Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1861-05-11
POLL 1rD0Aa.
Extra Session Of the. Southern Congress.

az AT IL .oscl6ck,s ,sthc President of Congress,
tho Hon, Howell Cobb, tool. his chair, and
the Rev. Basil Manlcy offered fcrvent inyo-
cationtto the Throne of Gracc. M a
The1Prcsident stated TINT quorum was
prcsont and that Congress was now ready to
transapts tsbpsipess. e,Elf |
Mcssrss Davis, Jones, Wigfall and Orr
now, members, csme forward took the oath,
and ssbscs!bea to the Censt;.us;op.
IS Tho President prosecuted to Congress the
annexed communication from a portion of the
people of New Moxico: Ec ,q
MEsILLA, March 18, 1861.
To The, Hon. M,ccW COLI, President of the.
Congress V The Confederate States. q,
An.eric0:
Sir: In pursuance of n resolution adopted
at convention Of ecitizcns Of that portion
of New Mexico known as Arizona, held Mt
this place ON tho 10Th inst, have tho honor
'hcroWith to'transmit the enclosed preamble
and resolutions, unanimously adopted, with
tue hopc and request chat you will lay them
before tho Congress Of the Confederate States
of Anerica for their consideration
Signed by the President and Secretary.
On motion of Mr.. Chcsnut, tho reading of
tho preamble and resolutions referred to, was
postponed for the present, and the communi-
cation was referred to tho Committee on Ter,
ritories ~
Mr.. Ochiltrcc, OF Texas, requested to prc.
sent to- Congress communication from the
Governor of the Territory Of Arizona, trans.
mitting a,copy of tho Provisional Constitu-
ton, with the, request that. 1t be presented to
Congress. Tho communication was received, !
and referred TO the Territorial Committee. .
MIR. Josclyn, the Presidents private Secrc-
tary, thcn appeared in tho Hall, and stated
that he had almcssago from tho President.
The message was then read in very dis
tinct tone as follows: ..
GENTLEMENa OF TIE CoNGREss: 1t is my
pleasing duty to announce to you, that the
Constitution framed for. the establishment of
a permanent government, for the Confederate
States has been. ratified by Convention in each
OF those Stntes to whichsit was referred 10
inauguratc the Government in its full proper
tions and upon its own substantial basis of
the popular will, it only remains that elections
should be held for tho designation Of the Off
GERS to adminsterit. :a4
ihere ID every reason to believe that at no
distapt day, other States identified in politi-
Cal principles and community of interests With
those which you rcprescnt>will join this Con-
federacy,c giving toits typical constellation
increased splendor-to its government of free,
equal and sovereign States n wider sphere of
nsefulncss-and to tho friends of constitu-
tlonal liberty greater security for, its harmo-
hious and perpetual existence, x, x
It was not, however, for the purpose of
making this announcement that / have deem
ed Tiny duty to convene you, at an earlier
day tllan that fixed by yourselves for your
meeting: Tho dcclafution of war made
ag!alnst this Confederacy by Abraham Lin
coin, the President Of the United States, in
his proclamation, issued on tho fftccntb day
Of the present month, rendered it necessary
in my Judgment that you should convene at
the earliest practicable moment, 10 devise the
measure necessary for the lofcncc of the
country
The occasion is indeed al extraordinary
enc. 1t jnstifcs me in brief rcyiew of the
relntlons heretofore; existing between us,and
tho States which nbwuuite in warfare against
us, and in a spccinct statement of tho events
which have resulted il t',is swarfare, to the
ond.thgt mankind may pass intelligent and
Impartial Judgment on its motives and objects.
During the var wngcd against Great Bril-
tam by.her colonies OH this continent, Il conf
mon danger impclled them TO a. close alliance,
aud to the3 formation Of Confederation, by
the terms. of whichthe colonies, styling theni-
selves States, entered M,seycrally into a firm
league Of Friendship with. each other,fo their
common defence, the security of&thoir lber-
tics. md ,thoir mutual and general. welfare,
blnding themselves to assist each other against
all force offered TO-, or uttaclsg rnddg UPON
them, or any, fthani, on account Of religion,
sfoverelgnty,, trade, or any other 5pretence
whatevcr.", ,t t,:'. 80
In order TO guard against any misconstruc.
ton Of their eoinpact, the several States mado
explieit declaration, in distinct article, that
".scnph State retains Its Sovereignty, fiaclon
and Independence, aud every power, iurisdic-
ton and right, swhich,i is notify this. Confedo:
ration ex psessIy delegated to tho United States
in Congress assembled"
Under this contract Of alliance, tho war of
the reyolttione was successfully waged, aud
resulted in, the trcnty of peace with Great
Britain in 1888, by the terms of whiclr the.
several States were, each by name, recognized
to be Independent II, III
The articles ;of confederation. contained a
clause whereby al alterations were prohibit.
ed, unless, confrned (bY tho Hegislaturos of
every State, after being agreSd TO, by, Con,
gress aud ia obedience to this provision ln.
dor the resolution Of Congress = Of tho 2lst,
EebrlefY 1881, thesseyefal States appointed
delegateswhoattended. a Convention q for the
agle and express purpose of ravising the ar,
tIcles: OF 9fedsrutiQn, and reporting to- Cop.,
gressiad the soSeral Legisatures such alter.
atlons end provisions tbcroih as, shall, wien
agreed ,s 70 las Congress and confirmed y:tho