Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-02-15
THE SOUTHERN CONFEDERACY
FORMED.


jtlI. DAVIS ihlsIuLN ]. A. u. STEPHENS
VICE pKKsIpENT.
MoxrGoNFRY, Ala. Feb. s In Congress
to-day, Mr.. Memminger presented the model
flag from the South Carolina ladies and citiz-
ems and committee was appointed 10 report
upon flag, seal, coat of arms and motto for
the southern Coniederacy
The President was directed 90 appoint COM
mittees on foreign, finance, military and naval
affairs. and on commcrce and patents.
The Congress then unanimously elected JEFF
ierson DAVIS ct Mississippi for President and
Alexander n stephens of Georgia Vice Pre-
sident of the Southern Coniederacy.
A committee Of three was appointed TO
procure suitable buildings in Montgomery for
the use Of the executive departments OF the
provisional government
An ordinance was passed continuing in
force all the laws Of the United States which
were in force on the lst of November until
they are repealed or altered by a Southern
Congress.
1t is understood that tariff will be imme-
diately laid upon all goods from the United
States, the Committee on Finance having been
instructed TO report tariff bill.
committee was appointed TO report con-
stitution for the permanent government of the
conlederacy.
Messrs. Stephens. Chesnut, Kett and Com
rad responded TO a serenade in the evening"
There were grand demonstrations tonight
( MoNrooMERY, Ala, Feb "a Constitu-
ton was unanimously adopted at a late hour
last night for provisional government Its
title is The Constitution for the Provision
al Government of the Confederate States Of
America. The preamble reads We the
/ Deputies Of the Sovereign independent States
of South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alaba-
ma, Mississippi and Louisiana, invoking the
favor of the Almighty, hereby in behalf Of
the States ordain and establish this Constitu-
ton for provisional government Of the same,
TO continue one year from the Inauguration Of
the President, or until permanent Constitu-
ton or Confederation be put into operation.
The seventh section provides that Congress
shall pass laws efIectually preventing the i'm
portation of negroes from other than slave
holding States also to prohibit the introduce
ton of slaves from any State not member
of this Confederacy. The second section pro-
vides that an escaping slave shall be delivered
up by the Executive OF the State where
found, and for full compensation with ex-
penses in case Of rescue. The sixth article
says that the Government hereby instituted
shall take immediate steps for the settlement
of all matters relating to the public debt and
public property at the time Of withdrawal
from the United States, these States decar-
ing an earnest desire to adjust everything
pertaining to the common property, liabilities
and obligations Of that Union upon principles
of right, justice, equity and good faith The
tariff clause provides that Congress shall levy
and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excuses
for revenue necessary to carry on the Govern
ment, such to be uniform.
The other portions Of the Constitution are
almost identical with that Of the United
States.
ACCEPTANCE OF MR.. STEPHENS.
MONTGOMERY, Ala, Feb The COM
mittee to inform Mr. Stephens of his nomin-
alton reported that he would reply in open
Convention.
At O'Clock the Convention reassemhled, when Mr..
stephens arose and sad he had been nouhed OF his cleo
uon as Vice President Of the Provisional Government Of
the Confederate States Of America he returned his
most profound Acknowledgements for this expression Of
eonhdenoe on the part Of Congress
lie said that the considerations which induced hm to
accept the Office he need state IL was sufficient to
say that tmay be deemed questionable whether good
citizen refuse TO discharge any duty assigned him
his country in her hour Of need
IL might be expected that he should indulge In some
remarks on the state Of public affairs the danger which
threaten u.s. and the most advisable measures to be adopt
ca " Weel he pressing tNSences but IN the absence OF
Mr.. Davis he orbore. fle doubted not that All would
concur ~ the line Of policy suggested by the laors SUI
peIior wisdom and statesmanship.
In the meantime we may very prohtably direct at
tenton TO providing necessary postal arrangements, max
ing provision oI the transfer OF custom huuses from the
Jurisdiction OF the pafae States the Conedera
ey, and the imposition Of such duties as may be
ry 10 meet the present expected exgencies
He suggested that a small duty, exec ding ten per
cent Interpretations, would be sufficient He thea an
nounoed himself ready TO take the oath, which was
done.
4 A committee of two from each state was
appointed to report form for permanent
Constitution.