The eastern clarion. [volume] (Paulding, Miss.) 1837-1863, 1861-02-20
JonN PERKINS, JR.,
W. p. HARRIS,
.JoUN Gill SHORTER.

tb-A-s NtAA+tl aatAtAA mr.
From this it appears to be the genera
desire that Ishouldin person make known
/ to this body in a verbal response, my ac
ceptance OF the high position to which
have been called.
This l do nOw-in this august presence
before you, Mr.. President-before the
Congress, and before this large eoncourse
! of people-under the bright sun and bril-
| liant skies which now smile SO auspicious-
! ly upon us. l now take the occasion tC
return my most profound acknowledge.
ments for this expression of confidence on
the part of Congress. There are special
reasons why place an unusual high esti-
mate on it. The considerations that in
duce me to accept it, i need not state
Suffice it to say that it may be deemed
questionable whether any good citizen can
refuse to discharge any duty that may be
assigned him by his country in an hour of
need.
Ii might be expected at this time that
l should indulge in some remarks upon
the State of our public affairs, the dan
gers that threaten US, and the most adj
visable measures to be adopted to meet
pressing exigencies. Allow me to say that
in the absence of the distinguished
gentleman who has been called to the
Chief Executive chair, ] think it best TO
lDLn@4AA 20 say I'll AlA4ilE On EuGA HAAAAtLe-
We expect him here in a few days-by
"Wednesday of this week, at the farthest,
unless providentially detained longer
When he comes we will hear from him on
ali these difficult questions and ! doubt
not we shall cordially and harmoniously
concur in the line of policy his superior
wisdom and craftsmanship shall indicate.
In the meantime, there are matters we
may very profitably be directing our at
tention to. Such as providing necessary
postal arrangements, making provision
for the transfer Of the Custom Houses from
the jurisdiction of the separate States to
the Confederacy. and the imposition of
such duties as will be necessary to meet
present and expected esagencies. In the
exercise Of the power 10 assess duties we
are limited to the object of revenue. A
small duty not to exceed ten per cent
Applause upon importation, 1t is believ-
ed, will be sufficient and above all, in
the interim, between this and the arrival
and Inauguration of the President, we can
be devoting our attention 70 the constitu-
ton of a permanent government, stable
and durable, which IS one Of the leading
objects Of our assembling.
am now ready to take the oath Of
Office.
The President then administered to Mr..
Stephens the following oath
You do solemnly swear that you viii
faithfully execute the Office of Vice Presi-
dent Of the Confederate States Of Amer
lea, and viii, TO the best of your ability,
preserve, protect and defend the Consti-
tuition thereof-so help you God"
Mr.. Barnwell. Mr.. President, I move
you, sir, that the letter addressed by the
committee OF this Congress to the Hon.
Alexander II. Stephens, informing him of
4 H. 4
federate States of America, with his reply.
be entered on the journals Of Congress,
Adopted.
Mr.. Perkins. move that Congress do
now adjourn until the usual hour Of meet
ing tomorrow.
AIr. Rhett. ] move to amend the mo-
ton of the gentleman from Louisiana, BY
making the adjournment until u O'Clock
tomorrow. The most OF the bushes Of
Congress, before the arrival of the presi-
dent, viii necessarily have 70 be transac-
ted in committees, and my object IS to ex-
tend more time 70 the committees.
Mr.. Rhett's motion prevailed, and Con-
gress adjourned until tomorrow at u
o'clock.
During the secret session a committee
Of two from each State was appointed 70
report on apermanent Constitution. The
committee was appointed on a resolution
introduced BY NJ. Rhett. The secresv on
the resolution has not been removed. but
that on names of the committee has been.
The committee are as follows:
Alabama-R. ". Walker and r. II.
Smith
Florida-JaclSson Morton and J. B.
Owen.
Georgia-Robert Toomhs and T. R. K.
Cobb
Louisiana. DeeIouet and Gen. Z.
Sparrow.
Mississippi. II. Clayton and W. P.
Harris.
South Carolina-R. B. Rhett. sen, and
J. Chestnut, jr.