Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-04-16
,RGISuA STATE CONVENTION.
MoypAY. April Is, 1861.
The Convention met at 10 o'clock A. NJ
PRAYER by Rev. Mr.. BoGGs, of the Methodist Church.
FEDERAL RELATIONS.

upop President Lincoln to ascertain what policy he H.
tends to pursue in regard to the Confederate states pre-
scented report enclosing the Presidents reply which
has already been published in the Wing. The report Is
as follows: .,
The committee appointed the sh Inst by this Convention
% dreros wait upon President Of the United states, and
10 him the preamble and resolution adopted on that day,
beg report the uh ment Of our DUTY we et e
Cav Of Richmond morning Of the 9Th inst for washington
city we were however, prevented by Injuries sustained by the
railroad nom violent and Prolraeted storm TOE w
iugon Until II O'Clock on Friday the I'm lnst Seock on
that we President and informed him that We had
been appointed committee by the Convention OF virginia then
In session 10 make a communication him from that body and
requested designate hour at which would DE
ms at o'clock the next morning We accordingly attended him
hour presented him the resolution OF the snS
exp lned 10 him mission He then read to paper which
he had just prepared as the answer 70 the
ton from the Coryenon declaring ina ne naS zee
cur mission We herewith communicate the Presidents reply 10
The preamble and resolution Of the Convention - ,c
signed by VIZ BALLARD PRESTON, ALsX H. H. STUART anu uho'
Mr. HOLCoNBE, of Albemare, submitted two resOu-
toYone suspendng the order for resolving into Com
mittee of the Whole daily, lOi A NJ, the ether re-
solving to have a secret session Immediately. Mr. h.
said he presented these resolutions after consultation
with members representing all shades OF OPINION lie
was DESTROYS Of free and candid interchange OF sehu
ment and believed that by holding secret session,
something of that harmony and unanimy would be at
timed which ought to characterize the action OF the Con-
vention.
Mr.. SCOTT of Fauquier, expressed his hearty concur
renee In the first resolution submitted by MT. MOL.
nut opposed Tue pIOpOoCu SSNiSs oS71iN'' -
the evidence spread before be true there Is but one
course TO pursue In the exercise OF power that ne
me S. regarded as usurped power this country Is
about to be plunged into one universal war Inc fres
den, has issued his proclamation, making requislhon
for IL 600 vouneers-S requsition that be designed
for no other purpose than actual general war; The Con-
yenon has already indicated the purpose 1t means 10
pursue by declaring that under no circumstances Will
the people of this State be made parties to an unnatural
war against our brethren OF the South IN terms so eH
plict as not to be misunderstood. Inc question Is
whether we shall adopt to make good that ue-
clsr,tion So far as he concerned he would carry
ont the purpose thus declared Mr. 5. yielded the moor
At the suggestion of several MEMBERS TO allow the
vote TO be taken on the first resolution, the time Tor 60
inc into Committee of the Whole being close at hana
NJ BALDWIN of Augusta then took the floor, and
nroeeeded 10 argue against the adoption OF the penong
resolutions He unwilling to go into the consuera
ton of the momentous questions presented until the eie
orapbc reports were confirmed just regard ior pru
dent craftsmanship should sduce the convention 10 au
ourn until could get reliable information, rather than
proceed by extraordinary resorts to parliamentary ac'
tan He presumed there would be no division IN tnS
Convention II war is upon Us he took 1t Tor granted
lat there would be two opinions IS TO which siue
Virginia would take and MAINTAIN.
The resolution offered by Mr.. HoLcoMBE was then
adopted--yeas So usys43 Mr.. HALL, OF Marion, haV'
ing called for the yeas aud nays. .
Mr. SCOTT, of Fauquer, then resumed his remarks,
and said that the policy TO be pursued was PLAN one
viz TO submit the question that has divided the ConVeh
ton 70 the determination OF the people OF Virginia at
the pos that question being whether there shall be sep
arate State action or cooperation with the bordef oAe
States. >,
Mr.. PRESTON said that his mind was irrevocdjiy
made IN but he would rot disclose his views until the
Question was decided whether there shall be secret ses
sion or mo-.
Nc. CONRAD, of Frederick, expressed his surprise
and regret at the opposition to the pending resolution
from gentlemen with whom he had co-opeTa'ed and with
whom he expected cooperate to the end Inc DEBATE
which had taken place strongly confirmed him IN the
opinion that secret session oil the convention was n!
expedent at this time. =,
Mr. MCFARLAND, of Richmond, opposed the hold
ing of secret session. i would be an innovation upon
long established usage Of the Sta'e, which should not
be departed from without strong snd sufficient reasons
The surest mode of promoting calm deibeF4ton, and at
tanning Just results for each member to act Inaer
sense of all of his responsibilities to the public. The
moral position Of State will be higher and more I'M
posing than if we close doors. De trusted that the
moral influence Of the Convention might b. eIered upon
the Federal authorities Washington in bringing them
70 Just sense OF their responsibility IN preserving the
peace OF the country.
Mr. CAPERTON, of Monroe, said that his own course
oction was fixed but several members doubted the
geuuineness o. - report OF the Presidents proclaa
lion he would TO afor' them time for investigation,
move an adjournment. Mr. Y. 1''e" '-' ."
TIE request Of ,,l,l
Mr.. HOLCONBE, who explained the reasons W. "" -A'
Induced him to submit the resolutions Those with whom
be hai acted in the Convention, at all times pre-
pued for prompt well public action, but he would
have Virginia to so out with the voice OF King
II offered the resolutions earnest OF his purpose to
sustain these patriotic gentlemen who had consulted with
him. in any effort which they should make TO secure
ulanimitv.
Mr.. BRANCH, Of Petersburg, said the question was
plain one not requiring any debate 1t to 20 into
secret session II it should that there moth
ing Of private nature to communicate, the Convention
could easily its public session Mr. B. said be was
no. now acting under instructions; he repudiated them
His heart fired in tho cause and if became necea-
sary for him 10 buckle the of a soldier he hop
cd 10 be found in the front rank 81 am said Mr. b.,
for gong out of this Union soon as We can get out
Mr.. SCOTT, ofPowhaan said he was one Of those who
had condemned the precpitate action OF the Southern
States believing that the rights of the South could have
been maintained il they had romlined with He loved
leepy loved the old Union, and so long as there was
hope OF It's reconstruction he had cherished that hope but
events have taken place which bad eXunguished TINS
hope and he was now for WAR; Mr.. s. commented upon
the vaciliiug policy aud dupcty OF Lincoln eviden
ced by his professions of peace his interviews with Re-
publican Governors sending ships of war TO the South
eru ports etc ole means war, and I'm ready to meet
him whenever he may choose 10 invade the soil OF Vr-
gnil I'm ready to secede this moment, not because my
constituents NAV desire it, but because it is the impulse
Of my own mind
Mr.. D0RMAN, of Rockbridge, approved the resolution
for secret session. The reporters would be allowed to
remain, and at proper time publish the proceedings
He for one was tired of trying ''mcTal influence" upon
Abraham Lincoln. He did say one word TO our Com
missioners about the Proclamation calling for $4,000
which he issued the day after his interview with them
His policy is evd nty aggressive, and it would under
these circumstances, be the height of Qualification for
the Convention proclaim its action to our enemy.
Mr. WISE said that this debate was playing with the
question of "peace or war" The time for action had
come. For the third time, in public life extending
rough thirty years. he would move the previous ques-
ton
The call for the previous question was sustained.
Mr. EARLY, Of Franklin, expressed his doubts OF the
authenticity of the Proclamation and assigned several
reasons Tor entertaining these doubts Of which
the entire absence of sagacty and prudence indicated by
making extensive military preparations, nearly three
mouths before the time designated for the meeting of
the extra session of Congress. He moved adjourn
meut which was nega'ived
Mr.. BALDWIN again presented reasons for delaying
action. He wished to satisfy himself Of the genuineness Of
the Proclamation and to have the evidence clear
the sunlight Of Heaven before he pursued the course he
was about to take
Mr.. GILLESPIE, Of Fayette, said that he had voted
deliberately for the resolution pedgng the Convention,
if the contingency should ever arise, make common
cause with the Southern States. He had no disposition
recede from this position but believed that when
received official information Of the action of the Federal
Government we would be better prepared to act ad-
visedly He hoped the Convention would indulge those
members who desired further developments and time to
confer with another. He closed by moving an ad-
journment, which agreed to.
THE WAR IN NEW GRENADA-OAPrURE OF BUE.
NAVENTURA BY THE LIBERAL FORCES
THE BARRACKS BURNT AND OVER THIRTY
SOLDIERS persisted IN THE FLAMES-GREAT
LOSS ON BOTH SIDES.
The California steamer North Star, of New York. re-
ports the arrival of the u S. frgate Saranac Captain