The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1861-02-02
Congress-.
MONDAY, Jan. IS

of the passage of the Crittenden rcsolu-
tons.
Mr.. Crittenden submitted resolutions in
favor OF his resolutions, from Michigan
and other States Also similar resolutions
from the Railroad Convention.
Dir. iverson presented the ordinance Of
secession OF Georgia, which was read. He
addressed the Senate, iustifying the course
of his State.
He acknowledged many courtesics, and
babe Senators farewell.
The Presidents message was then read
The resolutions of the Virginia Legisla-
ture We're else read.
Mr.. Mason addressed the Senate NOV
ing that the message be printed. He said
Virginia offered herself as Il mediator, and
the resolutions request the President to
prevent a collision, which, if occurring, 10
mortal arm could remedy the evils to fol
low. Iie~trusted the noble effort of his
State would be successful. 1t was delu-
sion TO think that coercion w"u!d not lead
10 war He said the seizure OF forts was 4
measure oil precaution. II peace was re-
stored every dollar of the public property
would be accounted for lie believed the
seeding States were actuaten 10y desire
to keep the peace, and the plan Of Nirsi-
MA was liIe o;liN COURSE W iiclI " Otiitt avert
the crisis now threatening.
Mr. Hale asked if Virginia had made a
similar appeal to the seeding States?
Mr. Mason answered tnat 4 commission
or had been sent TO ell the separating
States. The motion to print was agreed to
Mr. IIemphill made lengthy address
arguing i'll favor OF secession and that tho
withdrawal Of a State was not rebellion
and was no cause for war.
thc subject was postponed till Wednes
day Adjourned
HorsE.-Mr. Rice presented the petition
OF l+,GOO citizens or Boston, OF various po
lit!cal opinions, asking for a peaceful adj
justment Of our national difficulties, The
committee TO whom ii was eutru.tcd ask c'i
that it be presented TO the House, which
was accordingly done. The petition was
enclosed in an American flag, and IL pre-
scntat;on called forth applause on the
floor and in the galleries. The Boston
Committee were in the galleries during
these proceedings. The petition was .aiu
on the table IN order to be printed.
Mr John Cochrane introduced Mr.. Bi.
lera proposition for taking a sense Of the
people OF the several States on certain
amendments 10 the Constitution. lie -aid
he would be wiIliu. to scnd It toauy com
mittee suggested, provided he could lie a-
surcd they would not strange IT, Refer
red TO the Select Commute, OF iiyc OLA H..
Presidents special ,ne-sage.
Nj Campbell presented the resolutions
of the Pennsylvania Legislature. eXpr---
ing ardent attachment To the Constitution
and the Union, TcFu.nauce 10 secession
aud piedgiuG the support Of that State j..
such n.aE&cr and 10 such All extent AS
may be required for the maintenance a
the Laws, &c. Laid on the table ami or
derei to Le printed.
M Morris offered resolution th-;
members from 'sltyeholdiu- states b.. to
qUestci to present an ultinIatum pEoy0-i
ton, embracing their views. upon which
they vii! i'- Willing :. pledge their State
To- act up 10 in tn Union. a a final pi
iu=tment lie moved jno previous gus-
lion. when the resolution w. lost. tUysty
nine only voting in tn- affirmative.
The y caker presented Il lne--a1s f.cn
the President, a. follows
T., u~ .S.ret. anil W,es r. Espr,ea,tti-sr q
. the T-'sj .>-strf.
deem il ny duty TO sUbmi; 10 Con-re-.
"a series of resolutions adopted by the Lc
2I-!ature of Virginia, UH ;Hc 18th inst
having In y.ew tnr peaceful settlement @!
the existing questions which now threaten
the Union. They were delivered to me Oh
Thursday. the 9th inst by ex-Presldeut
Tyler, who la, !ett hi> di.Hi.ird ami ho
norrt retirement, ia the hope that he Illy
render service 10 hi~ co'ia;ly in this. IL
hour Ot peril These resolutions. 4 viii 10
perceived extend an invitation a. all -,sch
States, whether siaveholdug or non slave
: holding. ~ are willing to unite with VIZ
- Il
sent unhappy coniroyer>iys. ia the spin,
ia which the Constitution WAS originally
formed. anil consistently with it, prime.
pies % - to afford 20 the people OF the
-i3veholding States adequate ;ItIauJe=-
for the security o. tneir rights and gf-
point Commissioners. to meet on the 4tH
day oi February next, IN tie city Of Wash
iuston. similar Commission as appointed ~
Virginia, To- consider. and II practicable
agree upon some suitable adjustment
confess | hail this movement on tine
part OF Virginia with great satisfaction
From the past history of this ancient and
renowned commonwealth We have the
fullest assurances that what she has an.
dertaken She will accomplish. il it can b~
done byable, enlightened, and perseyerins
efi,rts
1t is highly gratifying to know tha!
other patriotic States have appointed and
are appointing commissioners TO meet
those of Virginia in council When o.
sembled, they will constitute Il body emit
tied in an eminent degree to the conf
deuce of the country.
/ The General Assembly OF Niroiuia ha~
al-o resolved that eX-Prc-idcnt john Tyler
* hereby appointed 10y the concurrent vCt,
If each branch OF the General Assembly a
ted States, and Judge John Robertson Is
. hereby appointed by like vote i commits
sioncr TO the State of SCu;h Carolina. and
the other States that have seeded OF
shall secede, with instructions respectfully
to request the President Of the United
States and the authorities Of such States 10
agree TO abstain, pending the proceedings
contemplated by the action OF this Geue
raj Assembly, from any and all acts calcu-
, lated to proouce collision of arms between
! the States and the Government OF the
( United States.
/ However strong may be the desire 10
enter into such an agreement, | am con.
v!nc5d that | do not possess the power
and Congress alone, under the war-makina
power can exercise the discretion Of agree
( ing 10 abstain from any ana all acts calcu-
lated to produce u collision Of arms be-
! tween this and any other Government
1t would, therefore, be a usrnpation for
the Executive to attempt and restrain
/ their hands by an agreement in regard 10
: matters over which he has no constitu-
tional control II he were thus TO act.
theyfmight pass laws which .he should be
bound to obey, though in conflict with his
agreement. Under existing circumstan-
ces, my present actual power is confined
within very narrow limits. 1t is my duty,
at all times, to defend and protect the
+ public property within thesccedng States,
so far as may be practicable, and especially
/ to employ the constitutional means to pro
/ tect the property of the United States and
/ to preserve the public peace at this the
! seat Of the Federal Government If the