Delaware State journal and statesman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1855-1870, 1861-02-01
MESSAGE OF TEE president.
To the Senate and House of Representatives
the United States.

To the Senate and House of Representatives Of |
the United States.
deem it my duty to submit to Congress a
series of resolutions adopted by the Legislature
Of Virginia on the 18th instant, having in view
peaceful settlement of the existing questions
which now threaten tue Union. They were de
liyered to me on Thursday, the 2Ith instant, by
ex-PresidCnt Tyler, who has left his dignihed
and honored retirement in the hope that he may
render service to his country in this its hour OF
peril. These resolutions, it will be perceived,
extend an invitation to all such States, whether
slave. holding or non-slaveholdng, as are will
ing TO unite with Virginia in an earnest effort
to adjust the present unhappy controversies in
the spirit in which the Constitution was origin
ally formed, and consistently with its principles,
so as to afford TO the people Of the slayc-hoIng
States adequate guarantees for the security Of
their rights, to appoint commissioners, to
meet on the 4th day of February next, in the
city Of Washington, similar commissioners APP
pointed by VirgiuiA, to consider, und, ii prnct-
cable, agree upon some suitable adjustment l
confess | hail this movement on the part of
Virginia with great satisfaction From the past
history Of this ancient and renowned common
wealth we hnve the fullest assurance that what
she has undertaken she will accomplish, it it
can be done by able enlightened aud perseycr
lug efforts. 1t is highly gratifying TO know that
other patriotic States have appointed, mud nre
appointing, commissioners to meet those Of Nir-
gnia in council. When assembled, they will
constitute body entitled, in an eminent degree,
I to the confidence of the country. Tho General
Assembly of Virginia have also "tcsolycd that
eX-Presideut John Tyler is hereby appointed, by
the concurrent vote OF each branch OF the General
| Assembly, q commissioner to the President of
the United States. and Judge John Robinson il
hereby appointed by like vote. commissioner
to the State of South Carolina and the other
States that have seeded, or shall secehe, will
instructions respectfully to request the President
of the United States and the authorities o.
such States to agree to abstain pending the
proceedings contemplated by the action Of thi.
General Assembly, from any and all acts culcn
lated 10 produce a collision OF arms between tn,
States aud the government OF the United States.
However strong may be my desire 10 enter into
such IN agreement, | am convinced that d,
not possess the power Congress, aud Congress
alone, under the war making power, can exercis
The discretion Of agreeing TO abstain from any
and all acts calculated to produce collision .
arms between this or any other government
1t would, therefore, he a usnrpation for the ca
ecutive to attempt to restrain their hands by al
, agreement in regard to matters over which h
has no constitutional control. If he were thu
to act they might pass laws which he should h
bound to obey, though in conflict with his agree
> ment.
Under existing circumstances, my presen
actual power is confined within narrow Limit.
1t is my duty at all times to defend and proteC
the public property within the seeding State.
so far as this may be practicable, and espccnll
to employ the constitutional means to prolec
the property of the United States, and 10 IRE
serve the public peace at this the seat OF Ill
Federal government. II the seeding State
r abstain from any and all acts calculated to pre-
I duce a collision of arms then the danger 30 niue
= to be deprecated will no longer exist, D femc,
. and not aggression has been the policy of III
. Administration from the beginning But Will;
d | can enter into no engagement such as that pre-
posed, | cordially commend 10 Congress,
a much confidence that it will meet their sppro
bslion, TO abstain from passing any law ealculf
ted to produce collision Of arms, pending til
: proceedings contemplated by the action Of ii
General Assembly Of Vrginia. l ain one
r. those who will never despair of the liepublic
yet cherish the belief that the American poop
. will perpetuate the Union of the States nn sen
: terms just and honorable for all sections Of iii
country trust that the mediation of Virgini
may be the destined means under Providence
a accomplishing this inestmahlc benefit uvriot
i rs are the memories Of her past history, such q
Il achievement, both ia relation to her own fa
and the welfare of the whole country would SUI
h pass them all JAMES BUCHANAN
Washington City, Jm, %, 1861