The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-04-15
VIRGINIA STATE CONVENTION
FIFTY. FIRST DAY.

subject, being in order, Mr. WISE moved a
cali of the roll to ascertain II there was
auorum in attendance. Most of the members |
answered To their names,
Mr. pktcs briefly advocated his resolution. |
The PRssIpsSf stated that he had received
communication from the Governor OF the Com
rnonwealth. enclosing dispatch from Gov
ricAens, of Sonth Carolina. which was read
by the Secretary. 1t announces the com
mencenent of hostilities, and says that no
harm had thus far been done TO the works OF
the Coniedera,ei army, but great damage had
been done TO Fort sumter.
Mr.. WISE commented briefly upon the intel |
lisence, closing with the expression OF hope |
that the 'terraian'' tineaniag the Union mem |
would begin to crawl, now that the lire was |
applied TO his back
fhe hour of half-past 10 having arrived,
Mr., SeUTHALl was called TO the CHAR, and |
the Convention went into
tesxirTEg or THE WHOLE,
for the purpose of considering the repor: of
the Committee on Federal Relations.
Mr.. AsRL.R, OF Louisa, asiied himself of
an opportunity 10 respond 10 the courteous
disc cIaimer OF the gentleman from Augusta,
(Mr. Baldwin, lie was satisfied with his
explanation, and met it in the spirit which
had prompted it,
Mr WurrsrRLp, of Isle of Wight, also made
a personal explanation. lie continued his
remarks by aliuding TO the commencement of
hostlliiies rs good and sufficient cause why
NiTcEi should At once be taken out of the
tuioa.
The substitute offered by Mr.. Boyd of Bote-
tourt, for the LIST section of the proposed
amendments to the Federal Cons titution be-
inS in order, it was read, as follows;
In all the present territory OF the United States
north &c the parallel Of SO degrees and 30 minutes
ot North lstitnde, involuntsry servitude, except /
IN punishment Tor crime, Is prohibited. In all
the present territory of the United States south of
ssid line OF latitude, Involuntary servitude. or
elsrery OF the African race. Is hereby recognized
existing, any law or usage to the contrary not
wiihstsnding aad no Jaw shall be passed by
Congress oy the Territorial Legislature 10 him
der or prevent the taking of persons held IN slave
ry or involuntary servitnde, from any Of the
pair the rights arising from said relation but the
hstl be subject to judicial eognizance in the
Feaergi Courts, according to the REIN edies and the
practice of the common law and said relation
shaii be protected by all the departments of the
south of said line. within such boundary
congress may prescribe, shall contain pupula-
4tion equal e that required for member OF Con
grsss, ~ shall, II lis form of government be repub
tean, oe admitted into the Union on equal
fo-'ing with the original States, with or without
Involuntary seryitude, AS such Consultation of the
hereafter be acquired by the ueted States. lnyoi-
north " the latitude o. 3e degrees 50 minutes ;
hui shall not De prohibited by Congress or any
Territorial Legislature south Of said line.
Mr. BoyD urged his substitute, AS meeting
more directly the exigencies of the case than
the amendment reported by the Committee on
Federal Relations. He had, so far rs practi-
cable, adopted the language of the Cri ttenden
propositions.
Mr.. CONRAD, of Frederick stated his obiec-
tions to the substitute.
The yots was taken on Mr. Boyds motion
TO strike ont for the purpose of inserting his
subs titute. and resulted--yeas ~; nays SO. SO
the lbs titute failed.
MIR. HALL, of Wetzel, moved to strike ont
the first section, and insert resolution in
strucring the Committee on Federal Rela tons
10 report ordinance resumng the powers
delegated by Virginia TO the General Goyern-
meut, and providing for equality OF taxation
in the event of the ratification of said ord-
naIca by the people
The Chairman decided the amendment to be
out of order inasmuch rs il embodied in
struciion which could not be given by the
Committee of the Whole. 1t was therefore
sent back TO the mover.
Mr. BnrLDTS, of Charlotte moved to amend
the first section by striking out, after the
words 4" involuntary seryitude,' in the 9th
line, the words las il now exists, and insert
ing ''oi the African race, Is allowed and hereby
declared TO exist, and snail not be abolished
by any law of Congress or 4 Territorial Legis-
nature, but the same now protected by the
t. laws Of the Territory of New Mexico
a Mr. BorLDfS advocated his amendment,
A,,Shich he said had been offered in good faith,
land with a view TO make the language nne-
( tquivocal-
!, Ii was rejected by the majority (who reject
every thing which tends 10 give substance 10
their bantiingl-yeas 46, nays 81.
Mr.. MORRIS of Caroline, moved to amend
the lsI section by striking out the words now
exist and inserting "existed on the lst day
OF March, lesl." Agreed to-ayes 63, noes SO
Tie first section, as amended by Mr. Morris
was then adopted.
The second section was taken mp for consid.
Grafton:
.aS2 No territory shall be acquired by The United
Siates, excep, by discovery and for naval and
commercial stations, depots, ald trsns, routes
without the concurrence OF majority OF all tn,
Senators from States hich allow involuntar!
servitude and majority OF all the Senators IRON
States which prohibit that relation Or shall ter
riery be acq nired by treaty, unless the votes OF
ority of the Senators from each Class OF states
hereinbefore mentioned be cast as part OF th'
two-third majority necessary 10 tho ratification o
such treaty.
Mr.. TYLER, of Charles City, moved TO strik
out the second see ton, anu 10 insert IN het
thereof the following
"Ths Senators OF the United States shall be dl
Evided into two classes, whereof the senators cho
sen by the States Whose instltaions iofnia slave
the States whose Institutions admit slavery shal
compose the other; and on the IssSage OF any OIL
appointments to Office wherein ihe advice and IN
sent of the senate Is requirai, upon deinana o
a majority of the Senators composing either cias
the soI- shall be taken by classes, and the concur
renee Of both classes shalt be necessary to pas
such appointment: Provided, that wnen the yot'
OF both classes shall be equally divided the Vic
President may give the casting vote.
MI TYLER urged the necessity of checks IL
the National legislation, III order TO secur
protection for the minority.
Mr. SUMMERS, OF Kanawha, replied, refer
ring to Mr.. Calhoun idea Of dual govern
inent among his objections.
Mr. THORNTON, OF Prince Edward, offeret
the following as All addition to Mr.. Tyler
amendment
Nor shall any tresty be made unless the vote
Of majority Of the eenators iro'n each class o
States hereabefore mentioned be Cast on u part o
the twe-thirds majority necessary 10 ihe ratinca
ton Of slch treaty nor shall any bill, order re
solution or vote which has oeen passed py Con
gress and disapprovsd by ths President OF tn
United states, take effect, unless the votes oil
majority Of the Senators from each class oil state
hsreinbcfore mentioned be cast as part OF III
two-thirds majority necessary to the passage o
s1rh
Mr. TYLER accepted the amendment.
Mr. THORNTON advocated the adoption
the amended substitute s
division OF the question being demanded
TN, vote was taken, and the Committee re
fused to strike out the I'd secton-yras IA
navs 6e So the substitute failed.
Mr KENT. of Wythe, moved 10 amend tn
% section,by adding thereto the following
Nor shali foreign territory be admitted as
STATE unlesa the votes Of majority Of the sena
tofs from each class OF States hereiapeiore men
tened he east n favor OF such admission
Mr. KEsT explained his amendment, ate
which il was voted down
Mr.. WIsE moved to strike out the "a sec
tior, and 10 in nsert ia lieu thereof the foiiow
Ing -,
mo territory shall be acquired by treaty, with
out The conesrrenes OF majority oi al Inc sen
s.yyiss,d e. and aority VI all the Senator'S iron
stats Sich prohib tina: reialioD, and such con
currest naloritiss may advise and consent :
such treaty.
Thesmendment was advocated by Dir. WISE
and ihe vote was taken on his motion 4
striks9ut and resultsd--yeas 81, nays rs.
Mr.. 9Low, OF Norfolk city, moved 10 amen'
the sesond section by inserting in tbs 3rd lin
after tse word "rontes." the words :. MOI
shall ary foreign State be annexed - which
was sctseatientIy changed, At the suggestion
Of Al r hnrman, 80 a. to read - nor shall AM