From South Carolina.
the Ordinances of the State demonstration at Charleston, &c.
Charleston, Dec. 21.
--The Convention met at upon.
The proceedings were opened with prayer, in which God was invoked to unite the people of the South for the formation of a Southern Confederacy.
Gen. Adams then moved to go into secret session.
An amendment was offered to the motion, inviting the Governor, Postmaster of Charleston and Collector of the port to be present.
The subject was temporarily postponed.
Mr. Barnwall Rhett, Chairman of the Committee on preparing an address to the people of the South, read a long and able paper, reviewing the injuries sustained by South Carolina from her connection with the Union.
The Convention refused to use the address until it is finally adopted, and it was made the special order of the day for Saturday:
Judge Wardlaw made a report, by ordinance, amending the Constitution of the State.
After some other unimportant business, the Convention went into secret session, excluding all but members.
The following is a copy of an ordinance offered on the 20th, by Mr. Dunkin:
Best ordained by this Convention, That, until otherwise provide, the Governor be authorized to appoint Collectors and other officers of Customs for the ports of South Carolina, also, Postmaster.
Persons now charged with said offices shall continue to discharge the duties of the same, keeping account of all moneys received and disbursed, respectively.
An amendment was offered by A. H. Brown, that the Governor be empowered to collect unties on imports, at the rates now existing under the United States tariff, and to appoint Collectors to hold them, subject to further directions from this body, and to continue the present Postal arrangement in part contracted on our behalf, until other arrangements shall be instituted.
Mr. Maxey Gregg submitted an ordinance, as a substitute for that offered by Mr. Dunkin, as follows: ‘
We, the people of South Carolina, in Convention assembled, declare and ordain, until otherwise provided, that the importation of merchandise be free and unrestricted; that it is the duty of the Government to make such temporary regulations as are necessary for the entry and clearance of vessels, and to appoint such officers as are needed, and the duty of the General Assembly to provide proper compensation for such officers.--Be it further ordained, that until otherwise provide it shall be the duty of the Governor to appoint postmasters, and make requisite temporary arrangements for the transportation of the mails, saving due regard to the mail contracts made under the United States Government, and now existing. ’
Mr. W. T. Hutson, as a substitute for Dunkin's ordinance, offered one "to provide for the continuance of commercial and postal facilities, as follows: ‘
We, the people of South Carolina, in Convention assembled, declare and ordain that, until otherwise provided, all citizens now holding office under the Government of the United States within the limits of South Carolina be and are hereby appointed to hold, under the Government of this State, the same offices now filled by them, with the pay and emoluments which they now receive; and to it further ordained that, until the Assembly otherwise provide, the revenue and postal laws of the United States be and hereby are adopted and made laws of this State.
The saving exceptions being that no duties be collected upon merchandize and productions imported from any slaveholding Common wealth in North America; and further, that all moneys collected by the officers aforesaid shall, after deducting the sums necessary for compensation of officers and other expenses, be paid into the Bank of the State of South Carolina, subject to the order of the General Assembly; and further, that the officers aforesaid retain all the property of the United States in their possession, custody and control, subject to the disposal of the General Assembly, who will account for the same on a final settlement with the Government of the United States. ’
Mr. John Littleton offered the following amendment as an additional clause to the ordinance proposed by Mr. Dunkin:
And the Collectors of Customs are hereby instructed to levy and collect duties on all wares and merchandize at half the rates heretofore exacted by the operation of the last tariff of the United States, until otherwise directed.
The final action on the above ordinance will be telegraphed when taken.
It is rumored that the secret session is held with reference to the postal matters and customs.
[Second Dispatch.]
Charleston Dec. 21.
--The prayer at the opening of the Convention invoked God's blessing on the new-born Confederacy.
Immediately after reading the journal, Mr. Adams moved to exclude reporters and strangers.
Mr. Carlee offered a substitute for the motion, appointing a committee to wait on the Governor, so that the Convention could advise with him in secret session relative to the present state of affairs.
Laid aside.
Mr. Adams moved, in addition, that the Postmaster be invited to the secret session, Carried.
Mr. Inglis moved for an official reporter to the Convention.
Lost.
Mr. Rhett reported from the committee appointed to make an address to the Southern people.
After its reading, Mr. Pope moved the address do not be reported until final action.
Mr. Carne moved it be printed, and made the special order for to-morrow at 1 o'clock.
A member desired that it be given to the world in precise form.
A Voice.--With no alterations in its reporting so as to convey a wrong impression tomorrow, when read over the country.
A vote on the question of printing the report, but not publishing it in the public journals, was carried, only three nays opposing it.
The report was made the special order for to-morrow at 1 o'clock by a unanimous vote.
Mr. Wardlaw from the committee to prepare the form of oaths of office, reported the 4th article of the South Carolina Constitution, amended as follows: ‘
All persons who shall be elected or appointed to any office of profit or trust, before entering on the execution thereof, shall take, besides the special oaths, not repugnant to this Constitution, prescribed by the General Assembly, the following oaths I do solemnly swear or affirm that I will faithful and true allegiance bear to South Carolina so long as I may continue a citizen thereof, and that I am duly qualified, according to the Constitution of this State, to exercise the duties of the office to which I have been appointed, and will to the best of my ability discharge the duties of the office, and preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of this State, so help me God." ’
Mr. Wardlaw moved the adoption of the amendment, and a debate followed on inserting "high" before the word office, and omitting the words " of this State" at the end.
Mr. Withers offered a clause that "every officer appointed shall take the following oath." He said it was implied, according to some authorities, that no other oaths shall be taken.
The ordinance was adopted unanimously.
The Convention is now at its second ballot for three Commissioners to go to Washington.
R. W. Barnwell was elected one on the first ballot.
A. G. Magrath and J. L. Orr stand the best chances among their competitors for the other two.
Hon. Caleb Cushing, of Mass., arrived last night, remained five hours, and departed for Washington.
Rumors are various as to his mission here.
The Legislature to-day changed the name of the Committee on Federal to "Foreign" Relations.
It also appointed a committee to report the design of a State flag.
A grand procession of Minute Men took place to-day.
It included several thousand Minute Men, citizens, firemen and strangers in its line, besides military, with music, banners, and two large locomotive reflectors.--They formed in front of Secession Hall, and proceeded to the Mills House and serenaded Gov. Pickens, and subsequently, Wm. D. Porter, President of the Senate; Gen. Simmons, Speaker of the House; Gen. Jamison, President of the Convention; Mayor Macbeth, and others.
The compliment was acknowledged.
The flag borne in front of the procession, was that hoisted by Capt. Berry, on hi steamer off Governor's Island.
The city is alive with pleasurable excitement.
A number of residences, public buildings and newspaper establishments, are illuminated. 