South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1861-02-01
sceived at their hands, babe them fare

received at tnelr Dan0S, Da0e mem IAte-
we'll" A message was received from the
President of the United States communica-
ting the resolutions Of the Legislature Of
Virginia. inviting a conference of certain
States on the fourth Of February. [See
House report for the message. After some
remarks from Mr. Mason, the message was
ordered to DO printed.
In the House, petition signed BY 49,
900 citizens, voters of Boston. asking for
some peaceable adjustment Of the present
existing difficulties, was received aud order
ed to be printed. Mr.. Pryor obtained the
floor, bet gave way to motion to read the
Message of the President.
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
To the Senate and
House Of Representatives. the United States:
deem it my duty to submit to Congress
a series of resolutions adopted by the Leg.
islaturc of Virginia on the 10Th instant,
having in view a peaceful settlement of the
existing questions which now threaten this
Union. They were delivered to me on
Thursday, the 9th instant. by Ex>Presi-
deaf Tyler, who has left his digni6ed 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 slaveholding or non-slaveholding.
as are willing to unite with each other in
an earnest effort to adjust the present un-
happy difficulties in the spirit in which the
constitution vas originally formed, aud
consistently with its principles. 80 as to az
ford the people Of the slaveholding States
adequate guarantees for the security Of
their rights. to appoint commissioners to
meet on the fourth day Of February next
in the city of Washington, similar commits
sioners appointed by Virginia, to consider
and if practicable, agree upon some sort OF
adjustment.
| confess I hail this movement on the
part Of Virginia with great satisfaction
From the past history of this ancient and
renowned commonwealth, we have the fu!l>
est assurance that what she has underta-
ken she will accomplish, fit can be done
by able, enlightened and persevering efforts.
1t is highly gratifying to know that other
patriotic States have appointed commis>
sioners to meet those of Virginia in couu-
ell. When assembled, they will constitute
body entitled in an eminent degree to the
confidence Of the country.
The General Assembly Of Virginia have
also resolved, that FIX. President Tyler is
hereby appointed by the concurrent vote
of each branch of the General Assembly
commissioner to the President Of the Uni
ted States, and Judge John Robertson is
hereby appointed by like vote commits.
sioner to the State OF South Carolina and
all other seeding States that have seeded,
or shall seccde, with instructions to res
pectfully request the President Of the u
nited States, and the authorities Of such
States to agree to abstain, pending the pro-
ceedings contemplated by the action ofthis
General Assembly, from any and all acts
calculated to produce collision Of arms
between the States and the government Of
the United States" ~,
However strong may be my desire to
enter into such a. agreement, | am con-,
WINGED TINT LIDO BIT possess fhe power
1Cos.s.<e~c,- God cyns sete alone; under-the:
war.making power, can exercise the die
erection ofagreeing to abstain from any and
all acts calculated to produce collision Of
arms between this aud any other govern
ment. It would therefore be q usurpation
for the Executive to attempt to restrain
their hands by an agreement 10 regard to
matters over which he has no constitution
al control. ...--.
If he were thus to act they might pass
laws which be would be forced to obey,
though in conflict with bis agreement. .
Under existing circumstances my present
actual power is confined within narrow
limits. 1t is my duty at all times to de-
fend and protect the federal property with
in the seeding States, IS far as this may
be practicable, and especially to employ
the constitutional means to protect the pro-
perty of the United States, and to preserve
the pubic peace Of this the seat Of the
federal government 1.-THE seeding States
abstain from any and all acts calculated 10
produce collision of arms. then the dam
ger So much 70. be deprecated will no LON
ger exist. Defense and not aggression has
been the policy of the administration from
the beginning. t't.
But whilst can enter into no engage.
ment such as that proposed, Z cordially
commend to Congress, With much conf.
dence that it will meet their appreciation,
to abstain from passing any law calculated
to produce q collision Of arms, pending the
proceedings contemplated by the action Of
the General Assembly ofYirginia. am
one Of those pho will never despair Of the
republic. T yet cherish The belief that the
American people will perpetuate ne u
MON Of the States on some terms juitff
honorable to slf sections Of the country.
4 trust that the mediatisas SG -XirSipis
may be the. destined means, under Provi-
drsnA- Of aseouSlhhiDs Ibis issssinsble
benefit. 81 80 - ss,94ss yssss -
Glorious asare the memories Of her past
history, such an achievement both IN rels.i
ton to her own fame and the welfare Of
the whole country, would surpsss them oil.