Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1856-12-17


CUMBERLAND rAss RAILROAD.
The following resolution from the committee Of Buspess
was then considered
Resolved. That the people and legislature OF Kentucky
be and are hereby invoked drcst their earliest attc
ton TO this subject and to make provision tho enact
ment OF tho necessary laws for the construction Of rail-
road from the city Of Louisville TO the Cumberland Gap.
On motion OF Mr. Dean Of Virginia the further consd-
Grafton Of the resolution postponed until tomorrow
and made the special order Tor ii O'Clock.
SCHOOLS.
The following resolutions from the Committee Bush
were then considered
Whereas. il is the opinion Of this Convention that to
give stability aud Importance TO southern commerce.
should open direct foreign trade, with
try alone but With every country whose products be
advantageousy exchanged tor oar TO accomplish which
IL indispensable preliminary thst Increase and di-
vcrsy maritime interests by inducing and training
people TO embark In that pursuit. therefore be IL
Resolsed That in the opinion OF this Convention, Is
essential to the Of effort the part Of the
South establish independence that schools
for the rearing and education OF seamen should be cstab
lsled in each OF the southern States.
Rssoirc That this Convention should moralize the leg
a,urcs OF the different Southern States to establish aud
sustain institutions where should bc received and cduca-
ted apprentices fos the marine service
The resolutions were adopted.
TEHuASrrrEc ROUTE.
Mr. Semmes, Of Lou, from the Committee on Business.
TO which had been referred snniry communications from
the Chamber OF Commerce Of New Orleans, tho sub
jeet OF the Tchuanepec route, made report accompa-
ntcd by the following resolutions.
Resolrcd, That this Convention regards ineroceanc
communications the Ithmus OF Tehuantepec
portant 20 Sutheru Interests and that the enterprise
dctsken New Orleans by virtue of the contract with
Mexico mentioned in the sth article Of the Gsdsden treaty
deserves encouragement.
Resolro further That this Convention in order to en-
courage said enterprise earnestly recommends the govern
ment of the u s to contract With the Tehuantepec Com
pany incorporated by the State OF Lou, and domced
New Orleans for the transportation Of the U. S Nail:
from New Orleans the Isthmus of Tchuantcpec
San Francisco favorable and liberal
contained in existing contracts for the performance Of sim
liar services.
The resolutions were adopted.
non. RoBr. rooNBs.
Mr. Cochran of Ala called fo the reading OF the letter
irom the Hon. r. Toombs, which presented yeser-
day.
Mr. Jones' OF Georgia desired to state that his reason
for moving lay the letter the table without being
read was that il such late hour that but few
members were in attendance.
The letter then read and will appear to-mor-
row.
On motion of Mr. Holmes S. c., it was referred to
the committee Business snd 900 copies ordered
printed oi the use OF the convention.
PACIFIC RAILROAD.
Mr.. Cochran, Of Alabama from the Committee on Bust
TO which had be re-committed the resolutions
corning the Pacific Railroad said that being DESTROYS
framing their action in accordance with that previous
Conventions upon the project advocated yesterday by
Mr. Pike, of Alabama the Committee had examined the
matter aud could find conflict between the propo
siions in any material respect lie had therefore beer
instructed by the Committee report them back again
without amendment, and with the addition of another res
oution. He therefore reported the following resolutions
Resorsd That, railroad ought to be constructed from
the Mississippi river, by OF FL Paso along
SD degree OF north latitude of the Pacific ocean; tina
this road should consist OF separate and continuous
tons; that should BE- Incorporated and under
the authority OF the State and Territorial Legislatures
and that the OF construction should be derived from
individual, corporate and State contributions together
with such aid may be obtained from grants of the pub
lie domain for postal and military contracts any other
service which may be lawfully rendered the Federal Go
vernment by said company.
ReSoirei That it is hereby recommended the south
and south western railroad companies that in the
any section Of the said road shall remain incomplet,
without authority OF construction by responsible parties
they shall obtain act Of Incorporation authorizing then
or of them TO undertake the construc
ton Of such incomplete section; aud this Convention here
by invoke for the enterprise of the Of salt
railroad any section thereof the aid and approval
all true citizens OF the South, whether in private life
public station for the completion of work upon which
depends greatly the pcrmanency OF the Union, and tn,
defence Development and independence of the South
ReSoired That this Convention adopt the resolutions
Of its last session. recommending the construction of Pa
10y OF the southern States corporations and people
Mr. Lyons OF Virginia, suggested to the Chairman t,
amend the first resolution by inserting before the word
Territorial Legislatures" the words $50 far they
| constiiatioraly 10 So by the
| Mr. Cochran accepted the amendment.
Mr. Jones, OF Georgia, moved To strike out that portion
of the resolution that related 10 grants OF public domain
| The amendmect rejected.
Mr.. John Scott, Of Virginia said the great argument il
favor OF this Pacific railroad that IL would enable tn,
South extend her institutions into regions Tn,
Convention having laid the resolution concerning the
opening Of the African Slave Trade upon the table, h,
might oppose this Pacific railroad scheme if il
carried out and institutions extended the sav,
labor must be drawn from the older States and Virginia
Maryland Kentucky and Delaware If Missouri woaIC
BE- compelled TO employ free labor, and must eventually
become free States
Mr. Calhoun, of South Carolina assured the gentleman
from Virginia, Orr Scop that when the time fo
demand for slave labor than this country cout
supply, it would be forthcoming, notwithstanding wha
might be done now, in reference TO the African Slave
! Trade.
Alter further discussion the resolutions were adopted
SLAVE TRADE.
Mr. Scott Of Virginia said that in order TO enable hin
TO carry out his ideas in reference TO the remarks he haC
made upon the effects the Pacific railroad scheme upor
the supply of slave labor in Virginia and States
would offer resolution which had been prepared and
handed to him by friend, and which he trusted would
! be adopted. IL follows:
Res0irci That the President Of this Convention ap
point committee consisting of members to investi
gate the facts connected with the present condition
future aspect OF Slavery in the United States and othe
parts Of the world and the character aud Of tn
international laws upon the subject OF the African Sav
Trade aud the proprey OF rcopening that trade by th
United States with the continent Of Africa aud repor
the same at the next meeting Of the Convention.
Mr.. Mcleod, OF Texas said that as the resolution wa
merely one Of inquiry he must consider that every mem
Der who would vote against it was virtually condemnin
the institution OF slavery.
On motion Of Mr.. Cibe, Of Virginia, the further con
sidcraiion Of the resolution postponed to- and mad
the special order for tomorrow at O'Clock
The Convention, It a few minutes before o'clock, ad
journed until tomorrow, at . A. VI.
FIFIH DAY.
SAvASNAm, Dec. I2th.-The Convention was called l.
order by the President at half-past o'clock.
FREE TRADE AND DIRECT TAXATION.
Mr. Howard, Of Ga, behalf OF the majority OF tn
Committee Business, made the following report
Whereas 10 the judgment OF this Convention the grea
obstacle thc direct trade Of the South with foreign
tons is be found in the restrictive policy Of raising
venue by imports and in the unjust fiscal action OF tn
Federal Government, by which raised from tn
South has been dsburscd the North thus draining tn
South OF its capital aud accommodating it 10 the North
| ern, Eastern and Middle States,
Resolvcd That complete freedom Of industry and trad
is demanded by every consideration Of justice equality
aud sound policy.
Resoivei, That the system Of imposts is incompatible
with perfect freedom Of industry and trade, and operate
unequay; FIRST between different sections Of the Union
second, as between different classes Of producers and third
between individual citizens and therefore ought 10 b.
| abolished
Re'oigsd, That being tax upon consumption las vel
a. upon produciion,) the system OF imposts throws
unjust proportion q the upon the great middle