Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1861-02-07


On NoFeSy. the 18th AT, the Pre,idsa. .sas
to Congress the following message:
To his SENATE and House II
Representatives II he Caiisd Ssasss
deem 1t my duty 20 submit 20 Conerrs. =
series OF REVOLUTIONS, adopted by the LcR,.lAtur.
OF Virginia, ON the l?th instant, having in view
Pesee'ul ssuieuent OF the exciting questions
which now threaten tins L mon. They wrr. ,is-
lsered To me- on Thursday. the 2tth inst :, by Ex.
fresident Tyler who has lett la. dianihed and
honorcd retirement in the hope that he NAV
render service to his country some service u, his
country IN this its hoar of ne,sl These rc.olu-
tons, II will he perceived, extend sn invitation
To all such States, whether slayeholding or non-
slsvcholding n willIn. to unite with each
other an an earnest effort 10 adjust the present
unhappy difficulties in the spirit In vhich the
Constitution was originally formed and con-
,istrntly with ITS principles, so ~ TO afford ths
people of tbc s!ayeholdmg States Adequate
guarantees for the security OF their righa TO ap-
point commissioners TO meet on the fourth DAY
Ut February next, IN the city Of Washington
similar commissioners appointed by Virginia 10
CONSIDER, aud. IL practicable, agree upon soma
Suitable adjustment
hail this movement on the part Of Virginia
with great satisfaction. From th. past history
of this ancient aud renovned commonwealth.
we have the fullest Assurance that " hat she h.s
kll - uu8tlt tt>ifsf " a. bR
done by able, enlightened and pers.yeriug effort,
IL highly gratifying TO know that other patriot
ic STATES have appointed commissioners To- meet
those ot Virginia in council When assembled
they will constitute a body entitled ia an emi-
nent degree tn the oon6denoe oi the country.
The Federal Assembly Of Virginia have also
Resolved. That ex-Prsitlcni Tyler u hereby
appointed by Tbs concurrent vote of each branch
ot the Gcncral Assembly n CommiSsion.r 20 IN,
Ppsidont OF the United states aud j uciu- Iohn
Robertson - hereby appointed BY n like vote q
tommi-siUarr 90 10. state % South Carolina and
MI other sccr,ling states that have seceded or
shall sseetie with in-tructiu 20 respectfully
quest the President OF toe [ ni,cd States and the
anthoritips OF sutn states to Agrve 10 abstain
pending tbc proceedings contemplated by the
action of this General Assembly, from any and
ali acts calculated To produce n collision OF arms
between the states and il,r GoyernEnent OF the
United StAbs.
However strong NAV be nv desire TO enter
into such an agreement am convinced that I
do not posses the power. Congress and Congress-
under the war making power, can exercise ths
discretion Of agrrcng to sbstain from any aud
all acts calculated 10 produce collision oi arms
between that and any other government IL
would therefore BE- n usurpAtion Tor the Execu-
tive To attempt 20 restrain their bAniz by an
agreement IN nzar,i TO mattr. over which bs
has no constitutional control. IL he we're thus
20 act. they might pass laws Which he sbould be
forced TO obey though IN conflict with his agree
ment
l. Rder existing circumstance, my present ae-
tuAl power is confined within NARROW linita -
II is NV duty -; all times 70 defend and protect
the FEDERAL property -ithin the seceding states.
10 Tar ~ this may be praciaAble. and especial
ly Ia employ the ConstituuonAl means a. pro
tect the property Of the ta.ts,l Statss and 70
preserve the public peace this the .est of ihs
Federal Government n the. scceding States
abstain from any AMI all act- calculated To- pro-
duce collision ofsrins then il,c danger 80 much
| 20 be deprecated will 10 longer exist. Icicncs
and not agl,rc-sio has been ihe policy Of the al
ninistrstion from the b-g,nR.ng.
| But whilst can enter INTO Do engagement As
| that proposed. I cordially comment Coagrs...
with much confidence. that 4 will meet with
/ the'r approval ~ sl-iain from passing am la-
calruiaei % produce a colits,us ~ arms fu.sd.
iig toe grocusding- contemplated 10 tLs seton
ut uae GeusrAI As-rnbly OF Virginia. | am
ono Of those 10 wili never despair of tbe Ia.
public yet cherish tl,c beisi that ite AMER.
ican people. Sill perpttuaic the nF0n II tho
states on SONS terms Just snd honorsble for AL
sections Of she c0untry.
trust that The isedi iation of Virginia NAV hs
the destined nlea1s un,ier Proyidrnce ofaccos.
pliahing tbis ih.-siiraHbls bes,v6t.
GloF,ous are tlss seuor,es of her past history
Such an schieveaseut, l-,th in Relation W -
ovn fsus and thg relfare of the ~hole coun-
Try. viii surpa.s thrn aii
JAME~ BUCHANAN
NAsaiSareE CRY. ian. -. i-gl