The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-01-15
PROCEEDINGS OF THE FLORIDA STATE
CONVENTION.
aRrONp nav.

TALLAHASSEE, Jan. s, 1861
The Convention met noon in the Representative
Hall, Col Pelote in the char Irayer onered by
the Rev. E. l. T. Blake, OF Tallahassee
The first business the election OF permanent officers
Of the Conven'ion.
ballot for President resulted follows:-Total votes
57-Judge John c. McGehee received AZ Col john Q
Pelote, u John p. anderson, 2; and Col. Merton,
Judge McGehee declared elected and committee
appointed TO inform him Of his election and conduct him
to the chair.
Upon taking the chair the President made brief
speech
The Convention then proceeded the election of
taries.
The following is the oath administered to all the off,
GERS elected president not included),-
You do soemnly swear that you will faithfully dis
charge the duties Of the office to which you have been
elected and to obey such rules and orders the Con
vention may prescribe, so help you God
On motion, committees appointed on Credentials,
Elections, Judiciary, Commerce and Navigation, Federal
and Foreign Relations, Militia, Sea Coast Police, Enrol
ments, and on other subjects.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
resolution was offered by g. W. PiRsHrII, of Leon,
that when the Convention passes ordinance OF seces
sion be submitted to the people for ratification. The
resolution tabled by unanimous vote, at least
delegate voted nay. Mr. Parkhi said he Offered the
solution in compliance with instructions fiom hi
stitucnts but he in favor OF immediate secession
Judge McINrosH offered the following preamble and
resolution:-
Union upon terms consistent with the safety and honor
OF the savehodng States has been finally dsspated by
the indications Of the strength Of the antsavcry senti-
ment Of the free States therefore be 1t
Resolved by the people Of the State of Florida in con-
vention assembled That as is the undoubted right Of
the several States Of the federal Union known the
United States Of America. TO withdraw from the said
unon at such time and for such as in the
opinion of the people Of each State, acting in heir
reign capacity may be just and proper-n the opinion
of this Convention the such TO compel the
State Of Florida to proceed to exercise that right.
On motion of Col. WARD, of Leon, the preamble and
resolution offered by Judge Mcintosh ordered TO be
printed and made the special order of the day Monday
An animated discussion resulted the motion post
pone until Monday, but Col Wards motion was adopted
by ayes 81 to noes 90.
The Convention then adjourned until Monday morning
at ten O'Clock.
THIRD DAY.
TALLAHASSEE, Jan. :, 1861.
The Convention met this morning at ten o'clock.
Prayer was offered by the Rev. DR.. Du Bois of Taa-
hassee.
The committee to whom was referred the business Of
communicating with the Commissioners from Alabama
and South Carolina reported that they had performed
that duty and that the Commissioners ready
to communicate with the Convention.
The Commissioners were then conducted into the Con-
vention and the President addressed them follows
GENTLEMEN, COMMISSIONERS FROM Soum CAROLINA AND
AIABAMA:-
AS the organ Of the sovereignty Of Florida in Conven
ton assembled it gives great pleasure 10 extend TO
you the representatives Of your States, cordial well
come.
In the great struggle in which we all engaged for
devernce and safety ii is grateful 10 give aad receive
mutual encouragement and support.
Florida acknowledges, with high satisfaction, the
friendly compliment paid her by your respective States
IN accredng to her tsir Commissioners. May moi she
and they indulge the pleasing hope that that mutual
gard and sympathy and support now rendered and re-
ceived may be earnest OF reunion OF destnes that
shall secure liberty peace and happiness to their people
for all time to come.
To south Carolina, who has IN the mantenance Of the
rights her people reassumed the powers granted Ia the
constitution which made her member OF the nion and
taken position among the separate and Independent
tions OF the SOUTH Florida says, All ha-wel donel To
Alabama who this day assemblies her sovereguty-with
the high behest take that her Commonwealth
ceives no detriment-Forida bids God speed And 10
you gentlemen, personally, this Convention tenders
siderations OF high respect and regard
The Commissioners spoke in reply.
The Con cntion II en- took for hour When
they again met they went into secret session.