The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1866-11-15

VII lHe -ftIl OF April, 1901, Comm ION
ers on the part of Virginia entered in
to AN agreement with & Commissioner
from the Confederate States, where by
Virginia entered into temporary uni
on with the Confederate States, and you
voted to recommit the subject to the
committee with directions to confer
with Governor Letcher and General Lee.
fsee journal, page r95f
On the 18th April, 1851, the Gonven-
ton passed the ordinance amending the
Constitution of theState, equalizing tax
alton, which was adopted by the voters
OF the State at the general election in
May following, and you voted for this
ordinance. (See Journal, y. 204.5
On the 10Th of April, 1861, the follow
ing resolutions We're adopted by the
Conventions:
|. "ResoIeed, That the Convention
will now proceed to elect five Represent
taflves, to represent the State Of Virgin
ia III the Congress about to assemble at
Montgomery.' Ayes 67. Nays q: and
HoH voted for It's adoption. (See Jour
nal, Z. 2l2.
2 "Resolred, That no member of the
Convention shall be elected as a Repre-
sentatiNe in said Congress Ayes 70.
Nays 10. fSee journal, p. 2l2l On this
u.
Did you think that if it failed, you
might be eiected.9
Let us now review the ground over
which we have travelled, and recall
what had been done before this election
took place. The Ordinance of Secession
had been passed. The Federal forces
had retreated from and burnt the ar
morT and military stores at iiafper's
Ferry. Gen. Il. L. Lee had been imam
lm0uSly confirmed as commander of the
military and naval forces Of Virginia.
The articles of Temporary union Of Nir
ginia with the Confederate States had
been ratified by the Convention; and
the President and authorities of the
Confederate government had been invi-
ted by The Convention to make Rich
mond the seat of government of the
Confederate States. Fort Sunpter had
been attacked and captured, and the
Whole country WAS IN ono blaze Of civil
War.
In this condition Of public affairs, the
Convention ef Virginia proceeded on
the 29tll day oil April, 1861, to tie cleo
ton of five Representatives to represent
Virginia in tho Congress Of the Gonfcd-
crate States then about TO assemble at
Montgomery. This election resulted in
lilc cHOlce Oh IN. NJ. L. Hunter, ". !,
Rives, John w. Brockenbrough and
Gideon ID. Camden. You We're in the
Convention at this election, and your
votes stand recorded on the journal (se-
cret session)on pages % and IS, for VIM.
{. Rives and G. ID. Camden.
Now, Sir, are not all these statements
true as stated? | have given you day,
date and page to aid you to refresh what
must have been most treacherous
memory. Copies of the journal of the
Convention, from which these state
ments are taken, are all around you.
and these facts are well known, and you
cannot, dare not deny them.
In view of these facts, l will leave the
good people over whom you preside in
the exercise Of your judicial functions
to pronounce the judgment of all just
men, that you are neither pure, nor
above suspicion. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.
The parole granted jeff. Davis some
months ago, giving him the privilege of
III Fortress during the day, has been
extended through Executive clemency
in removing all surveillance over him,
and the guards from his rooms in Car
roll Hall at night. Instructions to this
effect have been sent from Washington
to Gen. Benton, commandant of the