Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-05-08

been so recently directed Not only does every
event connected with the siege reflect the highest
honor on South Carolina, but the forbearance Of
her people, and of this government from making
any harsh use of victory obtained under circum
stances of such peculiar provocation attest to the
fullest extent the absence Of any purpose Beyond
securing their own tranquility, and the sincere de-
sire to avoid the calamities of war
Scarcely had the President of the United States
received intelligence of the failure of the scheme
which he had devised for the reinforcement Of Fort
SUMTER when he issued the declaration of war
against this Confederacy which has prompted me
to convoke you. In this extraordinary production,
that high functionary affects total ignorance Of the
existence of an Independent Government, which,
possessing the entire and enthusiastic devotion of
its people, is exercising its functions without ques
ton over seven sovereign States-over more than
five millions Of people, and a territory whose
area exceeds half a million of square miles, He
terms sovereign States combinations too powerful
to be suppressed by the ordinary of judicial
proceedings, or by the powers vested in the mar
shaS by law" He calls for army of seventy five
thousand men to act posse c0mitdtuS in aid of
the process of the courts of justice in States where
no courts exist whose mandates and DEGREES not
cheerfully obeyed and respected by a willing peo-
pie. He ayows that ''the first service to be
signed to the forces called out" will be, not to
cute the process of courts but to capture forts and
strong holds situated within the admitted limits of
declares that 'ths effort" is intended ito maintain
the perpetuty Of popular government" He con-
cludes by commanding 1.-THE persons composing the
combinations aforesaid" towIt the five millions of
inhabitants of these States, to retire peaceably to
their respective abodes within twenty days"
Apparently contradictory as are the terms of this
singular document one point was Enthusiastically
evident The President of the United States called
for army of seventy-ive thousand men, whose
FIRST service was to be to capture our forts. 1t
plain declaration of war which was not at lber-
~ to disregard because of my knowledge that under
the Constitution of the United States the President
was usurpng power granted exclusively to the
Congress He is the sole organ of communication
between that country and foreign powers The law
of nations did not permit Inc to question the
thorty Of the Executive of foreign nation to de-
clare war against this Coniederacy. Although |
might have refrained from taking active measures
for our defence, if the States Of the Union had all
initiated the action Of Virginia North Carolina, Ar
kansas, Kentucky Tennessee and Missouri, by de-
nounclng the call for troops as an unconstitutional
usurpatOn of power to which they refused to re-
spond not at liberty to disregard the fact that
many of the States seemed quite content to submit
TO the exercise Of the power assumed by the Presi
dent Of the United States and actively en-
gagged in leyying troops to be used for the purpose
indicated in the proclamation.
Deprived of the aid of Congress at the moment
under the necessity Of confirming my action to a
call the States for volunteers for the common de-
fence in accordance with the authority YOU had
conhded to me before your adjournment | deemed
it proper further to issue proclamation inviting ap-
plication from persons disposed to aid our defence
in private armed vessels the high seas to the end
that preparations might be made for the immediate
issue Of letters Of marque and reprisal, which you
alone under the Constitution. have power to grant
| entertain doubt you will concur with in the
opinion that in the absence of a fleet of public YES
sells, il will be eminenty eXpedient to supply their
place by private armed vessels. happily styled by
the pubcists of the United States the militia of
the sea, and so often and justly relied on by them
efficient and admirable instrument of defensive
warfare. | earnestly recommend the immediate
passage Of a law authorizing to accept the num-
crouS proposals already received
cannot close this review Of the acts of the gov
eminent of the United States without referring to
proclamation issued by their President under date
Of the 10th instant, in which, after declaring that
an instruction has broken out in this COnfederacy
against the government of the United States he an
nounces blockade of all the ports of these States
and threatens to punish as pirates all persons who
shall modest any vessel of the United States under
letters of marque issued by this Government Not
wthStandIng the authenticity of this proclamation,
you Will concur with me that 1t is hard to believe it
could have emanated from President of the United
States. Its announcement of mere paper blockade
is manifestly violation Of the law of nations
that it would incredible that it could have
been issued by authority; but conceding this to be
the case so far the Executive is concerned it will
be difficult to satisfy the people of these States that
their late conederates will sanction its declarations
will determine to ignore the usages of civilized
tons, and will inaugurate war of determination
on both Sides by treating as pirates, open enemies
acting under the authority Of commissions issued
by organized government. If such proclamation
issued it could only have been published under
the sudden influence of passion and we NAV rest as
curpl mankind will no SDarad tha hnrrnrc Of tha
conflict it seems to invite.
For the details Of the administration Of the differ
ent departments, refer to the reports of the Secre-
taries which accompany this message.
The State department has furnished the necessary
instructions for three commissioners who have been
sent to England France Russia and Belgium, since
your adjournment, to ask our recognition as men,
Der of the family Of nations, and to make with each
of these powers treaty of antilles and commerce.
Further steps will be taken to enter into like nego
tiations with the other European powers in pursu-
to your resolutions passed the last session.
Sufficient time has not yet elapsed since the depar-
ture Of these commissioners for the receipt of any
intelligence from them As deem it desirable that
commissioners other diplomatic agents should
also be sent at an early period to the independent
American powers south Of our Confederacy with all
OF whom it is interest and earnest wish to MAIN
tain the most cordial and friendly relations, sug-
gest the eX2ediency Of making the necessary ap-
preparations for that purpose.
Having been officially notified by the public au-
thorities of the State of Virginia that she had with
drawn from the Union, and desired to maintain the
closest political relations with US which was pos
sible at this time to establish, commissioned the
Hon. Alexander ii. Stephens, Vice President of the
Confederate States to represent this government at
Richmond. am happy to inform you that he has
concluded a convention with the State of Virginia,
by which that honored Commonwealth, so long and
justly distinguished among her sister States, and so
dear to the hearts of thousands of her children in
the Confederate States has united her power and
her fortunes with ours, and become one Of u.s. This
convention, together with the ordinance of Virginia
adopting the provisional constitution of the Con-
feGeracy will be laid before you for your constItu-
tiOnal action have satisfactory assurances from
others of our late conederates that they are on the
point Of adopting similar measures, and cannot
dnuht that ere unIl havo