Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-02-14
Southern Congress.

MONTGOMERY, Ala, Feb. 1.-THE Conven
| ton met at IL o'clock. E s.He
After prayer, the committee appointed tt
| notify Mr.. Stephens of his election as Vice
| President of the Southern Confederacy, re
ported that that gentleman would, at tn,
| request of the committee, announce his reply
| in open session, at 1 O'Clock P. II.
Mr.. Conrad's resolution was adopted, ap
pointing a committee of five TO report a bill
establishing an Executive Department fol
| the Confederacy. e~rrrr
Mr.. Stephens resolution wis adopted
! making the Naval and Military Committees
| separat and also appointing Committees on
| Public Lands, Indian Affairs and Territories
The Convention subsequently, went into
secret session. After recess of half an hour
| it reassembled at L o'clock P. NJ. "a
The President announced that the hour 10
| hear Mr.. Stephens had arrived.
Mr.. Stephens arose and said: /" have been
notified by the committee of my election a:
Vice-President of the Provisional Govern.
ment of the Confederate States of America
The committee requests that | shall make
known to this body, in verbal response, my
acceptance of the high position to which
have been called. This l now do. in this
august presence; before you, Mr.. President
before this Congress; and before this large
concourse of people assembled here under
smile so auspiciously upon US.
81 take The occasion also to return my
most profound Acknowledgements for this ex-
preston OF confidence on the part of Con-
gress. There are reasons why place an un-
usually bigh es innate on il. The considera-
tons which have induced me 10 accept it, /
need not state. Suffice it to say, that it may
be deemed questionable whether any good
citizea can refuse to discharge any duty that
may be assigned to him by bis country in the
hour Of its need. 7rs1 -
dulge in remarks on the state of public af-
fairs, the dangers which threaten us, aud the
most advisable measures to be adopted to
meet these pressing exigeneies. 81
I ALLOW me TO say, in the absence of the
distinguished gentleman called to the Chief
Executive Chair, | think it best to forbear
saying anything in regard to such matters.
We expect him to arrive here in few days
by Wednesday of this week, il he is not
Proyidentially detained. When he comes
you will hear from him on these difficult
questions; and doubt not that we shall COR
daily and tremendously concur in the line
of policy that bis superior wisdom aud
craftsmanship shall Indicate
In the meantime, In reference to these
matters, we may very probably direct at
tention to such as the providing necessary
postal arrangements, making provisions for
the transfer of the Custom Houses from the
Jurisdiction of the separate STATES to that of
the Southern Confederacy. and the imposition.
OF such duties as may be necessary to meet
present and expected exigencies.
g In the exercise of the power to raise re-
venue, we are limited to the object of revenue
"a small duty, not exceeding ten per cent.
upon importatioas, which, ii ia believed, will
be sufficient for this purpose. 70
We can also be deyoting our attention
to the Constitution for the permanent Gov
ernment, which should be stable and durable,
and which is one Of the objects of our assem-.
bling here. ! am now ready to take the oath
Office. atsssss,sI - 4, rs5..-.' . q
The oath of Office was accordingly admin
istered. =, = - q
A committee OF two from each State was
then appointed to prepare permanent Con-
stifution. . szt5a si--z5a s sa.fs . ~ 80