Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1860-12-25
South Carolina State Convention.

Convention met at noon to-day
Prayer was offered, in the course Of which
the speaker invoked God to unite the people
of the South in the formation Of a Southern
Confedcracy.
Gen. Adams moved that the convention en
into secret session. An amendment was pre-
posed to appoint committee to invite the GOV
ernor Postmaster and Collector, to he present.
The subject was temporarily postponed, or
motion Of Mr. Barnwell.
Mr.. Rhett, chairman Of the committee ap-
pointed to prepare an address to the Southern
States, read 4 long and able paper reviewing
the injuries Of South Carolina in her connection
with the Union
The convention refused to use the address,
until it was finally adopted, and it was there.
fore made the special order for Saturday
Judge Wardlaw made report by ordinance
amending the Constitution Of the State Of South
Carolina.
Some other unimportant matters were trans
acted, when the convention went into secret
session, excluding all but members.
SECOND DESPATCH.
CHARLESTON, Dec 2l.-rhe convention was
opened with prayer, invoking Gods blessing
on the newborn confederacy.
Immediately after the reading Of the Jour
nal, Mr.. Adams moved to exclude the report;
ers and strangers from the Hall.
Mr.. Harllec offered written substitute, ap
pointing committee to wait on the Governor
so that the convention may advise with him.
in secret session. relative to the present state
of affairs. Laid on the table.
Mr.. Adams said he wanted the presence Of
the Postmaster, and made 4 motion to that CT
feet, which was carried.
Mr.. Inglis wanted an official reporter, but
the motion was lost.
Mr. Rhctt, from the committee appointed TO
prepare an address to the Southern States,
made 4 long report.
Mr.. Pope moved that the address should
not be reported until some final action was ii,
ken
Mr.. Carn moved that the address be printed
and made the special order for TO norro% al
one clock.
A member desired that it be given 10 the
world in its precise form, rs the voice Of tn"
Convention, with not one alteration in report
ing to conveywrong impressions, when read
tomorrow over the country.
Mr.. Pope desired that it should not be pub
lished in the journals.
The vote on the question that the report be
published, but not in the public journals, was
carried wiah only three nays.
The question on making it the special orGcr
for tomorrow, at one o'clock, was carried unan-
imouSly.
Mr.. Wardaw, from the committee appointed
to prepare All oath Of Office, under the fourth
article of the South Carolina Constitution as
amended, reported as follows:
All persons who shall be elected or appoint
cd to any office Of profit or trust, before enter
ing upon the execution thereof, shall take, be.
side the special oaths not repugnant to tins
Constitution, prescribed BY the General AS
sembly, the following oath: | do solemnly
swear and affirm, that | will faithful and true
acsience bear to South Carolina, so long as
may continue citizen thereof, and that am
duly qualified, according to the Constitution ct
this State, to exercise the office to which have
been appointed and will, to the best of my
ability, discharge the duties Of the office, and
preserve, protect and defend the Constitution
Of this State, SO help me God.
Mr.. Wardaw moved its adoption.
4 debate cnsued on inserting the word ''h!gh'
before the word "oficc" and omtting, nj the
end of the oath, the words "of this State"
| Mr.. %ithers moved the insertion Of the
following clause: THAT every officer appointed
shall take the following oath" 1t is implied
according TO some authorities, that no other
oaths shall be taken than the ordinance adopt
|
ed unanimously.
Ex-Governor Adams motion to 20 into Sc
cret session was then taken up At half.past
one o clock the Convention resolved itself into
secret session.
The convention is now taking the second
ballot for three commissioners to Washington.
r. W. Barnwell was elected on the FIRST ballot.
Messrs. A. G. Magrath and j. L. Orr stand the
best chance for being chosen as the other two.
An ordinance was offered December Goth, by
B. f. Dunkin, as follows:
BE it ordained by the convention that until
otherwise provided the Governor be autho.
rized to appoint Collector and other officers
connected with tic Customs at the several
ports in South Carolina; also, PostmaSlcrs,
and, until other appointments arc made, the
persons now charged with said offices, continue
to discharge the same keeping an account OF
the moneys received and disbursed respectively.
Mr. a. II. Brown proposed an amendment,
that the Governor be empowered to collect the
duties and imposts at the rate now existing
under the law Of the United States, and to ap.
point collector to hold them, subject to the
further direction Of this body; also, 10 continue
the present postal arrangements, in part con-
tracted on our behalf till further arrangements
be made.
An ordinance was offered by Mr. Marcy
Gregg, as 4 substitute for the ordinance propo
sed by Mr.. Dunkin. rs follows: we, the pco.
, plc of South Carolina, in Convention assembled,
declare and ordain that, until otherwise proSi-
dcd, the importation Of merchandise be free
: and UNRESTRICTED; that it be the duty Of the
Governor to make such temporary regulations
as may be requisite concerning extra clearance,
and to appoint such officers as are needed;
and that it bc the duty OF the General Assem-
bly, to provide proper compensation for the Of
hcers until further ordained; that, unit! other
wise provided, it be the duty Of the Governor
to appoint postmaster and make such tempo.
rary arrangements as may be requisite for the
: transportation Of the mails having due re.
gard to the mail contracts Of the government
now Subsisting.
The following ordinance 10 provide for the
continuance Of the commercial and posta! Ia
!, cilities was proposed by Mr.. W. 1. hudson as
n substitute for the ordinance Of Mr.. Dnnhin:
: We. the people Of the Commonwealth "t
] South Carolina, in convention assembled, Gc.
clare and orain, that until it be otherwise pro-
= yLed, all citizens now holding office under the
= Government, Of the United States, within thc
G limits Of South Carolina, be and are hcrcb:
0 aupointed to hold, under the Government o.
: this State the same offices which they now III.
S with the pay and emoumcnts they now receive.
t And be it further ordained, that until the He-
: neral Assembly otherwise provide, the revenue
e and postal laws Of the United States be ana
!. arc hereby adopted and made the laws oi ta's
State, saving and excepting, that no duties Dc
e collected upon merchandise and productions
imported from any slaveho!dins Iol'inSn .t'n,
wealths in North America; ana lurlnc', ln.,
all money collected By the officers a'orsSa'r t"r
SHALL after deducting the sum, icS bar sSn:nses @
ha o MD % into the Bank of the State Of Carolina,
,h;act y. r. tho order Of the General Assembly;
oI ouG Grher that the officers aforesaid retain