The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1865-12-13

which the property shall not be sold, but
believe it would be best not to trammel
the Commissioners. The first object
should be to get some one to take vigorous
hold Of this great work, and begin to i'm
prove and build up the State. The water
power which may be obtained through this
canal, and which is now unimproved, is
far greater than that ct Lowell or Law
renee, and why should not it's energetic
development make Columbia greater city
than either?
transmit to you herewith commune
cation from his Excellcncy B. F. Perry,
Provisional Governor, on the subject OF
vite your attention. JAMES L. ORR.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, SOUTH CAROLINA,
December 8, 1865.
To HIS EJceNency Gou. Orr.
My DEAR SIR: I received, two weeks
since, telegram from the Hon. William
81. Seward, Secretary of State, in relation
to the reputation of our war debt, in tho
following words: s'Upon reflection, South
Carolina would not care to come again into
the councils of the Union encumbcred and
clogged with debts and obligations which
had been assumed in her name in vain
attempt to submit it. The President trusts
that she will lose no time in making an
effective organic declaration, disowning all
debts and obligations made or assumed in
her name or behalf in aid of the rebellion.
The President awaits further events in
South Carolina with deep interest"
In reply to this despatch, 1 stated that
1t was lnpracticablc, now, to make any
such "organic declaration" as our State
Convention had been dissolved. by nv ad-
vice, after having done all that tho Presi-
dent had requested to be done, and that
was opposed to keeping = revolutionary
body, like that of the Convention, in exist
ence longer than absolute necessity re-
qulred. l further stated, that our war debt
was very small one and could not be scpa-
rated from the ordinary current eXpenccs
OF the Statc-that South Carolina had been
refunded, by the Confederate States, n
large portion of her expenditures on ac-
count of tho war-and that no one in the
State had any right to complain of being
taxed to pay this debt, as they were all
guilty III incurring it. | stated, moreover,
that the estates of widows and orphans
safest investment which could be made for
them, and that it would now be gross injus-
tice to this innocent and helpless class to
diEown the debt.
Yesterday 1 had the honor of receiving
the following communication from Mr..
Seward, through the mails
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WASHINGTON, November 80, 1863
To HIS ErceNency q. J.. Pe,7Y, Provisional
Gorefnor Of the State Of South Carolina,
Columbid.
SIR have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt of Your telegram, of the 9th
instant, informing me that the Convention
had been dissolved 1t was impossible to
adopt the Presidents suggestion to repu-
date the insurgent debt, and to inform
you, that while the objections which you
urge to the adoption Of that proceeding
are OF a serious nature, the President can
not refrain from awaiting with interest an
nff .io1 Il,
the Legislature. 1 have the honor to be,
sir, Your obedient servant,
WILLIAM II. SEWARD.
You will please, sir, lay this communica-
ton before the Legislature, for their action
i'll reference to the "ofticial EXPIRE ssion"
which the President is awaiting with
interest" I have the honor to be. Your
Exccllen' most obcdient servant,
B. f. PERRY,
Provisional Governor South Carolina.
On motion of Mr.. Ar thur, the different
sections of the message wcro appropriate
Il referred.
Reports of committees were submitted
by Messrs. Dozier, Williams and Sullivan.
Adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
At the hour to which the House was ad-
journed, the Clerk called the roll, the
Speaker took the Chair, and the proceed
ings were opened with prayer by Rev. Mr..
Martin.
Message No. 2 was then received from
his Excellency Governor James L. Orr, and
was read by the Speaker.
The Senate returned to this House bill
to amend the Criminal Law; which was
read the third time, and the title changed
to an Act.
Messrs. D. Wyatt Aiken, Siegling, Jas.
r. Aiken, Mikell, Black, Bonham, Youmans
and Anderson, submitted reports Of COM
mittee. Adjourned.
The Washington Republican says, we
take great pleasure in announcing the fAct
shat, in pursuance Of tho Presidents pur-
Dnsa to hrin tho Gnyarnnnenf hacE To thu