The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-01-29


eial intercourse And in thus wishing them esen "ns
| NE Of prosperity and peace bid them farewell
M heSR presented the resolutions Oh the
Of Pennsylvania, which were read
The PRssupksrs Message was then read on MOTION u
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
| To SENATE AND House. OF REPRESENTATIVES os TUE
usnEp SrArs:-
deem IL my duty to submit to Congress a series Of
resolutions adopted by the Legislature of Virginia The
10th net having in view the peaceful settlement OF the
existing questions which threaten the Onion They
delivered u Thursday, the oath inst, by
President Tyler who has left his digned and honored
retirement the hope that he may render 10 his
country in this its hour of peril.
The resolutions, It win be perceived, extend INVITA-
tion to all States, whether slavehodng slavehod
ing, az willing to unite with Virginia in earnest
effort 70 ADJUST the present unhappy controversies in he
spirit in which the constitution originally formed,
and consistently with its principles to afford to the
people Of the svehodng States adequate guarantees for
the security Of their rights to appoint commissioners 70
meet the 4th day Of February next in the city of
Washington, similer commissioners appointed by Vir-
gina TO consider and if practicable, agree upon some
suitable adjustment.
confess hail the movement the part Of Virginia
with great satisfaction From the past history Of this
ancient and renowned we have the fullest
assurance that what she has undertaken she will accom-
plish, II IL be done by able enlightened and per-
6eveTing efforts. IL hghly grat1yniB 10 tnat
other patriotic States have appointed appointing
Commissioners To meet those OF Virginia in council.
When assembled they will constitute body entitled in
eminent degree TO the confidence of the country
The General Assembly Of Virginia have also resolved
hat President John Tyler hereby appointed by the
vote of each branch Of the General Assembly
Commissioner TO the President Of the United States
and Judge John Robertson hereby appointed, by like
vote Commissioner TO the State Of South Carolina and
the other States that have seeded shall secede with
Instructions respectfully to request the President Of tho
United States and the authorities Of such States to agree
IN ahcfat ding tha
action Of this General Assembly, from any and
all acts calculated TO produce a collision Of
Of the United States. However strong may be my de-
sire TO enter into such an agreement, am convinced
that do not possess the power Congress and
creton of agreeing to abstain from any and all acts cal
culaed to produce collision of arms between this and
any other government 1t would therefore be usurpa
ton for the Executive to attempt to restrain their hands
by agreement in regard TO matters which he has
no constitutional control. If he were thus to act
they might pass laws which he should be bound
to obey, though in conflict with his agreement Under
existing circumstances my present actual power is
fined within limits. II my duty at all times To
defend and protect the public property within the seced
ing States far may be practicable and especially to
employ the constitutional means to protect the property
of the United States and preserve the public at
this the seat OF the federal government If the seced
ing States abstain from any and all acts calculated
TO produce collision Of arms, then the danger
much to be deprecated will no longer ex
the policy OF the administration from the beginning
But whilst enter into no engagement, such as that
l
confidence that il viii appreciation abstain
from passing law calculated TO produce collision OF
arms pending the proceedings contemplated by the
action OF the General Assembly O Virginia am one
Of those who will never despair Of the republic. YET
cherish the belief that the American people vii
perpetuate the Union OF the States some terms jus
and honorable for all sections OF the country trust tina
the mediation Of Virginia may be the destined means
under the providence OF God Of accomplishing this ines
tnabe benefit Glorious are the memories of her pas
history such achievement both in relation 10 her owl
fame and welfare Of the whole country would surpas
them all JAMES BUCHANAN.
WASHINGTON Cry, Jan. %, 1881
THE VIRGINIA RESOLUTIONS.
In the Virginia House OF Delegates, Thursday Janu
sry IL, the following important Joint report o boil
branches Of the Legislature submitted -
whereas IL is the deliberate opinion of the General As
sembly Of Virginia that the unhappy controversy
which divides the States of this conederacy shall be
satisfactorily adjusted dissolution Of the Union nev
table and the General Assembly, representing the
wishes Of the people Of the Commonwealth Is desirous Of
employing every reasonable means to avert SO dire
lsity, and determined 70 make final effort 70 restore
the Union the constitution in the spirit in which they
established by the fathers o the republic there
l. Resolved That On behalf Of the comraonwealth OF
Virginia invitation is hereby extended to all such
states whether saveholdng or non slsveholdng as are
willing 10 unite with Virginia In earnest EFFORT n ad
st the present unhappy controversies, in the spirit IN
which the constitution was originally formed and con-
Of the slavehodDs states adequate guarantees for e
curity Of their rights 10 appoint Commissioners 70 moct
similar Commissioners appointed BY Virginia. consider
and practicable, agree upon some suitable adjustment
q Resolved That five Commissioners be appointed by
the General Assembly, whose duty shal be 70 appear
the city Of Washington the day designated in the
foregoing resolution, 70 meet ouch Conmisuers as may
be appcted by any Of the States IN accordance With the
foregoing invitation.
O. Resolved, Tha, said Commissioners after full and
free conference shall agree upon any plan a adjustment
requiring amendments Of the federal constitution the
further security Of the rights CT TIE people Of the slave
proposed amendmeos TO Consrcss, for the purpose q
having the submitted 70 that body, according 70
the forms u the constitution 10 the several States for
\ ratification.
& Resolved, That If said Cpmmissoncrs agree
such adjustment or agreeing Congress eha refuse
submit for ratification such amendments may be
proposed then the Commissioners Of this state shall i'm
mediately communicate the result 70 the Executive Of
This Commonwealth 20 be by him laid before the Conven-
ton of people Of Virginia and the General Assembly
Provided That said Commissioners be subject ct all times
70 the control Of the Geuers Assembly; Or, in session,
! 10 that of the State Opnvention.
g. Resolved, That In the opinion Of the General Assem-
by q Virginia the propositions enbraoed N the resolu-
presented 10 the Senate of the United States by
the Hon John j. Crtenden embraces the basis Of such
adjustment would Be acceped By the people Of this
g. Resolved Tha. copies Of The foregoing resolutions
be forthwith teegraphed 70 the Executive the several
States
vote being demanded on the commttee's report the
preamble adopted the first resolution by
Of 6 eyes 10 nays the second and Ard without
Of Mr. Robertson, Of Richmond by making the Cemmis-
soncrs subec, TO the control Of the General Assembly
Mr.. NAsoy, (opp) of Va, moved that ths message bs
printed He said theee resolutions passed by the
state Of Virginia and transmitted directly 70 the Presi-
Office Of mediator between the States The next object
Of the resolutions TO induce the President refrain
from any act 10 produce collision with the knowiedge
that collision occurs viii be beyond the power of
any mortal arm 10 remedy the evils 70 follow II was
great eort Virginia thus making save the country
Virginia had also called Convention 10 the l3th Of
February But the great object of her mission
Guilty beyond remedy he trusted The poSIo s Of
Virginia would be successful, At least for the time
being. II II should result that the questions are
/ peace q the continent should be preserved; and II
the present Union ID beyond hope, shonld still
II cannot be devised by reconssrustion
otherwise Such the appeal Of the great State OF
Virginia there be any Senator who INDUCES the be.
lief that an attempt 70 force any State win not lead to
before, nd repeated 1t now. We have evidence
from the section which had separated, that though
they found II necessary 70 take possession OF the
forts and arsenas, they had done simply
Of precauton and there one, II abe should be