Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-05-07
MESSAGE UF PRESIDENT
FERSo DAVIS

TO TIRE SPECIAL SESSION OF TIE CONGRESS CoS-
vESEB AP MONTGOMERY, APRIL s'TH, 1851.
GENTLEMEN OF TIE CoSGREss:
1t is my pleasing duty to announce to you
hat the Constitution framed for the establish
.nent Of a permanent government for the Con-
federate States has been ratified by Convcn-
tons in each Of those States to which 1t was
referred. To %inangurate the government In its
full proportions and upon its own own sub
~stantial basis of the popular will, it ONLY re-
mains that elections should be held for the
designation Of tho officers to administer it
There is every reason to believe that at no
distant day, other States identified in political
principles and community of interests with
those which you represent will join this Con-
feteracy; giving to its typical constellation in
creased splendor-to its government OF free
equal and sovereign States q wider sphere OF
uscfulness-and to the friends OF constitution
nj liberty a greater security for its harmonious
and perpetual existence.
It was not, however, for the purpose Of
making this announcement that | have deem
ed it my duty to convoke you at an earlier day
than that fixed By yourselves FOR your meeting.
The declaration Of war made against this Con-
fedcracv by Abraham Lincoln, the President
of the United States, in his proclamation issued
on the fifteenth day Of the present month, rem
dered it necessary, in my judgment, that you
should convene at the earliest practicable mo-
men., to devise the measures necessary for tie
defence Of the country.
The occasion Is indeed an extraordinary one,
and justiAes me in a brief review Of the relations
heretofore existing between US and the States
which now unite in warfare against us, and in q
z,.n.,ok st,Sa,pnpf rf tha ovoptc which hSyn
resulted in this warfare, to the end that man
kind may pass intelligent and impartial juds.
ment on its motives and objects.
During the war waged against Great Britain
BIZ her colonies on this continent, a common
danger impelled them to u close alliance, and
to the formation of n Confederation, by the
terms Of which the colonies, styling, them
selves States, entered 'tsepcrally into a firm
LEAGUE of friendship with each other for their
common defence, the security of their liberties,
and their mutual and general welfare, binding
themselves to assist each ether against all force
offered to, or attacks made upon them or any
Of them, on account Of religion, sovereignty,
trade, or any other p~retensc whatever.
In order to guard against any misconstruc-
ton of their compact, the several States made
explicit declarations, in a distinct article, thst
seach retains fs sovereignty, freedom and IN,
dependence, and every power, Jurisdiction and
right which is rot by this Confederation ss-
pres,ly delegated to the United States in Con-
g-sss assembled.
Under this contract Of alliance, the war Of
the revolution was successfully wsged, and re.
suited in the sreaty of peace with Great Britain
in 1888, by the terms of which the several
States were, each BY name, recognized to be
independent
The articles Of confederation contained a
ella whereby all alterations were prohibited.
unless confirmed By the Legislatures OF epsry
State, after being agreed to by the congress ;
and IN obedience to this provision under the
resolution OF Congress Of the alst February,