Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1861-03-14
VIRGINIA STATE CONvENTION-REPOR
OF THE COMMITTEE ON FEDERAL RELA
TIONS

xlONS.
Richmond, March 9.-The majority of the
Committee on Federal Relations in the State
Convention report in part. recommending
Border States Conference to determine upon
course for future action also opposing coercion
Ex-Governor Wise submitted a minority re-
port giving list of the demands made upon the
North, requesting the States to give their an
swers by October next, and that meantime every
step be taken to preserve the peace That nei-
Their the government nor the seeded States COM
mence hostilities, the government retaining only
sufficient force in the forts to garrison the same
Mr.. Harvie also submitted minority report
having three signatures, for the passage of an
ordinance of secession.
Mr.. Barbour, of Culpepper county, also sub
mitted a minority report setting forth that the
Federal Government must Immediately adopt
measures to afford the people Of the savehold-
ing States full constitutional assurance of their
safety in continuing further association with
them under a common government; also recon-
mending the appointment OF Commissioners to
Montgomery to confer with the confederate ar-
thorities.
SECOND DIsPATcH.l
The majority report of the committee embra-
ces series of resolutions. The LIST affirms the
doctrine of State rights. The I'd declares that
interference with slavery by the Federal or other
authorities or people is contrary to the Constitu
ton, offensive and dangerous The Sd condemns
the formation of geographical or sectional par
ties. The 4th demands fair partition of the
Territories and equal protection therein. The
5th declares that in time of profound peace with
foreign nations, as now exists, and when no
symptoms of domestic Instruction appear, it is
unwise, impolitic and offensive to accumulate
-: L. :,k. cSo1
ting pending questions of deepest Importance,
an unusual amount Of troops, munitions Of war,
&c The 9th INDUCES hope of restoration
of the Union and fraternal feeling. The 7th
recommends repeal of all unfriendly and un-
constitutional legislation and proper amend
ment of the Constitution. The 9th comedies the
right of States to withdraw from the Union for
lust catise The 9th alludes to the position of
the Federal Government as disclaming the hav
ing of power under the Constitution to recognize
the withdrawal Of State. The 10th, without
expressing an opinion on the question of power,
desires to confer upon the government the pow
ers necessary to deal peaceably with the ques-
tons involved, and, if necessary, to recognize
the separate independence of the seceeding
States, make treaties and pass such laws as a
separation may make proper. The 18th recon-
mends the people of sister States to respond to
their earliest convenience to the foregoing pro-
positions and amendments to the Constitution,
to be proposed hereafter. In the event of Vir-
ginia failing to obtain satisfactory responses
from the non slaveholding States, she will feel
compelled to resume her sovereign powers, and
throw herself upon her reserved rights. The
18th makes it an indispensable condition that
pacific policy be adopted towards the seeded
States, and that no attempt to reinforce or re-
capture the forts or exact the payment of i'm
pests upon counerce, or any measure calculat-
ed to provoke bnstiites The 1sth4xsys that
Virginia would regard any -hostii. action On ei :
.her side as hurtfu and unlrienjllv and A. leav-