, 1861-03-01

renowned Commonwealth, We have the fulI.
est assurances that what she has undertok.
en- she will accomplish, If it can be done
by able, enlightened and perSeyering efforts
1t is highly gratifying to know that other
patriotic States have appointed and are an.
pointing Commissioners to meet those or
Virginia in council. When assembled. tbcv
viii constitute body entitled, in an emf.
nent degree, TO the confidence Of the conn
try.
The General Assembly of Virginia has
also resolved that eX-President John Tyler
shgA be appointed, by the concurrent vote
of each branch Of the General Assemble
a Commissioner to the President of tLs
United States, and that Judge John Rob.
ertson shall be appointed. by like vote. n
Commissioner to the State Of South Care.
lima and the other States that have seeded.
or shall secede, with instructions respectful,
ly to request the President Of the United
States and the authorities of such States 10,
agree to abstain, pending the proceedings
contemplated by the action of the General
Assembly of Virginia, from any and all acts
calculated to produce a collision Of arms
between the States and the Government Of
the United States.
However strong may be the desire to en-.
ter into such an agreement, | am convinced
that | do not possess the power, and that
Congress alone, under the war-makiug pow.
er can exercise the discretion of agreeing
to abstain from any and all acts calculated
to produce collision Of arms between this
and any other Government It wonld
therefore be a usurpation for the Executive
to attempt to restrain their hands by On
agreement in regard to matters over which
he has no constitutional control. II he
were thus to act, they might pass laws
which he should be bound to obey, though
in conflict with his agreement.
Under existing circumstances, my pres
ent actual power is confined within very
narrow limits. 1t is my duty at all times
to defend and protect the public property
within the seeding States, so far as may
be practicable, and especially to employ the
Constitutional means to protect the prop
erly Of the United States, and to preserve
the public peace at this, the Seat Of the
Federal Government. If the seeding
States abstain from any and all acts calcu-
lated to produce collision of arms, then
the dangers SO much to be deprecated no
longer exist Defense and not aggression,
has been the policy Of this Administration,
from the beginning .... @
But whilst | can enter into no such en-
gagement as that proposed, cordially
commend it to Congress, with much conf
dence that it will meet their appreciation,
TO abstain from passing any law calculated
to produce collision Of arms, pending the
proceedings contemplated by the action of
the General Assembly Of Virginia. am
one Of those who will never despair Of the
Republic 1 yet cherish the belief that the
American people will perpetuate the Union
of the States on some terms Just and hon
orable for all sections of the country. 1
trust that the mediation of Virginia may
be the destined means under the providence
of God Of accomplishing this inestimable
benefit Glorious as are the memories of
her past history, such an achievement, both
in relation to her own fame and the welfare
of the whole country, would surpass them
all. JAMES BUCHANAN.
Washington City, January 2S, 1861.
CHARLEsroN, S. G. January 2S. - The
Legislature to-day unanimously resolved,
that while acknowledging the courtesy of
the Virginia Legislature in sending com
missioner, they decline having any inter
course on the subject proposed, regarding
the separation as final and irrevocable.
ST. LOUIS, January Is, 1861.
The telegraph wires, which were pros
trated by the storm, were repaired this Of
ternoon. The following report IS necessa-
riy condensed, in order that it may be got
through, before the Pony arrives at Fort
Keorny
All accounts agree that no reinforce
ments OR supplies will be sent to Fort Sum-
ter for the present, as they are not needed,
and would produce irritation.
Washington dispatches of the 10th inst.
say Col. Hayne called on the President on
the previous evening, and was politely re-
ceived He stated verbally, fully the pur-
pose of his mission, which was to demand
the unconditional withdrawal Of the garrl-
son at Fort Sumter The President heard
him through, but then requested him to
submit it in writing, when he would con-
slider and communicate his reply. This
was all that occurred, and Colonel Haync Is
perfectly in the dark as to what the reply
will be- He has been busily engaged most
of to-day preparing the document but the
urgent solicitations Of large number of
Southern Seators, understand have in
duced Colonel Hayne to modify his views,
and he has telegraphed this fact to Gov.
Pickens, and asked for further instructions
and these Southern Senators insist on South
Carolina doing no act which will involve
collision.
Senator Davis has dictated and forward
ed letter to Governor PickeDs, which was
written by another Senator, in which he
snpplicates them to abandon any policy
|ghich would Involve hostilities.
The Cabinet has determined against hold
ing any intercourse with South Carolina as
ambassadors.
1t is rumored and apparently upon good