The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-04-18
A PROCLAMATION.


respond with slacrity TO the order:
BY THE GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA.
A PROCLAMATION.
Whereas, seven Of the states formerly com.
posing part Of the United States, have, by
authority Of their people, solemnly resumed
the powers granted by them to tho United
States, and have framed q Consultation and
orsanissd q Government for themselves, to
which the people Of those States are yielding
willing obedience, and have SO notified the
President of the United States by all the
formaiities incident to such action, and
thereby become to the United States a
sepsrats, Independent and foreign power
and, whereas. the Consultation of the United
States has invested Congress with the sole
power ITO declare war" and until such decla-
ration 10 made the President has no authority
to call for an extraordinary force to wage of
fensive war against any foreign power and,
whereas, on the 18th inst. the President of
the United States, In plain violation Of the
Consultation, has issued a Proclamation call
ing for force Of seventy five thoussnd men,
to cause tho laws of the United States to be
duly executed over people who are no
longer q Part Of the Union, and In said Pre-
clamation threatens to exert this unusual
force to compel obedience to his mandates !:
and, whereas, the General Assembly of yir.
ginia, by majority approaching to entire
unanimity, has declared, at its last session,
that the State of Virginia would consider
such an exertion of force as virtual declare
tion Of war, to be resisted BY all the power At
the command Of Virginia and sabseq uently.
the Convention now in session, representing
the sovereignty of this State. has re-affrmed
In substance the same policy, by almost
equal unanimity; and, whereas, the State OF
Virginia deeply sympathizes with the South
ern States, in the wrongs they have suffered,
and in the position they have assumed and
having made earnest efforts peaceably to COM
pose the differences which have severed The
Union. and have failed in that attempt through
this unwarranted act on the part of the Presi.
dent; and it is believed that the influ-
ences which operate to produce this Preclama
ton against the seeded Sta ties will be brought
to bear upon this Commonwealth, If she
should exercise her undoubted right to resume
the powers gran ted by her people, and it is
due to the honor OF Virginia that an impro-
per exercise of force against her people should
be repealed: Therefore, ], JOIN LBToHRR, Gov
ernor Of the Commonwealth of Virginia, have
thought proper to order all armed volunteer
regiments or companies within this State
forthwith to hold themselves in readiness for
immediate orders, and upon the reception of
this Proclamation to report to the Adjutant
General Of the State their organization and
numbers. and prepare themselves for efficient
service. Such companies as are not armed
and equipped will report that fact, that they
may be properly supplied.
In witness whereof, have hereunto set my
{ ~ lhand and caused the seal of the Com
\ L.s. Smonwealth to be affi xed, this 18th day
L.. )of April, 1861, and in the S5th year Of
the Common wealth. JOHN fletcher.