Year: 1861

However strong may be my desire to enter into such
agreement am cUnvi vinced that do not possess The
power Congress, and Congress alone, under the war
making power exercise the discretion of agreeiS to
abstain from and all calculated to produce
collision of arms between this and any other Government
1t would, therefore, be usurpaton for the Executive
TO attempt to restrain their hands by an agreement in
regard to matters which he has Constitutional
control.


Ifhe thus to act, they might pass laws which he
would be forced to obey though in conflict with his agree
ment.


Under existing circumstances my present actual pow
is confined within limits. It is my duty at all
times to defend and protect the Federal property within
the seeding States, far this be practicable and
especially to employ the Constitutional means to protect
the property of the United States. and to the
public peace of this the of the Federal Government
If the seeding States abstain from any and all acts cal
lated to produce 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 can ente into no engagement such that
proposed, cordially commend to Congress, with much
confidence that will meet irapprobaon, to abstain
from passing law calculated to produce collision OF
arms pending the proceedings contemplated by the ac
ton of the General ASS emily Of Virginia. | Of
those who will never despair of the Republic yet
cherish the belief that the American people will perpeu
ate the Union of the States terms Just and homo
rable for all sections of the country.


trust that the mediation of Virginia may beLhe des
tined means under Providence OF accomplishing tins in
estimable benefit.


Glorious are the memories of her past history such
an achievement, both in relation to her own fame and
the welfare of the whole country, would surpass them
ALL JAMES BUCHANAN,


Washington City, Jan %, 1861.


After the reading of the Message-Mr. STAN
TON moved to refer the Message to the Committee
on Military Afiairs.-Mr. C0CHRANE moved
to refer it to the Select Committee of Five.-The
consideration of the Message was, after some de-
bate, p0stponed-Mr. PRYOR addressed the
House. He said that those who pretended to say
the Union was not in danger, betrayed want OF
candor. He detailed the wrongs and grievances OF
the South. He advocated tie right of secession,
and claimed that in doing he but carried out the
principles of Washington and John Adams.
lie said that the Republicans pour out of one hand
the overtures of peace and with the other they
WELD a sword. The election of Lincoln was cause
for secession, for the champion of the "rrepressbe
conflict held the reins.-After the conclusion of
his remarks, MIR. CURTIS, of Iowa, obtained the
floor, but gave way to Mr.. GROW, who moved to
postpone the special order and take up the Kan
bill, in order to agree to the amendment 81
the Senate, enforcing certain laws in the new
State, and establishing judicial district. The
amendment was agreed to, thus admitting Kansas
into the Union. Mir. STANTON then called up
the bill which introduced earlier in the day for
the better organization of the militia in the Dis
trict of Columbia 1t provides that the oath shall
be administered to the militia, who are drafted in
the same manner those of the regular army OF
the federal government.-Mr LEACH, of n. c.,
said he would vote for no bill to establish PretO-
rian guard over free people.-The bill was
passed, and the House adjourned.