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Virginia State Convention.
forty-seventh day.

Tuesday. April 9, 1861.
The Convention was called to order at 10 o'clock. No clergyman in attendance.

Mr. Mallory, of Brunswick, corrected an error in the report of one of his votes, in the official paper, the Richmond Enquirer.

Mr. Hunton, of Prince William, presented a series of resolutions adopted by the people of that county, in favor of secession.

Referred to the Committee on Federal Relations.

Mr.Nelson, of Clarke, rose to a question of order. A resolution had been adopted providing that the sessions of this Convention should be opened with prayer. He hoped the Convention was not past praying for.

The President said that was not for him to decide, but no clergyman had been in attendance either this morning or yesterday, though two were invited.

Mr. Scott, of Powhatan, presented a preamble and resolutions adopted by the people of Cumberland, opposing farther efforts at adjustment, favoring the withdrawal of Virginia from the Northern Confederacy, and instructing their delegate (Mr. Scott,) to vote for an ordinance of Secession.

Mr. Scott said he did not impute to the gentlemen who drafted the resolutions any want of courtesy to him, but he thought they did him injustice, in view of the ground which he occupied during the canvass. He had distinctly declared that if he went to the Convention, he must go untrammeled--‘"free as the mountain antelope — free as the wild bird on the wing"’ He was present at the meeting, and was aware that there were some votes against instruction, but was not aware how many of those who voted for instruction voted for him at the election. He also alluded to the meeting in Powhatan, and reviewed the circumstances connected therewith, to show that he did not consider himself instructed by his constituents; but believing that a majority of the voters of the two counties were in favor of secession, he should cast his vote in that direction on every test question.

The resolutions were referred.

Mr. Goggin, of Bedford, presented a series of resolutions adopted in that county on the 6th inst., declaring it the duty of the State of Virginia to unite her destiny with the Confederate States of the South.

Referred and ordered to be printed.

Mr. Willey. of Monongalia, gave notice that on to-morrow he should ask for a decision on his taxation resolutions, one way or the other.

Mr. Hull, of Highland, offered the following resolution:

Resolved, That a committee of three he appointed to take into consideration the propriety of reducing the number of employees of the Convention, and make such reduction, if in their opinion, it can be done without detriment to the public good.

’ On motion of Mr. Burdett, of Taylor, the resolution was laid upon the table.

Mr. Bouldin, of Charlotte, corrected the report of his remarks in the official organ of the Convention, the Richmond Enquirer.


Committee of the whole.

The hour of half-past 10 having arrived, the Convention went into Committee of the Whole, (Mr. Southall in the chair,) for the purpose of considering the report of the Committee on Federal Relations.

An ineffectual effort was made by Mr. Hall, of Marion, and Burdett, to rescind the resolution admitting spectators into the lobbies.

Mr. Jackson, of Wood, called attention to the fact, that on yesterday he and another gentleman were ‘"spit upon from the galleries."’

The Chairman said it was the duty of the Sergeant-at-Arms to preserve order throughout the Hall.

The 10th resolution of the Report was then taken up, as follows:

‘ 10, Without expressing an opinion as to the question of power, but in deference to the opinion of the Federal authorities, the people of Virginia hereby declare their desire to confer upon the Government of the United States the powers necessary to enable its proper authorities to deal peaceably with these questions; and, if it shall become necessary, to recognize the separate independence of the seceding States, and to make such treaties with them, and to pass such laws as the separation may make proper.

Mr. Conrad, of Frederick, moved to amend by striking out from the first and second lines the words ‘"Without expressing an opinion as to the question of power, but in deference to"’--and inserting in lieu thereof the words ‘"Concurring with."’

Mr. Conrad explained and advocated his amendment. Mr. Bouldin replied. He hoped the Committee would pause before they decided that there existed no power, any where, to make treaties with the seceded States. Mr. Conrad closed his argument in another speech of ten minutes.

Mr. Wise called for the reading of the last clause of the 9th resolution, and Mr. Conrad, seeing the object contemplated, asked leave to modify his amendment, so as to make it conformable to the previous resolution. This was objected to, and the vote being taken the amendment was rejected.

Mr. Conrad then moved to strike out from the 10th resolution the words. ‘"Without expressing an opinion as to the question of power, but in deference to the opinion of the Federal authorities,"’ and to insert, ‘"Believing that the Federal authorities have no power to deal with the subject in any way."’

Mr. Baldwin, of Augusta, opposed the amendment, being convinced that the resolution, as it stood, was preferable. He did not want to make the declaration that there was no power anywhere to deal with these questions, for it would tend to plunge the country into the jaws of civil war.

The amendment was further debated by Mr. Conrad, after which the vote was taken and the amendment defeated — years 12, nays 114--Messrs. Armstrong, Brown, Carter, R. Y. Conrad, Early, Gillespie, Marshall, Osburn, Pugh, Sharp, C. J. Stuart, and White, voting in the affirmative.

Mr. Wise moved to strike out the whole 10th resolution, and insert the following substitute:

‘ 10. The people of Virginia hereby declare their consent to the recognition of the separate independence of the seceded States; that they shall be treated with as independent powers; and that the proper laws shall be passed to effectuate their separation.

’ Debated by Messrs. Wise and Conrad.

Mr. Scott, of Powhatan, moved a division of the question, and the vote first was taken upon striking out, and decided in the affirmative.

The question recurring upon the adoption of Mr. Wise's substitute, Mr. Carlile demanded the yeas and nays.

Mr. Scott, of Powhatan, moved to amend the substitute by striking out the words ‘"consent to,"’ and inserting the words ‘"desire for,"’ but afterwards withdrew it.

The substitute was then adopted by the following vote:

Yeas.--Messrs. Ambler. Armstrong, Aston, Baldwin, A. M. Barbour, Jas. Barbour, Baylor, Berlin, Blakey, Blow, Bossieux, Berst, Bouldin, Brent, Bruce, Byrne, Cabell, Campbell, Caperton, Cecil, Chambliss, Chapman, Coffman, Coun, C. B. Conrad, B. Y. Conrad, Couch, R. H. Cox, Critcher, Custis, Dent, Deskins, Dormau, Dulany, Echols, Floutney, French, Fugate, Garland, Gillespie, Graham, Gravely, Gray, Gregory, Goggin, John Goode, Jr., T. F. Goode, Hale, A. Hall, C. Hall, L. S. Hall, Hammond, Harvie, Haymond, Hoge, Holcombe, Hubbard, Hull, Hunton, M. Johnson, P. C. Johnston, Kent, Lawson, Leake, McComas, Macfarland, C. K. Mallory, J. B. Mallory; Marshall, Marr, Marye, Masters, Moffett, Montague, Morris, Morton, Nebiett, Nelson, Orrick, Osburn, Parks, Patrick, Pendleton, Price, Pugh, Richardson, Ro. E. Scott, W. C. Scott, Seawell, Sheffey, Sictington, Slaughter, Southall, Speed, Spurlock, Staples, C. J. Stuart, Strauge, Sutherlin, Tayloe, Thornton, Tredway, Tyler, Waller, Wickham, Williams, Wilson, and wise.--108.

Nays.--Messrs. Boggess, Brown, Burdett, Carlile, Carter, Early, E. B. Hall, Hughes, Jackson, Janney, Lewis, McGrew, Moore, Porter, Rives, Sharp, Summers, Tarr, White, and Willey.--20.

The 11th resolution was then taken up, as follows:

11. This Convention, composed of delegates elected by the people in districts, for the purpose of considering the existing difficulties in our Federal relations, represents the desire and earnest request of the people of Virginia to meet as directly as possible the people of her sister States, and to them appeal for satisfactory adjustment.--Virginia therefore requests the people of the several States, either by popular vote, or in Convention similar to her own, to respond, at their earliest convenience, to the positions assumed in the foregoing resolutions, and the proposed amendments to the Constitution of the United States here unto appended. And in the event that this Commonwealth fails to obtain satisfactory responses to her requests, from the non-slaveholding States, she will feel compelled to resume the powers granted by her under the Constitution of the United States, and to throw herself upon her reserved rights.

Mr. Wickham, of Henrico, moved to amend by striking out all after the word ‘"relations"’ (4th line) and inserting in Hue thereof the following:

‘ --declares that the people of Virginia, confiding in the justice of the people of the other States, appeal to them for a satisfactory adjustment of those difficulties by the adoption of the amendments to the Constitution of the United States hereto appended; they therefore invite the people of the several States, either by popular vote or in State Conventions similar to their own, to respond at their earliest convenience to the said propositions of amendment. And they declare that the definite refusal or neglect on the part of the non-slaveholding States to accede to such amendments, should and would result in the total and final disruption of the Union.

Mr. Wickham advocated his amendment, and in the course of his remarks expressed his belief that the responses from the non-slaveholding States would be favorable.

Mr. Wise stated his objections to the amendment, a prominent one being the indefinite length of time proposed.

Mr. Wickham continued his argument, declaring that unless the responses from the North were favorable, the Union should be broken up, not by secession, but by revolution.

Mr. Montaous, of Middlesex, moved to amend the amendment by striking out the words ‘"popular vote,"’ and inserting ‘"their proper authorities."’

Debated by Messrs. Montagur and Conrad, and rejected.

Mr. Goode, of Bedford, moved to amend Mr. Wickham's amendment by adding thereto the words ‘"And in the event that this Commonwealth fails to obtain affirmative responses to her requests, from the non-slaveholding States, she will feel compelled to resume the powers granted by her under the Constitution of the United States, and to throw herself upon her reserved rights."’

Mr. Goode advocated his amendment; if the purpose of the Convention was to present an ultimatum to the Northern States, he desired it should be in such unequivocal terms as to prevent all doubt or misconstruction in the future.

Mr. Carlile could not undertake to speak for the Convention, but would say for himself and his constituents that they contemplated the presenting of no ultimatum. Secession and disruption they were opposed to. He would be willing to vote for the amendment of the gentleman form Henrico, (Mr. Wickham,) provided he would strike from it the latter clause, which was the ultimatum. Mr. Carlile embodied in his remarks an extract from one of Henry Clay's speeches, showing that war was the only method by which dissolution could be accomplished.

Mr. Goode desired to know, if the amendments contemplated were deliberately rejected by the North, whether he and his constituents would still go for acquiescence with the Northern Confederacy?

Mr. Carlile said his people believed in the maxim--‘"Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."’ The question was not before them when he was last with them, and he could not say what they might decide to do. He would say that it was not contemplated by them that the Convention would pass any act or resolution looking to present or future dissolution, without having first referred it to the people at the ballot-box.

Mr. Goode thought the answer was indirect; but he inferred from the gentleman's votes on this floor that he was for remaining in the Northern Confederacy under all circumstances.

Mr. Carlile asked if he supposed the adoption of an ultimatum which in fact conveyed a threat to those to whom it would go, would be likely to cause them to accede to the demands?

Mr. Goode would not undertake to say what the Northern people would do; but the Convention would be derelict in duty if it failed to say clearly and unequivocally, this is the sine qua non upon which depends the continuance of Virginia in the Union. With a view to test the sense of the Convention upon this question, he called for the yeas and nays.

The roll was then called, and Mr. Goode's amendment was defeated by the following vote:

Yeas.--Messrs. Ambler, Armstrong, J. Barbour, Blakey. Blow, Boissean, Borst, Bouldin, Branch, Bruce, Cabell, Chambliss, Chapman, Coffman, Conn, R. H. Cox, Echols, Flournoy, Garland, Graham, Gregory, Goggin, John Goode, Jr., Hale, C. Hall, L. S. Hall, Harvie, Holcombe, Hunton, Kent, Lawson, Leake, C. K. Mallory, Jas. B. Mallory, Marr, Marye, Montague, Morris, Morton, Neblett, Orrick, Parke, Richardson, Seawell, Sheffey, Speed, Strange, Sutherlin, Thornton, Tredway, Tyler, Williams, Wilson, and wise.--54.

Nays.--Messrs. Aston, Baldwin, A. M. Barbour, Baylor, Berlin, Boggess, Brent, Brown, Burdett, Byrne, Campbell, Caperton, Carlile, Carter, C. B. Conrad, R. Y. Conrad, Couch, Critcher, Custis, Deskius, Dorman, Dulany, Early, French, Fugate, Gillespie, Gravely, Gray, A. Hall, E. B. Hall, Hammond, Haymond, Hoge, Hubbard, Hughes, Jackson, Janney, Marmaduke Johnson, Peter C. Johnston, Lewis, McComas, McGrew, Macfarland, Marshall, Masters, Moffett, Moore, Osburn, Patrick, Pendleton, Porter, Price, Pugh, Rives, R. E. Scott, Sharp, Sitlington, Slaughter, Southall, Spurlock, Staples, C. J. Stuart, Summers, Tarr, Tayloe, Waller, White, Wickham, and Willey.--70.

Mr. McGrew moved to amend Mr. Wickham's amendment by striking out the words; ‘"Should and would result in the total and final disruption of the Union."’ Mr.McGrew said this declaration did not meet the convictions of his judgment, nor did he believe it would meet the approval of his constituents. The amendment was rejected.

The question recurring on Mr. Wickham's amendment, Mr. Wise asked for a vote on the question, in order to test the sense of the Convention on striking out.

The vote was taken, and the Convention refused to strike out the portion of the resolution indicated by Mr. Wickham--yeas 57, nays 68. So Mr. Wickham's amendment was lost.

Mr. Wilson, of Harrison, moved to amend the 11th resolution by striking from it the latter part--‘"and to throw herself upon her reserved rights."’ Mr. Wilson, in advocating this amendment, said his understanding of the views of his constituents was very different from that of his colleague, (Mr. Carlile.) The amendment was rejected.

Mr. Willey, of Monongalia, moved to amend the 11th resolution by striking out the words ‘"positions assumed in the foregoing resolutions, and the,"’ Mr. Willey briefly advocated the adoption of this amendment, and it was agreed to — ayes 76; noes 37.

Mr. Taer, of Brooke, moved to amend the 11th resolution by striking out all of the latter clause--‘"And in the event that this Commonwealth fails to obtain satisfactory responses to her requests, from the non-slaveholding States, she will feel compelled to resume the powers granted by her under the Constitution of the United States, and to throw herself upon her reserved rights."’

This being regarded as a test question, the yeas and nays were demanded, and the Committee refused to strike out, by the following vote:

Yeas.--Messrs. Aston, Baldwin, Alfred M. Barbour, Baylor, Berliu, Boggess, Brown, Burdett, Campbell, Carlile, Carter, C. B. Conrad, Couch, Early, Fugate, Ephraim B. Hall, Haymond, Hubbard, Jackson, Janney, Lewis, McComas, McGrew, Marshall, Masters, Osburn, Patrick, Pendleton, Porter, Robert E Scott, Sharp, Sitlington, Chapman J. Stuart, Summers, Tarr, Wickham, and Willey.--37.

Nays.--Messrs. Ambler, Armstrong, James Barbour, Blakey, Blow, Roissean, Borst, Bouldin, Branch, Brent, Bruce, Byrne, Cabell, Chambliss, Chapman, Coffman, Conn, Robert Y. Conrad, Richard H. Cox, Critcher, Custis, Deskins, Dulany, Flournoy, French, Garland, Gillespie, Graham, Graveley, Gregory, Goggin, John Goode, Jr., Thomas F. Goode, Hale, Addison Hall, Cyrus Hall, L. S. Hall, Hammond, Harvie, Hoge, Holcombe, Hull, Hunton, Marmaduke Johnson, Peter C. Johnston, Kent, Lawson, Leake, Macfarland, Charles K. Mallory, James B. Mallory, Marr, Marye, Maslin, Moffett, Montague, Morris, Morton, Moore, Neblett, Nelson, Orrick, Parks, Pugh, Richardson, William C. Scott, Seawell, Sheffey, Slaughter, Southall, Speed, Spurlock, Staples, Strange, Sutherlin. Tayloe, Thornton, Tredway, Tyler, Waller, Wilson, and Wise.--81.

Pending the consideration of the 11th resolution, the hour for recess arrived.

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