We have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servants,
R. W. BARNWELL, }
J. H. ADAMS, } _Commissioners_.
JAMES L. ORR, }
To his Excellency the President of the United States.
The last communication is endorsed as follows:
Executive Mansion, 31/2 _o'clock, Wednesday_.
This paper, just presented to the President, is of such a character that
he declines to receive it.
APPENDIX H.
Speech on the state of the country, by Mr. Davis, of Mississippi, in the
Senate of the United States, January 10, 1861--a motion to print the
special message of the President of the United States, of January 9th,
being under consideration.
Mr. Davis: Mr. President, when I took the floor yesterday, I intended to
engage somewhat in the argument which has heretofore prevailed in the
Senate upon the great questions of constitutional right, which have
divided the country from the beginning of the Government. I intended to
adduce some evidences, which I thought were conclusive, in favor of the
opinions which I entertain; but events, with a current hurrying on as it
progresses, have borne me past the point where it would be useful for me
to argue, by the citing of authorities, the question of rights. To-day,
therefore, it is my purpose to deal with events. Abstract argument has
become among the things that are past. We have to deal now with facts;
and, in order that we may meet those facts and apply them to our present
condition, it is well to inquire what is the state of the country.
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