Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-02-12
THE SOUTHERN CONGRESS-.
HON. JEFF. DAVIS OF MISSISSIPPI y,
ELECTED PRESIDENT,
Of TEE .SOU7HERE C0NFEDERAl y.
HON. A. II. STEPHENS or GE0RG Ia

Of TEE .SOU7,HERN C0NFEDERAt y
HON. A. H. STEPHENS or GE0aG ia
ELECTED N1CE-PREsIDEc ST
MONTGOMERY, FEB. g.-Congress last ligh
unanimously ag-eed to the Constitution anC
plan of provisional Government \ $ t-ong
and vigorous Government will 20 into ! mme
diate operation, With full powers and ample
funds. No proposition fora compromi Sc viii
be entertained
The present Congress will remain in session
to make all the necessary laws required by the
new Confederacy.
SECOND DESPATCH.
MosrGoNERY, Feb. 9th.-Unusual Interest
proceedings Of the Convention, the hal! ant
gallery being crowded.
Mr.. Memminger presented Il bcariti(uL mode
of flag, made by the South Car oli;aa ladies'
with blue cross on red field. Seven star:
are on the cross The model is higil V ad
mircd Mr.. MeInminger also presented an othel
model by a gentleman Of Charleston, wi I'll &
cross and fifteen stars on the field OF stripe e..
The committee was appointed TO report II
flag, seal, coat.of.arms and motto lol the Sou tn
ern Conlederacy.
The President was directed to appoint CO.. IL
lnittecs OF Foreign Affairs, Finance, Militia, y
and Naval Affairs, Judiciary, Postal, Cor j
mercc and Patents.
The Hon. Jefferson Davis. of Mississippi
was unanimously elected Provisional presiden
of the Confederate States of North America,
and the Hon. a. II. Stephens was unanimous.
I,r oInr tn6 Vicn President
4 resolution WAS adopted appointing a com.
mittee Of three of the Alabama deputies to en-
quire and report upon what terms asuitable
building, in Montgomery, can be secured for
the use Of the several execctive departments OF
confederacy under the Provisional Government.
4 bill was passed continuing in force until
repealed and altered by the Congress, all laws
Of the United States now in force, in use, from
the 1st of November last not inconsistent with
the Constitution of tine Provisional Govern
ment. 1t is understood that under this law
tariff will be laid on all goods brought from
the United States.
i resolution was adopted instructing the
Finance Committee to report promptly upon a
tariff for the raising Of revenue for the support
Of the Government
4 resolution was adopted authorizing the
appointment @! Committee to report upon Z
Constitution for the permanent Government OF
/ the Conlederacy of States.
The Congress was about two hours in secret
session; the balance Of the day they were en-
gagged in open session.
LATER-MoHTGoMEgy Feb. a-The Consti-
tuition Of the Provisional Government has been
printed, and is now. before tho public The
preamble says:
"We the deputies Of the sovereign and in
dependent States of South Carolina, Georgia,
Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana,
invoking the favor Of Almighty God do here.
By, in behalf Of these States, ordain and estab-
lish this Constitution for the Provisional Gov
ernment of the same, to continue one year from
the Inauguration Of the President, and until n
united and permanent Constitution for the con-
federation between the said States shall be put
in operation; or whatsoever shall first occur.
The seventh section Of the first article, is rs
follows "The importation Of African negroes
from any foreign country other than the slave
holding States of the United States, is hereby
forbidden, md Congress is required 20 pass
such laws as shall eiectually prevent the same.
The second section reads thus: THE Con-
gress shall also have power 10 prohibit the
introduction Of slaves from any State not 4
member Of this Confederacy.'
Article 18th after the I'D clause Of the second
section, reads thus: "A slave in one State cs.
Gaping to another shall BIZ delivered up on
claim Of the party 10 whom such slave rnay
belong, by the Executive authority Of the State
in which such slave NAV be found; and in case
Of any abduction or forcible rescue, full compen-
satou, including the value Of the slave and all
costs and expenses shall be made to the party
by the State in which such abduction Or rescue
shall take place"
Article 9th Of the second clause: THAT the
Government hereby instituted shall take i'm
mediate steps for the settlement Of all matters |
between the States forming this Contederacy
and their other late confedcrstes OF the United
States in relation to the public property and
the public debt at the time of their withdrawal |
from them; these States hereby declaring it to
be their wish and earnest desire to adjust every
thing pertaining to the common property, com
mon liabilities and common obligations of that |
Union, upon principles Of right, justice and
equity and good faith.
All other portions Of the Constitution arc
almost identical with the Constitution Of the
United States.
Great demonstrations are going on here. A
complimentary serenade was given to Vice Pre- |
sident Stephens, which brought that gentleman
out. He acknowledged the compliment in an elo.
quent manner MeSsrs. Chestnut and Kett, OF
South Carolina, Conrad, of Louisiana, and !
others, also spoke One hundred guns were
fired on Capitol Hill this afternoon.