From South Carolina.
Charleston, Dec. 31.
--Strong fortifications are being erected in and around the harbor, to resist any attempt to send reinforcements to Fort Sumter.
Gov. Pickens is daily receiving dispatches from the Southern States, tendering men to defend South Carolina.
[Second Dispatch.]
Charleston, Dec. 31.
--There is no restriction placed by the authorities on sending telegrams from this city.
No attack on Major Anderson is meditated.
The authorities are anxiously awaiting the result of the South Carolina mission to Washington.
The populace is quiet, without any official restraint.
The Governor so far has refused to accept the tender of men from the Southern States.
[Third Dispatch.]
Charleston, Jan. 1.
--The Convention was opened with prayer by Rev. Mr. Dupree, in which he said: ‘"Oh, God!
wilt Thou bring confusion and discomfiture upon our enemies, and wilt Thou strengthen the hearts and nerve the arms of our sons, to meet this great fire in the name of the God of Israel."’
The President of the Convention received a highly important communication, of a secret character.
On the table immediately fronting the President is a bust of Jno. C. Calhoun, in pure while marble, and inscribed on a paper near it are the words, "Truth, Justice, Fraternity — you have written your names in the Book of Life.
Fill up the page with deliberation.
The storm is from the North.
The day is far spent, and the night is at hand.
Our homes and honor.
Summon the citizens to appear on the parade-ground for inspection.
A Southern Confederacy will be perfected in all its functions before the 1st of February."
[Fourth Dispatch.]
Charleston, Jan. 1.
--Commander Pettigrew, at Castle Pinckney, orders that no boat shall be permitted to approach the wharf without permission.
If this order is violated, he declares that serious consequences will ensue.
The river front of the city is carefully guarded.
Many South Carolina ladies have tendered their services at the forts, and some have prepared bedding for the soldiers.
Free postal communication is maintained between the forts and the city.
The Vigilant Rifles have gone on secret service to Morris' Island.
The Zouave Cadets and German Rifles proceeded down the harbor at noon to-day.
The steamships to Fernandina, Fla., have discontinued their trips for the present.
Six companies drill in the city this evening.
The Palmetto Guard, one hundred strong, have charge of the U. S. Arsenal, over which the Palmetto, instead of the National, flag floats.
Commodore Shubrick is in this city, a guest of Col. Isaac W. Hayne.
A Montgomery (Ala) telegram announces the arrival home of J. D. Elmore, the Commissioner from Alabama to this State.
A correspondent writing to the Courier advises merchants to be careful how they ship merchandise on long voyages, and beware of privateers.
Let them give the preference to British and French ships.
Another correspondent suggests cotton breastworks for Charleston.
Several Banks of the interior of the State have agreed to take their respective proportions of a $400,000 State loan.
Collector Colcock gives notice that all vessels from ports outside of South Carolina must enter and clear.
In the Convention to-day the President announced the appointment of the following Commissioners to the slaveholding States: Florida, L. W. Spratt; Alabama, A. P. Calhoun; Mississippi, M. L. Bonham; Louisiana, Jno. L. Manning; Arkansas, A. C. Spain.
Georgia and Texas are not mentioned.
[Fifth Dispatch.]
Charleston, Jan. 1.
--The Convention yesterday passed and made public an ordinance defining and punishing treason.
In addition to the already existing State law, it declares levying war against the State, adhering to its enemies, or giving them aid and comfort, shall be punished by death without the benefit of clergy.
Another ordinance is passed, assuming all the powers, judicial, &c., which heretofore have been exercised by Congress.
The Baltimore dispatch received here, in which Henry Winter Davis figures about an amicable adjustment, in the House Committee, delighted some minor officials and the ladies.
A General thinks the dispatch is false, and may have some bearing on the anticipated attack on Fort Sumter. 