WELLINGTON.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 5, Issue 244, 18 July 1861, Page 3

WELLINGTON.

(From our own Correspondent.)

The Airedale arrived on Friday afternoon from Manukau, Taranaki, and Nelson. There was an easier crowd on the whaif to leam the: news. : They heard, with the greatest possible pleasure, that Mr. Fox had defeated the Stafford ministry after a three days debate. 1 he ministry was defeated on Friday, at 4 o clock p.m., and Mr. Fox was sent for by the. Governor on -Saturday at mid-day. He was received civilly, but coldly, and arranged to form a ministry. He was to meet his friends at, 7 o'clock on Saturday evening. Stafford, after the ministerial defeat, adjourned the house until the ensuing Tuesday, when it is supposed he would announce the resignation, and Fox would state what he had been enabled to do in the meantime. The resignation, it is hoped, will lead to further negocia* tion with the natives, and possibly to their being convinced, that resistance would be not only hopeless, but fatal to them. Should tli.s be effected, they and the island will be saved , certain it is, that the retirement of the old ministry alone could prevent the disasters now so plainly before a 1! those who and have their property, in this - island., iox s difficulties are enormous, though he is promised by the defeated party that no factious opposition will be offered to “the Government he may form. His first difficulty will be, in getting some Auckland members to act with him when assistance is required at this important moment, and it will be perfectly monstrous if all personal feelings are not suppressed at a time when every man should be aware that one and all are in duty bound to contribute to the utmost in endeavouring to ward ofl the prospective ruin of the island. His next difficulty arises out of the long period of five years the Stafford ministry have held office, in consequence of which.- there in to some extent

a forgetfulness of the fact that we live under responsible government, and a feelingr.that the outgonei ministry have .; a . vested interest in office ; Government House and the late mi-nisters-having so long acted together,-and having become so identified as now ito form what used to he called a family compact—that kind of old family connection from which such great disasters have befallen colonies. The Government //ouse is said to be pursuing the course followed by a celebrated Leader of the Whig party after the passing of the Reform bill. A\\ new members on the Liberal side, especially those who were married, used to be invited to his routs on arriving in London, and if independence was shown the invitations, ceased,: when the lady would complain of being a victim to-her husband’s caprice, and his unconditional adhesion would frequenily he the 1 result. Had this course been adopted in a minister’s house. no remark could have been made ; bat Government House should remember that this is not a Crown colony, nor even a Colony with- permanent heads of departments, but a colony .with a ;: responsible ministry, and that consequently Government //ouse should have neither political friends nor enemies. That House should represent the Sovereign-), and not a party. What has led to this stateof things is- the Governor having, retained the management of Native affairs in his own hands. This has placed him in & personal position, and those who condemn- his policy become his personal opponents. Had the powerpassed into the hands of the responsible ministry, he would not- have been in.his-present-false position, from-'which no Governor will finable to escape who retains any such powers The persons reported as likely to take offioo with Fox are Williamson, Reader /Food, and Mantell as Native minister; and I believe Swainson, late-Attorney General, will be consulted for the upper house. Ib was stated, that when the defeat was known,..the Bishop started instantly for the //aikato'’with delight. Fox will not l e e l by Bishops, McLeans, Seranckes, oif any oilier classes or persons, but. will boldly go and see whether an earnest faithwill not he attended with success, as he has now obtained the position as Premier. 7’here is no doubt of his consistency as a politician,, notwithstanding the efforts of the malignant todestroy his character. I would be much better pleased with his opponents if they would show as much pluck, earnestness, and sincerity of purpose as himself, and did not descend to the servile red-tapeism of colonial servants and dependents. As he himself declared in the house, —*• Negocintions failing, he would accept the three last terms of his Exc< liency’s declaration to the Waikato as the policy of his Government. But before a blow was struck he-would arm the Luropenn population in the northern island; and when war was begun he would enforce such la-ting terms of peace as would become the British nation.”

; It: seems more than 'probable that, an agency for the Auckland Fire and Marina InsuranceCompany will be established ln-re. Mr. Murdock arrived by the Airedale to open immediately the Bank of New S -uth /Tales. Mr:. Clarke, chief manager for the CCleman Company, has gone down sou'.h to sell the wreck "f 1 lie steamer Victory. / don’t think y-ui mentioned in the Chronicle the death of Z)r. Marshall, late of the 65th regt.; he died at London in April. I see you have re-elected Mr.//arrison; pity but lie had used as quickdespatch to onnie back to /Fellingt'in as he did? to leave it, he would have been in Auckland ere this ;• the Worsley left on Wednesday last. Mr. Crosbie /Tard, of Lyttelton is passenger by her. • Sir. IL feels sore at the remarks of some of his constituents on his strange conduct ; he ought to remember the proverb,—a man is known by the company he keeps ; already the editor of the Advertiser claims him . s one of themse'vcs. h it not written, —a man between two stools may fall to theground ? There is to he a meeting'at tlie TTutt tomorrow a ght, flie object of which, I believe, is to protest against the cold-hearted indifference to the fate of the out-settlers evinced by the Governor in his reply to the Wellington deputation, and- to urge the absolute necessity of ample protection being afforded before any movement is made in vindication of; the Queen’s supremacy. I-hope a meeting of the kind will shortly be held here, and think Wanganui-ought to act in a similar manner let what will happen,,it? will he satisfactory to feel that every effort had been made by the settlers to prevent all the disasters they could. Surely, the Queen would con-ider the assertion of Supremacy over a few savages'a poorrecompense for the destruction of numerous lives and much • property belonging to setth rswho had forewarned the Governor. If lie perseveres in showing cold Hooded indifference,, leading to destruction, I suspect that if successful in the Supremacy matter,- lie will still 1 be a ruined man in .England, acting as he willhave done with a full knowledge of the misery 'he will have entailed upon British subjects having nopporerw r er to control his self-will. I have waited till the last moment I conhb to ascertain the news received lust night, bythe Sea Gull (Taylor, Watt and Co.’s old? vessel). Colonel Warre, the officer in command, had received a report that JV i King,, accompanied by Rewi and a strong party of Waikatos, had arrived at Waitara to drive thesoldiers (some thirty in number) off the land. A general meeting was to be held at Wgirelcß. of the Ngatiruanuis ; whether to take part with Wi King, or to attack the town of New Plymouth, is uncertain. The' gallant Colonel was making preparations of defence, and hadissued stringent'-garrison regulations, which I. have seen in print. I also learn that the natives say, that the Governor lias deceived tlienr by having ordered the land tube'surveyed be-*-fore any investigation had taken place.

AMERICA. Accounts have been received, via St. Francesco, up to 26th April. The Charlestorif'Courier of the 13th April describes the taking of Fort Sumter. At about 2 o’clock on the afternoon of Thursday, Gen. Beauregard made a demand on Major Anderson for the immediate surrender of Fort -Sumter. Major Anderson replied that such a course would be inconsistent with the duty he was required by his Government to perform.

At the gray of the morning of Friday the roar of cannon broke upon the ear. The expected sound was answered by thousands. The houses were in a few minutes emptied of their excited occupants, and the living stream poured through all the streets leading to the wharves and battery. On reaching our beautiful promenade we found it lined with eager spectators, and all the wharves commanding a view of the battle were crowded thickly with human forms. On no gala occasion have we evei: seen nearly so large a number of ladies on our? battery as graced the breezy walk on this eventful morning. There they stood with palpitating hearts and pallid faces, watching the white smoke as it rose in wreaths upon the soft twilight air, and breathing out fervent prayers for their gallant kinsfolk at the guns. At thirty minutes past 4 o’clock the conflict was opened by the discharge of a shell from the howitzer battery on James’s island, under the command of Capt. George S. James, who followed the riddled Palmetto banner on the bloody plains of Mexico. The seuding of this harmful messenger to Major Anderson was followed by a deafening explosion, which was caused by the blowing up of a building that stood in front of the battery. While the white smoke was melting away into the air, another shell, which Lieut. W. j/umpton Gibbs had the honor of having fired, pursued its noiseless way towards the hostile fortification. The honored missive described its beautiful curve through the balmy air, and, falling within the hostile fortress, scattered its deadly contents in all directions. Fort Moultrie then took up the tale of death, and in a moment the guns from the redoubtable gun battery on Cummings’s Point, from Capt. McCready’s battery, from Capt. James Hamilton’s floating battery, the Fnfilade battery, and other fortifications, spit forth their wrath at the grim fortress rising so defiantly out of the sea. Major Anderson received the shot and shell in silence. And some excited lookers-on, ignoract of the character of the foe, were fluent with the hope fast dying out of their hopeful and tender hearts. But the short-lived hope was utterly extinguished when the deepening twilight revealed the stars ami stripes floating proudly in the breeze. The batteries continued at regular intervals to belch iron vengeance, and still no answer was returned by the foe. About an hour after the booming began, two balls rushed hissing through the air, and glanced harmless from the stuccoed bricks of Fort Moultrie. The embrasures of the hostile fortress gave forth no sound again till between six and seven o’clock, when, as if wrathful from enforced delay, from casemate and parapet the United States officer poured a storm of iron hail upon Fort Moultrie, Stevens’ iron battery, and the floating battery. The broadside was returned with spirit by the gallant gunners at these important posts. The firing now began in good earnest. The curling white smoke hung above the angry pieces of friend and foe, and the jarring boom rolled at regular intervals on the anxious ear. The atmosphere was charged with the smell of villainous saltpetre, and as if in sympathy with the melancholy scene, the sky was covered with heavy clouds, and everything wore a sombre aspect. The firing continued all day, and it* was calculated that over 36 tons of iron had been fired on both sides. The morning of Saturday dawned beautiful and clear. Tie a : r was balmy and refreshing, and the streets were soon again filled: with citizens, male and female, white and black, young and old, thronging the battery, walls, and steeples. A few random shots were fired from the Confederate batteries, -Sumter only occasionally replying.' It then became apparent that the fortress, on which all eyes wer,e rivetted, was on fire. A dense mass of smoke was seen gradually to rise above the ramparts. The flames soon burst through the roof of the houses within the walls, and the densest smoke and flames issued in volumes. At this time Anderson scarcely fired a shot. The continual bursting of shells, and showers of grape over the guns on the ramparts, drove the soldiers under cover. From the iron battery on Cummings’s Point a continuous fire was kept up. Its rifled cannon played sad havoc ou that portion of Sumter facing it. The firing from the floating battery and from Fort Moultrie was very regular. Three times Anderson’s barracks were set on fire, and twice his men extinguished the flames j hut to do this it was necessary to employ all the force in drawing water. More effectively to do this, it was necessary that some men should go outside the walls and hand buckets llnvngh tlie port holes, being meanwhile exposed to the terrific fire of the batteries. This expedient for obtaining water was not resorted to until the third time the quarters were on fire, and the fire and flames had increased to such an alarming pitch. Meantime Major Anderson’s guns were silent, and his enemies active. By noon the flames burst from every quarter, and from many of the port-holes, and it soon became evident that the destruction of the fortress was complete. The number of soldiers in the fort was about 70, besides 25 workmen, who assisted at the guns. His stock of provisions, was almost exhausted, however. He would have been starved out in two more days. The scene in the city after the raising of

the flag of truce and the surrender is indescribable ; the people were perfectly wild. -Men on horseback rode through the streets, proclaiming the news, amid thegreatest enthusiasm. • The forces of Major Anderson were entirely inadequate to effectually work the guns, and attend to the incidental requirements. It is not to be wondered at, under the circumstances, that Fort tfumter surrendered. The men were on duty thirty-six hours, with balls or shells striking the casements and guns of the fort constantly. Competent military men state that the intense vibration or shock produced on the brain or nervous system of those in the vicinity is terribly exhausting. The fort has been garrisoned by the Palmetto Guards, and put under command of Lieut.-Colonel 1 Ripley, who commanded Fort Moultrie after the departure of Major Anderson.

The following is Major Anderson’s despatch to the Secretary of War : Sir,- —Having defended Fort Sumter 34 hours, until quarters were entirely burned, main gates destroyed by fire, the gorge walls seriously injured, magazine surrounded by flames, and its door closed from the effects ol heat, four barrels and three cartridges only being available, and no provisions but pork remaining, I accepted terms of evacuation offered by Gen. Beauregard, being tlie same offered by him on the lltii inst., prior to the commencement of hostilities, and marched out of the fort on Sunday afternoon, the 14th inst. with colours flying, drums beating, bearing away company and private property, and. saluting the flag with fifty guns.— Robert Anderson.

The N. Y. Herald's Washington correspondent sends the following, and in it assumes to know what will be the general plan of the campaign about to' be commenced by the Federal armies:—

In less than 30 days 250,000 men will be found in arms, from Maine to Kansas, to prove the hope of a divided North a grievous hallucination. E very Northern State will .not only furnish the aid asked by the President in bis proclamation, but have a large reserve ready, so as to be able to make a prompt response to a second call, that everybody here expects to become necessary long before Congress meets. There can be no doubt on this subject. Official information has been received by the President, from which it appears that New York will have 50,000 men in arms by the Ist of June, Pennsylvania 40,000, Ohio 35,000, and Indiana, Illinois, and Massachusetts each about 25,000, and the other States in proportion. The employment of this immense force will depend mainly upon the course the Border -Slave States will pursue in reference to the secession issue. As matters are situated now, it is the intention of the Government to use the 75,000 men called into service, together with the regular army, forming an aggregatesf about 100,000 men, as follows: First. —A corps d'armee of 35,000 men will be collected in and about this point, for the purpose of defending the seat of government, protecting the military posts, controlling the Potomac and Chesapeake Bay, and keeping open the communication between the IVorth and the Capitol. Washington will serve for its point d'appui, while its line of operations will extend all along the left bank of the right shore of the bay. Second.—A second corps, 25,000 strong, will be formed in and about St. Louis. A portion of it will be employed in protecting the Union men and Federal property in that State from the violence of secession sympathizers, and the rest in holding Cairo, and the junction of the Ohio and Mississippi, the most important strategical point in the West.

' Third.-—Of the remaining 40,000, 5000 are expected to be thrown into Western Texas, to form a nucleus around which the Unionists of that -State will gather. Fourth.—2s,ooo will be employed in a demonstration for the relief of Fort Pickens, and the recapture of the other fortifications about Pensacola bay. Fifth.—lo,ooo men will be kept hovering in steam transports between Charleston and Savannah, to worry the rebels by necessitating the presence of a large defensive force in both places, and effect a landing whenever opportunity shall offer.

The army operations will be seconded by a strict blockade of the mouths of the Mississippi aud all the Southern ports Orders for a general blockade have not, as reported already, been issued, but will doubtlessly be given as soon as the steam frigates now fitting out will be ready for sea. This programme reflects exactly what the government has decided to do, but will of course be materially changed in case Virginia ami the other Forder Slave States'should secede. //Washington, however will be defended, and Fort Pickens relieved at any cost of blood aud treasure.

On the 21st and 22nd April, a large amount of property was destroyed by the Federal Government, to save it from falling into the hands of the secessionists at Norfolk, Virginia. The ships of war IVew York (74), Pennsylvania, Columbia, Delaware, Raritan, Merrimac, Germantown, and Plymouth, and the brig Dolphin, were scuttled or burned. The building sheds, offices, and stores in the Navy lard were burned; an immense number of arms, chronometers, engines, and machinery, broken up and destroyed. On Sunday above 2000 troops arrived at Norfolk from Boston. The people of Norfolk were making arrangements for a vigorous defence. They had hoisted the flag of the Old Dominion—-the figure of Liberty trampling on Tyranny, with die motto, Sic semper Tyrannis. About SOOO Virginia troops had arrived in the neighbourhood, Baltimore has declared ia favour of the

secessionists, and refused to allow the States troops to march southwards through the city. The people want organisation, but; a fight tpok place between them 'and some States soldiers, in which some were wounded on both sides. They telegraphed to Virginia for troops, and were busy fortifying the neighbouring heights, and preparing to attack Fort McHenry, which commands the town. Federal troops were about to make a demonstration against the town. According to later accounts, the streets were barricaded, shatters up, houses loopholed for musketry, and every gun employed. It is believed a Northern man’s life was not worth an hour’s purchase, when the next gun of war is fired. It 1b said the Union men were fleeing for their lives. There were nothing but secession flags flying. No man dared proclaim himself in favour of the Union. A Vigilance Committee had permanent session at Barnum’s hotel, and spot every stranger. Armed men were stationed to prevent the rebuilding of bridges. It was reported that the Southern Confederacy intended to march 50 to 60,000 men northwards, expecting 50,000 more in Virginia. Arrangements had been made to convey troops by railway from Charleston to Richmond. General Beauregard had been reconnoitring in the neighbourhood of Washington. /

Virginia seems divided, the Western part being Union, the Eastern Secession. Lexington, Va., is covered, by 5000 troops under General Lee.

The Kentuckians seem also divided—parties of them are leaving to join the Secession troops.

It was reported that 10,000 Tennesseeans were on the way to join the Confederate army.

Senator Douglas has .been, haranguing the citizens of Indiana and Illinois, and calling upon them to fight for the Union. He Ims been well received.. The. Governor of Indiana recommended an Appropriation Of a million dollars for military purposes. Cairo, in Illinois, is invested (sic) with 10,000 Federal troops, aud 4000 more are immediately pected. A strong feeling in favour of the Union continues to prevail in Delaware.

Missouri is divided. Of two meetings reported, one was strongly in favour of, the other as strongly against -Secession. The enrolling of recruits for the protection of St. Louis arsenal was going on at St. Louis. Up to 25th April 2700 had offered themselves as a guard; and other companies were in couise of formation to go to /Washington. Western Arkansas speaks out strongly for secession.

Preparations for war in Texas are progressing on a large scale. There are .1000 Federal troops there. -

The five steamers that ply between St. Louis and New Orleans have officers and crews who profess the utmost Sympathy with the Secessionists, the object, of course, being one of profit, and to get the greatest possible share of freight and passenger patronage at Vicksburgh, Natchez, New Orleans, and all other places on the lower Mississippi. Several of these have offered recently to carry down troops for southern service free of charge. IVew Orleans advices state that the free coloured population, at a meeting held on 22nd April, resolved to tender their services to the government for the 'defence of the State. A meeting was called to adopt measures to clear the city of abolitionists) who been arrested.

It is reported that an army of 150,000 can be raised in the south. Southern men are still confident that they can maintain the govern ment of the confederate states, and they say they can take Washington, and will do it. They keep their,, ( owir : secrets p hut little is known in the north of what Jeff. Davis intends doing. He says he will let them know when he gets ready. '

In the Northern States troops are being levied and subscriptions made for their equipment, and for the support of their families. Appropriations are also being made by the various legislatures for war purposes. The banks in various places were tendering loans for the same object; and Wm. B. Astor had offered the Government; 4 million dollars as a gift, arid' 10 millions as a loan. The Federal Government is short of war vessels to act on the sea board of the -Southern States. They have .bought the Cunard steamer Hedar and the steamer Champion, and are converting several merchant steamers, into war vessels. Several of the officers of the Federal Navy have thrown up their commissions, and joined the Southern Confederacy.

The following shows the white population, the free coloured, and the slaves, in each of the Slave States, ia 1850 ~

6,184,382. ( 228,119 3,200,412 It will be seen all but two States,

South Carolina and Mississippi, the free population greatly outnumbers the slaves, and even that the free whites greatly outnumber the free and the slave blacks taken together. For 1860, the population of the whole States was 31,374,856, an increase of about eight millions during the ten years. The increase on the number of slaves during the decade is 600,000.

Free White Colored States. PopuSlaves. lation. lation. Delaware . 71,160 18,073 2,290 Maryland . 417,943 74,723 90,368 Virginia . 894,800 54,333 472,528 N. Carolina 553,028 ' 27,463 288,548 S. Carolina 274,567 8,956 384,984 Georgia . . 521,572 2,931 381,682 Florida . . 47,211 924 39,309 Alabama. . 426,486 2,293 342.892 Mississippi . 295,718 930 309,878 Louisiana . 255,491 17,462 244,809 Texas . . 154,034 397 58,161 Arkansas . 162,189 608 47,100 Tennessee . 756,753 -6,401 239,460 Kentucky . 761,417*- ■ 10,007 210,981 Missouri. . 592,004"‘* ! 2,618 87,422