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your joint resolution, adopted on the 1st day of May, instant, I appointed
Gustavus A. Henry, of the county of
Montgomery,
Archibald O. W. Totten, of the county of
Madison, and
Washington Barrow, of the county of
Davidson, “Commissioners, on the part of
Tennessee, to enter into a military league with the authorities of the
Confederate States, and with the authorities of such other slaveholding States as may wish to enter into it; having in view the protection and defence of the entire
South against the war that is now being carried on against it.”
The said commissioners met
the Hon. Henry W. Hilliard, the accredited representative of the
Confederate States, at
Nashville on this day, and have agreed upon and executed a military league between the
State of Tennessee and the
Confederate States of America, subject, however, to the ratification of the two governments, one of the duplicate originals of which I herewith transmit for your ratification or rejection.
For many cogent and obvious reasons, unnecessary to be rehearsed to you, I respectfully recommend the ratification of this league at the earliest practicable moment.
Very respectfully,
The
State of Tennessee, looking to a speedy admission into the
Confederacy established by the
Confederate States of America, in accordance with the constitution for the provisional government of said States, enters into the following temporary convention, agreement, and military league with the
Confederate States, for the purpose of meeting pressing exigencies affecting the common rights, interests, and safety of said States and said Confederacy.
First: Until the said State shall become a member of said Confederacy, according to the constitutions of both powers,
the whole military force and military operations, offensive and defensive, of said State, in the impending conflict with the United States, shall be under the chief control and direction of the President of the Confederate States upon the same basis, principles, and footing as if said State were now and during the intervals a member of the said Confederacy.
Said force, together with those of the
Confederate States, is to be employed for the common defence.
Second: The
State of Tennessee will, upon becoming a member of said Confederacy, under the permanent constitution of said
Confederate States, if the same shall occur,
turn over to said Confederate States all the public property, naval stores, and munitions of war of which she may then be in possession, acquired from the
United States, on the same terms and in the same manner as the other States of said Confederacy have done in like cases.
Third: Whatever expenditures of money, if any, the said
State of Tennessee shall make before she becomes a member of said Confederacy, shall be met and provided for by the
Confederate States.
This convention, entered into and agreed on in the city of
Nashville, Tennessee, on the seventh day of May, A. D. 1861, by
Henry W. Hilliard, the duly authorized
Commissioner to act in the matter for the
Confederate States, and
Gustavus A. Henry,
Archibald W. O. Totten, and
Washington Barrow, commissioners duly authorized to act in like manner for the
State of Tennessee.
The whole subject to the approval and ratification of the proper authorities of both governmants, respectively.
In testimony whereof, the parties aforesaid have herewith set their hands and seals, the day and year aforesaid, in duplicate originals.
Henry W. Hilliard, [Seal.]
Commissioner for the
Confederate States of America.
Gustavus A. Henry, [Seal.]
A. O. W. Totten, [Seal.]
Washington Barrow, [Seal.]
Commissioners on the part of
Tennessee.
Joint resolution ratifying the league.
Whereas, A military league, offensive and defensive, was formed on this the 7th of May, 1861, by and between
A. O. W. Totten,
Gustavus A. Henry, and
Washington Barrow, Commissioners on the part of the
State of Tennessee, and
H. W. Hilliard,
Commissioner on the part of the
Confederate States of America, subject to the confirmation of the two governments:
Be it therefore resolved by the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee, That said league be in all respects ratified and confirmed, and the said General Assembly hereby pledges the faith and honor of the
State of Tennessee to the faithful observance of the terms and conditions of said league.
The following is the vote in the Senate on the adoption of the league:
Yeas.--
Messrs. Allen,
Horn,
Hunter,
Johnson,
Lane,
Minnis,
McClellan,
McNeilly,
Payne,
Peters,
Stanton,
Thompson,
Wood, and
Speaker Stovall.
Nays.--
Messrs. Boyd,
Bradford,
Hildreth,
Nash,
Richardson, and
Stokes.
Absent and not voting--
Messrs. Bumpass,
Mickley,
Newman,
Stokely, and
Trimble.
The following is the vote in the
House:
Yeas.--
Messrs. Baker of
Perry,
Baker of
Weakley,
Bayless,
Bicknell,
Bledsoe,
Cheatham,
Cowden,
Davidson,
Davis,
Dudley,
Ewing,
Farley, Farrelly,
Ford, Frazie,
Gantt,
Guy, Havron,
Hart,
Ingram,
Jones,
Kenner,
Kennedy,
Lea,
Lockhart,
Martin,
Mayfield,
McCabe, Morphies, Nail, Hickett,
Porter,
Richardson,
Roberts, Shield,
Smith,
Sewel,
Trevitt,
Vaughn,
Whitmore, Woods, and
Speaker Whitthorne.
Nays.--
Messrs. Armstrong,
Brazelton,
Butler,
Caldwell,
Gorman,
Greene,
Morris,
Norman,
Russell,
Senter,
Strewsbury,
White of
