The Van Buren press., 1861-02-01

tions respectfully request the President of
the IJni,ei States and the authorities of
such States to agree tc abstain from pro-
ceedings contemplated by the action ot the
General Assembly from any and all acts
calculated to produce collision oi arms be-
tween the States aud the Government oil the
United States. However strong may be
the desire to enter into such an agreement
am convinced that do not possess the
power. and Congress alone under the war
making power can exercise the discretion
of ag eeing to abstain iron any and all
acts calculated to pToiuce collision ot
arms between this and any other govern
ment. 1t would therefore. be an usurpa-
ton for the executive to attenp; and re-
strain their hands by any agreement IN re-
gard 10 matters over which he has no con-
troll. Ii na were thus to act they M Sht
pass laws WHICH he would be bound 10 obey
though in conflict with his agreement. Tn
der existing circumstances my present actu-
al power as-couiinei within named limits.
1t is my ,:uty al all times to defend and
protect the public property within the Sc
ceding States sa far a> may be practicable
and especially to defend and protect the
public property oi the United States, and
to preserve the public peace ut this the seat
o! the Federal Government. If the secee-
ding States abstain from any aui all acts
calculated 10 pro luce a collision of arms,
then the DANCE SO mach to be deprecated
will no .ouSe. exist. Defense. and moi ag-
sre,sion, ma, been the policy oil this admin
iSfr i,,t I
ter into no >nth engagement as that propoS~
e;!. cordially comucal 1t to Congress
with mucu coni,icnce that it will meet their
appreciation 10 abstain from passing any
law calculated to protuc collision OF arm,
pending the proceedings contemplated by
the action OF tht General Assembly OF Nir-
S,inia. sm one Of those wno viii never
deS PAR OF TIE * pubic. yet cherish the
belief thar the American people will pe.pet-
nate the nuion o. the States on some terms
Just and honorable Tor all sections OF the
county. | tr;ist that Tie nc7itdiion Of Viz
ginia, may be the destined means un!er the
providence of God, OF accom- mpii>hing thi,
ines imatle benefit. Glorious are tn. MEM
orics OF her past history. Such an achieve
ment, both i'll relation TO her own lame and
the welfare of the whole country would
surpass them all
JAMES BUCHANAN.
WASHINGTON Cry, Jan. 18th, 1861.
SENATE, Jan. 2Sth.-M: Seward preSen-
tel petion from the citizens ot New ! ok
demonstrating against Legislation "g giving
any protection to slavery in the territories !;
also Il petition Of seven hundred citizens OF
\. Y. praying FOR adjustment of the diff
culties.
Mr. Douglas intro lucel bill amen,la-
tory of the ,ct %! 1893 an the at of 1850
in relation to fugitive slaves vas referred t.
the committee.
HousE Mr.. Rice presented the petition
If lio0O citizens OF Boston oi various
POLITICAL opinions. asking pea eIu! ~ just
u,ent oi our national difficulties The
committee 70 whom it was en'r listed, asked
that it he presented to the ii ,usc, which
was accordingly done. The petition was
en- .lo>,..i in al American nag. aui Its p:e
senjai;on cai.a lo.'h applause on the hpor
ami in ine galleries. Di.ing these procce-
.iinss the Bo,tUn committee were in the gal
ieiies. The dill was laid OH The table in or
>les to be printed
CHARLESTON, ). g., Jan. 2S.
>rhe correspnn len .e of Col. iltyne AMI
knor Pickens, while the TO. mer was AZ
Washington. was considered in executive
session. Ii appears ;!,a, the intimati"n a.
South Carolina was the surrender OF For;
Sum,er and me with travail of the Fe !erai
troops, aA IA; South Carolina promise !,
10 pay 10! the forts AMI tha, Hayne. in
Difference 10 me wishes of Southern Con
yrr>>n,er,. withheld the proposition. Gov.
III krns nnv eli, iIayne to make. iina!
demand 'or IN Forts. rcpuiiating the posi-
tion that he IA not power to give them up.
but mus: ,eavc it to Congress. Gov. Pick
ems tells liayne To await a reasonable time
for answer 10 this final demant. then il re-
fused, Fort Sumter must be taken. The
legislature endorses the actioa.
Sr. LoUIS, Jan. 30.
4 despatch from Anstin TrxaS, received
last night, ,ia,ci Jan. 22n |. says. L.si,-
iature mt anl TIE Guverno : message WAS
read. l; iaycrs tie calling of a convention.
Both houses have repealed the Kansas reso-
lutions passed in 1857 The House passed
the Senate bull dre:,ins the State Comp
troller IN proceed to Washington anil re
ceivc SlS4 900 dollars due the State. \
resolution VAS unanimously passed. decar-
ing ttt1s Iit Feirfai NIDNtinlcNt mas no
power To coer.e sovereign State after
pronouncins her separation. The legisla
:ure favurs inmetiate secession hy ma jor
liy OF TO l.
New ORLEANS. Jan 2Sth.
Judge McCudd of the United States
District Court, resigned 10 day in conse
quenye of the secession of Louisiana.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 20.
SESArE.-Mr. Latham presented petit
ton ol the people of western Utah for in
creased mail facilities. Referred to the
COMMITTEES on Post Offices The Pacific
Railroad bill wa, taken up. Mr.. Chandler
moved to amend to give six sections
of lanl per mile. instead of one. Adopted.
Mr.. Clark novel to amend SD that the
grant Of lands and bonds is made will, the
express condition that Congress stal! here
after have power to a,nenl the provisions
of the act. but not to diminish the specified
amount of contribution adopted. NJ. Will
kinson moved to amend by making the
amount pail to tie central route Slo, ,OOO,-
900 anil that to tn. southern route $2j-