The Daily Dispatch: December 21, 1860., [Electronic resource]

From South Carolina.
passage of an ordinance of secession.
debate on the collection of the revenues.

feeling in Charleston — bells Ringing and cannons Firing — the arrangements for revenue collection and Postal affairs — interesting debate — adjournment, &c.

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Columbia. S. C., Dec. 20.

--There have been eleven new cases of small-pox here since Tuesday.

Hon. L. M. Keitt has resigned his seat in Congress.

The Methodist Conference of South Carolina has passed resolutions in favor of secession.

The following are the resolutions:

Resolved, That the South Carolina Conference, where they feel that the great work of the Christian ministry demands, and should ever receive, these faithful and devoted attention, and should forever absolve them from any active participation in the strifes of the political arena, nevertheless can never forget the high allegiance which they owe to the claims of their country, the land of their birth.

That while we deplore the necessity that exists for separation from the Federal Union, yet in view of all the history of the past, the perils of the present and the threatened wrongs of the future we feel bound by honor and duty to move in harmony with the South, in resisting Northern nation.

That as faithful sons of the South, and with the State with whose destiny we are identified, we shall ever pray for the guidance and blessing of the God of providence and grace, who has so long exercised his gracious protection over the homes of our fathers — and that this Conference tender to the State of South Carolina their encouragements, their sympathies, their affections, their intercessions with heaven in her behalf, their all, subject only to the paramount claims of God upon them.

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Convention proceedings.

The special order for one o'clock was the appointment of four special committees.

Mr. Hutson said that the business of the Convention would be of greater and wider importance than any other ever held in South Carolina.

Mr. Smith proposed a Committee of Commerce, and also a Committee on Postal Arrangements.

Mr. Maryck said that small committees work with greater certainty than large ones.

A debate took place about the power of the Legislature in this matter.

The Committees on Commerce and Postal Arrangements were increased to thirteen, and the resolution adopted.

A resolution authorizing a committee in relation to the slaveholding States was adopted, and also a committee on foreign relations was also authorized.

The third resolution, on commercial relations and postal arrangement, was taken up.

Mr. McCready said, we are only proposing to make a change for the people white in a transition state, and we must take especial care of our postal arrangements. Our Legislature now has no power. We are the power, and may pass it subject to their revision and alteration.

We are obligated to take particular notice of it in its relation to the United States. Your faith is pledged, and you are not to break in upon arrangements which are necessary to the convenience of our citizens and the other Southern States. What will we do without information? it will breed ill, I think the Convention is bound to make suitable arrangements in relation to these matters. The Post-Office Department can be carried right on, and we shall have the contractors to pay.

Mr. Dunkin took the floor, and made a long speech on the subject. Mr. Gregg said, we can dissolve our Union with the United States, and make arrangements for continuing the mail service with the Adams Company's Express. The debate is out of order. The minister to the United States will have the matter in charge.

The amendment of adding the postal arrangements to the duties of the Committee on Commerce was adopted.

The fourth resolution was adopted.

The second special order, being the secession portion of the Message of the President of the United States, came up. Mr. Magrath made a strong speech on the subject of the property of the United States in South Carolina, which will be reported at length hereafter.

Mr. Miles had no idea that the President of the United States saw any necessity for reinforcing the fortifications in the harbor. He would say frankly that there should be no concealment among us. In a Convention, and subsequently in a written communication, I know this to have been said: If you send a solitary soldier to these parts, the instant the intelligence reaches our people — and we will take care that it does reach us before he can reach the forts — the forts will be taken, because it is necessary to our safety and self- preservation.

Mr. Miles spoke about the repairs at Fort Sumpter, and mentioned the cause of the resignation of Secretary Cars. At Fort Moultrie there were only 65 men, with five or six musicians. Major Anderson is needful of troops. He felt the necessity when the excitement first broke out, of being watchful, lost a few persons from Charleston should surprise him in the night. All the repairs now being made will be to our advantage.

The blank in the resolution appointing the committee was, on motion of Mr. Harlee, filled with "13"

Mr. Shingler moved to insert "Debt of the United States." The resolution, as it stands, seems to be one-sided.

Mr. Harlee moved to lay the motion on the table, which was carried, and the resolution was then adopted.

Mr. De Treville's resolutions for a Committee of Safety were transferred for the special order of to-morrow.

Mr. Memminger moved the appointment of a committee of seven to draft a summary statement of the causes justifying South Carolina in withdrawing from the Union.--He said, at another time, we can present to the whole world the causes justifying South Carolina in leaving the Union. This he desired so that it would dispel the idea that South Carolina is in a state of revolution.--We are in a state already recognized by the world, and in order to set ourselves right before the world, it is expedient to show our true position.

His resolution was adopted.

Mr. Dunkin offered a resolution that a committee be appointed to inquire into and report what measures, temporary or permanent, can be adopted in reference to custom-house and postal arrangement in consequence of a withdrawal of South Carolina from the Union.

Mr. Hayne submitted a resolution in effect that--

Whereas, The causes which have produced a separation of South Carolina from the Federal Union have from the States north of Mason's and Dixon's fine, which use hireling only; and whereas, it is not against the Constitution of the United States that South Carolina has opposed her sovereignty, but the usurpation of the government in violation of this instrument: Therefore, be it.

Resolved. That a Commissioner be sent to each of the slaveholding States, bearing a copy of the ordinance of secession, and proffer each State, or any one or more of them, the existing Constitution of the United States as the basis of a provisional government, to be adopted on the part of South Carolina and any other slaveholding State or States which, after seceding from the present Federal Union, shall be willing to unite with South Carolina in forming a new Confederacy; and we do hereby ratify and confirm, from the date hereof, any action taken by such Commissioner or Commissioners, and with the consent of the Governor of South Carolina, in the formation of such provisional Union: And we do further sure neatly recommend that in-- days after two or more States, in addition to South Carolina, shall have acceded to the said provisional Union, an election shall be held for Senators and members of the House of Representatives of the new Congress, and also a President and Vice President of the new Confederacy.

Resolved. That three Commissioners be appointed to carry an authenticated copy of the ordinance of secession to Washington, and be laid before the President of the United States, with a request that the same shall be communicated to Congress now in session; and that the said Commissioners are hereby authorized and empowered to treat for the delivery of the forts, magazines, light houses, and other real estate, and all appurtenances thereto, within the geographical limits! of South Carolina--the authority to treat upon these subjects to be extended to the -- day of February, in the year of our Lord 1861: Provided, that in the meantime the said forts, magazines, etc., are allowed to remain in the condition in which they may be at the adoption of this ordinance. And they shall be further empowered to treat upon the subject of the public debt, and for a proper division of all other property now held by the Government of the United States as an agent of the States now embraced in the said Confederacy until such time as a new Confederacy of States shall be formed, of which South Carolina shall be one.

These resolutions elicited a long debate, in which Messrs. Rhett, Keitt, and Middleton participated. The first resolution was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations, and ordered to be printed.

Mr. Memminger submitted a resolution that a commission, consisting of three persons, be elected by ballot to proceed to Washington to negotiate with the United States, through their General Government, as to proper measures and arrangements to be adopted for the continuance of peace and amity. And also that five be elected to confer with deputies from the other slaveholding States with a view of forming a Southern Confederacy. etc., and also to arrange for a general meeting of such deputies.

These resolutions were appropriately referred.

Another resolution was introduced to inquire what legislation by Congress is necessary in the premises.

The act of secession was made the special order for to-morrow.

Adjourned at 3.40.

[Second Dispatch.]

The roll was then called and the minutes read.

A resolution was offered to invite the Mayor of Charleston to a seat on the floor of the hall, and was amended by inserting "the Governor of the State, President of the Senate and Speaker of the House," and adopted.

The Chair announced the appointment of a committee to draft a summary of the causes of the secession of South Carolina, and also the four standing committees.

Mr. Rhett offered a resolution for appointing a committee of thirteen, for the purpose of providing for the assemblage of a Convention of the seceding States, and to form a Constitution. Adopted.

Mr. Inglis made a report from the Committee to prepare and draft an ordinance, to be adopted by the Convention, as follows:

Ordinance of secession.

We, the people of South Carolina, in Convention assembled, do declare and ordain, and it is hereby declared and ordained, that the Ordinance adopted by us in Convention, on the 23d day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-eight, whereby the Constitution of the United States of America was ratified; and also all acts and parts of acts of the General Assembly of this State ratifying the amendment of the said Constitution are hereby repealed, and that the Union now subsisting between South Carolina and the other States under the name of The United States of America, is hereby dissolved.

The ordinance was then passed by the unanimous vote of 169 members, at a quarter past 1 o'clock.

As soon as its passage was known without the doors of the Convention, the news rapidly spread through the streets.

A crowd collected at the Hall with immense cheering.

Mr. Miles moved that the Clerk of the Convention be directed to telegraph the South Carolina members of Congress at Washington of its action. Adopted.

Mr. Desaussure's resolution that the ordinance be engrossed on parchment under the direction of the Attorney General, and signed by the President and members this evening at Institute Hall, and that it be placed in the archives of the State, was adopted.

Half-past 6 o'clock was agreed upon as the hour to proceed to Institute Hall for the purpose of signing it.

In the debate on the passage of the ordinance, Mr. Magrath said: I think it a special matter that the ordinance should be immediately considered. To my understanding, there is no collector of the port nor postmaster now within the limits of South Carolina. What you have done to-day, has extinguished the authority of every man in the State who derives it from the General Government. I am in favor of this body making such provincial arrangements as may be necessary in the interval which exists between this moment and the time the Legislature may act. I am not, however, to be implicated as sanctioning the idea that there is no lawful authority within the limits of the State, except the General Government.

Mr. Gregg.--After South Carolina abrogates the Constitution of the United States, are its laws still in force? I think not. All laws of Congress fall to the ground, on the instant of an act of secession.

Mr. Cheves.--An immense chasm has been made in the laws, and it is necessary, to avoid inconvenience to the people, that we must make temporary arrangements for carrying the government into operation.

Mr. Gregg.--There is now a law on the subject of collecting duties in South Carolina--Now, we have accomplished the work of forty years.

Mr. Hayne--The Congress of the United States is no longer our government. It will be for our Legislature to say what laws of the United States shall be continued and what not. The simple act of secession does not abrogate all laws. We have a great many laws on the statute book which were passed by the Governor and Privy Council.

Mr. Gregg.--The Congressional laws for the collection of the revenues are for the support of the Federal Government at Washington.--All the Post-Office laws fall, on our dissolution with that Government.

Mr. Miles.--We have to deal with stern facts and realities, or must present a spectacle of confusion, anarchy and derangement in our government affairs. Things must for the present remain in statu quo, or confusion will arise.

Mr. Hayne.--Sudden action is injurious.

Mr. Chesnut thought two questions involved — power and duty. We must preserve our people not only from inconvenience, but from chaotic condition. We must revivify such laws as will best preserve them from calamity. As to duty, will you turn the ship of State adrift? What will become of its officers?

Mr. Mazyck.--There is no duty for the collector of the port to perform, and the post office is swept off. My opinion is that the present system of postal arrangements is a nuisance, and the public will be better served by private parties. Between cities like Philadelphia and New York, the postage should be one cent instead of three, and between less important places ten or more.

Mr. Calhoun said they had pulled down the temple which had stood nearly three-quarters of a century, and must now clear the rubbish away and reconstruct another. We are now houseless and homeless, and must secure ourselves against storms.

Mr. Duncan.--If that ordinance be passed, things will go on in the Custom-House and Post- Office exactly as now, until other arrangements be made by this Convention.--There is nothing in the ordinance to affect the dignity, honor and welfare of South Carolina. We must keep the wheels of government going with the Constitution of the United States, not entirely abrogated. What is legal tender for the payment of debts? Is it not the gold and silver currency of the U. States? In the case of clearance and entry of vessels, we are liable to have them confiscated. The present revenue regulations could be continued until the Legislature ordered otherwise.

Mr. Brown.--There is no longer any communication with the government from which we have just separated.

Mr. Duncan said the spirit of the ordinance should be carried out temporarily, until we treat with the General Government.

Mr. Gregg.--The President of the United States has thrown down the gauntlet, in his message. He has said that it is his duty to collect the revenue, and he will do it. On one side, the Federal Government claims the right and declares its intention to execute the power of collecting revenue in our ports; on the other side, we are free, and I desire no compromise. It is necessary to the maintenance of the Government that the 25 or 30 per cent. duties imposed by the Congress of the United States should continue to be levied by us — otherwise the people would suffer a terrible calamity. For carrying the mails let the President's contracts be assumed by South Carolina, instead of the United States.

Mr. Rhett.--This great revolution must go on with us with as little danger as possible to the country. By making the Federal agents ours, the machinery will move. The Federal laws of taxation must not exist over us. We are now contending for the great principle of taxation. I trust the present system of taxation has fallen forever.

Mr. Barwall.--We have seceded from the United States and established independence, and we cannot allow the United States to exercise authority over us any more. Let postal conveniences be sacrificed, if it is necessary.--Never was anything worth having purchased at a less cost than this sacrifice.

Mr. Mazyek.--In regard to the mails, all restrictions must be removed. Let us appoint our own officers. Let the collectors of the port battle with difficulties as they come.

At 3 o'clock 40 minutes the Convention took a recess, to meet at the Institute at 6½ o'clock, for the purpose of signing the ordinance.

As the Convention was leaving St. Andrews' Hall, the chimes of St. Michael's (Episcopal) Church pealed forth "Old Lang Syne" and other music.

Upon the announcement of the passage of the ordinance cannons were fired. The city has been in a state of excitement all day.