Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-12-20

4 Ell EGR APHIU.
sOurH CAROLINA m CONvENrIoN.

openca, u n O'Clock a. m, with an encouraging
PRAYER by the Rev. Mr.. Curtis ~ 80
Several additional members took their scat,
One hundred and sixty members were present,
Proposition TO sit with closed DOOR was de-
bated and withdrawn
The communications Of portion Of the Georui /,
Legislature was taken up.
Mr.. wardlaw moved that Il be referred TO the
Committee on the Address.
Nh. Middleton said that, as this was not an
ofhcial paper, tn acceptance such would open
wide door. Seh-appointed committees from
every State, North and South, would claim the
same consideration. He wished 10 understood
ments: The subject was further considered, but
no action taken
The special order for one O'Clock was the reso-
luton proposing to appoint four Standing COM
seven members, as follows:
LIST. Committee on Relations with the Slave
holding States Of North America.
"a. A COMMITTEES on Foreign Relations.
Sd. A Committee on Commercial Relations
4th Committee on the Constitution Of the
Mr. Smith proposed an amendment providing
Iof COMMITTEE OF Commerce and Committee
on Postal Arrangements.
debate took place about the power Of the Lee
gislature in this matter
The Committee on Commerce and Postal Ar
engagements were increased TO thirteen, and the
amendment adopted.
The resolution authorizing a committee I'm re.
laton to the slaveholding States was adopted and
q
thorized
The third resolution, on commercial relations
and postal arrangements, was then taken up
Mr. McCready said we are only proposing to
make a change for the people while in a transition
state and we must take especial care Of our postal
arrangements. Our Legislature now has no
power We are the power, and may pass f. sub
ject to their revision and alteration We are OBJ
gated to take particular notice Of IL in lis relation
TO the U nited states Your faith Is pledged, and
yea are not to break In upon arrangements which
are necessary to the convenience Of our citizens
and the other Southern States. What will we do
without Information! IL will breed iIl-will 4
think the Convention 10 bound to make suitable
arrangements in relation to these matters The
Post once Department can be carried right on,
and we shall have the contractors to paw.
Mr. Gregg said we can dissolve our union with
the United States and make arrane ements for con-
tnuing the mail service with Adsmss express
The debate 10 out Of order. The minister to the
United States will have the matter in charge
The amendment adding the postal arrangements
TO the duties Of the Committee on Commerce was
adopted.
The fourth resolution was adopted
The second special order, being the secession
portion of the Message of the President Of the
United States, came up.
Mr. Magrath made strong speech on the sub
ect Of the property Of the United States in South
Carolina.
Mr.. Miles had no idea that the President of the
United States saw any necessity for reinforcing
the Notifications In the harbor He would saw
frankly that there should be no concealment
among US. In a conversation, and subseo uently
in written communication, know this to have
been said III you send solitary soldier to these
parts, the instant the intelligence reaches our
people (and we will take care that II does reach
us before Ii reach the forts) the forts will be
taken, because such course is necessary to our
safety and self-preservation {"
MI. Miles spoke about the repaine at Fort Sum-
ter, and mentioned the cause Of the resignation Of
Secretary Cas- At Fort NJ oultrie there were only
sixty five men, with five or six musicians Mai
AndPrsOn n 0f He al al
sity when the excitement first broke out Of being
wstchful, lest few persons from Charleston
should surprise him in the night. All the repairs
now being made will be to our advantage.
The resolution for a committee of safety was
postponed and made special order for to-mor.
row.
Mr.. Memminger moved the appointment of a
committee of seven to draft a summary statement
Of the causes which justify South Carolina in
Withdrawing from the Union. Hesaid at another
time we can present these causes to the whole
world This he desired, so that IL would dispel
the idea that South Carolina is in a state of revo-
luton. Weare a State already recognised by the
world, and, in order TO set ourselves right before
the world, II is expedient to show our true posi-
ton
The motion was adopted
Mr.. Dunkin offered a resolution that commit
| tee be appointed to inquire into and report what
measures, temporary or permanent can be adopt-
ed In reference to custom houses and postal ar
engagements, necessary in consequence Of with
drawal Of South Carolina from the Union.
Mr. Hayne submitted preamble and resolu-
| tons substantially as follows:
Whereas the causes which have produced a sep
| araton Of South Carolina from the Federal Union
| have emanated from the States north Of Mason
and Dixon's line which use hireling labor only
and whereas IL Is not against the Constitution OF
the United States that South Carolina has opposed
her sovereignty, but the usurpation Of the Govern
ment In violation Of this instrument Therefore
/ be ii
| RtSolrsd, That a commissioner be sent to each
of the slaveholding States, bearing a copy of the
ordinance Of secession, and prefer each State OF
any one or more Of them, the existing Constitu
ton OF the United States as the basis Of Provis
| ional Government to be adopted on the part O
| South Carolina and any other slaveholding Stat,
or States which, after seeding from the present
| Federal Union, shall be willing to unite with
| South Carolina in forming new Confederacy
and We do hereby ratify and confirm, from III,
date hereof, any action taken by such commits
| sioner or commissioners. with the consent of th,
| Governor Of South Carolina, in the formation o
such Provisional Union. And we do furthe
| earnestly recommend that In - DAYS after two O.
| more States, in addition to South Carolina shall
| have acceded to the said Provisional Union, al
election shall be held for Senators and Member
| Of the House Of Representatives Of the new Con
| gress, and also President and Vice President O
| the new COnfederacV.
pointed to carry an authenticated copy of til
| ordinance Of secession to Washingtn TO be lai,
| before the President Of the United States, with
request that the same shall be communicated Z
Congress, now In session; and that the said com
missioners are hereby authorized and empowere,
| to treat for the delivery Of the forts, magazine
houses, and other real estate, and all appul
tenances thereto within the geographical limits @
South Carolina-the authority TO treat upon thes
subjects 10 be extended to the - day Of Feb
ruary, In the year Of our Lord 1861: Prortded
That In the mean tine the said fortx, magazines
etc, are allowed to remain in the condition 4
which they may be at the adoption Of this ord
nance. And they shall be further empowered
treat upon the subject of the public debt, and fc
| proper division Of all other property now bel
by the Government Of the United States a
| agent Of the States now embraced In the said Cor
federacy, until such time a new Confederacy
States shall be formed Of which South Carolin
shall be one.
These resolutions elected a long debate,
which Messrs. Rhett, Keitt, and Middleton part
cipated.
| The first resolution was referred TO the Con
mittee on Foreign Relations, and ordered to
| printed.
Mr.. Memminger submitted a resolution that
commission, consisting Of three persons, be electe
| by ballot to proceed 70 Washington TO negotiai
with the United States, through their Genera
Government, as to proper measures aud arrange
ments to be adopted for the continuance Of peac
| and amity; and also that committee Of i've pei
| sons be elected to confer with deputies from Ia
other slaveholding States with a view OF formin
| as ham Gonfedsracv &nc and alsO 10 arranQ