy of ancient and modern limes. It will grow, and that, too rap idly, by additions from the North, from the South, aud from the West Its Gov ernment, purged of every notion of con solidation, no State will hesitate to take shelter under wings from any fear of los ing its sovereignty. The burdeus of that Government be will light. Tt will bead ministered according to the Southern idea. In the exercise of its powers it will be confined within the legitimate sphere of the Constitution. It will not be used as an engine of corruption. It will not be used as an instrument of ex ecuting those projects which belong only to State governments or individual enter prise. It will build no rail roads and canals. It will undertake to build up no manufacturing interests at the expense of other interests. Hence its burdens will bo light, and consequently the trade will be nearly or quite free. Capital, which has for the last three quarters of a century been aggregating in Northern cities, will begin to turn Southward. By degrees, the trade of Boston, New York aud Philadelphia will decrease, whilst that of Charleston, Sa vannah, Mobile and New Orleans will propolior ately increase. Immigration will also turn thitherward The North has lost, irrevocably lost, we fear, her largest and best customer. Our future we may read in the past of Canada. Ne gro sympathy, which has of late been so active with us, will in a few mouths more, be like a tale that is told. AVe shall hear no more of slavery in the South than we now hear of itin Cuba and Russia. From New England, at least, the sceptre of empire has departed forever, uud that through the folly of her own sous. Ban gor [Me ) Union. Interesting from Washington. United States Congress. Washington, Feb. 25.—1n the Senate to day, Mr. Wigfall, of Texas, strongly opposed the Postal suspension bill, which passed, however, after a lengthy debate and some amendments. Several miscellaneous bill were de bated.! House.—ln the House the Tariff bill was passed, with 150 amendments. Stanton of Ohio, was endeavoring to get up his force bill. Special Dispatch to the Charleston Courier. The Peace Conference. Washington, Feb. 24. —lt is under stood that Commissioners to the Peace Congress from several Southern States, including N. Carolina, Virginia, Mary land and Kentucky, have united on a request to the Southern Congress to delay the attack upou Fort Sumter until after the inauguration of Lincoln, and the nature of his policy is announced. It is generally conceded that the Peace Congress will be unable to effect an ad justment. It is evidently the policy of the Republicans to postpone a settlement until Lincoln gets into office, when they hope by threats or promises to compel the Border States to acquiesce. Washington, Feb. 25. — There was no decisive action taken in the Peace Con gress to-day. Special dispatch to the Advertiser. Washington, Feb. 25.—There was an extra session of the Cabinet held last night on the despatches from Charleston. Lincoln is found to be rough aud uu courteous to many, including Rives aud Summers, members of the Border- Con ference from Virginia. It is understood that Gilmer, of North Carolina, will be offered a place in the Cabinet. Later from Mexico. New Orleans, Feb. 25.—The steamship Tennessee lias arrived from Vera Cruz, with dates to the 21st inst Mr. Pickett, consul at Very Cruz, has resigned his consulate, and returned to this city. The rest of the exiled Bishops were also passengers in the Tennessee. The Constitutional Government was organizing fast and successfully. The army is to be recoguized. Liberal schemes for colonization have been arranged. The U. S. sloop of war Macedonian arrived at Vera Cruz on the 20th inst.— The U. S. war vessels Powhattau, Cum berland and Pocahontas were about to sail for New York. United States Property in Texas Surrendered. New Orleans, Feb 25.—Advices from Texas state that the Federal property in that State has been surrendered to the State authorities. The Federal troops were allowed to leave the State with all the facilities. The property seized is valued at $1,300,000. Washington, Feb. 25.—The Washing ton Star of this evening states that the Government here has received advices from Texas announcing that Gen. Twiggs had surrendered all the Federal Military property in his Military Department to the State authorities. Arkansas Election. Little Rock, Ark., Feb. 25.— The election in this State has resulted in a majority in favor of a State Convention. There have also been elected thirty se cessionists, twenty-five conditional seces sionists, aud from fifteen to twenty Union delegates. Senator Sumner Censured. Boston, Feb. 22. — The Common Coun cil have passed resolutions censuring Sumner for his remarks relative to the signers of the petitions favoring Critten den’s resolutions. From the Tallahassee Floridian. Prices (if Negroes. Messrs. Editors: —Your remarks re lative to the lying report of the New York Times in relation to the price of negroes, has induced me to refer to sales on the Ist of January last. I sold on that day 20 Negroes, consist ing of men, women and childreu, for SBG7 50 per head. No sales since that time. Money being plentiful, parties prefer holding until i settlement of the new government, when Negroes will com mand better prices. Yours respecfully, R. 11. BERRY', Auctioneer. Don’t do It. Never make use of an honest woman’s name in an improper place, at any im proper time, or in a mixed company.— Never make assertions about her that you think untrue, allusions about her that you feel she herself would blush to hear. When you meet with men who do not scruple to make use of a womau’s name in a most reckless manner, shun them, for they are the very worst members of the community—men lost to every sense of honor, every feeliug of humanity. A New York Salute in Honor of the Southern Confederation. A ealute of six guns was fired on the Battery yesterday afternoon in honor of the six seceding States, and one each for the Hon. Jeff. Davis, of Mississippi, Pro visional President, and the Hou. A. 11. Stephens, of Georgia, Vice-President, by S. J. Anderson, Esq., and others of this city. —New York News. Revolvers In the French Army. “We are reliably informed,” says the Memorial de Saint Etienne, “that the Imperial Government is taking active measures to provide with revolvers the ! whole French army. They will be six- | shooters. This dangerous arm will hang j by an iron hook at the foot soldiers’ j waist belt; the cavalry will have it in the right hand holster.” It seems that Clemens, of the Wheeling district, who boasts o# being the owner of more negroes than all his constituents beside, is in reality, the possessor of “nary” nigger. He married a wealthy widow, but in so doing, by the terms of her husband’s will, she forfeited all claim to his estate. Her husband’s brother generously gives to Sherard a $3,000 annuity, So say the newspapers. rOBTAT. BEPOItT AND BfLI., j ’ Tbe following is tbe postal report and { bill referred to by cur Montgomery corre spondent in Monday’s Sun. They were adopted in secret session on the 21st, and secresy removed on the 25th : REPORT. Mr. Cbilton, from the Committee on j Postal Affairs, made tbe following re- j port : Tbe Committee on Postal Affairs having considered of the duties assigned them, ; have instructed me to submit the follow ing report, and the bill accompanying the same. The Committee have mainly directed their inquiries to the question whether, without material inconvenieuce to the public, the post office department of this Confederacy can be made self sustaining. The Committee find from the latest and most reliable means of information, of which they have been able to avail them selves, that the excess of’expenditures over the receipts of this Department in the six States composing this Confedera cy for the fiscal year ending 30th June, 1859, was $1,060,595 83. They have not been able to obtain the report of such reports and expenditures for the last sis • cal yenr, they presume the above furnish es an approximation sufficiently accurate for the predicate of our present action. To provide for this deficit your Com mitttee would suggest that the rates of postage may be increased, as proposed by the accompanying bill. By this bill they estimate an increase of receipts ap proximating $578,874 83. They believe that a saving can be etl'ec- i ted by a change in the mode of letting ; out mail contracts, adopting what is j usually called “the star-bid system.”— i ! Providing all due safe guards for the cel- j I erity, certainty and security of the mails, ; but without other restrictious as-to the i mode of transportation. In this way your Committee are satisfied that the ex pease of mail transportation may be re duced, say 33J per cent, upon the pre sent cost, say $619,033. They are further of opinion that there 1 should be a discontinuance of numerous 1 routes, the cost of which is greatly dis : proportioned to their convenience, and the | receipts of the postoffiees supplied by | them. In this way they believe a sav ing of 1-10 of the present cost of trans portation may be attained, say $206,344. The service upon many of the routes may, without material detriment, be changed, daily routes reduced to tri weekly, &c., at an estimated reduction Os, say $206,344. They would also recommend the abol ishing a number of minor Postoffices which occasion considerable expense without corresponding profit or conven ience. In this way a saving to the De partment might be readily secured to the amount of, say $50,000. These sums added, say by increased receipts by raise on postage rates...ss7S.S74 S3 By saving as above indicated, t0ta1...1,081,721 00 Total 1,600,595 83 Present excess of expenditures over receipts 1,060,595 83 Your committee are of opinion that steps should be immediately 7 taken to procure postage stamps of the denomina tion of two, five and twenty cents; that these stamps will be sufficient to meet the wants of the Department for the present. They would further suggest that imme diate steps should betaken for procuring a supply of locks and keys for the mail service; and for Postoffice blanks, such as are now in use. They would further recommend that all the mail contracts within this Confeder acy be re let at as early a day as prac ticable, and until they are re-let the existing contracts remain of force, this government becoming responsible to such contractors from the Bth day of February, 1861. Your Committee are unable to suggest any plan until further arrangements shall have been made for the transmission of mail matter to and from other govern ments. They believe, however, that until postal treaties can be made, expedients arising from the necessities of the public will readily suggest themselves, which will, in a great measure, remedy the in convenience. The wide-spread ramifica tions of the Express Companies would furnish valuable auxiliaries for commu nicatiou beyond the Confederacy, the mail matter bearing the stamps of each government through which it may pass by said Express. All which is respectfully submitted. W. P. CHILTON, Chm’n. An Act to be Entitled an Act to Pre scribe Kates of Postage in tbe Con federate States of America and for other Purposes. Sec. 1. The Congress of the Confeder ate States of America do enact that from and after such period as the Postmaster General may by proclamation announce there shall be charged the following rules of postage to wit: for every single letter sealed aud for every letter in man uscript or paper of any kind, upon which information shall be asked for, or com munication in writing, or by marks or signs, conveyed in the mail for any dis tance between places within the Confed erate States of America, not exceeding 500 miles, 5 cents; and for any distance exceeding 500 miles, double that rate ; and every letter or parcel not exceeding half an ounce in weight, shall be deemed a single letter, and every additional weight of halt’ an ounce or additional weight of less tliau half an ounce shall be charged with an additional single postage; and all packages containing other than printed or written matter— and money packages are included in this class—shall be rated by weight as letters are rated, and shall be charged double the rates of postage on letters; and all drop letters or letters placed in any Post office not for transmission but for deliv ery only, shall be charged with postage at tbe fates of two cents each ; and in all the foregaiug cases the postage must be pre paid by stamps ; and all letters which shall hereafter be advertised as remain ing over or uncalled for in any Postoffice shall be charged with two cents each in addition to the regular postage ; both to be accounted for as other postages of this Confederacy. Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That all newspapers not exceeding three oun ces in weight, sent from the office of publication to actual and bona fide sub scribers, shall be charged with postage as follows, to wit: the postage on the regular numbers of a newspaper publish ed weekly within the State where pub lished, shall be 61 cents per quarter ; and papers published semi weekly double that rate ; and papers published thrice a week, treble that rate; and papers published daily six times that rate ; aud the post age on all newspapers to actual subscri bers without the State where published shall be charged double the foregoing rates ; and periodicals sent from tbe of fice of publication to actual and bona fide subscribers, shall be charged with post age as follows, to-wit: the postage on the regular numbers of a periodical, not exceeding II ounces iu weight, and pub lished monthly within the State where published shall be 3 cents per quarter; if published semi-monthly double that rate; and for every additional ounce or fraction of au ounce double the foregoing rates shall be charged ; and periodicals published quarterly or bi-monthly shall be charged one cent au ounce ; and the postage on all periodicals without the State where published shall be double the above specified rates; and regular sub scribers to newspapers aud periodicals shall be required to pay one quarter’s postage in advance. And there shall be charged upon every other newspaper, on each circular not sealed, handbill, en graving, pamphlet, periodical and maga zine, which shall be unconnected with any manuscript or written matter, not ex- j ceeding three ounces iu weight, two cents; | and for each additional ounce or frac tion of an ounce two cents additional; and in all cases the postage shall be pre paid by stamps. And books bound or unbound not weighing over four pounds shall be deemed mailable matter, and shall be charged with postage to be pre paid by stamps, at two cents per ounce for any distance. The publishers of newspapers or periodicals may send to each other from their respective offices ‘” of publication, free of postage, one “copy j of each publication. Sue. 3. Andie it further enacted. That it shall he the duty of the Post Master General to provide and furnish to all Deputy Postmasters, and to all other persons applying and paying therefor, ! suitable postage stamps and stamped j j envelopes of the denomination of two j i cents, five cents and twenty cents, to fa- j i eilitate the pre payment of postages pro ! vided for in this act: and any petrou who j shall forge or counterfeit any postage ] ! stamp provided or furnished under the | provisions of this or any tormer act, j whether the same are impressed or prin j ted on or attached to envelopes or not, or any die, plate or engraving therefor, or shall make or print, or knowingly use or sell, or have in his possession, with intent to use or sell, or have in his possession, with intent to use or sell, any such false, forged or counterfeited dies, plate, en graving or postage stamp, or who shall make or print, or authorize, or procure to be made or printed, any postage stamps of the kind provided and furnish ed by the Postmaster General as atore said, without the especial authority and direction of the Post Office Department, or who, after such postage stamps have been printed, shall, with intent to defraud the revenues of the Postoffice Depart ment, deliver any postage stamps to any person or persons other than such as shall be authorized to receive the same by an instrument of writing, duly execu ted under the hand of the Postmaster General, and the seal of the Postoffice Department, shall, on conviction thereof, I be deemed guilty of fellony, and be pun ! ished by a fine not exceeding SSOO or by j imprisonment not exceeding five years, ! or by boih such fine and imprisonment; j and the expeuses of procuring and pruvi ! ding all such postage stamps and letter envelopes as are provided tor or author ized by this act, shall be paid after being adjusted by the Auditor of the Postoffice Department ol 1 the certificate of the Post Master General out of any money in the Treasury arising from the revenue ot the Postoffioe Department Sec. 4, And be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of every Postmaster to cause to be defaced iu such manner as the Postmaster General shall direct all postage stamps of this Confederacy, at tached to letters deposited in his office for delivery or to be seut by mail ; and if any Postmaster sending letters in the mail with such postage stamps attached, shall omit to deface the same, it shall be the duty of the Postmaster to whose office such letters shall be seut for deliv ery, to deface the stamps and report the delinquent Postmasters to the Postmaster General, and if any person shall use or attempt to use in the pre-payment of postage, any postage stamps which shall have been before used for like purposes, such person shall be subject to a penalty of fifty dollars for every such offense, to be recovered in the name of the Confede rate States of America iu any Court of competent jurisdiction. Sec. 5. And be it further enacted, That from and after the day wheu ibis act goes into effect the franking privilege shall be abolished, providing that the Postmaster General, and his chief clerk, and the au ditor of the Treasury for the Postoffice Department shall be and they are hereby authorized to transmit through the mail free of postage any letters, packages or other matters relating exclusively to their official duties, or to tbe business of the Postoffice department : but they shall in every such case indorse on the back of the letter or package to be sent free of post age, over their own signatures the words “Official Business,’’ and for any such en dorsement falsely made, tbe person so offending shall forfeit and pay S3OO, — and provided further, the several deputy Postmasters throughout the Confederate States shall be and hereby are authorized to send through the mail free of postage all letters and packages which it may be their duty or they may have occasion to transmit to any person or place, and which shall relate exclusively to the bus iness of their respective offices, to the business of the Postolfice Department— but iu every such case the deputy post master sending any such letter, or pack ages shall endorse thereon, over his own siguature the words “Postoffice Business,” for any and every such indorsement falsely made, the person making the same shall forfeit and pay S3OO. Sec. G. And be it further enacted. That the third section of an act entitled an act further to amend an act entitled act to reduce and modify the rates of postage in the United States, and for other purpo ses, passed March 3d, 1851, approved March 3, 1855, whereby the letter regis tration system was established, be and is hereby repealed from and after the day when this act goes into effect. Sec. 7. And be it further enacted, ,jv , That no letters shall be carried by the Express or other chartered companies, unless the same shall be prepaid by being endorsed in a stamped envelope of this Confederacy, aud any company violating the provisions of this act shall forfeit and pay the sum of five hundred dollars for each offense to be recovered by action of debt in auy court of this Confederacy having cognizance thereof in the name and for the use of this Confederacy. Sec. 8. Be it further enacted. That the Postmaster General of the Confederate States be and is hereby authorized to make all necessary arrangements for the transmission of mails betweeu the Terri tories of this and other governments, subject to the approval of the President, until postal treaties can be effected. Passed Feb. 21, 1861. Go tt> Gov. Harris! Gov. Harris, of Tennessee, was in Memphis a few days ago, and tbe Som erville Times, of the 10th inst., relates the following, as having occuired going or coming: “Governor Isham Green Harris—in a conversation on the cars of the Memphis and Charleston R il Road, ou Wednesday last, declared that lie would sink the whole fifteen Southern States in the vortex of destruction before he would accept the Crittenden proposition as a settlement of the difficulty between the North and South. He also contended that it was the duty and right of South Carolina to take Fort Sumter; even if total destruction became necessary.” Vote on tlie Reference ttueution. Dispatch to the Petersburg (Ya.) Express. Richmond, Feb. 20. — Gen. Raymond has returns from the election on the re ference question from all the counties except sixteen, which foot up as fol lows : Whole vote 140,511. For reference, 96,684 Against reference 43,827 Majority for reference, 52,857 Important News. The Columbia (S. C.) Guardian, of the 22d, is indebted to a friend for tbe fol lowing dispatch from Charleston : There is reason to believe that Holt intends to reinforce Fort Sumter by stealth und at night, by men in small boats, within a few days. The ships will surround Fort Pickens at the same time—the movement to be simultaneous When Juarez occupied the city of Mex ico, he seut an officer and a file of men to arrest the editor of one of the bitter est Reactionary journals iu the capital. The editor declined beiDg arrested, and inflicted a severe wound upon the officer, whereupon his exasperated soldiers rush ed upon the journalist and dispatched him—a martyr to the liberty of the press. Mortars and Columbian*. The Petersburg Express notices the passage through that city on the 22d in stant, from the Richmond Foundry, of two large Columbiads for Alabama, and two Mortars for Sonth Carolina, together with a number of balls. Rev. S. G. Bragg, formerly Rector of j the Episcopal Church in Macon, died at Kingston, New York, recently. PHD VISIONAL CONGRESS OF THE CONFEDERATE STATES. ! The Congress of the Confederate tStates on the 27th,. removed secrecy from the following nets in addition to those pnb j lished in this morning’s edition of the I Buu : j An Ait to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to establish additional Ports and Places oj Entry and Delivery, and ap |, point Officers therefor. Sec. 1. The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That the Se cretary of the Treasury be and he is hereby authorized and empowered to establish such ports of entry and delivery of goods, wares and merchandize as in his judgment may be necessary for the proper collection of the customs and the enforcement of the revenue laws of the Confederate States ; and that he have power to change, alter and abolish such ports.and places of entry and delivery, at any lime when the public interest may I require it. Sec. 2. Be it further enacted, That the Secretary of the Treasury be and he is hereby authorized and empowered to ap point suitable persons as collectors of tbe customs at such ports and places of entry and delivery under such regulations and with such salaries as he may from time to time prescribe and establish. An Act Jor the establishment and organiza tion of a General Staff for the Army of the Confederate States of America. See. 1. The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That from and after the passage of this act, the general staff of the army of the Confederate States hu 11 consist of an Adjutant and Inspector Generala’ Department, Quar : tei master General’s Department, Subsis tence Department, and the Medical De j partuient. Sec. 2. Be it further enacted, That the Adjutant and Inspector Generals’ Depart ment shall consist of one Adjutant and Inspector General with the rank of Colo nel; four Assistants General with the rank of Major, and four Assistant Adju tants General with the rank of Captain. Sec. 3. Be it further enacted, That the Quarter Master General’s Department shall consist of one Quarter Master Gen eral with the rank of Colonel—six Quar ter Masters with the rank of Major—and as many Assistant Quarter Masters as may from time to time be required by the service, may be detailed by tbe War De partment from the subalterns of the liue, who, in addition to their pay in the line, shall receive twenty dollars per ! month while engaged in that service.—• The Quarter Masters herein provided for shall also discharge the duties of Pay masters under such regulations as may be prescribed by the Secretary of War. Sec. 4. Be it further enacted, That the Commissary General’s Department shall consist of one Commissary Gtneral with the rank of Colonel—four Commissaries with the rank of C&ptain—aud as many Assistant Commissaries—as may from time to time be required by the service, may be detailed by the War Department, from the subalterns of the line, who in addition to their pay in the line shall receive twenty dollars per month while engaged in that service. The Assistant Quarter Masters .and Assistant Commis saries shall be subject to duties in both departments at the same time, but shall not receive tbe additional compensation but in onedeportment. Sec. 5. Be it further enacted, That the Medical Department shall consist of one Surgeon General with the rank of Colo nel—four Surgeons with the rank of Major—and six Assistant Surgeons with the rank of Captain, and as many Assis tant Surgeons as the service may require, may be employe! by the Department of War, and receive the pay of Assistant Surgeons. Sec. 6. Be it further enacted, That the officers of the Adjutant Generals, Quar ter Master Generals and Commissary Generals Departments, t hough eligible to command, according to the rank they hold in the army of tbe Confederate States of America, shall not assume command of troops unless put on duty under /orders which specially so direct by authority of the President. The officers of the Medi cal Department shall not exercise com mand except in their own Department. Sec. 7. Be it further enacted. That the Staff Officers herein provided for shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Congress, and shall receive such pay and allowan ces as shall be hereafter established by law.” Washington Mews. Special Dispatches to the Advertiser. Lincotn visits Congress — Conservative. Re publicans in ascendancy Much feeling about the Cabinet, Ac , §c. Washington, Feb. 25.—Mr. Lincoln v.sited Congress to day. He was unuo ticed by any of the Southern members except Andrew Johnson, of Tenn., and John P. Kennedy, of Maryland, and Ee met with about the same reception from the Southern members iu the House. The Senate has passed the civil appro priation bill, including the appropria tions to the Southern coast light houses, beacons, &c. The Border Conference have agreed upon a plan of settlement, similar iu ef fect to the Missouri Compromise. The anti-compromise Republicans in the Conference are now endeavoring to postpone making auy report until Lincoln is inaugurated. It is understood that the conservative Republicans have triumphed over the radicals. About the formation of a cabinet, there is much feeling It is thought that Seward wW be retained as Secretary of State. Washington, Feb. 26. The Border Conference shows signs of breaking up. Guthrie threatened to ieave last night. lion. John Bell arrived to day and urged the Conference to make a speedy settlement. Arkansas has gone for the secession candidates for the Convention by a large majority. Honeat Old A lie’s Better Half. The Cincinuatti Enquirer gives the following as one of the incidents of the trip from Indianapolis to Cincinnati, on the traiu with Mr. Lincoln and suite: The following s£ene actually occuired, aud we think should be set down. A gentleman, one of the suit, we believe, while passing through the rear car, was addressed by the future mistress of the White House as folows: Mrs. L.—How do you “flourish ?” Gentlemen.—Well, I thunk you. Mrs L.—ls that a Cincinnati paper you have iu your hand ? Gentleman—Yes, (passing the journal to her.) Mrs. L.—Does it say anything about us ? The manner in which these questions were propounded was more suggestive than the interrogatories themselves.— Imagine the successor of the accomplish ed Mrs. Madison, Mr. Polk and Harriet Lane addressing a foreign Minister with “ How do you flourish ?” The “us” re mind us of an anecdote of the wife Cf au honest Dutchman, who had unexpectedly been elevated to the position of Major of the militia. When the result of the election was known, the children wanted to know if they would not all be Majors. “No, you fools,” indignantly replied the mother, “none but your daddie and me.” A Costly Set of Diamonds. A New York reporter who has been locking in the jewelry shops and noting their precious stock, mentions a set of diamonds, consisting of a necklace, brace lets, brooch and ear-rings, value twenty five thousand dollars. The necklace ia composed of forty-three brilliant gems of the first water, forming a circle ; from the centre are appended seven pearshaped diamond pendants, of rare form and value. The cost of the necklace alone is sixteen thousand dollars. The Revenue Bill has passed the North Carolina Legislature. Land pays eigh teen cents on the one hundred dollars of valuation. The Tariff Question. Messrs 8 llothcbild & Bro., having goods in New lurk city, that were ini ported directly Irom Europe, undei a purchase made two or three months since, addressed a letter to Mr. Toombs at Montgomery, through a gentleman of this eify, inquiring if they would be subject to duty a second time on their arrival at our ports, under the operation of the Tariff of the Confederate States. Mr. Toombs being absent, his Assistant Sec retary submitted the matter to tbe Vice- President, Mr. Stephens, who stated that the goods would not be subject to duty a second time if landed here before the 4th of March ; but if they arrived after that time they would be, irrespective of the time they were purchased. This is from an authoritative source and seems to be in accordance with the reading of the 2d clause of the Tariff Act which we republish as follows: Sec. 2. That all Goods, Wares and Merchandize imported from any one of the late United States of America, not being now a member of this Confederacy, or before the fourth day of March next, (which may have been bona fide pur chase heretofore,) or within ten dajs af ter the passage of this Act, shall be ex empt and free from duty. Liberal Proposition. One of the largest mercantile houses of Columbus has received a circular from Ilenrys, Smith & Townseud, a well known firm of New York city, which in connec tion with the Tariff and our political relations with the North, will be read with interest. The following is a copy of the circular in question: New York, Feb. 19, 1861. Gentlemen : With the object of retain ing our present connection with our friends and customers in the South, we have decided that, in case any duty shall be laid by the Confederate States of America upon imports from the Northern States into the said Confederacy, we hereby agree and stipulate that we will pay the said duty to the extent of ten per cent, upon any Goods sold by or ordered from us, whenever such duty shall be imposed thereon and payable. Whenever such an act goes iuto effect, our Agents at the several points to which the Goods are shipped, will be provided by us with means to pay the duty, with out trouble or charge to the buyers of the Goods. We believe this proposal will be accept able to ‘our customers, until we decile at what point in your Confederacy we will establish our House, of which we will give you due notice. From Charleston. A correspondent of the Richmond Dis patch from Charleston, says: Great domestic economy is being prac ticed herein all the walks of society.— The ladies are wearing their old dresses aud hats ; fathers’ old clothes are being converted into garments for the boys, and we husbands wear our old suits through the week and to church on Sun days—which, with plain fare on our tables, make us as independent as “wood sawyers.” Spunky women we have here, | too. One lady of my acquaintance, iu the Courier of last Monday, says, in a letter to a Northern lady friend : “If our husbands, sons and brothers fall by the invader, the women will take their places, I and their last words to their children I will be, ‘Never submit to Black Republi I cau rule.’” Another lady said, in my hearing: “If my husband, who is an officer at Fort Moultrie, fulls by one of Anderson’s guns, I will stand at the cor ners, of the streets, with pistol in hand, and he shall never pass through this city alive.” Dear creatures, they feel all this, and would, if possible, carry it all out ; but we men will save them that trouble. Origin of tire Last Fabrication. “Zed,” tbe Washington correspondent of the Richmond Dispatch says : It turns out that Mr. Dejaruette, whose able speech on Friday last I commend to your readers, is the unwitting cause of the base fabrication started by the New York Times about tbe stealing of books by Southern members. Needing a number of books for consultation and reference, he requested a friend then in his room to write an order for them. The discrep ancy between tbe handwriting of the or der and Mr. D.’s signature excited some suspicion in the miud of the librarian, aud out of this trifling circumstance was manufactured the prodigious falsehood which appeared in the Times—the same paper which lied so outrageously about the Prince of W’ales in Richmond. Court House Destroyed. Mieledgeville, Feb. 24.— The Court this city was destroyed by fire at 4 o’clock this morning. The books and papers, to a great extent, were saved: but uothingis left of the building except the smoking walls. It is supposed to have been set on fire. Xorlh Carolina Legislature. Raleigh, Feb. 24.—The General As sembly will adjourn on Monday morning, leaving a large portion of the business unfinished. Virginia Convention. Richmond, Feb. 20.—Yesterday the convention listened to the eloquent ad dress of Mr. Preston, Commissioner from South Carolina. A resolution was intro duced in effect that Virginia should pro pose an ultimatum, and if not accepted, that she should leave the Union. Musltettfor fortress Monroe. Norfolk, Feb. 15.—One of the bay steamers brought to Fortress Monroe to day five large cases of muskets, manu factured at the Harper’s Ferry Arsenal. The surveying schooner Crawford is preparing for sea at the Gosport Navy Yard. The Best Platform After All. It will be noticed in the speech of the President aud Vice President elect that they have no faith in the Cabinet which is shortly to assume executive powers, in the new Congress, the fossil Peace Con vention or the politicians. They put their trust in Divine Provide*nee, and, we pre sume, take the New Testament for their platform. The doctrine there inculcated, “peace on earth, good will to men,” is just the very best for the present crisis. Mr. Lincoln and his advisers will find that it will work much better than the Chicago platform. So let them stick to Divine Providence, and cut the politicians altogether.— N. Y. Herald. Robert .T, Walker has suddenly become a millionaite by the decision made in the Supreme Court, involving the title to a quicksilver mine in California, estimated to be worth $10,000,000. Mr. Walker is the proprietor of one-fifth of this valuable mine, and was offered not long ago $2,- 000,000 for it, provided the Couit should give a favorable decision. That decision has now been given, and Mr. Walker, who was, to use his own words, “a beg ger in the morning, went home to his dinner a millionaire.” The disastrous condition of the North may, however, prevent his immediate realization of bis “expectations.” Old Fort Itearwey Taken. Nebraska City, Feb. 19.—01d Fort Kearney was taken possession of last night by the Disunionists, causing great excitement. An attempt was made to retake it this morning, aud the Palmetto flag was torn down, and the Stars and Stripes raised in its place. A British bark which brought over a cargo of iron for the Macon and Bruns wick Road, fired a salute of six guns in honor of the Southern Confederacy, on her departure from Darien, the 19th inst. By the arrival of the steamship Fulton from Havre, we learn the death of the illustiious Marshal Bosquet, of France. It produced a general gloom among the officers and soldiers of the French Army-