New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1859-10-24

selves, and if any of them conclude to go back to
the State, it will be bad termination to your
enterprise.
The following curious document was also found
in his possession:
PROVISIONAL CONSTITUTION ORDINANCES roR THE fEofLk
OF THE UNITED SrlrEs-PRRAxstE:
Whereas. Slavery throughout its entire existence
in the United States is none other taah tnc ioas
barbarous unprovoked and unJustiiiape war oi one
portion Of its citizens upon another portion: .,le
only conditions of which are perpetual lmpr'so.
ment and hopeless servitude, or absolute extermi
nation in utter disregard of those eternal ana sell
evident truths set forth in our Declaration oil lnde
pendence; . Y-,,.,, c.a.o, a.,
onnressed people, who, by the recent decision of
tie Supreme Court, are declared to have no rights
which the white man is bound to respect, together
with all other people degraded by the laws thereof
do for the time being, ordain and establish for
ourselves The following provisional Constitution
and Ordinance, the better to protect our people,
their property lives and liberties, and to govern
our actions.
ARTICLE l. Qualifications for Membership
persons of mature age whether prescribed OPP
pressed, or enslaved citizens. or of the prescribed
and oppressed races, Of the United States, who
shall agree to sustain and enforce the provisional
Constitution and Ordinances of this organization.
together with all minor children of such persons,
shall be held to be fully entitled to protection under
the same. -.....-- ~.
ART. 2. Branches of Governments THE Pro
sist of three branches viz. Legislative, Executive
and Judicial.
ART. 8. Legslatiue.-The Legislative branch
shall be Congress, or House Of Representatives.
members, who shall be elected by all citizens of
mature age and sound mind, connected with this
organization, aud who shall remain in office for
three years. unless sooner removed for misconduct,
inability or death. majority of such members
shall constitute a quorum. .M5 -s.
ART. 4. Erecuiue.-Thc Executive branch of
this organization shall consist of President and
Vice President who shall be chosen by citizens or
members of this organization, and each OF whom
shall hold his Office three years, unless sooner re-
moved by death, or for inability or misconduct.
ART s.. J,tdicidl-The judicial branch shall con-
sst of one Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and
four Associate Judges of said Court. They shall
each be chosen in the same manner as the Presi-
dent, and shall continue in office till their places
shall have been filled in the same manner by cleo
ton OF citizens.
Articles from number thirteen to twenty-five pro-
vide for the trial of the President and other officers
| and members of Congress, the impeachment OF
Judges the duties of the President and Vice Presi
dent the punishment of crime, army appointments
salaries, etc. which, not being OF special interest
Article twenty-six treats of peace. Before any
treaty shall take full effect it shall be signed by the
President, Commander-in-Chief, majority of the
House of Representatives. majority of the SUI
| preme Court, and a majority of all the General
| Officers of the army.
| The following is the anonymous letter received
| by Secretary Floyd, of which mention has beer
made: =. af- M.
CINCINNATI, August 20, ls59.-Sar: have lately
received information of movement of so great
Importance that feel it to be my duty to impart il
1 to you without delay.
/ have discovered the existence of a secret asso
citation, having for its object the liberation of the
| slaves by general Instruction. The leader OF
the movement is old John Brown, late of Kansas
He has been in Canada during the winter, drilling
| the negroes there, and they are only waiting
his word to start for the South to assist the slaves
| They have one of their leading men, a white man
in an armory in Maryland; where it is situated,
/ have not been able to learn. As soon as every
thing is ready those of their number who are in the
Northern States and Canadas, are to come, in seve
raj companies, to their rendezvous, which is il
the mountains in Virginia. They will pass dow
through Pennsylvania and Maryland, and ente
| Virginia at Harper's Ferry. Brown left the Nortf
abo5.1 three or four weeks ago. and will arm thu
negroes and strike the blow in few weeks, so that
whatevers done, must be done at once. They have
o large quantity of arms at their rendezvous, ant
are probably distributing them already. As an
not fully in their confidence, the above is all the in
| formation can give you, Idare not sign any nam
to this, but trust that you will not disregard thi
warning on that account