Year: 1861




To the Senate and House of Representatives Of tic


United Statss:


deem it my duty to submit to Congress a series
of resolutions adopted by the Legislature of Virginia
on the 18th instant having in view peaceful settle
ment of the existing questions which now threaten
this Union. They were delivered to me on Thurs
day, the 24th instant by Ex- President Tyler, who
has left his dgnied and honored retirement in the
hope that he may render service to his country
in this its hour of need.


These resolutions, it will be perceived extend an
invitation to all such States, whether slaveholding
or non-saveholdiRg, as are willing to unite with
each other in earnest effort to adjust the present
unhappy difficulties in spiritin which the constitu
ton was originally formed and consistently with its
principles, SO as to afford the people Of the slave
holding States adequate guarantees for the security
Of their rights, to appoint commissioners to meet
the fourth day Of February next in the city of
Washington, similar commissioners appointed by
Virginia, to consider and if practicable, agree upon
some sort of adjustment.


confess hail this movement on the part Of Vir-
ginis with great satisfaction. From the past histo
ry of this ancient and renowned Commonwealth, We
have the fullest assurance that what she has under
taken she will accomplish if it can be done by able
enlightened and perseverins efforts. 1t is highly
gratifying to know that other patriotic States have
appointed commissioners to meet those OF Virginia
in council. When assembled, they will constitute
body entitled in an eminent degree to the conf
dence of the country.


The General Assembly of Virginia have also re-
solved THAT ExPresident Tyler is hereby appoint
ed by he concurrent vote of each branch Of the
General Assembly commissioner tn the President
of the United States, and Judge John Robertson is
hereby appointed by like vote commissioner to
the State of South-Carolina and all other seeding
States that have seeded, shall secedc, with in.
structions to respectfully request the President Of
the United States and the authorities of such States
to agree to abstain, pending the proceedings con-
templsted by the action of this General Assembly,
from any ant all acts calculated to produce cos-
ion of arms between the States and tho government
of the United States"


However strong may be my desire to enter into
such an agreement, | am convinced that do not
possess the power. Congress, and Congress alone,
under the warmaking power, can exercise the dis
creton Of agreeing to abstain from any and all acts
calculated to produce collision Of arms between
this and any other government. 1t would therefore
be lsurpaton for the Executive to attempt to re-
strain their hands by an agreement in regard 10
matters over which he has constitutional control


II he were thus to act they might pass laws which
he would be forced to obey, though IN conflict with
his agreement


Under existing circumstances my present actual
power is confined within narrow limits 1t is my
duty at all times to defend and protect the Federal
property within the seeding States so far as this
may be practicable, and especially to employ the con-
tutional means to protect the property Of the Uni
ted States and to preserve the public peace Of this
the seat of the Federal Government If the seeding
States abstain from any and all calculated pro-
duce a collision of arms, then the danger much
to be deprecated will no longer exist Defence and
not aggression has been the policy Of the admins
tration from the beginning - -.
But whilst l can enter into no engagement such
as that proposed, cordially commend to Congress
with much confidence that it will meet their appro
baton, to abstain from passing any law calculated
to produce collision Of arms pending the proceed.
ings contemplated by the action of the General AS
sembly of Virginia. l am one of those who will
mover despair of the republic yet cherish the be
lief that the American people will perpetuate tht
Union Of the States some terms just and honora
bic to all sections of the country.


trust that the mediation Of Virginia may be tn,
destined MEANS under Providence, of accomplishing
this inestlmable benefit.


| Glorious as are the memories Of her past history
such an achievement both in relation to her owl
fame and the welfare Of the whole country would sur
| pass them all.
! JAMES BUCHANAN.
! Washington City, January %, 1861. ,----.