St. Mary's beacon., 1861-02-14
Southampton.
Feb. BAD, 1861.

To the Editors of tho st. Mary's Beacon:
Gentlemen Through the kindness Of a
friend. my attention has just been directed
to an article In your paper Of the l7th III
slant, commenting upon my course in the
Conference at the Law Buildings in Balti-
more, upon resolution condemning co.r-
cion On the part of the General Govern
ment towards seeded States. Since my
action in the matter has been considered Of
sufficient Importance &c call for notice at
your hands. | think it p-oper to acquaint
you with the facts of the case, which are
strangely misstatcd in the article refer to-
On behalf of the minority of the Com
mittee OH Resolutions, reported one which
was afterwards adopted by the unanimous
vote Of the Conference. /. seemed TO be
the general opini =, If the Committee that
no proportions should be reported. except
those If practical character, bearing upon
the question of assembling State Conven-
ton. They accordingly abstsined from
reporting resolution upon the subject of
coercion. After the unanimous adoption
of the Report by the Conference. pr. Rob
inson introduced the Resolution hich YOU
print ut the head Of your article. You
next give sketch Of my remarks, osD;tting
altogether the intermediate proceedings.
These-I peopose TO supply. as the best ex-
pI:I:tiss Of the course pursued OH tie
OCCASION.
AZ soon a. Dr.. Robinson introduced his
Resolution, objections to its consideration
we're n,aIv by a,any members, who had ap-
proved Of the Committees action, as ex-
pllined BY Mr.. Wallis. the Chairman. A
long discussion ensued. and finally the Re-
solution was Withdrawn by the mover, in
accordance with what seemed to he almos,
the unanimous wish Of the Conference,
without taking vote upon it. In these
proceedings I took nc part; bat. after the
Withdrawal of the Resolution. l saw clear.
ly that the action. Of the Conference would
| be misunderstood, and that We might be
represented as having expressed an opinion
in favor Of coercion. mentioned this t.
some friends near me. ard expressed the
opinion that there should now be an au
thentic statement to the contrary. which
being published with the other proceed
ings, would correct any such, erroneou.
impression. / was urged TO make ths
statement. which | accordingly did, in :
few sentences. After the adjournment o
the Conference, at the suggestion Of Mr.
Wallis, | asked leave Of one Of the Report
ers. who was in the raon. to examine hi
report of my remarks, and. with his per
mission. corrected it, so as to make it agre,
in substance With what bad said. Thu
report. ss corrected in the presence Of MIR
Wallis and read to him at the time. IL il
, these words: MIR. llsguer said be wa
''onc Of those who bad been opposed to tn,
.'introduction Of this question in the Cen
"vontion. but since the matter had nov
passed into the hands Of the press. b,
Thought it ought to be Distinctly under
! ''stood that the refural nf the Conference
''to consider the proposition wss in no De
.'gree to be taken. c.ther by the North. o.
"hy our friends ut the South. as indicating
"that our views were the reverse Of th9s
embodied in the proposition. They oP
"ps'ssd ito introduction solely because