The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-02-11
The NATIONAL CRISIS.
SOUTHERN PROVISIONAL CONVENTION,
Mail Report:
FIRST DAY.

Mr.. VIM. p. Chiffon, of the deputies from
Alabama, called the Convention to order, and
moved that the Hon. r. W. Barnwell, of South
carolina, be elected as temporary chairman. The
motion agreed to.
Mr.. Barnwel took the chair, and said that he
thanked the Convention for the confidence reposed
and honor conferred in ling him to the position
OF chairman. He then called upon Rev. Dr. Basil
Manley to offer prayer. The Rev. Doctor ad-
dressed the Throne of Grace.
The Chairman then stated that the first business
OF the convention was to provide for its perma-
nent organization.
Mr.. Rhett-W ould it not be proper now for the
deputies to present their credentials, so that the
convention might ascertain who are members?
MIR. Memminger-lt would be well for the Chair
man to appoint temporary Secretary, and make
a motion to that effect.
MIR. Shorter-I move that A. r. Lamar, Esq, of
Georgia, be appointed temporary Secretary which
motion was adopted.
Mr.. Memminger-I move that the IDENTITIES from
| the several States, in alphabetical order present
their credentials to the Secretary, and also sign
their names to the roll of the convention. Adopt
| ed.
| The deputies then presented their credentials,
after which the Chairman stated that the deputies
had handed in their credentials and had signed the
roll, and stated that the convention was ready for
| further business.
| Mr.. Rhett-I think proper course is to elect
! a President OF the Convention. On the part of
| the deputies from South Carolina. / present the
name OF gentleman for that office who has been
whose fame is coextensiye with the length
and breadth of this whole country-I nominate the
Hon. Howell Cobb, of Georgia, President of this
Convention. [Applause1. ! am sure that his elec.
ton will be unanimous, and | therefore propose
that he be declared President bv acclamati0n,
The motion prevailed, and considerable applause
followed the announcement.
Mr.. Rhett-l move that committee of three be
appointed to inform Mr.. Cobb of his election and
conduct him to the chair
The motion prevailed, and the chairman appoint
ed Messrs. Rhett, Walker and Anderson that COM
mittee.
Mr. Cobb on taking the Chair, addressed the
convention follows:
Accept. gentlemen of the convention, nv sincere
thanks for the honor which you have conferred on
me- shall endeavor, by a faithful and impartiaI
discharge of the duties of the Chair to merit in
some degree at least, the confidence which YOU
have reposed in me-
The occasion which assemblies us together is one
OF no ordinary character. We meet as the renre-
sentatives of sovereign independent States who,
by their solemn judgment, have dissolved all the
political associations which connected them with
the Government of the United States. OF the
causes which have led to this decision it is unpe-
cessary now to speak; it is enough to announce
that by the judgment of constituents thew have
been ample and sufficient. 1t is now fixed, ire.
vocable fact-the separation is perfect, complete
and perpetual. [Applause.1
The great duty is now imposed upon us to pro.
vide for these States Government for their future
security and protection. We can and should ex-
tend to our sister States-our late sister States
who are identified with us in interest, feeling and
institutions, cordial invitation to unite with us in
common destiny, desirous at the same time of
maintaining with the rest of our late confederates
as with the world, the most peaceful and friendly
relations, both political and commercial.
Our responsibilities, gentlemen, are great and |
doubt not we shall prove equal to the OCCASION
Let US assume all the responsibility which NAV be
necessary for the successful completion of the great
WORK committed to our trust, placing before our
countrymen and the world acts and their re-
suits, as the justification of the course which we
may pursue and adopt With a consciousness of
theJustice of our cause, and with confidence in
the guidance and blessings of kind Providence,
we will this day inaugurate for the South new
era OF peace, security and prosperity. TApplause
On motion of Mr.. Stephens, the President was
requested to appoint committee of five to report
rules for the government of the convention
The convention then adjourned until II O'Clock
tomorrow.
r, MONTGOMERY, Ala, Tuesday, Feb. 5, 1851
The Congress met to-day at noon. PRAYER was
offered by the Rev. Mr.. Mitchell, of St. Johns
Church.
The proceedings of yesterday were read and con.
irmed.
Mr.. Stephens-The Committee on Rules have au.
thorized me to submit a report, which, for the con-
venlence has been printed and laid upon
their desks. These rules have been selected by the
Committee from the rules ofthe House of fRepresen-
tatVes as we'll as those of the Senate of the United
States with some from Jefferson's Manual and some
lew original ones, which the Committee regarded
necessary for this body. The Secretary will lease
read them from the printed COPY.
the Presidential will be understood that each
rule Is adopted, when, after the reading of it, no
objection is made to it.
The Clerk read the rules and no objection was
made until he had finished them.
MIR. Memminger-l presume that, in the goth
rule, the words emo resolution or measure" refer
only to written matter.
Mr. Stephens-Tbat is tba ;n+ant;o, of 4Lo.,I.
Mr.. Memminger-I move that the rules be
printed In pamphlet form for the use of the mem
bers.
Mr. Walker-I beg leave before that motion is
put, to call attention to the second rule, which
reads as follows
ANY number ofmembers from majority of the
States now represented, hereafter to be repre-
sented, by duly accredited delegates from States
seeding from said United States of America shall
constitute quorum to transact business
From this it may be seen that four delegates
may constitute quorum, as there might be but
one delegate IN attendance from majority of the
States.
Mr.. Stephens-Those rules are made on the priu-
ciple that we are a Congress of Sovereign inde-
pendent States, and must vote therefore, as States
and not individually as members. The difficulty
referred to cannOt.be avoided at this time
Mr.. Wilson-With the explanation of the gentle
man from Georgia, Mr. Stephens | beg leave to
call attention to the oath rule, which provides that
"a majority OF the members present" may second
O
the vote be taken by States nm this aS vii s ~ tI
other questions :" " VII a. va ''i'
Mr.. Stephens-It is immaterial which plan is
adopted. In this case think the rule will work
better as II Is.
MT. 0onrad-Under the instructions, the deputies
from LOUISIANA nave received, they are compelled to
vote, on all questions, as unit. And as the call
Tor the previous question may have an important
bearing on the discussion of a subject and on the
result to be attained, we feel compelled to ask that
the second to the call for the previous question
shall be determined by States and not by the votes
OF Individual members.
Mr. Stephens-l am willing that the rule shall
De as the gentleman desires.
The Presdent-The rules having been adopted,
tue question is now on the motion of the member
from South Carolina (Mr. Memminger) to print
these rules in pamphlet form The motion was
agreed to.
Mr.. Chesnut-I move that the States be called in
Alphabetical order to allow the deputies to present
resolutions for the consideration of this BODY
The President-That will be in accordance with
the rules as adopted, and will be DONE
When the Secretary called the State of South
Carolina, Mr. Memminger presented the following
resolutions:
l. ReSolred That this Convention daar, - evra5;,.
forthwith to form Confederacy of the states which
seeded from the Federal Union and that Committee
npp M 10 epoT plan or government
upon he oasls OF the Constitution of the United States.
&c Ina. mt Gi thirteen members be
ton and the members from each STATE 70 b ;tS h
the deputies ofthat State y
S. ReSolred That all propositions in Preference IN
visional Government be referred to this Committee
Mr.. Memminper-J SIN mt 6;snosod 70 rross ,bo
con sideration of tbasa roooIr,;on. ~ ~ ,1o,o.
time If anv gentlamon des;ras tha;.
as it wonld reonira soma 6os + iii rnn',;S
some davs to ,1.trro a L., - ~ -