The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-04-19
4 PROCLAMATION sF THa SGYESgsH


or VIRGINIA.
Whereas, reven OF the States formssy composing
part Of the United States have, By authority of
their people, solemny resumed the powers granted
by them to the United States, aud have framed a
Constitution and organized Government for them
selves, to which the people of those States are
yielding willing obedience, and have notified
tho President Of the United States BY all the for
malities incident to such action, and thereby be-
come to the United States separate, independent
and foreign power. And, whereas the Constitu
ton of the United States has invested Congress
with the sole power "to declare war; and until
such declaration is made, the President has no au-
thority to call for an extraordinary force to wage
offensive against any foreign power; and
whereas the 18th inst, the President of the
United States i'll plain violation of the Consttu-
ton, issued proclamation calling for force of
seventy-ive thousand men, to cause the laws of the
United States to be duly executed people
who are no longer part of the Union, and in said
proclamation threatens to exert this unusual force
to compel obedience to his mandates; and whereas
the General Assembly of Virginia, by ma jOrity
approaching to entire unanimjty, declared at its
last session, tina. the State of Virginia would con-
slider such exerion of force virtual declara-
ton OF war, to be resisted by all the power at the
command OF Virginia; and subsequently, the
Convention now in session, representing the
sovereignty of this State, has re-aiirmed
in substance the same policy, with almost
equal unanimity; and whereas the State of
Virginia deeply sympathses with the Southern
States, in the wrongs they have suffered and in the
| position they have assumed; and having made
nest efforts peaceaoly to compose the differences
| which have severed the Union, and having failed
in that attempt, through this unwarTanted act on
| the part of the Presiden and it is believed that
! the influences which operate to produce this pro-
camation against the seeded States will be brought
to bear upon this Commonwealth, if she should ex-
ercise her undoubted right to resume the powers
granted by her people, and it is due to the hon or
of Virginia that an improper exercise of force
against her people should be repealed Therefore,
| j, John Letcher, Governor OF the Commonwealth
of Virginia, have thought proper to order all arm
| ed volunteer regiments or companies within this
State forthwith to hold themselves in readiness for
| immediate orders, and upon the reception of this
proclamation to report to the Adjutant General of
the State their organization and numbers, and pre-
pare themselves for efficient service. Such compa-
nes not armed and equipped will report that
fact, that they may be properly supplied
- In witness whereof, | have hereunto set
T. I my hand and caused the seal of the Com
/ | L. 9 monwealth to be affixed, this 18th day OF
~ April, 1861, and in the eighty-ii year OF
the Commonwealth. JONI LErCHER.
GOV. LErcHEn's REPLY TO TIE SECRETARY OF WAR.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, !
RICHMOND, Va, April Is, 1861.
| Hon. SINoN CAMERON, Secretary of War:
Sir,-1 received your telegram of the 18TH the
genuineness of which l doubted Since that time
| | have received your communication, mailed the
same day, in which | am requested to detach from
the militia of the State of Virginia ''the quota de-
signated in table, which you append |'to serve
as infantry rifemen for the period of three
months, unless discharged"
In reply to this communication. | have only to
say that the militia of Virginia will not be fur
nished to the powers at Washington for any such
use or purpose they have in view. y our object
is to subugate the Southern States, and requisi
tion made upon for such object-an object
in my alignment, not within the purview of the
Constitution the Act of 1795-will not be com
piled with. You have chosen to inaugurate civil
war, and having done we will meet it, in a spir
as determined as the Administration has exhibited
towards the South. Respectfully,