Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1861-02-09
Portion


erucr was read us follows:
STATE OF SouTu CAROLINA,
EXECUTIVE DEEARTMENT, Jan. 26, 1861.
TO He. President and Members of he Senate:
Gcntlemen: know that everything con
nected with the safety and defence of the
country is deeply interesting at this time. [
have, therefore, thought proper to communi-
cate the accompanying documents for your
informotion They arc copies of reports
made by engineers and different officers un-
der my "dcrs in relation to the ser. coast de-
fence. trust it will be perceived that
have taken the earliest and most active meas
uros to enable me to place the coast in a posi-
tion that may enable us to protect ourselves
from any sudden invasion from marauding
parties The ordinance required for the diff
fcrcnt parts are being sent forward as fast as
they can be got ready. have also put arms
into the hands of Cavalry companies formed
in the Parishes bordering the sca-coast, so as
to enable them to make an efficient police
and give protection from any attempt at inva-
sion. 1t is not intended to call out these
companies under any general organization of
troops, but leave them MS local defence to
the different Parishes. f. W. PIeKENs
a private message was received by the
Pcsidrnt of the Senate, from the Governor,
requiring immediate Executive Session.
After the secret session was over, the in
junction of secrecy was taken from the fol-
lowing:
RcsolUeol, unanimously, That the General
Assembly of South Carolina tenders to the
Legislature Of Virginia their acknowledge
ments Of the friendly motives which have
inspired the mission entrusted to the Hon
Judge Robertson, her Commissioner
RcSoIncd, "nomjmn~sy, That the candor
which is due to the long continued sympathy
and respect which has subsistcl between Tir-
ginia md South Carolina induces the General
Assembly to declare, with frnukness, that
they do not deem it advisable to initiate ncgo.
tiations when they have no desire or intention
to promote the ultimate object in view that
object is declared in the resolution of the
Legislature of Virginia to be the procure
mcnt of amendments, or new guarantees to
the Constitution of the United States,
Rc$ol0cd,- jmouAy, That the separa-
ton Of the State of South Carolina from the
Federal Union is final, and she has no further
interest in the Constitution of the United
States, and that the only appropriate ncgotia-
tions between her and the Federal Govern
ment arc as to their mutual relations as for
cgn States
RcsolUcd, undnimou$ly, That this General
Assembly further owes it to her friendly reln-
tions with the State of Virginia, to declare
that they have no confidence in the Federal
Government of the Unitcd States that the
most solemn pledges of that Government
have been disrcgardcd; that under pretcnce
of preserving property, hostile troops have
been attempted to be introduced into one of
the fortrcsscs of this State, concealed in the
hold of vessel of commerce, with view to
subiugate the people of this State; and that
even since the authorities at Washington
have been informed of the present mediation
of Virginia. a vessel of war has been sonG to
the South with troops, and munitions of war
concentrated on the soil of Virginia.
Resol0ed, unanimously, That in these cir
cumstanccs, this General Assembly, with re-.
nowed assurances of their cordial respect and
esteem for thc people of Virginin, and of
high consideration for the Commissioner
whom they lave sent, decline entering into
the proposed negotiations.
On motion of Mr. Darlington, the Senate
adjourned sine dic
HOUSE or Representatives.
The House meta 8 a. NJ.
Mr. YcadOn moved that the injunction of
the following message and resolutions consid-
cred in, secret session. -.>.@t'
STATE OF SoUTT CARoLINA,'
EXEcUTIvE DEPARTMENT., Jan. 2S, 1861.
2oAtc ,SPeu&cr and .Ncnsders IF Mc House
Of Representatives.: -.
Gentlemen His Excellcncy, the Governor
of.Virginia, has transmitted to mo the cnclos-
ed resolutions, passed by the Legislature of
that illustrious Commonwealth. .
1t will be seen that their Objects to in
duce the Legislature of South Carolina to
send on Commissioners. from Virginia, and
also from all the States that think proper to
send similar Commissioners. on the 4th of
February next, in Washington City, to con
slider and, practicable, to agree upon some
Suitable adjutmcnt of the great issues that
have been made in the Confederacy.
We are disposed to treatwith the most pro
found consideration every proposition that
may emanate from the State of Virginia, and
toyield to her almost everything, except what
may involve vital principles Moro than
year ago, the State of South Carolina, aetua-
ted by the most sincere desire to- do every
thiogin her power to avert the dangers that
it was manifest then threatened the Federal
Union, sent Commissioner to Virginia, who
made'a an urgent appeal to her to step forward
and devise some plan upon which the States
Immediately concerned might act together,
7and save their peace and their rights, and yet
preserve the common Constitution as a bless.
ing for the States. 1t was then thought un.
necessary, oo the part of Virginia, to take