Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1860-04-13

GEN. srankE's REPORT TO GOV. PErTus.
RICHMOND, Va, March Q, 1860.


RICHMOND, V a., Aarcn =, lcbU.
To Hs Ehoslleney, John y Peftus, Governor Of
Che State of AississsRpi:
srR: II becomes my duty TO report to your
Excellency the events of the mission to the
authority of the Commonwealth of Virginia,
with which / have la iely been intrused by
ihe State Government of Mississippi.
After receiving my credentials and in
strucfions. proceeded promptly to Rich
mond. where arrived on the 18th of Febru
airy last. On the next day i presented to
His Excellency. the Governor OF Virginia. to-
getber with my Credentials. copy OF the
resolutions adopted by the Legislature of
Mississippi, and addressed 10 Gov. Letcher
| communication. dated February 10th, Ia
copy of which is appended to this report,
| marked "A,'') In which / endeavored to
| state, as briefly as possible. the character OF
my instructions. and of the motives which
had actuated the course adopted by my
| State.
| In this first communication did not find it
! necessary to enter into any long or detailed
| statement or argument, either as to the i'm.
| minent necessity for immediate and deter
mined action on the parI of the slaveholding
States to restore the integrity of their already
violated sovereign and confederate rights, or
| as to the ugent requirement for the harmoni-
Gus cooperation of these States in some we'll
settled plan of united action. or yet as to
! the high expedieucy of our Interstate con-
ference, like that proposed by South Caro-
lima and Mississippi, to SECURE such co-opera-
ton.
! All this had been carefully and very ably
discussed by the Commissioner from South
| Carolina whose visit TO Richmond prepared
| m me- and when it became my duty 70 add
| to the urgent invitation IF South Caroiiua
| the earnest solicitation of Mississippi, DEEM
| ed it best to give their request every iHdics-
| ton of unaninity in motive and policy
l was received with the utmost kindness
and court, ~ by Gov. Letcher. who promptly
| transmit, 10 the General Assembly my Off
cial comm cation; and daring the whole p :
Rod of nv e. mporary residence in Richmond,
constantly received from both the Governor
and Legislature of Virginia, as well as in all
instances from the numerous citizens of the
Commonwealth with whom it has been my
good fortune to exchange social amenities,
the most gratifying evidences of affection.
confiirnce aud respect indicated towards the
authorities and people of Mississippi. In ad-
dition to these testimonials, 1 have 10 express
my grateful Acknowledgements of the manner
in which governmental courtesy and private
kindnt IS Wed in rendering TO me personally
every possible instance of generous and re-
fined hospitality.
During my stay at Richmond. 1 took partic-
ular care TO Investigate, 10y means OF constant
personal Intercourse with eminent official aud
unofficial persons, as well as by an attentive
study of the recommendations of the Govern
or and The acts of the General Assembly, the
views of the authorities aud citizens Of Vir-
giuia to the exigencics and requirements
of the present involved condition of our re-
lations.
In one, esp cially, of the Legislative docu-
ment of the present SESSION of the General Ar
sembly, found such striking evidences of
Just appreciation of this whole matter, that
deemed il best to make it The Objrct of anoth-
er official communication to Gov. Letcher.
This 1 did, in my note dated March LIST. Ia
copy of which is appended 10 this report,
marked "B."l which was Immediately trans
mitted by the Governor to the General As
sembly.
After long deIiberation and mnch discus
sion, the General Assembly OF Virginia has
taken final action on the proposal rendered
by South Carolina and Mississippi. The re-
suit of that deiberaiion, and the precise char
acter of that action. has been communicated
ia me by the presiding officers OF the General
Assembly. in a document copy of which is
appended to this report, marked &c"
1t is unnecessary for me to report to yOur
Eycellency any statement as to The views
and motives of the Government of Virginia.
They are concisely and accurately defined by
ted to you.
While, in common with the authorities
and the people generally of Mississippi. /
deeply regret that the Government Uf Vir-
ginia has not found it expedient TO send rep
rcsentatives to the proposed conference of
slaveholding States, l find much cause for
qualification in the evidence it affords in the
tone and language of the resolutions adopt
ed-that Virginia still looks forward to the
4 l,el,, ,f,
the only honorable and oUduring basis of
unimPoiI ell State Sovereignty and con<titu-
tioual right that she warmly cherishcs The
svmpathies and relations which have ever
bound her in interest and affection to her
sister States OF the South that her people
are fully sensible of the extent. injury and
danger, of the aggressions and indignities to
which they. i'm common with the whole peo-
pie of the South, have been, and are till
subjected-and that both the Government
and the people of Virginia Indicate their de-
sire to unite with the other slavcbUlding
States in the adoption and enforcement of
such active measures as shall be found It
adapted 10 restore anu protect their sovc-
r,i3n and confederate rights.
In acknowledgement OF the many eviden-
ces of respect for my State aud personal
Kindness towards myself exhibited by the
authorities and citizens OF Virginia, | took
the liberty on the eve of my departure from
Richmond, to address Governor Letcher a
letter, copy of which is appended to this
report, marked D."
In all the action incident to my mission,
| have striven to furnish The most direct and
forcible expression OF the wishes, purposes
and policy of Mississippi and while l have
spar, NO opportunity to urge and advocate
the proposal which she has tendrrcd tn the
Government OF Virginia, have at the same
lime. euutaVOrei To Mace nv intercourse
with the authorities TO whom | was accred-
tied on the most favorable footing of mutual
respect and kindness.
| trust your Excellency will believe that,
however inadequate my limited powers
may have proved towards the accomplish
nlent of The great object Of the mission en-
trusted TO Inc, those powers. such as they
are. have been faithfully and lsbori"usly ex
ertcd to the iull extent nf their capacity.
/ have the honor to remain,
Very respectfully,
ri.