Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-03-22
The Domestic Imbro21io in Texas.

The secession movement in Texas is dis
closing some points of considerable interest,
which threaten to some extent, to produce
civil conflict. To understand fully the issue
between the Convention and Gov. HOUsToS
it is necessary to state that, soon after the
election of LINCOLN, the secessiouists de-
manded the Governor 10 call an extra session
of the Legislature, With a view to obtaining
State Convention. This the Governor stern
~ refused. The secessionists then determined
TO call q Convention by the popular voice,
without the Intervention OF the Legislature.
They held wba: purported to be mass con-
yention, hich recomme nded the election OF
delegates on a certain day by all the counties,
to Stale Convention. Accordingly an cleo
ton was held In large proportion of the
counties, and dele gates chosen. Whereupon
Gov. Houston summoned the Legislature to
meet in extra session. Both bodies assem-
bled at Austin and were ia session at the
same time. The Convention framed and
adopted an ordinance of secession; but in
order to give its action validity, it was
thought necessary TO have the call and cleo
ton of the Convention ratified aud legaiized
by the Legislature. The latter refused to do
this unltss the former would agree to refer
the ordinance OF secession back to the people
for direct vote upon its rejection or ap
proval. This was agreed to, and the Legis-
iatHre leg ,lized the Convention, this far at
least. We have not the act before us and
g. "a
to confer authority on the Convention.
The Convention then adjourned to re-as-
semble on the 2nd instant, which it did /; but
it is now met by Governor HoUsroS with a
denial that it has any further authority to
act for the people of Texas. In view of this
denial, the Convention, on the 9Th instant.
adopted aresolution appointing committee
of five to wait on the Governor and inform
him that the Convention had re-sssembled !;
that the people had ratified the ordinance of
the Convention the cooperation of the Exc
cutive was requested. The committee en-
closed the resolution to the Governor, and
received the following reply:
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
AUSTIN, TEXAS, March 6, 1861.
.Hsssrs. ". P Rogers, T. J. Jennings, 4. S.
Broadus, j. B. Robertson, ". 4. MONTGOMERY,
Committee.
GENTLEMEN I'm reply to your communi-
cation of the 9Th, can only say, that when
the Legislature authorized the Conventional
submit the proposition TO the people on the
subject of secession rom the Federal Gov
eminent of the United States, it was under
stood that the performance of that act. when
done, would terminate the existence of the
Convention. The Executive approved the
same with q protest against the shortness OF
the time allowed, owing 20 the great limits OF
our State.
By q subsequent act of the Legislature, il
was required that the returns of the votes
should be made TO the Office of the Secretary
of State, and counted in the presence of the
Governor aud Attorney General. The votes
were counted, and the result declared by
proclamation that a majority OF the votes cast
was in favor of secession eco
By an act of the Legislature, the Conyen-
ton was empowered only to submit the
question OF secession to a vote of the people
The Convention performed the functions as
signed to it by the Legislature, and in the
opinion Of the Executive its powers were
then exhausted.
The Executive will recommend to the Lee
gielature, which is to re-sssemble ON the 18Th
Instant, to take into consideration the i'm
portsnt issues arising out of the severence of
our connection with the United States, with
such recommendations and suggestions as he
may think proper in the discharge Of this
duty. Il will then be within the province of
the Legislature 10 take such action on the
subject as it may deem proper; and also to
call q Convention directly from the people.
which viii fairly represent their wishes and
opinions, and who will have authority TO
make sach changes in the Constitution OF the
State ss her present aud future relations to
the world at large may require.
Until then IL will be the duty of the Exc.
eutiye, as well as all State officers, to coutin-
ne In the lawful discharge of their duties.
combining their action to the sphere of Texas
only.
The Executive tenders bis respects to the
gentlemen Of the Convention, and assures
yon. gentlemen, Individually of his esteem
Fiery truly,
Your obsdient servant.
: gaazs4 SAN HOUSTON.
This lettss produced great excitenens 10