The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-06-16
MEMPHIS CONVENTION.
FIRST DAY.

Inc S0uthern and Memphis convention met
on the 9th of June 1t is represented that one
thousand delegates were present, from fifteen
States Judge Dawson, Of Georgia, was re-
elected President, with twenty Vice Presidents.
Rev c. R. Marshall, of Mississippi, was ap-
pointed Secretary. After effecting an organi-
cation, the Convention adjourned till 4 o'clock,
p. III
At the afternoon session no business Of i'm
portance was transacted, beyond the appoint
ment of Committees on Resolutions, &c.
SECOND DAY.
June Judge Moore offered resolution
relative to the construction of railroad from
the Mississippi to the Pacific, as practicable
means Of allowing to the Southern and West
ern States Il share of commerce, and declaring
that Congress has the power to grant lands to
aid said road
The resolution was referred to the commit
tee.
Bishop Otey offered a resolution relative to
the free navigation of the Amazon river.
The committee then returned and offered
resolution urging the speedy improvement of
the navigation of the South Mississippi, by
deepening the channel and also recommend
ed the deepening of the harbors of Charleston,
Savannah, Mobile and Richmond On other
subjects the committee asked for further time,
and the Convention adjourned till u. Nj.
AT the evening session Gen. Qutman offered
u resolution proposing to divide the resolution
of the committee relative to the improvement
of the mouth of the Mississippi and the Upper
Rapids; which caused an animated discussion,
and was finally lost by vote Of 9 States to 4.
The committees resolution was then almost
unanimously adopted
MIR. Merrill offered resolution in favor of
general and liberal system of education
among the Southern and Western States
Mr.. Kaiser moved the establishment of a
Bureau Of Statistics among the several South
ern and Western States
The Committee on Resolutions not being
prepared with further reports, the Convention
adjourned
THIRD DAY
June 8.-The committee to-day reported
resolutions in favor of direct trade, the Pacific
railroad, the Iehuantepec route, manufactures,
education, and steamers from Southern ports.
An address to Congress, concerning the free
navigation of the Oronoco La Plata, and ANA
ION rivers, was also presented
The following are the resolutions regarding
the Pacific railroad:
L. Resolved, That railroad from the Mis-
sissippi to the Pacific is demanded, not only by
commercial and individual interests, but also by
the interests of the whole nation.
2 Resolved, That SO soon AS the surveys re-
Gently ordered by Congress, shall be completed,
the General Government should adopt such
steps as shall insure the completion of the
main trunk at the earliest possible period.
3. Resolved, That as the General Govern
ment is expected to construct but one track, it
should be located on the route which scientific
explorations shall show to possess the greatest
degree of advancement in general climate, fer
tility of soil, cheapness of construction, and
accessibility ut ali seasons from all parts of the
Union.
A. Resolved, That, in the opinion of this Con-
ventiOn, the General Government should make
liberal donations of the public lands to the diff
ferent States, and to those bordering on the
Mississippi, 80 as to enable all sections of the
Union to connect themselves with each other.
The first and second resolutions were passed
unanimously, but the third was warmly de-
bated Mr.. Kaiser moved to insert the word
central" in regard to the location of the
road; which was lost by ten States against
one. MIR. X. then moved the insertion of the
word temperate" as regarded the climate /;
which was agreed to.
The resolutions, as amended were then
unanimously passed.
Mr.. Thrasher offered a resolution regarding
Cuba which was lost And the Convention
adjourned till the afternoon.
AT the evening session, the other resolutions
of the committee were passed without mate
rial change, which occupied the time until the
hour Of adjournment.
FOURTH DAY.
June 9-The Convention met this morning,
and was addressed by Hon John Bell
motion was carried that the Convention
meet at Charleston on the second Monday in
April next.
After other unimportant business the Con-
vention adjourned sine die