Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-02-13
Very respectfully,
JoBS ROBERTSON.
CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN JUDGE ROBERTSON
AND THE GOVERNOR OF ALABAMA.

CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN JUDGE ROBERTSON
AND THE GOVERNOR OF ALABAMA.
MONTGOMERY HALL Feb 3D. 1861.
To His EJceiiency the Governor Of alabama:
Sir-LooLing with deep concern at the menscing a.
tiude in which the seeded States and the Government
Washington stand towards each other, the State Of
Virginia appeals to both parties to abstain from all acts
OF hostile tendency, until further effort shall be made
TO terminate existing differences by honorable ard
peaceful adjustment.
avail myself of the earliest moment to transmit TO
your E1celency the resolutions OF the General Assembly
OF Virginia adopted with that view. aud commissioning
to convey their friendly mediation TO yourself and
the authorities of the seeded States The day for the
meeting of the proposed Commissioners at Washington,
you will perceive, is at hand This must be my apology
for asking early reply may consist with your COLI
vcnience.
Il will afford me much pleasure to give if desired any
further explanations in my power touching the objects
OF nv mission the views and wishes of the State
have the honor TO represent
Very respectfully,
JONI ROBERTSON.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
Montgomery, Ala Feb 3, 1861. !
To Hon JoHS ROBERTSON,
Commissioner from the Slate of Virginia:
SIR have the honor TO acknowledge the receipt OF
your letter Of this date with the preamble and resou
ons adop ed by the General Assembly of Virginia Jan
uary 49, 1861. As Chief Magistrate Of the Sa'e of Ala.
bsma extend TO you II cordial welcome 10 the of
Government, as commissioner from the Commonwealth
| Of Vii GINA.
From your letter and the resolutions referred TO-
derstand that Ex-Pfesident John Tyler has been ap
pointed commissioner to the President OF the United
States" and yourself Ito South Carolina -" the other
States thai have seeded, or shall seced' instruc-
tons respectfully TO request the Pr i'd United
States and the authorities of such . abstain
pending the proceedings contemplated b. action OF
The General Assembly from any aud all acts calculated
| .n nj hatu Gtatao and
| the Government of the United States"
After rendering 10 the State OF Virginia. through you
my thanks for the friendly mediation contemplated by
the resolutions of her General Assembly, it gives much
pleasure TO state that Alabama in her act OF secession
and in occupying the forts are nails within her limits
intended no hos ity to the Federal Government. Her
sole object has been protect her rights interests, and
honor without disturbing (if possible her peaceful re-
lations with the Federal Government This, feel as
sured will continue to be The policy OF the State, unless
the Federal authorities should by some hostile de-
monsraOn, make it necessary to adopta different course
for her protection and the protection Of the other States
| that have seeded or may secede.
Whilst feel authorized TO assure YOU that Alabama
will do nothing intended to produce collision Of arms
| between the Federal Government and herself | am
equally certain that it is her fun determination to
sst, at all and every hazard any attempt at coercion
Having power appoint delegates TO the proposed
Convention az Washington he resolutions Of the Gene
raj Assembly of Virginia will be Immediately transmitted
TO the Legislature Of this State where have no doubt
they will receive that respectful consideration the high
and friendly source from which they come entities them
Candor however, cOmpes me to say, that do not fec
authorized indulge the least hope that concessions will
be made aordng such guarantees as the seeding States
can or will accept.
Being satisfied that the State, from which emanated
the resolutions Of 9S and 90 s determined TO main
tain her constitutional rights the seeding States dc
nat entertain doubt that she will be found cooperating
with them, when she Is convinced that those rights can
not be ired in thu Federal Union.
For the courteous and dignifed manner in which yot
have made known the object OF YOUR ms son You vii
please accept my thanks. With the highest considera
| ton, am
Your obedent servant, A. B. MooRK.
SPEECH OF VICE PRESIDENT" STEPHENS.
| MONTGOMERY, Feb l0--Mr Stephens, last night il
response to complimentary serenade, said
Gentlemen and fellow citizens For although we me
here as strangers from diff rent Independent States We
ae once more citizens OF common country Applause
Allow me briefly and sincerely TO express my unieigneG
thanks for this compliment but the state OF my healtf
and voice. and the night air. apart from other consdera
tons, prevent me from doing more. TITS not the TIME
place TO discuss those great questions which are nov
pressing upon our public councils now in the process
| formation.
Iii sufficient to say that this day Republic has
been formed The Confederate States of North Ameri
have been ushered into ex stence and take their pao
among the nations of tie earth. Cheers Under
temporary or provisional government, is true but this
will soon be followed by one Of permanent character
which, while it surreIdes Of our anci mt rights ant
privileges will secure more perfectly. we trust that h'
peace, security and domestic tranquility which should b.
| OBJECT OF all governments. Applause
What is to be the future OF this new government thu
fate OF tn new republic will depend upon ourselves
Six States only at present constitute It, But SIX States
as yet appear in constellation. More, trust viii
soon be added and, by the time permanent Constitr
ton may have been adopted, may have msjorit,
greater than the olgnal thirteen, with more than three
times their population wealth and power. (Applause
With such beginning the prospect of our future pre-
strong hopes to patriots of The past OF prosper
Gus carer; bat what the future will be, as before
marked, depends upon ourselves. and those who may
succeed US. Our republic aud all republics, 10 be pei
manent and prosperous be sustained BY virtue 10
teligence, integrity and patriotism. The people them
selves are the corner-stones uponIwhich the temple
popular liberty must be constructed, TO stand securely
and permanently Resting upon these we need ea
pothing ffom without or within.