The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-01-09
Message of Governor Letcher.

RICHMOND, Jan. S.-Governor Letchers message
was sent to the Legislature yesterday. He begins
by auding to the happy tranquility of the earlier
period of the Republic which has been interrupted
by the interference of the citizens of Northern
States with the rights and institutions of the South.
In Massachusetts,, Wisconsin, Vermont, and per-
haps other States, legislation, he says, has been
employed to defeat the execution of the fugitive
slave law within their limits. 1t is cheerfully
ceded that large portion of the citizens of the
North are loyal to the Constitution and the Union,
but it is not to be disguised that large number are
Indifferent to both and prefer dissolution to the
extension of slave territory and an increase of
slave States.
This lamentable state of things originated in the
construction given by the Northern people to the
Constitution. He suggests that a convention of all
the States be summoned, and that full and free
conference be had to ascertain if the question in
controversy cannot be settled on some basis mutu-
ally satisfactory to both sections. If the diferen-
irreconcilable let the question of peacea-
BILE separation be discussed. He recommends that
the Legislature adopt resolutions in favor of the
call of such convention as provided for in the 5h
article of the Constitution, and appeal to the Leg
slatures of the several States to unite in the app
cation proposed to be made to Congress in pursu-
of the provisions of this article. If the free
States fail refuse to unite in the application it
will furnish conclusive evidence of determina-
tion on their part to keep up the agitation.
If the Convention meet, and the question cannot
be satisfactorily adjusted, it will furnish evidence
equally conclusive.
The Governor also suggests that Commission of
two of our most experienced statesmen be appoint
ed to visit the Legislatures of those States which
have passed laws to obstruct the execution Of the
fugitive slave act, and insist, in the of Vir
ginia, upon an unconditional repeal. The Governor
says the controversy has now reached that point,
which demands speedy settlement, if the Union is
to be preserved. He is prepared to do all that
honor, patriotism and duty enjoins towards its
preservation but nevertheless it is the duty of the
State to be prepared, and he recommends revision
OF the militia laws-that munitions OF war be pro-
cured, brigades and minute men be organized, and
that the military Institute be enlarged. He also
recommends the fostering of direct trade, manufac
lures and the mechanical arts; the completion of
internal improvements, ETC.
From Washington.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 8.-Ex-Congressman James
Hughes, of Indiana, will be, if he has not already
been, rendered, by the President, the appointment
to the vacant Judgeshp in the Court of Claims;
of it.
A bill recently introduced by Senator Lane pro-
vides for the settlement of the Oregon and Wash
ngton war debt of 1855 and 1856, according to the
recommendation of the military commission who
spent twelve months in the examination of the
claims. To guard against speculations, the money
is proposed to be paid only to the original claim
ants, or their legal attorneys or assignees. The
amount involved is about five millions. The bill is
altogether Independent of the measure now in pro-
gress at the Treasury Department for scaling the
various items to the army standard.
1t is known that Senator Toombs, during the
Congressional recess, carefully prepared general
bankrupt bill, but its presentation is prevented by
the unsettled political condition of the country.
Recent information from Oregon and Washing
ton shows that the last appropriation has been sui
fcent to sustain the Indian SERVICE and a conse-
quence there is now in that quarter an entirely
peaceable condition Of affairs.
Destructive Fires.
ST. LOUIS, Jan. 6.-The large Touring mill at
Jersevville, ILL.,, was burned on the I'd inst. Loss
$4,000; insurance $4,000.
CHICAGO, Jan. Ga fire last Sunday morning at
Sheboygan, Wis, destroyed the building occupied
by the county offices and county courts. The re-
cords prior to 1857, and all the books and papers in
the Probate office, were destroyed. The building
was valued at $4,000, upon which there was nc
insurance. The loss to the county is not less than
$50 900.
NEWPORT, n. H., Jan. 6.-The hotel in this place
destroyed by fire last night The loss is So 600
and the insurance half that amount.