The weekly Mississippian. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1859-1864, 1860-04-04
THE MISSISSIPPIAN.
Tbe Virginia Mission.
proHrosp. Va. March eth, 1860.

The Virginia Mission.
RrcHMosD, Va, March 9th, 1860.
n, H. E,rsleseq, John J. Pettus, Governor
NJ a. Ssass of Mississippi.
S;rwrt becomes my duty to report to your
FxcoIla,cv the events of the mission to the
Anthn,;e;es of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
With yrhieh have lately been entrusted by
State Government of Mississippi.
kfsr receiving my credentials and instruc-
t;oDc I proceeded promptly to Richmond,
Trhars I arrived on the 10Th of February last.
On the next day, presented to His Excel
lancv the Governor of Virginia, together with
NV credentials, copy Of the Resolutions
adouted by the Legislature of Mississippi, and
odJressed to Governor Letcher a communica-
sion. dated February 10th, "a copy of which is
annsnded to this report, marked can in
which endeayored to state, as briefly as pos
SHE. the charaeter'of my instructions and of
the motives which had aotuated the course
adopted by my State.
In this first communication, did not find
Unnecessary to enter into any long or detailed
statement or argument, either as to the immi-
nent necessity for immediate and determined
sction on the part of the slayeholding States to
restore the integrity of their already violated
sovereign and confederate rights, or as to the
urgent requirement for the harmonious CO.
operation of these States in some we'll settled
plan Of united action, or yet as TO the high ex-
pediencY of our interstate conference, like
that proposed by South Carolina and Missis-
s;ppi to secure such cooperation.
All this had been carefully and very ably
discussed by the Commissioner from South
Carolina, whose visit to Richmond preceded
mine,-and when it became my duty to add
to the urgent invitation of South Carolina the
earnest solicitation of Mississippi, deemed it
best to give to their request every indication
of unanimity in motive and in policy.
WAS received with the utmost kindness
and courtesy by Governor Letcher, who
promptly transmitted to the General Assem-
bly, my official communication and during
the whole period of my temporary residence
in Richmond, constantly received from both
the Governor and the 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 af-
fiction, confidence and respect indicated to-
wards the authorities and people of Missis-
sippi. In addition to these testimonials,
have to express my grateful acknowledge
ment of the manner in which governmental
courtesy and private kindness We'd in tender
ing to me personally every possible instance
ofgenerous and refined hospitality.
During my stay at Richmond, took par
ticular care to investigate, by means of con-
slant personal intercourse with eminent official
and unofficial persons, as well as by an at
tentive study of the recommendations OF the
governor and the acts Of the General Assem-
bly,, the views of the authorities and citizens
of Virginia as to the exigencies and require
ments Of the present involved condition ofour
federal relations
In one, especially, of the Legislative docu-
ments of the present session Of the General
Assembly, A found such striking evidences of
a Just appreciation of this whole matter, that
deemed it best to make it the subject of
another official communication to Governor
Letcher This did, in my note dated March
1st "a copy of which is appended to this re-
port, marked "B,") which was Immediately
transmitted by the Governor to the General
Assembly.
After long deliberation and much DISCUSSION,
the General Assembly of Virginia has taken
final action on the proposal rendered by South
Carolina and Mississippi. The result of that
elaboration, and the precise character of that
action, has been communicated to me by the
presiding officers of the General Assembly, in
document copy of which IS appended to
this report marked &C."
1t is unnecessary for me to report to your
ExcelIency any statement as to the views and
motives of the Government of Virginia. They
are concisely and accurately defined by their
own resolutions, herewith communicated to
you.
While, in common with the authorities and
the people generally of Mississippi, deeply
regret that the Government of Virginia has not
found it expedient to send representatives to
the proposed conference of slaveholding States.
l find much cause for qualification in the
evidence affords by the tone and language of
the resolutions adopted, that Virginia still
looks forward to the re-establishment of our
Federal Union on the only honorable and en-
during basis of unimpaired State Sovereignty
and constitutional right; that she warmly
cherishes the sympathies and relations which
have ever bound her in interest and affection
to her sister States of the South; that her peo-
pie are fully sensible of the extent. injury
and danger Of the aggressions and indignItles
to which they, in common with the whole peo-
ple of the South, have been and are still sub
iected-and that both the Government and
the peopleof Virginia indicate their desire to
mite with the other slaveholding States IN
the adoption and enforcement Of such active
measures as shall be found best adapted to
restore and protect their sovereign and con-
federate rights.
In acknowledgment of the many evidences
of respect for my State and personal kindness
towards myself exhibited by the authorities
and citizens of Virginia, took the liberty on
the eve of my departure from Richmond, 70
address to Governor Letcher letter, copy
Of which is appended to this report marked
3D."
In all the action incident to my mission,
have striven to furnish the most direct ano
forcible expression of the wishes, purpo
ses and policy of Mississippi; and while
have spared no opportunity to urge and adyo
cate the proposal which she has rendered z
the Government of Virginia, have, at thu
same time. endeavored to place my inter
course with the authorities to whom wa
accredited on the most favorable tooting
mutual respect and kindess.
trust your Excellency viii believe that
however inadequate my limited powers may
have proved towards the accomplishment
the great ebject of the mission entrusted t.
me, those powers, such as they are, have beef
faithfully and laboriously exerted to the ful
extent Of their capacity.
have the honor to remain,
very respectfully,
YOUR obedient servant,
D