Such measures have been adopted to prevent all vessels of an offensive character entering the harbor of Charleston that even those belonging to that city cannot get out without aid. All the buoys have been removed, and some, if not all of the beacons taken down. All lights are extinguished at night, except that upon fort Sumter, which, for the purpose of navigation, might as well be a hundred miles off, and the lightship has been withdrawn. From Cummin's Point to the lighthouse, a distance of several miles, sandbank batteries have been erected and well manned, and vessels laden with paving stones and other heavy substances are placed at important points to sink, so that any vessels of an opposing character that might presume to prowl in would be stopped. If the Star of the West attempts to carry her living cargo to the help of Fort Sumter she will be at once sunk by the South Carolina troops stationed along the entrance of the harbor, as a determination exists among them not to allow of reinforcements arriving at that fort. Pilots have been firmly charged not to pilot vessels-of-war into the harbor, but no restrictions are placed upon vessels of commerce and trade. When the steamship Columbia was ready for sea, although she belonged to the city of Charleston, so completely had all marks of the channel been obliterated that it cost the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars to get her clear of the harbor. It was estimated that the value of the vessel and cargo, which consisted of cotton, rice, domestic produce, &c., was not less than $440,000, and yet this large amount was "locked up" for some time, rather than allow chances for the vessels of the enemy to make their way up to the fort or the city.