Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-04-15
The virpinia Convention.
GOVERNOR PICKENS CALLS ON THE
OLD DOMINION.
Excitement in the Streets of Richmond.

RICHMOND, VA, April 13.-The Virginia
slate convention reassembled to day. In com.
mittee of the whole the first three sections OF
the proposed amendments TO the constitution
were adopted, without material amendment
A new section offered by Mr.. Wise, providing
that compensation be made in all cases where
property in "persons held to service or TO
labor" has been, or may be taken ior the
public use, as in. impressment, e'c'' was
adopted. The fourth section was then ADOPT
ed. The fifth section, prohibiting the lmporta-
ton of slaves, was taken up. Numerous
amendments to it were offered, and hnally 1t
was adopted, with an amendment providing
that nothing herein contained shall apply to the
southern states which have or may declare
their separation, in case their separation De
acknowledged and continued.
The debate then turned exclusively upon
the surrender of Fort Sumter. Messrs. Carl
isle and Early deprecated the action OF South
Carolina in firing, and expressed devotion to
the stars and stripes Leading secessionlsts
replied and applauded the gallantry of S>S>th
Carolina and maintained that whatefs = the
convention might do the people would now
carry the state out of the Union.
The committee here rose when communi-
cation was read from Gov Letcher endorsing
a despatch from Gov. Pckeiisi5 lted Charles
ton to-day. 49,,
The dispatch gives an account of Fridays
bombardment of fort Sumter, and says, mot
man on our batteries is hurt" 1t adds Fort
Sumter was furious in its fire on us. Our
iron battery did great damage to the fort on Its
southern wall. Our shells fell freely into the
fort and the effect is supposed TO be serious,
as they are not firing from the fort this morn
ing. Our battery dsmounted three of the
largest of the columbads of the enemy. We
will take the fort and can sink the fleet If they
attempt TO force their way up the channel. If
they attempt to land elsewhere we can whip
them. We have now nearly seven thousand
of the best troops in the world ard reserve
of ten thousand on the railroads. War is COM
menced, and we triumph or we perish. Please
let me know what Virginia will do"
TO this Gov. Letcher stated that he replied,
that the convention would determine Mr.
Wysou offered resolution in view OF the late
information, recommending the people of Vir-
ginia at once, to unite in defence Of their in
situation, and make common cause with the
| confederate states. Without taking action on
| this resolution the convention adjourned.
1t was openly stated in debate, that the
southern army would march through Virginia
| to the north, and that thousands would join
them. Mr.. Early said this would be invasion,
| and should be repealed.
There is great rejoicing here over the news
| from Charleston One hundred guns have
| been fired to celebrate the surrender of fort
Sumter. Confederate flags are everywhere
displayed, while music and Examinations are
the order of the evening. Gov. Letcher has
just been serenaded, He made non-commit-
tai speech. The streets are crowded with
people, and the utmost enthusiasm and excite
ment prevail.
LATER DISPATCH.
RICHMOND, April 4.-The demonstrations