<emph>Proceedings of the Mississippi State Convention, Held January 7th to 26th, A. D. 1861. </emph><emph>Including the Ordinances, as Finally Adopted, Important Speeches, and a List of Members, Showing the Postoffice, Profession, Nativity, Politics, Age, Religious Preference, and Social Relations of Each:</emph> Electronic Edition.

]> <emph>Proceedings of the Mississippi State Convention, Held January 7th to 26th, A. D. 1861. </emph><emph>Including the Ordinances, as Finally Adopted, Important Speeches, and a List of Members, Showing the Postoffice, Profession, Nativity, Politics, Age, Religious Preference, and Social Relations of Each:</emph> Electronic Edition. Mississippi. Convention (1861) by J. L. Power, convention reporter. Funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services supported the electronic publication of this title. Text scanned (OCR) by Josh McKim Images scanned by Josh McKim Text encoded by Chris Hill and Natalia Smith First edition, 1999 ca. 400K Academic Affairs Library, UNC-CH University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1999.

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Call number 1657 Conf. (Rare Book Collection, UNC-CH) Proceedings of the Mississippi State Convention, Held January 7th to 26th, A. D. 1861. Including the Ordinances, as Finally Adopted, Important Speeches, and a List of Members, Showing the Postoffice, Profession, Nativity, Politics, Age, Religious Preference, and Social Relations of EachMississippi. Convention (1861) by J. L. Power, convention reporter. Jackson, Miss.:Power and Cadwallader, Book and Job Printers,1861

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Library of Congress Subject Headings, 21st edition, 1998 Mississippi -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865. Mississippi -- Politics and government -- 1861-1865. Secession -- Mississippi. Legislation -- Mississippi. Law -- Mississippi. 2000-03-15, Celine Noel and Wanda Gunther revised TEIHeader and created catalog record for the electronic edition. 1999-07-16, Natalia Smith, project manager, finished TEI-conformant encoding and final proofing. 1999-07-15, Chris Hill finished TEI/SGML encoding 1999-06-29, Josh McKim finished scanning (OCR) and proofing.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MISSISSIPPI STATE CONVENTION, HELD JANUARY 7TH TO 26TH, A. D. 1861. Including the Ordinances, as finally Adopted, IMPORTANT SPEECHES, AND A LIST OF MEMBERS, SHOWING THE POSTOFFICE, PROFESSION, NATIVITY, POLITICS, AGE, RELIGIOUS PREFERENCE, AND SOCIAL RELATIONS OF EACH. By J. L. Power, Convention Reporter. JACKSON, MISS.: POWER & CADWALLADER, BOOK AND JOB PRINTERS. 1861.

IT has been well remarked that the proceedings, here given, “furnish the most important chapter which has ever been written in the history of the Commonwealth of Mississippi, and have opened up a career teeming with consequences of incalculable moment.” Having been granted the exclusive privilege, for a series of years, of publishing the proceedings of the Convention, in book form, (two thousand copies of the official journal excepted,) I at once entered on the task of preparing a full report, including the debates, for the press. I soon, found, however, that a work of such extent, would involve an outlay which prudence suggested the demand might not justify, and I reluctantly concluded to issue the work in a more condensed form, for the present. I have here endeavored to give a clear and comprehensive summary of each day's proceedings, omitting nothing that might be important as a matter of record. In the third day's proceedings will be found the speeches on the final passage of the Ordinance of Secession; also, the vote thereon, and the various substitutes therefor. Through the kindness of several members of the Convention, I am enabled, in this edition, to insert a number of speeches, revised by themselves, on the several important subjects under consideration. The Ordinances, which are the rich result of the session, have been carefully compared with the originals, and may be relied on as correct. A list of the members is also added, showing the post-office, profession, nativity, religious preference, politics, age and social relations of each.

J. L. P. Jackson, Miss., March 1st, 1861.

RESOLVED, That J. L. Power is hereby granted the exclusive privilege, for five years, of compiling for publication, in book form, the proceedings of this Convention; provided, that this is in nowise to interfere with the Ordinance already providing for the publication, by the State Printer, of two thousand copies of the Journals and Ordinances of this Convention.—Passed January 26th, 1861.

MISSISSIPPI STATE CONVENTION.

IN accordance with an Act of the Legislature, approved November 29th, 1861, entitled “An Act to provide for a Convention of the people of Mississippi,” “to adopt such measures for vindicating the sovereignty of the State as shall appear to them to be demanded,” said Convention assembled in Jackson, the Capital of the State, in the hall of the House of Representatives on Monday, the 7th day of January, 1861.

On motion of Mr. Gholson, of Monroe, the Convention, at 12 o'clock, M., was temporarily organized by the election of Henry T. Ellett, of Claiborne, as Chairman, and Wm. H. H. Tison, of Itawamba, as Secretary.

Prayer was offered by the Rev. C. K. Marshall, as follows:

Almighty and Everlasting God, we come into Thy presence on this solemn occasion, so freighted with the interests of all we hold dear as a people—so momentous in high purposes and holy resolves—most humbly and earnestly to implore Thee to look down upon us in compassion and mercy, and vouchsafe to these Thy servants, assembled in General Convention, the guidance and support of Thy Holy Spirit. This is a day of sore trial to patriots and Christians, and we are gathered together here to devise measures of government for our protection and well-being, and we fear to trust the issues of the conflict, on the formation of our plans, to mere human wisdom and prudence. We, therefore, devoutly look up to Thee, praying that Thy Fatherly blessing may so inspire this body that by their action and labors the cause of liberty, religion, agriculture, commerce, government, our domestic peace and general prosperity, may be promoted and maintained; and grant, oh, God, that in the performance of their weighty obligations, these Thy servants may consummate such measures as shall result in the establishment of the principles of justice, equality and brotherly concord,—that national strifes, railing controversies, bitter recriminations and animosities may be banished from the land, while the vital doctrines of equality, self-government and constitutional freedom, shall be maintained and inviolable, and handed down to posterity as a Heaven-ordained legacy. Thou, oh, God, has seen the malign and mighty agencies which many of the sister States of this great national family have for years past employed for our annoyance, reproach and overthrow, as equals in the Confederated Union; and how they have pursued the purpose of depriving us of our just rights, and destroying in our midst the institution which Thy Providence has solemnly bound us to uphold, defend and protect. We have cried oh, Lord, to Thee, against wrong and discord, fanaticism and fratricidal strife; and we now beseech Thee, hear the voice of our complaint and grant us Thy favor. Endue the hearts and understanding of the members of this Convention with wisdom from above; teach them as the princes of Thy people the precepts of Thy law, and help them in this momentous crisis to look up to Thee and rely on Thy blessing, that they may lay aside all passion, prejudice and unkindness, and in calmness and self-forgetfulness discharge the duties imposed by their high office. May they be so guided by Thee that the issue of their labors shall result in measures of prosperity, public tranquility and domestic repose; and if as a State and a people we shall again resume the concessions which bind us to-day to the Federal Union, and in new, untried relations, go forth in pursuit of the rights and privileges lost in the Union, God of our Fathers, leave us not to ourselves—be Thou our Leader and our Defence—raise up for us great and worthy men to utter the words of Thy providential teaching— shield us from every menacing danger—give unity of sentiment and harmony of action to all the people—deliver us from the power of our enemies and from the sword of our brethren abroad. But if the sword be drawn against us, oh, God of Justice and Mercy, be to us a very present help in the day of conflict, and victorious in arms, we will ascribe the glory of our deliverance to Thy Great Name.

And now, Heavenly Father, we commend to Thy special care and blessing the welfare and interests of the several nationalties, of our own, and distant lands. Bring the day of general peace; stay the hand that seeks the blood of a brother; let truth and charity prevail, that Thy name may be glorified in all the earth. Forgive all our sins—let them not be visited retributively on our homes, or our country. Make us Thy people, and deliver us from all evil, and may we never have occasion to regret the steps we are about to take in the great work that now lies before us. These favors and blessings we humbly implore in the name, and through the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

The counties being called in alphabetical order, the delegates registered their names—two only being absent: J. S. Yerger, of Washington, and Jas. S. Johnston, of Jefferson.

The Convention proceeded to the election of permanent officers.

For President—William S. Barry, of Lowndes, was elected on the third ballot.

The following gentlemen were also voted for: J. L. Alcorn, H. T. Ellett, Hugh R. Miller, A. M. Clayton, S. J. Gholson, W. P. Harris, D. C. Glenn, Walker Brooke, J. S. Yerger, Geo. R. Clayton, J. W. Clapp, Samuel Benton.

For Secretary—F. A. Pope, of Holmes, was elected on the second ballot—Messrs. Liddell, Dozier and Rowe being also voted for.

For Door-Keeper—Sam'l Pool, of Hinds, was elected, after the first ballot, by acclamation—Messrs. Israel and Clingan being also voted for.

For Sergeant-at-Arms—W. Ivie Westbrook, of Oktibbeha, was, after the first ballot, elected by acclamation—Messrs. J. J. Denson and E. Farish being also voted for.

On motion of Mr. Ellett, the rules of the House of Representatives were adopted, so far as applicable.

On motion of Mr. Lamar, of Lafayette,

Resolved, That a committee of fifteen be appointed to prepare an Ordinance providing for the withdrawal of Mississippi from the present Federal Union, with a view to the establishment of a new Confederacy, to be composed of the seceding States.

The President appointed as the Committe of Fifteen to prepare Ordinance of Secession:

L. Q. C. Lamar, of Lafayette; A. M. Clayton, of Marshall; G. R. Clayton, of Lowndes; Alfred C. Holt, of Wilkinson; Wiley P. Harris, of Hinds; J. Z. George, of Carroll; S. J. Gholson, of Monroe; E. H. Sanders, of Attala; J. L. Alcorn, of Coahoma; Benjamin King, of Copiah; H. T. Ellett, of Claiborne; Orlando Davis, of Tippah; Walker Brooke, of Warren; John A. Blair, of Tishomingo. Hugh R. Miller, of Pontotoc.

On motion, the Convention adjourned till Tuesday morning, 10 o'clock.

SECOND DAY. TUESDAY, January 8th, 1861.

The Convention met at 10 o'clock, and was opened with prayer by the Rev. Mr. Harrington.

On motion of Mr Chalmers, of De Soto,

Resolved, That the President of the Convention be authorized to grant admission to the Hall of such reporters for the public press as he may deem fit, and to remove the same at his pleasure, until it shall be otherwise ordered by the Convention.

On motion of Mr. Rogers, of Monroe,

Resolved, That a committee consisting of the number of five be appointed on election and credentials of members.

Committee—Messrs. Rogers, Wilkinson, Yerger, Reynolds, and Bookter.

On motion of Mr. Clayton, of Marshall,

Resolved, That the Commissioner from South Carolina, as well as the Commissioners from any other State, be invited to seats on this floor.

On motion of Mr. Glenn, of Harrison,

Resolved, That the following standing committees, each to be composed of seven members, be appointed to-wit: 1. A committee on Citizenship in Mississippi.2. A committee on Federal Jurisdiction and Property in the State of Mississippi.3. A committee on Postal Affairs.4. A committee on the State Constitution.5. A committee on Military and Naval Affairs.6. A committee on the formation of a Southern Confederacy. And that said committees inquire into the matters properly pertaining to them, and report by Ordinance or otherwise.

Mr. Clayton, of Lowndes, from committee to wait upon his Excellency, reported that communications had been received by the Governor which he would lay before the Convention in due time.

On motion of Mr Harris, of Hinds.

Resolved, That the door-keeper be instructed to furnish each member of the Convention one copy of the Daily Mississippian during the session.

On motion of Mr. Rogers, of Monroe,

Resolved, That the Judges of the High Court of Errors and Appeals and the Judges of the Circuit Courts of this State, be invited to seats within the bar of this Convention.

On motion of Mr. Aldridge, of Yalobusha,

Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to notify the commissioners of the various States who may attend this Convention, of the passage of a resolution by this Convention, inviting them to a seat upon this floor, and to make necessary and suitable arrangements for that purpose.

Committee—Messrs. F. M. Aldridge, T. A. Marshall, H. R. Miller.

On motion of Mr. Walter, of Marshall,

Resolved, That the committee on constitutional amendments be instructed to report as soon as practicable after its appointment, an amendment to the Constitution of this State authorizing it to borrow money for the purpose of military defence, and to pledge the faith of the State for the repayment of the loan.

On motion of Mr. Anderson, of Hinds,

Resolved, That the door-keeper be required to make arrangements with the postmaster for the prepayment of postage on all printed matter sent by the members of this Convention.

The Convention adjourned at 12 o'clock, till to-morrow morning at 10 o'clock.

THIRD DAY. WEDNESDAY, January 9th, 1861.

The Convention was called to order at 10 o'clock, A. M., and was opened with prayer by the Rev. W. C. Crane.

A message, with accompanying documents, were received from the Governor, and laid on the table for the present.

The Commissioner from South Carolina, Hon. Armistead Burt, and the Commissioner from Alabama, Judge E. H. Pettus, being in waiting, were invited in, received by the President, and took their seats.

Mr. Lamar, chairman of the committee to prepare an Ordinance providing for the withdrawal of Mississippi from the present Federal Union, reported the following:

AN ORDINANCE—To dissolve the Union between the State of Mississippi, and other States united with her, under the compact entitled “The Constitution of the United States of America.”

The People of Mississippi, in Convention assembled, do ordain and declare, and it is hereby ordained and declared as follows, to-wit:

SECTION 1st. That all the laws and ordinances by which the said State of Mississippi became a member of the Federal Union of the United States of America, be and the same are, hereby repealed, and that all obligations on the part of said State, or the people thereof, to observe the same, be withdrawn; and that the said State doth hereby resume all the rights, functions and powers which by any of said laws or ordinances were conveyed to the government of the said United States, and is absolved from all the obligations, restraints and duties incurred to the said Federal Union, and shall from henceforth be a free, sovereign and independent State.

SEC. 2d. That so much of the first section of the seventh article of the Constitution of this State as requires members of the Legislature, and all officers, legislative and judicial, to take an oath to support the Constitution of the United States, be and the same is hereby abrogated and annulled.

SEC. 3d. That all rights acquired and vested under the Constitution of the United States, or under any act of Congress, passed in pursuance thereof, or under any law of this State, an not incompatible with this Ordinance, shall remain in force and have the same effect as if this Ordinance had not been passed.

SEC. 4th. That the people of the State of Mississippi hereby consent to form a Federal Union with such of the States as have seceded, or may secede from the Union of the United States of America, upon the basis of the present Constitution of the said United States, except such parts thereof as embrace other portions of such seceding States.

On motion of Mr. Lamar, the Convention, at 11 1/2 o'clock, went into secret session, and continued therein until 4 1/2 P. M.

The doors being opened, on motion of Mr. Rogers,

Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed as a Council on behalf of the Convention, to confer with his Excellency, the Governor, upon such grave matters as he may submit for their consideration.

The consideration of the Ordinance of Secession being resumed, Mr Yerger, of Washington, offered the following as a substitute:

An Ordinance, Providing for the final settlement and adjustment of all difficulties between the Free and Slave States of the United States, by securing further constitutional gurantees within the present Union.

WHEREAS, For a series of years, a dominant majority in the non-slaveholding States have evinced, by a regular system of unconstitutional and unfriendly legislation, a fixed and determined hostility to the slaveholding States of this Union, and a total disregard of every obligation of friendship and comity which should characterize the intercourse and legislation of friendly States towards each other;

And whereas, also, The citizens of the Southern States have been denied an equal right with the people of the non-slaveholding States to enter upon and occupy with their property the common territory of the Union and to be protected in its enjoyment therein, and have thus been subjected to a discrimination against them in the legislation of the General Government, which, if longer submitted to, will tend to degrade them in the opinion of the civilized world;

And whereas, also, The leaders and representatives of this dominant party in the non-slaveholding States have announced the dangerous and hostile dogma, that a conflict, irrepressible in character, exists between free and slave labor, and have declared that agitation on the subject of slavery shall continue until slavery itself shall be abolished, and to that end have elected to the Presidency of the United States a man fully committed to these views, and who stands pledged to bring to bear all the influence and patronage of the Federal Government to enforce and carry them into effect;

And whereas, The continued agitation of the slavery question tends to the disquiet of the people of the slaveholding States, and illegally and unjustly impairs their constitutional rights to the quiet enjoyment and use of their property;

And whereas, It is the opinion of this Convention that a further continuance of the State of Mississippi as a member of the United States of America, is incompatible with the interests of the State, and can no longer be submitted to with safety and honor, unless additional guarantees shall be given by amendments of the Constitution of the United States, recognizing and fully securing the rights and equality of the slaveholding States in the Union, settling forever and finally all further agitation of the slavery question by the non-slaveholding States, and in the legislation of the General Government;

And whereas, also, In the opinion of this Convention, the safest and most efficient remedy to obtain the redress which the urgency of this occasion demands, and to secure and perpetuate the blessings of liberty, equality, independence and peace for which the Union of these States was established, will be found in a General Convention of all the slaveholding States, having the same wrongs to redress and a common interest in the great questions involved in this controversy. Therefore,

Be it ordained by this Convention, That all the slaveholding States, or as many of them as will unite therein, be and they are hereby invited and requested to assemble in Convention, at Lexington, in the State of Kentucky, on the 10th day of Februrary next, to take into consideration, the relations which the slaveholding States shall hereafter occupy towards the General Government and the other States of this Union, and also to fix upon and determine what amendments of the Constitution of the United States are necessary and proper to secure the rights of the slaveholding States in the Union, and to finally settle and adjust all questions relating to the subject of slavery in such manner as will relieve the South from the further agitation of that question—secure the people of the slave holding States in the peaceful and rightful enjoyment of their property, and restore that equilibrium in the organization of the government essential to a further continuance of this Union.

Be it further ordained, That in the event such amendments of the Constitution of the United States, and such measures for the protection of the Southern slave States shall not be made and acceeded to by the people of the non-slaveholding States, then said Convention shall, upon the call of the President thereof, re-assemble, and shall forthwith organize a separate Confederacy of the slaveholding States represented in said Convention and such others as may join therein; and said Convention shall proceed to form a provisional and temporary government for said Confederacy, to continue until an election for delegates can be held for a Convention, and a permanent Constitution be adopted thereby for the government of the same.

Be it further ordained, That seven delegates to said Convention, to be held on the 10th of February next, be chosen by this Convention, to represent the State of Mississippi therein, and that all the slaveholding States be requested to appoint a number of delegates equal to the number of their Senators and Representatives in the Congress of the United States to represent them in said Convention.

Be it further ordained, That the Governor of this State be required to furnish the Governors of each of the slaveholding States with a copy hereof, with a request that the same be laid before their several Legislatures and Conventions now in session; and if no Legislature or Convention be in session, that they be requested to convene their Legislatures to consider and act upon the propositions herein.

Which was rejected by the following vote:

YEAS.—Messrs. Brooke, Blair, Bonds, Bullard, Cummings, Farrar, Flournoy, Herring, Hurst, McGehee of Bolivar, Myers, Parker, Reynolds, Sanders, Sumner, Stephens, Thornton, Winchester, Yerger, Young—20.

NAYS.—Mr. President, Messrs. Alcorn, Anderson, Aldridge, Barksdale, Baldwin, Backstrom, Booth, Brantley, Benton, Beene, Berry, Bolling, Bookter, Clayton of Marshall, Clayton of Lowndes, Catching, Chalmers, Colbert, Clapp, O. Davis, J. S. Davis, Dease, Denson, Douglas, Dyer, Deason, Eckford Edwards, Ellett, Fizer, Fontaine, George, Glenn, Gibson, Gholson, Gwin, Harris, Hill, Holt, Isom, Johnston of De Soto, Johnston of Jefferson, Jones, Keirn, Keith, Kennedy, King, Lea, Lamar, Lewers, Lewis, Mayson, McGehee of Panola, Miller of Pontotoc, Miller of Tunica, Neely, Nelson, Orr, Pattison, Powell of Covington, Powell of Jones, Ramsey, Roberts, Rogers, Semmes, Smart, Terral, Tison, Taylor, Thompson, Vaughan, Walter, Welsh, Witty, Wilkinson, Woods, Wright.—78.

Mr. Alcorn, of Coahoma, submitted the following, as an amendment to the report of the Minority Committee, (in secret session.)

SEC.—. Be it further ordained, That this Ordinance shall not go into effect, until at least the States of Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and Louisiana shall, through their respective Conventions, resolve to secede from the Federal Union, and resume their sovereignty and independence.

Which was rejected by the following vote:

YEAS.—Messrs. Alcorn, Beene, Bonds, Bullard, Cummings, Denson, Dyer, Farrar, Herring, Hurst, Johnston of De Soto, McGehee of Bolivar, McGehee of Panola, Myers, Parker, Powell of Jones, Reynolds, Sanders, Sumner, Stephens, Tison, Thornton, Winchester, Yerger, Young—25.

NAYS—Mr. President, Messrs. Anderson, Aldridge, Barksdale, Baldwin, Backstrom, Booth, Brantley, Brooke, Benton, Blair, Berry, Bolling, Bookter, Clayton of Marshall, Clayton of Lowndes, Catching, Chalmers, Colbert, Clapp, O. Davis, J. S. Davis, Dease, Douglas, Deason, Eckford, Edwards, Ellett, Fizer, Flournoy, Fontaine, George, Glenn, Gibson, Gholson, Gwin, Harris, Hill, Holt, Isom, Johnston of Jefferson, Jones, Keirn, Keith, Kennedy, King, Lea, Lamar, Lewers, Lewis, Marshall, Mayson, Miller of Pontotoc, Miller of Tunica, Neely, Nelson, Orr, Pattison, Powell of Covington, Ramsey, Roberts, Rogers, Semmes, Smart, Terral, Taylor, Thompson, Vaughan, Walter, Welsh, Witty, Winchester, Wilkinson, Woods, Wright.—74.

Mr. Brooke, of Warren, deeming it due to his constituents, offered the following, as a proviso or additional section to the original Ordinance:

Provided, That this Ordinance shall not take effect until the same shall have been ratified by the qualified electors of the State, and to this end an election shall be held at the various election precincts of the State, on the first Monday in February, 1861, under the rules and regulations now in force in regard to the election of State officers. Those voting for the Ordinance shall endorse on their tickets the word “Ratification,” and those voting against it the words “No Rratification.” The Governor shall issue writs of election to the several sheriffs of this State, and a proclamation duly notifying the people of the holding of said election.

Which was rejected by the following vote:

YEAS.—Messrs. Alcorn, Aldridge, Barksdale, Brooke, Beene, Blair, Bonds, Bullard, Cummings, Denson, Farrar, Flournoy, Herring, Hurst, Isom, Marshall, McGehee of Bolivar, Myers, Parker, Powell of Jones, Reynolds, Saunders, Sumner, Stephens, Tison, Taylor, Thornton, Winchester, Yerger, and Young—29.

NAYS.—Mr. President, Messrs. Anderson, Baldwin, Backstrom, Booth, Brantley, Benton, Berry, Bolling, Bookter, Clayton of Marshall, Clayton of Lowndes, Catching, Chalmers, Colbert, Clapp, O. Davis, J. S. Davis, Dease, Douglas, Dyer, Deason, Eckford, Edwards, Ellett, Fontaine, George, Glenn, Gibson, Gholson, Gwinn, Harris, Hill, Holt, Johnston of Jefferson, Johnston of De Soto, Jones, Keirn, Keith, Kennedy, King, Lea, Lamar, Lewers, Lewis, Mayson, Miller of Pontotoc, McGehee of Panola, Miller of Tunica, Neely, Nelson, Orr, Pattison, Powell of Covington, Ramsey, Roberts, Rogers, Semmes, Smart, Terral, Taylor, Thompson, Vaughan, Walter, Welsh, Witty, Wilkinson, Woods, Wright—70.

The Ordinance of Secession was then read, when the yeas and nays were called for, and the question of the President, Shall the Ordinance now pass? was responded to as follows:

YEAS.—Mr. President, Messrs. Alcorn, Anderson, Aldridge, Barksdale, Baldwin, Backstrom, Booth, Brantley, Brooke, Benton, Beene, Berry, Bolling, Bookter, Clayton of Marshall, Clayton of Lowndes, Catching, Chalmers, Colbert, Clapp, O. Davis, J. S. Davis, Dease. Denson, Douglas, Dyer, Deason, Eckford, Edwards, Ellett, Fizer, Flournoy, Fontaine, George, Glenn, Gibson, Gholson, Gwinn, Harris, Herring, Hill, Holt, Isom, Johnston of De Soto, Johnston of Jefferson, Jones, Keirn, Keith, Kennedy, King, Lea, Lamar, Lewers, Lewis, Mayson, McGehee of Bolivar, McGehee of Panola, Miller of Pontotoc, Miller of Tunica, Neely, Nelson, Orr, Pattison, Powell of Covington, Powell of Jones, Ramsey, Roberts, Rogers, Semmes, Smart, Sumner, Stephens, Terral, Tison, Taylor, Thompson, Vaughan, Walter, Welsh, Witty, Wilkinson, Woods, Wright—83.

NAYS—Messrs. Blair, Bonds, Bullard, Cummings, Farrar, Hurst, Marshall, Myers, Parker, Reynolds, Saunders, Thornton, Winchester, Yerger, Young—15.

Only one member of the Convention was absent—John H. Wood, of Attala. Pending the final vote, several members gave their reasons for voting in the affirmative.

Mr. Alcorn thought a different course in regard to the settlement of the controversy should have been adopted. But, said he, the die is cast—the Rubicon is crossed—and I enlist myself with the army that goes to Rome. I vote for the Ordinance.

Mr. Brooke, of Warren, said: I throw myself on the indulgence of the Convention for a short explanation of the vote I am about to cast. I was elected by a large majority, as what is known as a co-operationist—which means, as I understand it, one who was in favor of united Southern action for the purpose of demanding further guarantees, from the North, or, failing in that, the formation of a Southern Confederacy. I have, to the best of my humble ability, endeavored to carry out the views of my constituents in these respects. I have acted in good faith, and with no desire to make a factious opposition. I have failed. Previous co-operation, or co-operation before secession, was the object of my desire. Failing in this, I am willing to take as the next best, subsequent co-operation, or co-operation after secession. The former is now impossible. I, therefore, am willing to adopt the latter. Should I vote against the Ordinance, after what has passed, I should vote for this Convention to do nothing. Shall this Convention adjourn without action? Should we do so, we would make ourselves obnoxious to the scorn and ridicule of the world. The next breeze from the North, or from the East, may bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms. Perhaps already the calm and peaceful waters of Charleston Bay are dyed and tinged with the blood of our friends and countrymen. In this emergency, should we do nothing, a shout of exultant derision would go up from our foes— “As wild a yellAs is the fiends from heaven that fell,Had raised the banner cry of hell.”

Influenced by considerations of this sort, which I cannot now more fully express, I therefore feel it my duty, painful as it may be, to part from those with whom I have heretofore acted, to assume the responsibility of casting at least one of the votes of Warren county for the passage of the Ordinance as reported.

Mr. Flournoy, of Pontotoc, said we were now called upon to exercise a solemn act of sovereignty on the part of Mississippi. He believed that the passage of the Ordinance absolved every citizen of this State from allegiance to the United States. Until this is done, any citizen of the State who might take up arms against the United States, would, in his opinion, be a traitor; and, so help him God, no act of his should place a citizen of Mississippi in that position. He should vote for the Ordinance.

Mr. Herring, of Pontotoc, said that he was elected as a co-operationist, and he had voted in the affirmative on three distinct propositions which had been voted down by this Convention, and which embraced what he believed to be the views of a large majority of the voters in his county. He had pledged himself thus to vote, except on the second proposition —the minority report—which embraced only six States—he being pledged to co-operation with eight. He had voted for the minority report, because he preferred it to an unconditional Ordinance. Having thus tried to carry out what he believed to be the wishes of his constituents, and knowing that the Ordinance would be adopted, he saw no further use for apparent division among the people of Mississippi, but on the contrary, great necessity for union, and he therefore cast his vote for the Ordinance.

Mr. Sumner, of Calhoun, having discharged his duty to his constituents, thought he could now best serve his State by voting for the Ordinance.

Mr. Stephens, of Calhoun, said: I was elected to this Convention as a co-operationist. Every vote I have cast since the Ordinance of Secession has been before the Convention, has been cast, to carry out, in good faith, the wishes of a majority of my constituents. I came not to set up a factious opposition to the position that Mississippi is now about to assume. No, far be it from me. I am Mississippian to the core. I love my adopted State—I love her lofty hills and shady groves. All that is dear to me on earth is within her borders. Then let her destiny be what it may, I am with her heart and hand. Amendment after amendment has been proposed to the Ordinance from this side of the house, and each in turn have been voted down by an overwhelming majority, until the proposition has now narrowed down to submission or secession, and as between the two, I am for secession. I vote for the Ordinance.

Mr. Blair, of Tishomingo, stated why he should vote in the negative. He deemed it the highest duty of a delegate to be faithful to the last to the people he represents. No amount of opposition could induce him to act unfaithful to his constituents. An apparent desertion at this time would only tend to exasperate and divide his people. When his vote was cast his duty was performed, and he could go home to his constituents finding them ready to stand up to whatever course the Convention might seem proper to adopt.

Mr. Bullard, of Itawamba, conscientiously thought that a different plan should have been adopted. He should vote against the Ordinance; but he would pledge Itawamba for fifteen hundred volunteers to any enterprise for the defence and integrity of the State.

The vote being announced, the President called on the Rev. Mr. Harrington to offer prayer in behalf of the new-born Republic, which, in substance, is as follows:

Almighty God! we, the people of the State of Mississippi, in convention assembled, have, in this solemn hour, dissolved the connection which bound us in union with our sister States. In this exercise of that sovereignty with which Thou hast ordained us as a free people, we resume the powers delegated to the Federal Union. To Thee, O, God, we look, in this eventful hour, for guidance and safety. We have heard it with our ears, our fathers of old have told us, that in all Thy Providences, Thou art pledged to the protection and defence of civil and religious liberty. To this end let Thy blessings rest upon this new-born Republic. May the glory of State dawn and culminate upon her future. May her sons be the sons of freemen forever! May the people of Mississippi be armed with the mind which was in their fathers; so that they may ever, as in this hour, bring to her defence and safety their fortunes, their lives and their sacred honor. Her action in the present emergency, we feel, is not the act of a rash and false patriotism; but a patriotism that, while it would not dare to do wrong, neither would it deign to suffer wrong. Since, in Thy Providence, Thou hast made our interests the same, we pray for a united South. May the future witness her prosperity and glory to be far above that which has attended her past. And when the glory of State shall rest upon her, the glory shall be Thine, for Thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

On motion, the President was requested to have the Ordinance of Secession written on parchment, and appropriately arranged for the signatures of the members; also, to telegraph the result of this day's proceedings to the Mississippi delegation in Congress, and to the different slaveholding States.

At this point, Mr. C. R. Dickson entered the hall, bearing a beautiful silk banner, with a single star in the centre, which he handed to the President of the Convention as a present from Mrs. H. H. Smyth, of Jackson. The President remarked that it was the first banner unfurled in the young Republic, when the members saluted it by rising—the vast audience present uniting in shouts of applause.

The Convention adjourned till Thursday morning, 10 o'clock.

FOURTH DAY. THURSDAY, January 10th, 1861.

The Convention was called to order at 10 o'clock A. M., and was opened with prayer by the Rev. Jno. Hunter.

The President announced the following Standing Committees: Committee on Citizenship in Mississippi.—Brooke, Orr, Clayton of Lowndes, E. F. McGehee, Hill, Dyer and Neely.Committee on Federal Jurisdiction and Property.—Harris, Walter, Marshall, George, Wilkinson, Wright and Stephens.On Postal, Financial and Commercial Affairs.—Clapp, Gholson, Miles H. McGehee, Jones, King, Keirn, and Bullard.On the State Constitution.—Miller, Ellett, Yerger, Baldwin, Beene, Bolling, and Herring.On Military and Naval Affairs.—Chalmers, Brantley, Welsh, Fontaine, Smart, Fizer and Tison.On Southern Confederacy.—Glenn, Lamar, Hurst, Aldridge, Douglas, Johnston of Jefferson, and Lewis.

On motion of Mr. Orr,

Resolved, That the Hon. Armistead Burt, commissioner from the Republic of South Carolina, and Hon. E. H. Pettus, commissioner from the State of Alabama, be requested to address the Convention, and that a committee of five be appointed to make the necessary arrangements, and to wait upon those gentlemen and ascertain whether it would be desirable to them that the Convention should go into secret session when it may suit them to address the Convention.

Mr. Welsh offered the following:

Be it Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Convention that the Legislature of this State, shortly to convene, ought to pass an act which will effectually prevent the introduction of slaves into this State from any other State or country whatever, unless the owner of said slaves accompany them, with the bona fide intention of becoming a citizen of the State of Mississippi.

Mr. Welsh having briefly advocated the resolution, Messrs. Benton, Wright, Ellett and H. R. Miller spoke against it; and on motion of Mr. Fontaine, the resolution was laid on the table.

Mr. Dyer offered a resolution instructing the Committee on Military Affairs to inquire into the propriety of erecting batteries at Vicksburg, Natchez, and at other points on the Mississippi river, which resolution, after considerable discussion, was laid on the table; and,

On motion of Mr. Harris,

Resolved, That the Committee on Military and Naval Affairs be instructed to report an Ordinance to this Convention creating a Military Board, and amending the Constitution of the State in the 5th Article, so as to authorize the volunteers companies to organize into battalions, regiments and brigades, and to elect field officers.

The following communication was read:

TO THE HON. WM. S. BARRY, PRESIDENT—Sir: I have the honor to lay before the Convention of the people of the State of Mississippi, my credentials as Commissioner from the Convention of the people of the State of South Carolina, and to inform that body that I am prepared to enter immediately upon the discharge of the duties of my mission.

With high considerations, I am, sir,

Your obedient servant, ARMISTEAD BURT.

Mr. Gholson read the following for information:

IN CONVENTION, JACKSON, Miss., January 10th, 1861.

To the President of the United States—Sir: On the 9th day of January, A. D., 1861, the sovereign State of Mississippi, by her Ordinance, dissolved her connexion with the late Federal Union, and annihilated all Federal jurisdiction and authority within her limits. Consequently, it is proper for me to inform you that upon this dissolution of the Union, my function and authority as District Judge ceased, and became utterly extinct from and after that date.

I am, sir, your ob't servant, S. J. GHOLSON.

On motion of Mr. Gibson, of Issaquena,

Resolved, That the Hons. L. P. Conner and John Perkins, delegates elected to the State Convention of Louisiana, be invited to seats within the bar of the Convention, and that a committee of three be appointed to inform the gentlemen of the invitation.

On motion of Mr. Chalmers, of De Soto, Major Earl Van Dorn was invited to a seat within the bar of the Convention.

The President announced as the committee to wait upon the South Carolina and Alabama Commissioners, Messrs. Orr, Alcorn, Eckford, Woods, and Witty.

The Convention, then, on motion of Mr. Gholson, went into secret session.

The following resolutions were passed therein, the obligation of secresy being removed from the same:

Resolved, That the State of Mississippi recognizes the State of South Carolina as a sovereign and independent nation, and will correspond and treat with her as such.

Resolved, That the postmasters, and other officers or agents connected with the mail service in this State, be required to continue to discharge their duties until otherwise ordered by this Convention.

FIFTH DAY. FRIDAY, January 11th, 1861.

The Convention was called to order at 10 o'clock, A. M., and was opened with prayer by the Rev. T. W. Caskey.

On motion of Mr. Gholson, of Monroe,

Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to report on the enrollment of the Ordinance to dissolve the union between the State of Mississippi and other States united with her under the compact entitled “The Constitution of the United States of America.”

Committee—Messrs. Clayton, Harris and Ellett.

Mr. Winchester, of Adams, addressed the Convention on the powers of the Convention, dissenting from the proposition that “we are the people in sovereign power assembled, with the entire sovereignty of the State vested in us.”

The President announced as the

Committee on Ways and Means—Messrs. Wright, Benton, Anderson, Catching, Alcorn, Gibson and Denson.

On motion of Mr. Tison,

Resolved, That the President of this Convention appoint a committee of three to prepare a Hall for the accommodation of this Convention during the sitting of the Legislature.

On motion of Mr. Anderson,

Resolved, That the signing of the Ordinance of Secession be postponed until to-morrow at 12 o'clock, M.

Mr. Benton offered the following, which was referred to the Committee on Citizenship:

Resolved, That all citizens of the United States domiciled within this State on the adoption of the Ordinance of separation, January 9th, 1861, be regarded as citizens of Mississippi, entitled to all the rights and privileges and subject to all the liabilities incident thereto.

Mr. Clapp, from committee on Postal Affairs, submitted an Ordinance, which was ordered to be printed. Mr. Clapp addressed the Convention in explanation of said Ordinance.

The President announced as the

Temporary Executive Council—Messrs. F. M. Rogers, J. L. Alcorn, A. M. Clayton, W. P. Harris, Alfred C. Holt.

Mr. Clayton, of Marshall, submitted the following report:

The committee to whom was assigned the duty of comparing the Ordinance of Secession as enrolled with the original Ordinance as adopted, beg leave to report that they have performed the duty entrusted to them, and that they find the Ordinance prepared for the signatures of the delegates to be a true and perfect transcript of the original.

On motion of Mr. George,

Resolved, That the resolution heretofore adopted by this Convention inviting Judges of the High Court of Errors and Appeals to a seat in the Convention be so extended as to include all persons who have heretofore held that office or the office of justice of the old Supreme Court of this State.

The Hon. Armistead Burt, Commissioner from the Republic of South Carolina to Mississippi, addressed the Convention.

After which the Convention adjourned till Wednesday morning at 10 o'clock.

SIXTH DAY. SATURDAY, January 12th, 1861.

The Convention met pursuant to adjournment, and was opened with prayer by the Rev. D. A. Snow.

The President announced the committees on engrossed and enrolled bills.

Mr. Dyer offered a resolution instructing the Committee on Ways and Means to inquire into the expediency of this State issuing bonds, or certificates of deposit, the interest and one-tenth of the principal to be expended in the military defence of the State. The resolution was appropriately referred.

Mr. Chalmers, from the Committee on Military and Naval Affairs, submitted a report, which was ordered to be printed.

Mr. Brantley submitted “An Ordinance to provide for surveys and fortification of military sites within the State of Mississippi,” which was ordered to be printed.

On motion of Mr. Ellett,

Resolved, That all Ordinances that may be passed by this Convention shall be enrolled by the Secretary in a fair hand, on suitable paper, and shall be signed by the President, with the date of the passage thereof, and deposited in the office of the Secretary of State for preservation.

Mr. Fontaine offered the following Ordinance, which was referred to the Committee on Southern Confederacy:

Resolved, Be it ordained, by the, people of Mississippi in Convention assembled, that the Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek and Cherokee Nations respectively be invited to appoint delegates to the Convention of the slave-holding States to assemble at Montgomery, Alabama, on the first Monday in February next, to share in its deliberations in organizing a government for a Southern Confederation; and that said nations be severally invited to enter into a confederation on equal footing with the other slave-holding States; and,

Be it further ordained, by the authority upon said nations, that the Governor of this State be authorized and required to appoint and accredit one or more Commissioners to the said Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek and Cherokee Nations to confer with their respective governments in relation to the foregoing propositions, and that it shall be the duty of the Legislature of the State to make an appropriation by law to defray the expenses of said Commissioner or Commissioners.

Mr. Clayton, of Marshall, offered an Ordinance, amending the ninth section of the seventh article of the Constitution of this State, so far as to suspend the force and effect of that part of said section, which required the action of two successive Legislatures to pass a law to raise money, and pledge the faith of the State for the payment thereof, until the difficulties now existing between this State and other foreign States or Governments are adjusted.

The Ordinance was appropriately referred.

Mr. Smart submitted the following, which, with information accompanying it, was ordered to be printed:

Resolved, That the Committee on Military Affairs be instructed to report an Ordinance to form out of the troops provided by an Ordinance entitled, “An Ordinance to regulate the military system of the State,” one Brigade of regular troops, to consist of two regiments of Infantry, three squadrons of Cavalry, and one battery of Light Artillery, to be organized, armed and equipped as in the army of the United States, to be commanded by one of the Brigadier-Generals, and to be subject to all the rules and regulations provided for in the Ordinance above referred to.

On motion of Mr. Brooke,

Resolved, That the following words be, by the enrolling Clerk, appended at the end of the Ordinance of Secession: “In testimony of the passage of which and the determination of the members of this Convention, to uphold and maintain the State in the position she has assumed by said Ordinance, it is signed by the President and members of this Convention, this the —day of January, A. D. 1861.

On motion of Mr, Ellett,

Resolved, That the signing of the Ordinance of Secession be postponed until Tuesday next, at 11 o'clock.

On motion of Mr. Gholson,

Resolved, That the Auditor of Public Accounts be instructed to report to this Convention the number of acres and value of land, including town lots, subject to taxation; also, the number of negroes, and the value of other personal property, including the sales of merchandize, and amount of money loaned at interest in this State.

On motion, the Convention went into committee of the whole on the Ordinance to provide for postal arrangements in Mississippi.

After some discussion and sundry amendments, the Ordinance was reported back to the Convention, ordered to be engrossed, and made the special order for Monday at 10 o'clock.

On motion of Mr. Lamar, the Convention went into secret session, and continued therein until adjournment for the day.

The following resolution, offered by Mr. Harris in secret session, was unanimously adopted, and the injunction of secresy removed from the same:

Resolved, That the people of Mississippi recognize the right of the free navigation of the Mississippi river, for commercial purposes, in time of peace, by all States occupying its banks, and that they are willing to enter into proper stipulations to secure the enjoyment of that right.

SEVENTH DAY. MONDAY, January 14th, 1861.

The Convention met at 10 o'clock, A. M.

The President read a telegraphic dispatch, dated Washington, 12th, announcing the formal withdrawal of the Mississippi members of the House that morning.

Mr. Harris, from Committee on Federal Jurisdiction and Property, submitted all Ordinance, which was ordered to be printed, and made the special order for 11 o'clock on Wednesday next.

On motion of Mr. Chalmers, the Convention went into committee of the whole on the Ordinance reported by the Committee on Military and Naval Affairs.

After considerable discussion, and sundry amendments, the committee rose, reported progress, and asked leave to sit again on Thursday at 12 o'clock.

Mr. Anderson, from committee to prepare a hall for Convention during the session of the Legislature, reported that the new Concert Hall was being put in readiness for that purpose.

After some discussion as to the joint use of Representatives' Hall, on motion of Mr. Jones,

Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to propose to the House of Representatives that the use of this Hall be yielded to this Convention from and after 2 o'clock, P. M., each day, while both bodies are in session.

Mr. King offered a resolution requiring the Secretary to have the proceedings of the secret sessions separately recorded. Before the resolution was disposed of, On motion of Mr. Chalmers, the Convention went into secret session, and continued therein until adjournment for the day.

The following resolution was adopted in secret session, and the injunction of secresy removed from the same:

Resolved, That the Postmaster at Jackson, Miss., be furnished by the Doorkeeper with a number of printed copies of said Ordinance, as amended, providing for Postal Arrangements in Mississippi, sufficient to supply with a copy every postmaster in said State of Mississippi.

EIGHTH DAY. TUESDAY, January 15th, 1861.

Convention met pursuant to adjournment.

The President announced as the committee to confer with the House of Representatives relative to the joint use of hall, Messrs. Jones, O. Davis and Young.

Mr. Glenn, chairman of Committee on Southern Confederacy, submitted a report, which was ordered to be printed, and made the special order for Wednesday, at 11 o'clock.

The special order, Mr. Smart's resolution, providing for one brigade of regular troops, was taken up, considered, and laid on the table.

The President announced as the

Committee on Indian Affairs—Messrs. Fontaine, Benton, Reynolds, Orr and Keith.

On motion of Mr. Rogers,

Resolved, That Col. John A. Wilcox, a member elect to the Convention of the State of Texas, be invited to a seat within the bar of this Convention.

Also, the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Legislature.

Mr. Brooke, from Committee on Citizenship, submitted a report, which was laid on the table and ordered to be printed.

Mr. Ellett moved that the Convention proceed with the regular order—signing the Ordinance of Secession.

On motion of Mr. Clayton, of Marshall,

Resolved, That when the Convention proceeds to sign the Ordinance of Secession, it be first signed by the President and attested by the Secretary of the Convention; that the counties be then called in alphabetical order, and that the delegates affix their signatures in the order in which their counties and their own names are called.

Resolved, also, That the Governor of this State, and the Senate and House of Representatives be invited to be present, at the time the same is signed.

On motion of Mr. Brantley,

Resolved, That the President of the Convention appoint a committee of three to inform his Excellency the Governor that the Convention is about to proceed to sign the Ordinance of Secession, and invite him to be present.

Committee—Messrs. Brantley, Booth and Tison.

A letter was read from the Treasurer's Department, in connection with the presentation of a gold pen to the President, with which the in members might sign the Ordinance.

Mr. Chalmers said he wished to sign the Ordinance with a pen of his own, which he intended to transmit to some of his posterity.

Mr. Tison, from committee to wait upon His Excellency, reported duty discharged.

The Ordinance of Secession was then, in alphabetical order of counties, unanimously signed, with the exception of three absentees. The first signature was attached at twenty minutes past 11 o'clock, A. M., the last, at fifteen minutes to 1 o'clock, P. M.

On motion of Mr. Ellett,

Resolved, That the Secretary of State be requested to cause the Ordinance of Secession to be suitably framed for its better preservation in his office.

Mr. Wright, from the Committee on Ways and means, presented a report from the majority of that committee, which was ordered to be printed.

Mr. Alcorn presented a minority report, which he desired to have considered in connection with the majority report, and which was also ordered to be printed.

On motion of Mr. Glenn,

Resolved, That the Committee on a Southern Confederacy be instructed to inquire as to the propriety of appointing a commissioner or commissioners whose duty it shall be to visit the city of Washington, and lay before the President of the United States an authentic copy of the Ordinance of Secession passed by this Convention, and confer with him upon the future relations and intercourse of that government and the government of the State of Mississippi, and report by resolution or otherwise.

The Convention adjourned till Wednesday morning, 9 1/2 o'clock.

NINTH DAY. WEDNESDAY, January 16th, 1861.

Convention met pursuant to adjournment.

Mr. Clayton of Lowndes, offered a series of resolutions relative to the powers and duties of this Convention—that it was called by the people for a specific purpose, to-wit: the secession of the State from the Federal Union, and the formation of a Southern Confederacy, and that its powers and duties are limited to that end, and such incidental subjects as may be necessary to accomplish the same. The resolutions were ordered to be printed.

On motion of Mr. Glenn,

Resolved, That the Committee on Military and Naval affairs be instructed to inquire what measures, if any, are necessary for the protection and defence of the Sea Coast of the State of Mississippi, and the Islands contiguous thereto, and report thereon as speedily as possible, by Ordinance or otherwise.

Mr. Barksdale, from Committee on Enrolled Bills, reported the Ordinance on Postal Arrangements correctly enrolled.

On motion of Mr. Harris, the Convention went into committee of the whole on the report of the Committee on Federal Jurisdiction and Property in Mississippi.

After some discussion, and sundry amendments, the committee reported the bill back to the Convention, when it was concurred in and ordered to be enrolled.

On motion of Mr. Glenn the next special order was taken up—the report of the committee on Southern Confederacy.

The consideration of this report occupied the balance of the day, and night session,—Messrs. Glenn, Benton, Wright, Clapp, Chalmers, Clayton of Marshall, Harris and Barry discussing it at considerable length.

On motion of Mr. Anderson, the committee rose, reported bill back to the Convention, and recommended its passage, which was received and agreed to.

On motion of Mr. Anderson,

Resolved, That when the Convention goes into secret session that it shall be on such matters exclusively as should be considered in secret session only, and that all other matters be ruled out of order by the President.

Mr. Jones, from Committee to confer with the Legislature, relative to use of hall, submitted a report, which was received and agreed to: that the House of Representatives, have, by resolution, agreed to yield occupation of the Hall to this Convention, from and after the hour of 2 o'clock, P. M. on each day, while both bodies are in session.

On motion of Mr. Gholson, the Convention adjourned till to-morrow, 2 o'clock, P. M.

TENTH DAY. THURSDAY, January 17th, 1861.

Convention met pursuant to adjournment.

On motion of Mr. Fontaine,

Resolved, That F. A. Pope, the Secretary of this Convention, and T. S. Hardee, who obligingly and gratuitously enrolled on parchment the Ordinance of Secession adopted by this body, be and they are hereby invested with the exclusive right to lithograph for their joint use and benefit, the said Ordinance, and the signatures thereto.

A tabular statement was received from the Auditor of Public Acounts, showing the assessment of personalty in the State of Misissippi, together with the number of acres and value of taxable lands for the year 1860:

State tax, 1860, on personalty, . . . . .$454,276 00 State tax on 20,182,800 acres of land, now taxable, valued at $143,000,000, . . . . .286,000 00 Total tax . . . . .$740,276,00

Mr. Deason, from committee on enrolled ordinances, reported as correctly enrolled, the Ordinance on Federal Jurisdiction and Property in the State of Mississippi.

On motion of Mr. Harris, said Ordinance was taken up for consideration, and, on his further motion, the Ordinance was passed.

The next special order, the resolutions relative to a Southern Confederacy, was taken up for consideration.

Mr. Barksdale offered an amendment providing for the election of delegates to the Montgomery Convention from the several Congressional Districts. This Amendment gave rise to an animated discussion, and was adopted (though subsequently reconsidered and rejected)—46 voting for, and 35 against the proposition.

Mr. Gholson offered an amendment to the 1st section, by inserting after the word “delegate,” the words “who are not members of this Convention,” which was lost—30 for, 61 against.

Mr. Gholson also moved to amend by inserting after the word “those” in the same section, the word “slaveholding,” which was lost—23 for, 67 against.

Mr. Ellett offered an additional section, which was adopted, to the effect that the people of Mississippi, not desiring to bind their representatives by peremptory instructions, would nevertheless prefer that the Convention to be assembled at Montgomery should confine its action to the subject of the formation of a Provisional Government for the States represented therein, referring the same back to the existing Conventions of said States for ratification, and for the election of Senators and Representatives in the Congress to be created, etc.

The various amendments being thoroughly discussed, on motion of Mr. Lamar, the ordinance was refered back to the committee with instructions to frame and report another one.

Mr. Miller from committee on State Constitution, submitted a report, which was ordered to be printed.

The Convention adjourned till to-morrow at 2 o'clock, P. M.

ELEVENTH DAY. FRIDAY, January 18th, 1861.

Convention met pursuant to adjournment, at 2 o'clock P. M.

On motion of Mr. Chalmers, the Ordinance on Military Affairs was re-committed to the committee, with instructions to report again.

On motion of Mr. Welsh,

Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed by the President of this Convention to confer with a general committee of the like number of the Senate and House of Representatives, as to the course which the two bodies propose to adopt in regard to the various subjects of legislative action, growing out of the present position of the State, and also as to the propriety of the adjournment of one of said bodies to a future day; and that the said two Houses of the Legislature be invited to concur in the proposed conference between the said two Houses and this Convention.

On motion of Mr. Orr, the Convention went into secret session.

After some time spent therein, the Convention resolved itself into Committee of the Whole, on the Ordinance to provide means for the defence of the State.

Mr. Walter offered a substitute for the majority and minority report.

The following, offered by Mr. Baldwin for information, gave rise to considerable discussion:

Resolved, That the Committee on Ways and Means be and it is hereby instructed to report an Ordinance providing for raising so much money as will be necessary to fully arm and equip for the field, eight regiments of volunteers, and leave a balance of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars unexpended; and providing, that said sum shall be raised by a tax on the negro property, the land, exempting all homesteads containing not more than 100 acres; and upon all money loaned at interest, whether in the State or out of it, belonging to our citizens; and providing, that one-half of said tax shall be collected immediately, and the other half in October next; and further providing that said tax may be realized as needed, by the proper authorities, at a discount not exceeding ten per cent per annum.

On motion of Mr. Walter, the Committee rose and reported progress.

On motion of Mr. Marshall,

Resolved, That the Auditor of Public Accounts be required to furnish the Convention a statement of the aggregate amount of the tax assessed on real and personal property in this State for the current fiscal year; the amount of Auditor's Warrants, now issued, and an estimate of the ordinary expenditures of the State during the present year.

Resolved, That the Committee on Military and Naval Affairs be instructed to ascertain and report to the Convention the number and character of arms now owned by the State, and the additional arms, &c., necessary to equip and prepare for the field all the troops proposed to be raised for its efficient defence, and the probable cost thereof.

The Convention adjourned till Saturday, 2 o'clock, P. M.

TWELFTH DAY. SATURDAY, January 19th, 1861.

Convention met pursuant to adjournment, at 2 o'clock, P. M.

On motion of Mr. Clayton, of Marshall,

Resolved, That a committee, consisting of five, be appointed to call the attention of the planting interest of the State, by a short address to the people, to the vast importance, under existing circumstances, of home production in the State of Mississippi, of a supply of provisions for all its wants, and to urge upon them especial reference to this subject in planting the crop of the present year.

Committee—Messrs. G. R. Clayton, Vaughan, McGehee, Lea and Keirn.

The President directed the following dispatch to be read:

JEFFERSON CITY, MO., January 16th, 1861.

Gov. J. J. PETTUS—The Convention bill has just passed with great unanimity. Election 18th February.

DAN R. RUSSELL.

Messrs. A. Pattison, of Tallahatchie, and J. H. Edwards, of Choctaw, who were absent on the 15th, signed the Ordinance of Secession.

On motion of Mr. Gholson,

Resolved, That the Convention confirm the appointment of Commissioners heretofore made by the Governor of this State under a resolution of the Legislature of Mississippi, approved 30th day of November, 1860.

On motion of Mr. Orr, the Convention went into committee of the whole on the Ordinance on Citizenship in Mississippi.

Messrs. Brooke, Walter, Barry, Alcorn, Dyer, Ellett, Harris, Aldridge, Orr and O. Davis, discussed the Ordinance, when Mr. Brooke offered a substitute, which was adopted, and after being reported back to the Convention, was ordered to be engrossed. Mr. Brooke, on a subsequent day, withdrew this substitute, and the Ordinance originally reported, with a few amendments, was adopted.

The following communication, handed to the President by Mr. Miller, of Pontotoc, was read, and ordered to be spread upon the journals:

JACKSON, Miss., January 12th, 1861.

HON. WM. S. BARRY, President of the Convention—Sir: The objects of my mission to the Convention of the people of Mississippi having been accomplished, my official relation to that body is at an end. I cannot take leave of that body without expressing my sense of the alacrity and hereoism with which it has met and discharged its high duties. Its generous appreciation of the action of South Carolina, and its noble sentiments of fraternal consideration and regard for that State, excite my sincere and profound gratitude. The counsels of Mississippi and South Carolina are now united, and their hands clasped in a common and glorious cause. I will not repress my own feelings by omitting to say how deeply sensible I am of unmerited kindness and hospitality from the whole State of Mississippi—her Executive Department, her Convention, her Legislature, and her people—to myself, officially and individually. I have the honor to assure the Convention, and you, Sir, of the high consideration with which I am their and your obedient servant,

ARMISTEAD BURT.

On motion of Mr. Ellett,

Resolved, That when this Convention adjourns to-day, it adjourn to meet at Concert Hall on Monday next, at 10 o'clock, A. M.

Mr. Miller, from Committee on State Constitution, to which was referred a resolution instructing it to inquire into the propriety of preparing an appropriate Flag and Coat of Arms emblamatic of the independence and sovereignty of the State, asked to be discharged from the further consideration of the subject, and moved its reference to a special committee of five.

Committee—Messrs. Clapp, Ellett, Thompson, Ramsey and Young.

Mr. Miller, from same committee, to which was referred the Ordinance providing for the appointment of ambassadors, ministers, consuls, &c., to foreign governments, and for the appointment of an Executive Council, reported that they did not deem it expedient or necessary to take any action thereon at the present time, and asked to be discharged from the further consideration thereof. Which was received and agreed to.

The consideration of the revenue bill being resumed.

Mr. Anderson submitted, for information, a basis for State loan, the adoption of which, he said, would immediately secure half a million of dollars, and not conflict with any other plan before the Convention. It was ordered to be printed.

Mr. Aldridge, also, submitted “an Ordinance to raise means for the defence of the State,” which was ordered to be printed.

Mr. Berry offered a resolution instructing the Committee on Ways and Means to report an Ordinance levying a special tax of one dollar and twenty-five cents on each slave in this State under sixty years of age, and the same amount on every hundred dollars of money loaned at interest by individuals, or employed by them in the purchase of bonds, bills, notes, or other securities for money, whether the same be loaned or employed within or without the limits of the State; and also a tax on all other taxable property of the state, equal to the tax now required by law.

On motion of Mr. Chalmers, the further consideration of the bill was postponed until Monday at 10 o'clock.

On motion of Mr. Harris,

Resolved, That the late Clerks of the District and Circuit Courts of the United States be and they are hereby authorized to make and certify transcripts of the records of said courts, as heretofore provided by law, and be authorized to allow inspection of the records and files of said courts under the regulations heretofore existing therein.

Mr. Orr stated that the President of the Convention would necessarily be absent from the city until a late hour on Monday and on his motion,

Mr. Ellett was elected President pro tem of the Convention.

On motion of Mr. Gholson, the Convention adjourned till 7 P. M., to meet at that hour in secret session.

The Convention was in secret session till nearly 10 o'clock, A resolution was passed to meet in the Masonic Hall on Monday morning at 9 o'clock.

Mr. Harris introduced a bill in secret session, which was passed, and the obligation of secresy removed from the same, enabling the Governor to borrow money to sustain the troops of this State now in the field.

The following resolutions, offered by Mr. Lamar, were also adopted in secret session, and the injunction of secresy removed therefrom:

Resolved, That this Convention, sympathizing with South Carolina in her present condition, accepts her invitation to meet with the seceding States for the purpose of forming a Southern Confederacy.

Also,

Resolved, That the President be requested to furnish the Hon. Armstead Burt, Commissioner from the State of South Carolina to the State of Mississippi, with an authentic copy of the Ordinance of Secession, and an authentic copy of the resolution recognizing the State of South Carolina as a sovereign and independent nation, adopted by this Convention, and that he be requested to submit the same to the Executive authority of the State of South Carolina.

Resolved, That we perform a pleasent duty in testifying to the authorities of South Carolina our appreciation of the very able and acceptable manner in which their Commissioner, Hon. Armistead Burt, has fulfilled the important duties of his delicate mission.

THIRTEENTH DAY. MONDAY, January 21st, 1861.

Convention met pursuant to adjournment, in the Masonic Hall, at 10 o'clock, A. M.

On motion of Mr. Alcorn,

Resolved, That J. L. Power, Reporter for Daily Mississippian, be invited to a seat during the secret sessions of this Convention.

The consideration of the revenue bill being resumed, on motion, the Convention went into secret session, and continued therein until the hour of adjournment for the day, 6 o'clock, P. M.

FOURTEENTH DAY. TUESDAY, January 22, 1861.

Convention met pursuant to adjournment, in the Masonic Hall, at 10 o'clock, A. M.

Mr. Gholson moved to reconsider the vote by which the amendment offered by Mr. Berry to the revenue bill was adopted. The motion to reconsider was laid on the table—45 yeas, 33 nays.

Mr. Mayson, from Committee on Engrossed Ordinances, reported the Ordinance on Citizenship in Mississippi correctly engrossed.

Said Ordinance being the special order, Mr. Brooke requested that the Ordinance be recommitted to the committee.

On motion of Mr. Chalmers, the Ordinance reported by him yesterday on Military and Naval Affairs, was taken up, considered by sections, and after sundry amendments, was ordered to be engrossed.

Mr. Wright presented a report from the Committee on Ways and Means, which was ordered to be printed.

On motion of Mr. Gholson, the Convention adjourned till 3 1/2 o'clock, P. M., to meet in the Capitol—the Legislature having adjourned sine die.

The Convention met pursuant to adjournment.

The President directed the following dispatch to be read:

CHARLESTON, Jan. 19, 1861.

To HON. A. BURT, JACKSON.—Judge Magrath and myself have sent four telegrams to you. Please urge Mississippi to send delegates to the Montgomery meeting of States, at as early a day as possible—say 4th February— to form immediately a strong Provisional Government. It is the only thing to prevent war, and let that Convention elect immediately a Commander in Chief for the seceding States. You may as well return, at least as far as Montgomery.

F. W. PICKENS.

Mr. Barksdale, from Committee on Enrolled Ordinances, reported the Ordinance concerning federal property and jurisdiction in Mississispi, as correctly enrolled.

The special order—the report of Committee on Southern Confederacy—was then taken up, in the discussion of which the Convention was engaged till 6 1/2 o'clock P. M., when it adjourned to 7 1/2 P. M.

On re-assembling, the Convention resumed the discussion of the Ordinance pending at adjournment, and after sundry amendments, was reported back to the Convention, passed, and ordered to be engrossed.

On motion of Mr. Glenn, the election of delegates contemplated in the first resolution, was made the special order for to-morrow at 11 o'clock.

The Convention adjourned till to-morrow morning, 10 o'clock.

FIFTEENTH DAY. WEDNESDAY, January 23d, 1861.

Convention met pursuant to adjournment:

On motion of Mr. Glenn,

Resolved, That the Committee on Southern Confederacy be instructed to inquire into the propriety or expediency of having this State represented in such provisional Government as may be formed by the Convention at Montgomery, and the best mode by which such representation can be had, and report by rosolution or otherwise as soon as practicable.

On motion of Mr. King,

Resolved, That the Hon. A. G. Brown, Jefferson Davis, Reuben Davis, John J. McRae, William Barksdale and O. R. Singleton, the Senators and Representatives in Congress, be invited to seats upon the floor of this house during all the sittings of this Convention.

Mr. Clayton, of Marshall, offered an Ordinance, which was referred to the Committee on State Constitution, to the effect that if any part of the present Constitution of the State of Mississippi shall be in conflict with any Ordinance passed by this Convention, such part of said Constitution shall be held to be abrogated and annulled, to the extent of such conflict, but no further.

On motion of Mr. Glenn,

Resolved, That the Convention do now proceed to vote for seven delegates to the Montgomery Convention and no one shall be elected it delegate unless he or they shall receive majority of all the votes polled, without any special nominations being made.

The President appointed as tellers, Messrs. Gholson, Chalmers and Reynolds.

The first ballot resulted in the choice of Wiley P. Harris, of Hinds, who received 50 votes.

Sixty-three others were voted for on the first ballot.

The second ballot resulted in the choice of Walker Brooke, of Warren, who received 52 votes; and W. S. Wilson, of Caiborne, who received 49 votes.

The third ballot resulted in the choice of Alexander M. Clayton, of Marshall, who received 53 votes.

The fourth ballot resulted in no choice—Wm. S. Barry receiving the highest vote, 41.

The fifth ballot resulted in no choice.

The sixth ballot resulted in the choice of Wm. S. Barry, of Lowndes, who received 47 votes; J. A. P. Campbell, of Attala, who received 47 votes; and J. T. Harrison, of Lowndes, who received 47 votes.

Mr. Glenn submitted a report from the Committee on Southern Confederacy, relative to the appointment of Senators and Representatives, in the event the Convention to assemble at Montgomery adopts a plan for a Provisional Government, etc. The report was ordered to be printed.

Mr. Chalmers called up the special order—the Ordinance on Naval and Military Affairs. The Ordinance, as engrossed, was read, and adopted.

On motion of Mr. Chalmers, the Convention proceeded to the election of military officers, by ballot.

The President appointed Messrs. Gholson, Anderson and Beene as tellers.

The Major-Generalship being first in order,

Jefferson Davis received . . . . .88 Reuben Davis . . . . .1 Earl Van Dorn . . . . .1

On motion of Mr. Welsh,

Resolved, That this Convention elect four Brigadier-Generals, by electing one at a time, by ballot, until all four are elected.

The first ballot resulted in no choice. The following gentlemen were voted for: Earl Van Dorn, Chas. Clark, J. L. Alcorn, W. C. Falconer, C. H. Mott, J. L. McManus, Thos. W. Harris, J. H. Miller, H. H. Miller, Richard Griffith, C. H. Albert, J. C. Russell, C. H. Shot, D. R. Russell, W. F. Gaines, Jos. R. Davis.

The second ballot resulted in no choice.

The third ballot resulted in the choice of Major Earl Van Dorn, of Claiborne, who was duly declared First Brigadier-General; when the Convention proceeded to the election of Second Brigadier-General.

There being no election on the first ballot, on motion the Convention adjourned to 7 1/2 P. M.

On re-assembling, the Convention resumed balloting for Second Brigadier-General, resulting in the choice of Chas. Clark, of Bolivar, who received 47 votes.

The next ballot resulted in the choice of J. L. Alcorn, of Coahoma, as 3d Brigadier-General, having received 52 votes.

The Convention then proceeded to the election of 4th Brigadier-General— the first ballot resulting in no choice.

On the second ballot, C. H. Mott, of Marshall, was elected, having received 48 votes.

The Convention adjourned at 9 o'clock, till to-morrow morning at 10 o'clock.

SIXTEENTH DAY. THURSDAY, January 24th, 1861.

Convention met pursuant to adjournment.

A device for Coat of Arms for the State of Mississippi, was received from the Governor, in accordance with a resolution of the Legislature, November 30th, 1860. Referred to special committee.

The following communication, addressed to the Hon. Wm. S. Barry, was read and referred to the Committee on Federal Jurisdiction and Property:

LAND OFFICE, COLUMBUS, MISS., January 19th, 1860.

Dear Sir: Recognizing our allegiance to the State, both in our private and official capacity, we would be pleased, as early as practicable, to have such an expression of her will as would direct us in the proper course to be pursued by us in our official character. Both as President of the Convention, and as one of our immediate delegates, we consider you the appropriate person to be addressed on the subject.

Very truly yours, F. G. BALDWIN, Register. R. D. HARDEE, Receiver.

Mr. Orr offered the following resolution:

Resolved, That a special committee of five be appointed to inquire into the expediency of suspending the execution of decrees, judgments, executions, mortgages and deeds of trust, for twelve months; also, the laws for instituting suits in the various courts in this State, except the attachment laws.

Mr. Benton introduced an additional Ordinance from Committee on Postal Affairs, which was ordered to be printed.

Mr. Glenn called up the special order—the additional Ordinance from Committee on Southern Confederacy.

Mr. Ellett offered a substitute for the Ordinance reported by the committee.

Messrs. Ellett and Glenn having explained the respective plans submitted by them, on motion, the Ordinance reported by the committee, and the amendment of Mr. Ellett, were made the special order for to-morrow at 10 o'clock.

On motion of Mr. Orr, the Convention went into secret session.

After a short time spent therein, the Convention went into committee of the whole on the revenue bill.

After discussion by Messrs. Walter, Ellett, Chalmers and Berry, the Committee rose, reported the bill back to the Convention, add asked to be discharged from its further consideration.

Mr. George offered the following amendment:

Provided, That in order to make the State tax on slaves equal to the State tax on other personalty and on land , the above mentioned tax of fifty per centum on the present State tax, shall not apply to slaves: but instead thereof, an additional special tax of one dollar and twenty-five cents be imposed on each taxable slave, to be collected and disbursed as the other taxes herein provided for.

Mr. Chalmers offered the following as an amendment to the amendment:

And that the regular tax on slaves be and it is hereby so changed that the tax assessed on each taxable slave shall be the same as on taxable land, and that no slave shall be taxable who is over sixty or under ten years of age, and that slaves shall be so assessed at the next regular assessment of the property of the State.

Mr. Wright moved to lay both amendments on the table.

A division of the question being called, the amendment to the amendment was laid on the table; and the question recurring on the amendment offered by Mr. George, it was lost by the following vote:

YEAS—Messrs. Alcorn, Anderson, Barksdale, Booth, Backstrom, Bolling, Clayton of Lowndes, Colbert, Clapp, Dease, Dyer, Ellett, Fizer, Flournoy, Harris, Hill, Holt, Hurst, Jones, Keirn, Kennedy, Lamar, Marshall, McGehee of Bolivar, McGehee of Panola, Neely, Pattison, Roberts, Sanders, Smart, Semmes, Terral, Taylor, Thompson, Vaughan, Walter, Wilkinson, Yerger—38.

NAYS—Mr. President, Messrs. Baldwin, Brantley, Brooke, Benton, Beene, Blair, Berry, Bonds, Bolling, Bullard, Clayton of Marshall, Catching, Chalmers, Cummings, O. Davis, J. S. Davis, Denson, Eckford, Edwards, Fontaine, George, Glenn, Gholson, Gwin, Isom, Johnston of De Soto, Keith, Lea, Lewers Lewis, Miller of Pontotoc, Miller of Tunic , Nelson, Orr, Parker, Powell of Covington, Ramsey, Rogers, Reynolds, Sumner, Stephens, Tison, Witty, Woods, Wright, Young—46.

Pending the discussion, the Convention adjourned to 3 o'clock P. M.

On re-assembling, Mr. Eckford offered the following resolution:

Resolved, That the Governor is hereby authorized to appropriate to the use of volunteers when called into service, or before, if he may deem it necessary, such cloth, or other material manufactured in the Penitentiary, and now on hand, or which may be hereafter manufactured, as may be, suitable for clothing said troops, and make tents for the same.

Mr. Walter offered the following:

Resolved, That the Military Board created by the Ordinance passed by this Convention, be authorized to employ so much of the labor of the Penitentiary for making tents, clothing, &c., as may be necessary, for the volunteers to be raised by said Ordinance.

Both of which resolutions, on motion of Mr. Marshall, were referred to the Committee on Military and Naval affairs.

The discussion of the revenue bill being resumed,

Mr. Ellett offered the following amendment to the amendment offered by Mr. George:

Strike out all after the word “additional special tax,” and insert:

“Sufficient to make the tax on slaves equal to twenty cents on every one hundred dollars in value thereof—the value to be ascertained in the same manner that the value of lands is now ascertained under the revenue law of this State.”

Mr. Gholson advocated the amendment offered by Mr. George.

Mr. Aldridge supported the amendment offered by Mr. Ellett.

Mr. Clapp spoke against both amendments; the subject under discussion was peculiarly within the province of the Legislature.

Mr. Marshall objected to, and Mr. Ramsey favored the amendment offered by Mr. George.

M. Chalmers moved the previous question, which was sustained, when the question was taken on the amendment of Mr. Ellett, and adopted by the following vote:

YEAS—Messrs. Alcorn, Aldridge, Backstrom, Benton, Blair, Bolling, Bullard, Chalmers, Cummings, Clapp, Dease, Dyer, Eckford, Edwards, Ellett, Flournoy, Glenn, Gwin, Harris, Hill, Holt, Jones, Keirn, Lewers, Lewis, Marshall, McGehee of Bolivar, Neely, Nelson, Parker, Powell of Covington, Smart, Semmes, Stephens, Terral, Taylor, Thompson, Vaughan, Walter, Welsh, Wilkinson, Woods, Wright, Yerger—45.

NAYS—Mr. President, Messrs. Anderson, Barksdale, Booth, Baldwin, Brantley, Brooke, Beene, Berry, Clayton of Marshall, Clayton of Lowndes, Catching, Colbert, O. Davis, J. S. Davis, Denson, Douglas, Fizer, Fontaine, George, Gholson, Herring, Isom, Johnston of De Soto, Keith, Kennedy, King, Lea, Miller of Tunica, Miller of Pontotoc, McGehee of Panola, Orr, Pattison, Ramsey, Rogers, Reynolds, Sanders, Summer, Tison, Witty, Young—41.

The question was taken on the amendment as amended, and lost by the following vote:

YEAS—Messrs. Aldridge, Baldwin, Benton, Beene, Blair, Bonds, Clayton of Marshall, Chalmers, Clapp, Dease, Fontaine, Gwin, Lewers, Miller of Pontotoc, Nelson, Parker, Young—17.

NAYS—Mr. President, Messrs. Alcorn, Anderson, Barksdale, Backstrom, Booth, Brantley, Brooke, Berry, Bolling, Bullard, Clayton of Lowndes, Catching, Cummings, Colbert, O. Davis, J. S. Davis, Douglas, Dyer, Eckford, Ellett, Fizer, Flournoy, George, Glenn, Gholson, Harris, Herring, Hill, Holt, Isom, Johnston of De Soto, Jones, Keirn, Keith, Kennedy, King Lea, Lewis, Marshall, McGehee of Bolivar, McGehee of Panola, Miller of Tunica, Neely, Orr, Pattison, Powell of Covington, Ramsey, Roberts, Rogers, Sanders, Semmes, Smart, Sumner, Stephens, Terral, Tison, Taylor, Thornton, Thompson, Vaughan, Walter, Welsh, Witty, Wilkinson, Woods, Wright, Yerger—68.

Mr. Glenn desired to make a brief explanation of his vote— having voted against laying the amendment of the delegate from Carroll on the table, and then voting directly against the amendment itself.

After sundry other propositions to amend, on motion, the Convention adjourned till to-morrow morning, 9 o'clock.

SEVENTEENTH DAY. FRIDAY, January 25th, 1861.

Convention met pursuant to adjournment.

On motion of Mr. Rogers,

Resolved, That the President appoint a committee of three, whose duty it shall be to examine the records of this Convention, correct errors, if any therein, and prepare the same for publication.

On motion of Holt,

Resolved, That the Governor be hereby requested to forward promptly to the Executives of the Northwestern States, an authenticated copy of the Ordinance passed by this Convention declaratory of our determination not to obstruct the peaceable navigation of the Mississippi River within our limits.

Mr. Orr called up his resolution suspending execution of judgments, decrees, etc., except attachments.

Mr. Jones moved the resolution be indefinitely postponed, which motion prevailed, by the following vote:

YEAS—Mr. President, Messrs. Anderson, Aldridge, Barksdale, Backstrom, Booth, Brooke, Beene, Benton, Bonds, Bolling, Clayton of Marshall, Clayton of Lowndes, Cummings, Clapp, O. Davis, Dyer, Deason, Eckford, Edwards, Ellett, Flournoy, Fizer, George, Glenn, Gibson, Gholson, Gwin, Holt, Hurst, Johnston of De Soto, Jones, Keirn, Kennedy, King, Lea, Marshall, McGehee of Bolivar, McGehee of Panola, Miller of Pontotoc, Nelson, Parker, Pattison, Powell of Jones, Ramsey, Roberts, Rogers, Sanders, Semmes, Tison, Taylor, Thornton, Thompson, Vaughan, Walter, Welsh, Witty, Woods, Wright—57.

NAYS—Messrs. Brantley, Berry, Catching, Dease, Denson, Keith, Lewers, Neely, Orr, Powell of Covington, Wilkinson, Young—12.

Mr. Brooke introduced the following, which was referred to the Committee on State Constitution:

Be it ordained by the people of the State of Mississippi in Convention assembled, That no law for the purpose of hindering or delaying or the execution of legal process for the collection of debts, or postponing the foreclosure of mortgages or deeds of trust, shall be passed by the Legislature, unless the same shall pass by a majority of three-fourths of each House.

The consideration of the revenue bill being resumed, Mr. King offered a substitute for the 1st section, which was adopted.

Mr. King, also, offered two additional sections, to come in after section 7th, which were adopted.

Mr. George offered two additional sections, which were adopted.

Mr. Alcorn offered an additional section, which was adopted.

Sundry blanks being filled, the Ordinance was ordered to be engrossed and made the special order for 10 o'clock to-morrow.

Mr. Barksdale, from Committee on Enrolled Ordinances, reported the Ordinance on Southern Confederacy as correctly enrolled.

Mr. Harris, from Committee on Federal Jurisdiction and Property, reported “An Ordinance supplemental to an Ordinance concerning the jurisdiction and property of the United States of America in the State of Mississippi.”

Pending the discussion of which, the Convention adjourned till 3 o'clock.

On re-assembling, Mr. Brantley, from committee to report an Ordinance to provide for the disbursement of the Military Fund, submitted a report, which, after some discussion, was postponed for further consideration till to-morrow, 10 o'clock.

Mr. Aldridge submitted an ordinance relative to the powers of the Legislature in certain cases, which, on his motion, was referred to the Committee on State Constitution.

Mr. Glenn called up the special order—the additional resolutions reported by the Committee on Southern Confederacy, and Mr. Ellett's substitute therefor.

After some discussion, Mr. Glenn moved the previous question, which was not sustained.

After further discussion, Mr. Orr renewed the call for the previous question, which was sustained.

The main question was then put, when the motion to strike out the resolutions offered by Mr. Glenn, and insert the substitute offered by Mr. Ellett, prevailed—yeas 54, nays 18.

Mr. Clayton, of Marshall, offered the following, which, on his motion, was referred to the Committee on Postal Affairs:

Resolved, That an officer be appointed by this Convention, to be called the Postmaster-General of the State of Mississippi, (whose office and duties shall commence when the present postal system is abolished,) with powers to provide mail facilities for this State, and to that end that he be invested with power to make contracts and raise the rate of postage to meet the wants and requirements of that service.

On motion of Mr. Ellett,

Resolved, by the people of Mississippi, in Convention assembled, That the delegates to the General Convention of the seceding States be allowed the same compensation and mileage now allowed by law to members of the Legislature, the mileage to be computed by the estimated distance from the residence of the delegate to the place of meeting of said Convention, by the most direct route of travel; and the Auditor shall issue his warrant therefor, on the written statement of each delegate of the amount due him.

Mr. Holt offered the following:

Resolved, That all officers in the military service of the late United States, who have, or shall hereafter resign their commissions in said service, and shall enlist in the military service of the State of Mississippi, shall, until in actual service, receive such pay as their rank entitled them to receive at the time of said resignation.

Which, on motion of Mr. Flournoy, was laid on the table.

Mr. Clapp called up the ordinance to provide for postal arrangements in Mississippi, which, after being discussed and amended, was referred back to the committee, to report again.

On motion of Mr. Benton,

Resolved, That the Governor's Council be instructed to report an Ordinance providing for a Permanent Council of State, of three in number, and defining the duties of said counsellors—said counsellors to continue in office until a Southern Confederacy is established.

Mr. Yerger offered the following, which was referred to the Committee on Postal Affairs:

Resolved, That the Committee on Postal Affairs be and they are hereby instructed to report an Ordinance for the issuance of postoffice stamps, and the rate of postage to be stamped on the envelopes, so that all postal matter may be prepaid before its conveyance or transportation by mail; provided, that such Ordinance shall not go into effect, or be in force unless the present postal system of this State be suspended or superseded by Congress.

The Convention adjourned till to-morrow morning, 9 o'clock.

EIGHTEENTH DAY. SATURDAY, January 26th, 1861.

Convention met pursuant to adjournment.

Mr. Brooke, from Committee on Citizenship, re-submitted the Ordinance originally reported, with an amendment thereto, which Ordinance was adopted without debate.

On motion Mr. Fontaine, the Convention went into secret session.

After some time spent therein, the doors were opened. The injunction of secresy was removed from the following proceedings in secret session:

Mr. Holt offered the following resolution:

Resolved, That in the opinion of this Convention, it is not the purpose or policy of the people of the State of Mississippi to re-open the African slave trade.

Mr. Miller, of Pontotoc, moved to lay the resolution on the table, which was decided in the negative by yeas, 26, nays 50.

Mr. Holt moved the previous question, which was sustained, when the resolution was adopted by yeas and nays as follows:

YEAS—Mr. President, Messrs. Alcorn, Anderson, Aldridge, Baldwin, Booth, Brooke, Benton, Berry, Bonds, Bowling, Clayton of Marshall, Clayton of Lowndes, Catching, Clapp, O. Davis, Douglas, Dyer, Eckford, Edwards, Ellett, Fizer, Flournoy Fontaine, Glenn, Gibson, Gholson Gwin, Harris, Herring, Holt, Hurst, Isom, Johnston of De Soto, Keirn, Keith, Kennedy, Lea, Lamar, Lewers, Marshall, McGehee of Bolivar, McGehee of Panola, Miller of Tunica, Nelson, Orr, Parker, Pattison, Powell of Covington, Roberts, Rogers, Reynolds, Sanders, Semmes, Smart, Sumner, Stephens, Taylor, Thornton, Thompson, Vaughan, Walter, Welsh, Wright, Yerger, Young—67.

NAYS—Messrs. Barksdale, Backstrom, Brantley, Beene, Bullard, Cummings, Dease, George, King, Miller of Pontotoc, Neely, Witty, Woods—13.

In open session:

Mr. Glenn offered the following resolution,

Resolved, That when this Convention adjourns, that it do so, subject to be re-assembled upon the call of the President of the same, whenever, in his judgment, the public necessities may require it; and, in case of the death or resignation of that officer, then upon a call of a majority of a committee of three, now to be named by the President; and, unless re-assembled, on or before the first Monday in June, A. D. 1861, then, and in that case, it shall stand adjourned, sine die.

Mr. Yerger moved to amend by striking out all in the resolution after the word “adjourns,” and inserting “that it adjourn sine die, not subject to be re-assembled by the order of the President thereof, or the Governor of this State.”

The amendment was lost by 50 to 26.

Mr. Miller, of Pontotoc, moved to amend by striking out “first Monday in June,” and inserting first Monday in October, which was adopted, by 52 to 18, when the resolution, so amended, was adopted.

The President appointed as the committee suggested in Mr. Glenn's resolution, Messrs. P. S Catching, of Copiah, A. P. Hill, of Madison, Warren P. Anderson, of Hinds.

Mr. Ellett offered the following:

Resolved, By the people of the State of Mississippi in Convention assembled, That the reconstruction of the Union of the United States of America is impracticable and unadvisable, and that hereafter Mississippi ought to confederate only with States having similar domestic institutions to her own.

Mr. Berry moved to lay the Ordinance on the table, which motion prevailed by the following vote:

YEAS—Mr. President, Messrs. Anderson, Aldridge, Baldwin, Brantley, Brooke, Beene, Blair, Berry, Bonds, Bolling, Bullard, Clayton of Lowndes, Cummings, O. Davis, Douglas, Fizer, Flournoy, Herring, Isom, Johnston of Panola, Keith, Kennedy, King, Lea, Lamar, Lewers, Marshall, McGehee of Bolivar, Parker, Powell of Covington, Reynolds, Sanders, Sumner, Stephens, Terral, Taylor, Thornton, Thompson, Vaughan, Walter, Witty, Wright, Yerger, Young—44.

NAYS—Messrs. Alcorn, Barksdale, Catching, Clapp, Dease, Eckford, Ellett, Fontaine, George, Glenn, Gibson, Gholson, Gwin, Harris, Holt, Keirn, Lewis, McGehee of Panola, Miller of Pontotoc, Miller of Tunica, Neely, Nelson, Orr, Pattison, Roberts, Rogers, Semmes, Smart, Welsh, Woods,—32.

On motion of Mr. Brantley, the resolution to adjourn to-day at 12 o'clock, was rescinded.

Mr Brantley called up the Ordinance to provide for surveys and fortifications of military sites within the State of Mississippi, which, after a slight amendment, was adopted.

Mr. Wright, moved that the Ordinance, to raise means for the defence of the State be considered as engrossed, and put upon its passage.

Mr. Anderson offered section 14, which was adopted, and the Ordinance was then put upon its final passage.

Mr. Clapp introduced an Ordinance from Committee on Postal Affairs, which, on his motion, was considered as engrossed, and put upon its final passage.

Mr. Miller, of Pontotoc, called up the ordinance reported by the committee on State Constitution, which, on his motion, was considered as engrossed and put upon its final passage.

On motion of Mr. Walter,

Resolved, That the Secretary of this Convention forward to each member of the Convention two copies of the Ordinance in reference to revenue, heretofore ordered to be printed, when the same is printed, and that said Secretary have printed immediately three hundred additional copies of said Ordinance.

On motion of Mr. Anderson,

Resolved, That the Address herewith, setting forth the declaration of the immediate causes which induce and justify the secession of Mississippi from the Federal Union, and the Ordinance of Secession, be referred to a special committee.

The President appointed as such

Committee—Messrs. A. M. Clayton, W. P. Anderson, D. C. Glenn, L. Q. C. Lamar, J. L. Alcorn.

Mr. Harris called up the supplemental Ordinance concerning Federal jurisdiction and property in Mississippi, which, being read, on his further motion, the Ordinance was considered as engrossed and put upon its final passage.

Mr. Barksdale offered “an Ordinance to provide for publishing the Ordinances and Journal of this Convention,” which was adopted.

On motion of Mr. Davis,

Resolved, That Mr. J. L. Power be allowed the sum of four dollars per day during the session of this Convention for the reports of its proceedings which have appeared in the Daily Mississippian.

Mr. Miller, from committee to which was referred an ordinance proposing to confer upon the Legislature power to “change, alter or abolish all ordinances passed by this Convention,” with certain exceptions, reported the same back to the Convention, with the recommendation that it be not adopted; which report was received and agreed to.

Mr. Miller, also, submitted a report on the following Ordinance, recommending its adoption:

AN ORDINANCE to amend the Constitution of the State of Mississippi in relation to the powers of the Legislature.

Be it ordained by the people of the State of Mississippi in Convention assembled, That no law for the purpose of hindering or delaying the execution of legal process, for the collection of debts, or postponing the foreclosure of mortgages or deeds of trust, shall be passed by the Legislature unless the same shall be passed by two-thirds of each house of said Legislature.

The report being received, Mr. Anderson moved to lay it on the table, which motion prevailed, by the following vote:

YEAS—Mr. President, Messrs. Anderson, Baldwin, Backstrom, Booth, Brantley, Berry, Bolling, Clayton of Marshall, Catching, Clapp, O. Davis, Dease, Douglas, Eckford, Ellett, Edwards, Fizer, Flournoy, Fontaine, George, Glenn, Gholson, Gwin, Harris, Isom, Johnston of De Soto, Keith, Kennedy, Lea, Lewers, Marshall, McGehee of Panola, Miller of Tunica, Neely, Orr, Parker, Powell of Covington, Powell of Jones, Reynolds, Sanders, Semmes, Sumner, Stephens, Terral, Taylor, Thompson, Welsh—49.

NAYS—Messrs. Aldridge, Barksdale, Brooke, Bonds, Bullard, Clayton of Lowndes, Gibson, Herring, Holt, Keirn, Lewis, Miller of Pontotoc, Nelson, Roberts, Thornton, Walter and Woods—17.

On motion of Mr. Marshall,

Resolved, That the Convention recommend the City Hospital at Vicksburg to the favorable consideration of the Legislature, and suggest the propriety of making a suitable appropriation in aid thereof.

Mr. George asked and was granted permission to spread a Protest upon the journals, against the adoption, by this Convention, or the resolution offered by Mr. Holt this morning, in reference to the African Slave Trade, for various reasons having no reference to their individual views on the subject matter of said resolution. The Legislature had already declared a policy on this subject in exact conformity with the resolution adopted, and the action of this Convention was unnecessary. The question was not made the subject of debate in the late canvass, and the resolution was an usurpation of the just powers of the Legislature, and a negation to that body of the right to exercise a plain constitutional function which had been delegated to them by the people. The Protest was signed by Messrs. George, Beene, Barksdale, Brantley, Witty, Woods, Neely, H. R. Miller, Blair, Bullard, Terral and Dease.

Mr. Baldwin offered a resolution appointing a committee of three to ascertain if anything had been neglected that should be attended to before adjournment.

Mr. Brooke suggested that said committee also inquire whether anything had been done which ought not to have been done.

Mr Baldwin thought such an investigation would impose too much labor on the committee, and be withdrew his resolution.

Mr. Clapp, from committee to report suitable devices for Flag and Coat of Arms, submitted the following report, which was received and agreed to:

MR. PRESIDENT: The Special Committee appointed to prepare a suitable Flag and Coat of Arms for the State, report that they have had the subject under consideration, and they recommend for a suitable Flag the following:

A Flag of white ground, a Magnolia tree in the centre, a blue field in the under left-hand corner, with a white star in the centre—the Flag to be finished with a red border, and a red fringe at the extremity of the flag.

For a Coat of Arms, the Committee recommend the one accompanying the communication of the Governor to the President of this Convention, which was referred to the Committee, and is returned along with this report, except that the recumbent figure designed to represent the Father of Waters be omitted, and a cannon and plow, appropriately arranged, be substituted.

[The design of the Coat of Arms is: A magnolia, containing a nest of eagles, which arc being defended by the parent from the attack of a serpent; a bale of cotton, plow, steamboat, citizen soldier, fortifications and cannon, with motto: Istis Defensoribus.]

On motion the Convention adjourned to 3 o'clock P. M.

On re-assembling, on motion of Mr. Welsh,

WHEREAS, The, Mobile and Ohio Railroad Company has generously offered the free use of their cars and road for the transportation of troops and the munitions of war; therefore,

Be it Resolved, That this Convention do express their high appreciation of this act of patriotic liberality on the part of said Railroad Company, and hereby tender to the Directors and General Superintendent of said Railroad Company the thanks of the people