Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1861-02-15
Southern Coufederaey.

The Convention of seeding States, ln-
cluding South Carolina, Louisiana. Georgia.
Alabama, Mississippi and Florida, which
met in Montgomery, Alabama, on tho 4tA
inst, have formed a Provisional Govern
ment under the style of 1.-The Confederated
States of North America" Hon. jeff.
Davis, of Mississippi was elected President.
and A II. Stephens Vice President,
A committee was appointed to report on
flag, SEAL and motto.
The President was directed to appoint
committees on Foreign, Naval, FiDanciuE
and Military Affairs, Judiciary, Postal,
Commerce and Patents.
A resolution was adopted appointing u
committee of three Alabama deputies to in
quire and report upon what terms suitable
buildings in Montgomery can be secured
for the use of the Executive Departments
of the Confederacy under the Provisional
Government.
A bill has passed, continuing in force UNI
til repealed or altered by the Congress. all
laws of the United States in force on the ist
of November last, not inconsistent with tie
constituted Provisional Government.
1t is understood that under this law a tar
if will be laid on all goods from the United
States.
A resolution was adopted instructing the
Committee on Finance to report promptly
tariff for raising revenue for the support
of the Government.
A resolution was adopted authorizing the
,o~o;pt,oont ,f n too 70 re,ort , ~,
stitution for permanent Governments Of
the Confederated States.
The Convention was abont two hours in
secret session, to-day, and the rest in open
session.
The Constitution of the Provisional Gov
eminent has been printed, and is now pub
lished. The preamble says:
owe, the Deputies of the Sovereign and
Independent States of South Carolina, Geor-
gia, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, and
Louisiana, invoking the favor of Almighty
God, do hereby, in behalf Of these States,
ordain aud establish this Constitution for
the Provisional Government Of the same.
to continue one year from the Inauguration
of a President, or the formation Of a perma-
nent united Confederation, whichever shall
/ first occur"
The 7th section, Art. /. says: The i'm
portation of African negroes, from any for
eign country other than the saveholding
States of the United States, is hereby for
! bilden, and Congress is forbidden to pass
such laws as shall eii,etually prevent the
same
Second section -The Congress shall, al
So have the power to prohibit the intro
duction of slaves from any State not menu
Der of this Confederaey
Art 4, clause 3. section "a slave in
one State escaping to another, shall be de-
livered up on the claim of the party to whom
said slave may belong. by the Executive
authority of the State in which said slave
may be found, and in case of any abduction
or forcble rescue. full compensation, inclU
ding the value of the slave, and all cost and
expenses, shall be made to the party by the
State in which such abduction or rescue
shall take place.
/ Art. 6, clause 2-The Governments
hereby instituted shall take immediate steps
for the settlement of all the matters be-
tween the States forming, and their other
late confesleraes of the United States, in
relation to the puolic property aud public
debts at the time of their withdrawal from
them. these States hereby declaring it to 20
their wish aud earnest desire to adjust ey-
| erything pertaining to the common prop
erty, common liabilities and common obii-
CATIONS Of thai Union upon principles Of
right, justice, equity and good faith.
All other portions of the Constitution ate
almost identical with the Constitution Of
the U. S.
| Great demonstrations are going on here.
n complimentary seEenade was given
the Hon. A. Fl. Stephens, which he ach-
uowledged in an eloqueut speech.
Messrs Chestnut and Keitt, of S. G.,
Conrad, of La, and others, spoke
Ore hundred guns, we're fired on Capitol
Hill this afternoon.