The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-02-05
MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT

The following Message from President Buehan-
an sent into Congress on Monday: =
TO the Senate and House Of Representatives 81
the United States:
deem it my duty to submit to Congress a Sc
ries of resolutions adopted by the Legislature of
Virginia on the 10Th inst, having in view peace
full settlement of the existing questions which now
threaten this Union. They were delivered to me
on Thursday the oath inst by Elk president Tyler,
who has left his dignifed and honored retirement
in the hope that he may render some service to
his country in this its hour of need.
These resolutions, it will be perceived, extend
an invitation to all such States whether slayehold-
ing or non-slaveholding, as willing to unite
with each other in earnest effort to adjust the
present unhappy difficulties in the spirit in which
the Constitution was originally formed, consistent
ly with its principles so as to afford the people of
the slaveholding States adequate guarantees for
the security of their rights, to appoint Commission
ers to meet on the 4th day of February, in the
city of Washington, similar Commissioners APP
pointed by Virginia to consider, and if practicable,
agree upon some sort of adjustment.
I confess [ hail this movement on the part Of
Virginia with great satisfaction From the past
history of this renowned Commonwealth, we have
the fullest that what she has undertaken
she will accomplish, if it be done by able
/ frightened, and persevering efforts 1t is highly
gratifying 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 Federal Assembly of Virginia have also re-
solved 1hat Ex-President Tyler is hereby appoin-
ted, by the concurrent vote of each branch of the
General Assembly, Commissioner to the Presi-
dent of the United States, and Judge John Robin
son is hereby appointed, by like vote, Commits
sioner to the State of South Carolina and all other
seceeding States that have seeded, shall
cede, with Instructions to respectfully request the
President of the United States and the au-
thorites of such States to agree to abstain, pend
ing the proceedings contemplated by the action Of
this General Assembly, from any and all acts cal
cuated to produce collision Of between
the States aud the Government of the United
States"
However strong may be my desire to enter into
such an agreement, am convinced that | do not
possess the power. Congress, and Congress alone,
under the war-maklng power, 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 be usurpation for the Executive to at
tempt to restrain their hands for an agreement in
regard to matters over which be has no constitu-
tional control
If he were thus to act they might pass laws
which he would be forced to obey though in con-
fict with his agreement
Under existing circumstances, my present actu-
al power is confined within narrow limits. 1t is
my duty at all times to defend and protect the
Federal property within the seeding States, far
as this may be practicable, and especially to employ
the constitutional means to protect the property of
the United States, and preserve the public peace
of this the seat of the Federal Government If
the seeding States abstain from any and all acts
calculated to produce collision of arms, then the
danger much to be deprecated will no longer
list. Defence and not aggression has been the
policy of the Administration from the beginning,
But whilst | enter into no engagement such
as that proposed, with much confidence that it
will meet their appreciation, to abstain from pass
ing any law calculated to produce "a collision of
arms, pending the proceedings contemplated by
the action Of the General Assembly of Virginia, [
yet cherish the belief that the American people
will perpetuate the union of the States on some
terms just and honorable for all sections of the
country.
[ trust that the mediation of Virginia may be
the destined means, under Providence, of accom-
plislring this nestimable benefit.
Glorious are the memories of her past histo-
ry, such achievement, both in relation to her
own fame and the welfare of the whole country,
would surpass them all
JAMES BUCHANAN.
Washington City, Jan %, 1861