Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-02-02
MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT.
To tie Senate and House of Representatives Of tic
United States:

To tie Senate and House of Representatives Of the
United States:
deem it my duty to submit to Congress series
of resolutions adopted by the Legislature of Virginia
on the 10th instant having in view peaceful settle
ment of the existing questions which now threaten
this Union. They were delivered to me on Thurs
day, the oath instant by Ex-President Tyler, who
has left his dgnifed apd honored retirement in the
hope that he may render service to his country
in this its hour of need.
These resolutions, it will be perceived, extend an
invitation to all such States whether slaveholding
or non-slaveholding, willing to unite with
each other in earnest effort to adjust the present
unhappy difficulties in the sprtin which the consttu
ton was originally formed and consistently with its
principles, so as to afford the people of the slave
holding States adequate guarantees for the security
of their rights, to appoint commissioners to meet on
the fourth day of February next, in the city of
Washington similar commissioners appointed by
Virginia, to consider, and if practicable, agree upon
some sort of adjustment.
confess hail this movement on the part of Nir-
ginia with great satisfaction. From the past histo-
ry of this ancient and renowned Commonwealth,
have the fullest assurance that what she has under
taken she will accomplish If it be done by able,
enlightened and perseverng efforts. 1t is highly
gratifying to know that other patriotic States have
appointed commissioners to meet those OF Virginia
in council. When assembled they will constitute
body entitled in an eminent degree to the conf
| dence Of the country.
The General Assembly of Virginia have also re-
| solved that Ex-President Tyler is hereby appoint
| ed by The concurrent vote of each branch of the
| General Assembly commissioner to the President
of the United States, and Judge John Robertson is
| hereby appointed by like vote a commissioner to
the State Of SouthCarolina and all other seeding
States that have seeded, shall Secede, with in
structons to respectfully request the President of
the United States and the authorities of such States
to agree to abstain, pending the proceedings con-
templated by the action of this General Assembly,
from any anG all acts calculated to produce cols-
ion of arms between the States and the government
! of the United States"
However strong may be my desire to enter into
such agreement, | am convinced that do not
| possess the power Congress, and Congress alone,
under the war-making power, can exercise the dis
erection of agreeing to abstain from any and all acts
calculated to produce collision of arms between
this and any other government 1t would therefore
he usurpation for the Executive to attempt to re-
strain their hands by an agreement in regard to
matters over which he has constitutional control
If he were thus to act they might pass laws which
he would be forced to obey though in conflict with
his agreement.
Under existing circumstances my present actual
power is confined within narrow limits. 1t is my
duty at all times to defend and protect the Fedora
property within the seeding States so far this
may be practicable and especially to employ the con
tutional means to protect the property of the Uni
ted States, and to preserve the public peace of this
the seat of the Federal Government. If the seeding
States abstain from any and all calculated pro
duce collision of arms then the danger mucl
to be deprecated will no longer exist. Defence ant
not aggression has been the policy of the admins
traton from the beginning.
But whilst | can enter into no engagement sucl
that proposed, l cordially commend to Congress
with much confidence that it will meet their appro
baton, to abstain from passing any law calculate
TO produce collision of arms pending the proceed
ings contemplated by the action of the General AS
sembly of Virginia am of those who will
despair of the republic. yet cherish the be
lief that the American people will perpetuate tn
Union Of the States some terms just and honori
bic to all sections of the country.
trust that the mediation Of Virginia may be th
destined means, under Providence, of accomplishin
this measurable benefit.
, Glorious the memories of her past history
such achievement, both in relation to her ow
fame and the welfare of the whole country, would SUI
, pass them all.
JAMES BUCHANAN.
Washington City, January % 1861