The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-02-12
EXECUTIS DEPAKTNEyT,

EAECtf1N DEPAETIENT,
Montgomery, Ala, Feb Sd. 1861 !
7" Hon. JoHS RoBERTsoS, Commissioner from
the Stdte Of FiTgiHiu:
SIR: l have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your letter of this date, with the
preamble and resolutions adopted by the
General Assembly OF Virginia, January 18th
1861. AS Chief Magistrate of the State of
Alabama, i extend 10 you Il cordial welcome
to the seat OF Government, MS Commissioner
from the Commonwealth of Virginia
From your letter, and the resolutions re-
ferred 10, l understand that Ex-President
John Tyler has been appointed Il "Conmis
sioner TO the President OF the United States, -
and yourself "to South Carolina and the 9th
er States that have seeded, or shall secede,
with instruc tionS respectfully 10 reques the
President OF the United States, and the an
thorltleS OF such States, to abstain pending
the proceedings contemplated by the action of
III. General Assembly, from any ana all acts
calculated TO produce Il collision of arms be-
tween the States and the Government Of the
United States
After rendering to the State Of Virginia
through you, my thanks for the friendly me-
diation contempla ted by the resolutions of her
General Assembly, it gives me much pleasure
to state, that Alabama, in her act of Secession
and in occupying the forts and arsenals with
in her limits, intended no hostility to the Fe l.
eral Government. Her sole object has been
to protect her rights interests and honor
without disturbing Gf possible) her peaceful
relations with the Federal Government
This, feel assured, will continue TO be The
policy of the State, unless the Federal au-
thorities should, by some hostile act or demon
stration, make it necessary to adopt differ
cnt course for her protection, and the protec-
ton of the other States that have seeded, or
may Secede.
Whilst l feel authorized to assure you that
Alabama viii do nothing Intended TO produce
a collision of arms between the Federal Gov
ernment and herself, l am equally certain
that 1t Is her firm determine lion to reSist I, a
all and every hazard, any attempt at coercion.
Having no power 10 appoint delegates 10
the proposed Convention at Washington, the
resolutions of the General Assembly of Nir-
ginia Will be Immediately transmi tied to the
Legislature of this State, where, i have no
doubt they win receive that reSpectful CON
sderation the high and friendly source from
which they come entities them 10.
Candor, however, compels me 10 say, that
i do not feel authorized to indulge the least
hope that concessions will be made affording
such guarantees as the seeding States can or
will accept.
Being satisfied that the State from which
emanated the resolutions of 'gS and 90 is as
determined to maintain her constitutional
rights as the seeding States, do not enter
tain Il doubt that she will be found co-ope-
rating with them, when she is con yinced that
those rights cannot be secured i'll the Federal
Union
For the courteous and dignifed manner in
which you have made known the object of
thanks. With the highest consideration,
] am your obedient servant,
A. Il. MOORE.
Judge Robertson, in reply to an invita- ton
of the Alabama Legislature to address ii on
the subject OF his mission, wrote the following
letter: