The Sun.
London, England, 1861-02-11 00:00:00

TEE MUTED STATES.

The following are the principal items of intelli-
gence brought by the Asia, which has arrived at
Liverpool, bringing news dated New York,
Jan. 30 :

THE EXECUTIVE•
The special Message of the President, relative to
the mediatorial proposal of Virginia, is as follows :
To THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REFIZESENTATFVES OF

THE UNITED STATES.
I deem it my duty to submit to Congress a series of reso-
lutions adopted by the Legislature of Virginia on the 19th
inst., having in view the peaceful settlement of the exist-
ing questions which now threaten the Union. They were
delivered to me on Thursday, the 24th inst., by ex-Presi-
dent Tyler, who has left his dignified and honoured retire-
ment in the hope that ha may render service to his country
in this, its hour of peril. These resolutions, it will he per-
ceived, extend an invitation to all States, whether elave-
holding or non - slaveholding, as are willing to
unite with Virginia in an earnest effort to adjust the
present unhappy controversies in the spirit in which
the constitution was originally formed, and consistently
with its principles, so as to afford to the people of
the slave-holding States adequate guarantees for the secu-
rity of their rights ; to appoint commissioners to meet on
the 4th day of February next, in the city of Itrisliington,
similar commissioners appointed by Virginia, 49 consider,
.and, if practicable, agree upon some suitable adfirstment. I
confess I :hail this movement on the part of Virginia with
great satisfaction. From the past history of this ancient and
renowned commonwealth, we have the fullest assurance that
what she has undertaken she will accomplish, if it cur be
done by able, enlightened, and persevering efforts. It is
highly gratifying, to know that other patriotic States have
appointed and are appointing commissioners to meet those
of Virginia in council. When assembled, they will consti-
tute atioody entitled, in an eminent degree, to the confi-
dence of the country. The General Assembly of Vir-
ginia have also resolved "that ex-President Johh Tyler
is hereby appointed, by the concurrent vote of each
branch of the General Assembly, a Commissioner to the
President of the United States, and Judge John Robertson
is hereby appointed, by a like vote, a Commissioner to the
State of South Carolina, and the other States • that have
seceded, or shall secede, with instructions respectfully to
request the President of the United States, and the autho-
rities of such States, to agree to abstain, pending the pro-
ceedings contemplated by the action of this General Assem-
bly, from any and all acts calculated to produce a collision
of arms between the States and the Government of the
United States. However strong may be my desire to
enter into such an agreement, I am convinced that I do
not possess the power. Congress, and Congress alone,
under the war-making power, can exercise the discretion
of agreeing to alstain from any and all acts calculated to
produce a collisiTn. of arms, between this and any ether
Government. It would therefore be a usurpation for
the Executive to attempt to restrain their hands by an
agreement in regard to matters over which he has no con-
stitutional control. If he were thus to act they might
pass laws which ho should be bound to obey though
in conflict with his agreement. Under existing eircum-
. .

stances my present actual power is confined with-
in narrow limits. It is my duty at all times to
defend and protect the public property within the
seceding States so far as may be practicable, and especially
to employ the constitutional means to protect the property
of the United States, and to preserve the public peace at
this, the seat of the Federal Government. If the seceding
States abstain from any and all acts calculated to produce
a collision of arms, then the danger so much to be 'depre-
cated will no langer exist. Defence, and not aggression has
been the policy of the Administration from the beginning.
But whilst I can enter into no engagement such as that pro
posed, I cordially commend it to Congress, with much con-
fidence that it will meet their approbation, to abstain from
passing any law calculcatcd to produce a collision of arms
pending the proceedings contemplated by the action of the
General Assembly of Virginia. lam one of those who will
never despair of the Republic. I yet cherish the belief
that the American poople will perpetuate the Union of the
States on some terms just and honourable for all sections of
the country. I trust that the mediation of Virginia may
be the destined means, under the Providence of God, of ac-
complishing this inestimable benefit. Glorious as are the
memories of her past history, such an achievement, both
in elation to her own fame and the welfare of the whole
country, would surpass them all. '
(Signed) JAMES BUCHA.NAN.
Washington City, Jan. 2S, 1661.
THE MISSION OF THE UNITED STATES
SLOOP OF WAR BROOKLYN.
The Portsmouth Transcript of Friday contains the fol-
lowing in reference to the sloop-of-war Brooklyn and her
mission:—
"We learn this morningr, that the United States steamsloop-of-war, which had been lying off Port Monroe
since her return from Charleston, went to sea yesterday
on another peaceful mission. She is ordered to intercept
government vessels heretofore authorised to go. into Pen-
sacola and prevent their doing so, in order to obviate
trouble, first, by the attempt which the Floridians might
make to seize and hold thew ; and secondly, as consequent
upon this State action, bloodshed and other serious losses.
Before leaving Hampton Roads, however, she received on
board from the fort two companies of artillery, under Cap-
tains Vedges and Laugbane, a step which, we presume, is
only precautionary.
The Norfolk Day Book of Friday mentions a rumour pre-
valent there that the United States steamer Merrimac is to
be refitted and sent to sea.
WARLIKE PREPARATIONS OF GOVERNMENT.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 22.—8i11s are being prepared by
the Military and Naval Committees of the house, and by
the Committee of Ways and Means, for immediately plac-
ing the country upon a war footing. The President will be
authorised to call for the enlistment of volunteers, and a
considerable number of war steamers will be forthwith
,ordered to be constructed.
MR LINCOLN ON COMPROMISE.

The following language is said to have been lately used
by Mr. Lincoln to a gentleman who was visiting him at
Springfield
" I will suffer death before I will consent or advise
my friends to consent to any concession or compromise
which looks like buying the privilege of taking possession
of the government to which we have a constitutional right ;
because, whatever I might think of the merit of thevarious
propositions before Congress, I should regard any conces-
sion in the face of menace as the destruction of the govern-
ment itself, and a consent on all hands that our system
should be brought down to a level with the existing disor-
ganised state of affairs in Mexico. But this thing will
hereafter be as it is now, in the hands of the people ; and
if they desire to call aconvention to remove any grievances
complained of or to give new guarantees for the permanence
of vested rights, it is not mine to oppose."
RHODE ISLAND.
PROVIDENCE, Jan. N.—The House of Reptheresenterstoive!
have concurred with the Senate in repealing bFerse
were
Liberty bill. The vote stood 49 to 18. Five mera
absent.

NEW JERSEY.
TRENTON, Jan. 24.—The Crittondaen
1 assage. Speeches
resolutions were
taken up in the Senate to-day on the A favour, and by Re-
were made by Democratic Senapoers ipneesPed
11 to 6—ten
publican Senators against. n
Democrats and one national VinioTi. man in favour.
THE SOUTH.
THE BORDER
STATES.
It is not believed that a majority of secessionists will
be elected to any oTfhtehe conventions of the border slave-
conventions, according to private
holding Sta
information received at Washington, will be composed for
eater part of moderate and conservative men, who
the gr
will not proceed to extremes unless all measures of pacifica-
tion shall be exhausted. The great point now aimed at by
the friends of the Union is to avoid all pretext for a colli-
sion by the seceding States, in the hope that the " sober
second thought of the people," if adjustment measures shall
be presented, will induce them to resume their connexion
with the Filers' government.
MISSOURI.
ST. Louis, Jan. 26.—The Democratic caucus last night
adopted resolutions similar to those of Mr. Crittenden.
Ad vices from different parts of the State indicate a Union
feeling; and that the Convention will be filled with con-
servative men.

KENTUCKY.
LOUISVILLE, Jan. 27.—The Kentucky Legislature yes-
terday almost unanimously adopted the Virginia resolu-
tions, so construed as to require the Federal Government
to protect slavery in all the territors now held, or hereafter
to be acquired, south of 36 deg min ; and to guarantee
the right of transit of sla
LOUISIANAves through free States.
.
THE SECESSION ACCOMPLISHED.
BATON ROUGE, Jan. 26.—The delay ordinance, moved
to be substituted for the secession ordinance reported by the
Committee of Fifteen, was voted down yesterday by an
immense majority.
Commissioners Manning, of South Carolina, and Win-
ston, of Alabama, made eloquent addresses in favour of im-
mediate secession.
There was an animated debate last night on the resolu
• fro, rati %latiOD,