^m^<'[ DUKE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY Treasure %oovi Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from Duke University Libraries http://www.archive.org/details/journalofproceedOOflor JOUENAL OF THE PEOCEEDIXGS yp Tin-: C N Y E N 1^ I O N OF Till-: PEOPLE OF FLORIDA, r.KGUN AND IlKI.l) AT THE CAPITOL IX THE CITY OF TALLASiSEE, OX TIirRSDAY, JAXFAEY 3, A. T>. 18G1. OFFICE OF THE FLOKIDIAN AND JOURXAL rRIXTi:i> ]?Y DYKE & CAULISI,):. 1 S 1 . JOURNAL OF THE CONVENTION. FIRST DAY. TIIITESDAY. January 3d, 186 1. The people of the State of Florida, on this, the third day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, through their Delegates, chosen in pursuance of the act of the General Assembly of the State of Florida, ap- proved Xovembcr 30th, A. D. 1860, assembled in Convention in the Hall of the House of Representatives in the Cai)itol of the State, at the city of Tallahassee. And thereupon, on motion, John C. Pelot, of the county of Alachua, was called to the Chair, and B. Gauden Pringle, of Gadsden, Avas requested to act as Secretary. On taking the Chair, Mr. Pelot addi'essed the Delegate* in the followino; lancuage : *Gentleme7i of the Convention: — We n'leet together under no ordinary circumstances. The rapid sjiread of Northern fanati- cism has endangered our liberties and institutions, and the elec- tion of ^Vbram Lincoln, a wily aliolitionist, to the Presidency of the United States, destroys all hope for the future. We have, therefore, been sent by the jieople of our State to devise the best means for our security. Their dearest interests are placed in our hands — to us is committed a high trust — u})on us rests a heavy I'esponsibility, and we are expected to meet tlie grave questions before us with calmness and deliberation; })recipitation and rashness may prove disastrous. But, genthnnen, while i)rudence and a proper discretion should characterize all our deliberations, we must not forget that the important crisis demands great tirm- ness. I trust we are fully prepared to meet the grave issues be- fore us as true Patriots. Our Legislature, through purely patriotic motives, has placed us in a conspicuous ])osition. The eyes of the world are upon us, and our action will aifect, for weal or for woe, not only our OAvn State, but perhai)s our sister Southern States also. And now, gentlemen, permit a word of admonition. Although our 7574Pf interests are one, and we all desire to eftect the same great end, vet there will of necessity arise a eonfliction of opinion as re- ijards the best means to be used for its aceoinplishment. But I trnst that strict courtesy will characterize your deljates. We may honestly differ in minutie, but we ;n-e eng-au'ed hi a conmion * cause. AVe al-e brethren, and must stand shoulder to shoulder in the great work before us. And may the God of mercy and 1,'oodness direct us in our deliberations, that we luay arrive at the fxst means to accomplish the desired end. .\t the conclusion of the Chah-nian's address, Mr. ?t[eQueen 3IcIntosh, from the Senatorial District of Calhoun and Franklin, moved that the proceedings of the Convention be opened with ])rayer, jireceding his motion Avith the folio \Wng eloquent re- marks: ]Mr. Chairman, it is luit seldom that men are called upon to- discharge the grave and solemn duties al)out to devolve upon us, and with nations as with men there is a Providence that fashions their destinies. It is the blessing of that Providence to direct us in our future deliberations that we should now implore. When the night of storm and desolation had overtakes him, Ei-i;vAiAS exclaimed, in the language of sui)})lication, "Tu oro solare in o)>em et succure relicta\" If the heathen could thus iu))lore the (Tod of liis mytb.ology, we may ap])eal to the Christian's (iod to teach us to ai)]ily our hearts unto wisdom, that \\x' may learn that which is right and do that which is l)est for our uiili:ip])y coimtry. I therefore move, sir, that the Kight Rev. Hisho]) ItrTi.KiMiK be invited to a seat by your side, and that ^lis Cojivention be opened with prayer. This was unanimously agreed to, and being ])i-esent, Bishop Rut- ledge was attended to tlu' Chair, from which he made the follow- ing solemn and appro] iriate ap])eal for Providential oversight and guidance : (ireat and glorious Lord God, who, seated on thy throne hi the Heavens, yet deignest to look down upon the children of men, and whose ])rovidence is ever exerted for good to tliose who love and reverence thy holy name — impressed with a sense of the awfnlness of thy divine majesty, we assay to a]>proach thee this morning in an humbk' s})irit and with true faith, invok- ing thee favorably to look upon and bless the Chief ]\[agistrate of this Commonwealth, its Delegates now hi Convention assem- bU'd and the ])eople'over whose interests they are appointed to jireside. Possess their minds with the spirit of wisdom and sound understanding, so that in these days of trouble and per- jtlexity they may be able to perceive the right })ath and stead- fastly to walk therein. 80 enlighten, direct and strengthen them, wc ])ray thee, that they, being hindered neither by the fear of man nor by the love of the ])raise of men, nor by 2)rejudice, am- bition or any other evil passion, but being mindful of thy con- stant STiperintendence — ^of the awful ma-jesty of thy righteous- ness and of the strict account they must hereafter render — may, in coimsel, word and deed, aim supremely at the fulfilment of their solenm duty, at the promotion of thy glory and the advance- ment of the welfare of their country; and mercifully grant that the course of this world may be so peaceably ordered by thy governance that thy church and this whole people may joyfully serve thee in all godly quietness, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. On motion of Mr. A. Iv. vVllison of Gadsden, the roll was then ordered to be called by cposition to it has been cherished, and fostered, and inflamed until it has taken possession of the public mmd at the North to such an extent that it overAvhelms every other influence. It lias seized the ])olitical poAver and noAv threatens annihilation to sla- very throughout the Union. At the South, and Avith our Peojile of course, slavery is the element of all value, and a destruction of that destroys all that is property. Tliis ]inrty, now soon to take ])Ossessiou of tlie powers of tlic (•fovcnnnent, is sectional, irresponsible to lis, anit driven on by an infMriafod flniatioal madness that defies all opposition, must inevitably destroy every vestige of right grooving out of property iii slaves. Gejitlemen, the ^tate of Florida is now a member of the Union under the power of the Government, soon to go into the hands of this party. As we stand our doom is decreed. lender a just sense of impending danger, and realizmg an im- perative necessity thus forced u])on them to take measures for their safety, Mie Peo])le of Florida have clothed you with su- preme ])Owcr and sent you here with the high and solemn duty to devise the best possible means to ensure their safety, and have given you in charge to see that their commonwealth suffers no detriment. Your presence at this Capitol is the highest proof that your peo])le fear to remain under their Government. With poignant regret no doubt they leave it ; but they have no ground of hope of safety in it. What are we to do in fulfilment of our duty in this great crisis ? I Avill not presume to indicate your course — your sli])erior and collected wisdom must decide. , • I cannot doubt though that our people are safe in your hands, and that you A\'ill in a manner becoming the dignity of the high posit if (U you hold, and wortliy of the trust confided to you, proni])tly place them in a position of safety above the power and l>eyond the reach of their enemies. As one of you, representmg a noble and c®ntiding constituency, I pledge to you and to them the entire devotion of the powers of my mind in the discharge of this duty ; and with, my full heart I ask you, each of you, to forget all former differences of opinion, all i»ast party prejudices, and make, now, here on the altar of your State, your country, for the sake of your people, a sacrifice, an offering of all feeling, prejiossession or prejudice, that may stand in the way of ])erfect concord and harmony ; and may the God of nations watch over us and bless our labors and guide us 'mU^ the haven of safety. On motion, the Convention proceeded to the election of a Sec- retai-y and two Assistant Secretaries. Mr. jNFays nominated A¥illiam S. Harris for Secretary. jNIr. Newmans nominated A. T. Banks. Mv. Parkhill nominated Thos. B. Barefoot. The vote was as follows : Fou William S. Harkis — Mr. President, Messrs. Allison, Baker of Calhoun, Beard, Chandler, Cooper, Daniel, Dawkins, Dcvall, Finegan, Gary, Gettis, Ilelvenston, Irwin, Laimar, Leigh of Sumter, MeGahagin, Mcintosh, Mays, Owens, Pelot, Pinck- ney, Rutland, Sanderson, Saxon, Spencer, Solana, Tift and "Wriglit of Coliunbia — 29. Fou Banks — Messi-s. ]>aker of Jackson, Barrinoton, Bethel, Collier, Coon, Folsoni, Ilimter, Jordan, Ladd, Lamb, Lea, Mc- Caskill, McLean, Morrison, NcAxiiians, Sever, Tli^mas and Yates —18. For Barefoot — Messrs. Alderman, Davis, Glazier, Gregory, Henrv, Kirksey, Lewis, Love, McNealey, Parkhill, Stephens and Ward— 12. The President declared that there was no election, neither of the candidates having received a majority of the votes of tlie whole. On motion, "W. S. Harris was unanimously declared elected Secretary. The Convention then proceeded to the election of tirst Assis- tant Secretary. Mr. iVlUson nominated T. B. Barefoot. Mr. Coon nomhiated A. T. Banks. The vote was as follows : For Mr. Banks — Messrs. Baker of Jackson, Bethel, Chan- dler, Coon, Coojier, J^awkins, Devall, Fmegan, Folsom, Gettis, Helvenston, Umiter, Jordan, Lamb, Lea of Madison, McCaskiU, McLean, Mays, Morrison, Newmans, Pinckney, Rutland, Sever, Solana, Thomas, Tift, Turman, Woodruif, Wright of Columbia, Yates— 30. For Mr. Barkfoot — Mr. President, Messrs. Aldernian, AlU- son, Baker of Calhoun, Barrington, Beard, Collier, Daniel, Da- vis, Gary, Glazier, Gregory, Henry, Irwin, Kirksey, Lamar, Leigh of Sumter, Lewis, Love, McGahagin, McLitosh, McNea- ley, Owens, Parkhill, Pelot, Sanderson, Spencer, Stephens, Ward— 29. Mr. A. T. Banks was declared elected first Assistant Secretary. The Convention then proceeded to the election of second As- sistant Secretary. Mr. Spencer nominated E. W. Rogers. • Mr. Ward nominated T. B. Barefoot. The vote was as follows : For Mr. Rogers — Messrs. Allison, Baker of Calhoun, Baker of Jackson, Beard, Cooper, Daniel, Davis, Dawkins, Devall, Finegan, Folsom, Gary, Gettis, Gregory, Iftnry, Irwin, Lamar, Leigh of Sumter, McGahagui, McLitosh, Mays, Owens, Parkliill, Pelot, Pinckney, Sanderson, Saxon, Sever, Spencer, Solana, Stephens, Thomas, Tift and Yates— 34. For Mr. Barefoot — Mr. President, Messrs. Alderman, Bar- rington, Bethel, Chandler, Collier, Coon, Glazier, Helvenston, Hunter, Jordan, Kirksey, Lamb, Lea of Madison, Lewis, Love, 10 McCavkiil. McLoaii, :^^(•Xealey, :\Iorrison, NeAvmans, Rutland, Turinau, Ward, Woodruff and" Wright of Columbia— 26. yiv. E. W. Kogers was declared elected Second Assistant Se- oretarv. On "motion, tlii' Convention proceeded to the election of Ser- geat-at-Anns. Mr. Lea nominated Daniel G. Saunders. Mr. Parkhill nominated E. S. McCuUom. Mr. l>eard nominated Donald Cameron. The vote was as folloAvs : For >rR. Cameron — Mr. President, Messrs. Baker of Jackson, Harrinufon, Beard, Bethel, Collier, Coon, Daniel, Davis, Daw- kins, Hcvall, Gary, Gettis, Glazier, Gregory, Irwin, Jordan, Kirkscy, Leigh of Sumter, Lewis, Love, McNealey, Pinokney, Rutland, Sanderson, Saxon, Tift, Turman and Ward — 29. For ^Ir. Saxders — Messrs. Cooper, Folsom, Ilelvenston, Henry, Hunter, Lamb, Lea of Madison, McCaskill, McGahagin, McLean, Morrisoii, Newmans, Owens, Sever, Spencer, Solana, Stephens, Thomas, Woodruff,' Wright of Coliuubia and Yates — 2L For Mr. ]\[cCrLLOM — Messrs. Alderman, Allison, Baker of Calhoun, Finegan, Lamar, Mcintosh, Mays, Parkhill andPelot — 9, The 1 'resident declared that tliere Avas no election, neither of the candidates having received a majority of the Avhole vote. On motion, Mr. Cameron Avas declared elected Sergeant-at- Arms. The Convention proceeded to the election of Messenger. Mr. AVi-ight nomuiated S. R. Mattair. Mr. Le;i nominated S. B. Shehee. The vote Avas as folloAvs : For 3Ir. Mattair. — Messrs. Barrington, Beard, Bethel, Chandler, Coon, Cooper, Daniel, Davis, DaAvkins, Devall, Fine- gan, Folsom, Gary, Gettis, Glazier, Gregory, Helvenston, Hun- ter, Land), Leigh of Sumter, Love, McCaskill, McGahagin, INIc- Intosh, ^IcLean, jNIays, Newmans, Oavcus, Pelot, Pinckncy, liutlaud, Sanderson, Saxon. Spencer, Solana, Tift, Turman, Woodrulf, Wright of Columbia and Yates — 40. For Mr. Siieiiee. — Mr. President, Messrs. Alderman, Allison, Jiaker of Calhoun, Baker of Jackson, Collier, Heniy, Jordan, Kirksey, Lamar, Lea of Madison, LcAvis, Parkhill, Sever, Ste- phens and Ward — 16. Mr. S. R. IVIattair Avas declared elected Messenger. The Convention ])rooeeded to the election of a Door-keeper. ^fr. nominated D. C. Saunders. Mr. Davis nominated Wm. Felkel. Mr. Lea nominated S. B. Shehee. 11 The vote was as follows : * FoK Mil. Sauxders — Mr. President, Messrs. Allison, Harrington, Beard, Bethel, Chandler, Collier, Coon, Cooper, Dawkins, Uevall Folsom, Gary, Gcttis, Gregory, Helvenston, Hunter, Irwin, Jor- dan, Kirksey, Lamb, Leigh of Sumter, McCaskill, McGahagin, McLean, Mays, Morrison, Owens, Pinckuey, Rutland, Solana, Thomas, Tift, Turman, Ward, Woodruff and* Yates — 37. FoK. Mr. Felkel — INIessrs. Alderman, Daniel, Davis, Fijie- gan, Henry, Lamar, Lewis, Love, Mcintosh, Pelot, Sanderson, Sever and Stephens — 13. For ]\[r. Siieiiee — Messrs. Baker of Calhoun, Baker of Jack- son, Lea of Madison, INIcNealey, Newmans, Parkhill, Spencer and Wright of Columbia — 8. Mr. D. C. Satmders was declared elbcted Door-keeper. Mr. I);f\'is moved that the officers elect be sworn into office, and that their oath shall be in the following form : You do solemnly swear thai you will faithfully discharge the duties of the office to which you have been elected, and obey such rules aiid orders fis the Convention may prescribe ; Which motioTi was agreed to/ and the officers were sworn ac- cordingly by the Hon. J. J. Finley, Judge of the Western Cir- cuit of P'lorida. Mr. Pelot moved that the Rules that govern the House of Rep- resentatives be ado]-)ted so far as applicable to this Convention ; Which was agreed to. Mr. Dawkins moved that a Committee of three be appointed to wait on his Excellency the Governor and inform him that tlie CouA'cntion is now organized and ready for business ; Which was agreed to. Whereupon the President appointed Messrs. DaAvkins, Davis and Pelot said Committee. ]Mr. Folsom moved that a Committee of five be appointed on Credentials ; Which was adopted. Whereupon the President appointed Messrs. Folsom, Ander- son, Mays, Lamar and Woodruff said Comniittee. Mr. Ward offered the following resolution : Hesolced, That the following Standing Committees, consisting of five members each, shall be appointed by the President, viz : Committee on the Judiciary. Committee on Federal Relations. Committee on Foreign Relations, Commerce and Trade. Committee on Taxation and Revenue. Committee on the Militia and Internal Police. Committee on the Sea Coast Defences. Committee on the Public Lands. 12 Committee on Printing and Contingent Exj^enses. Committee on Enrollments. ^^'llieh resolution was adopted. The following communication was received from liis Excellen- cy the Governor: ExKCUTivE CiiA^riJEn, ) Tallahassee, January oth, 1861. j' Hon. John C. McCtEhee, • President of the Convention : Sin — I have the honor to communicate to you, and through you to the Convention of the State of Florida over which you ])reside, that our sister States of -Alabama and South Carolina have sent Commissioners to confer and consult with the people of Flori(hi in Convention asisemhled. The Hon. E. C. Bullock, Commissioner of Alabama,»and the lion. Leonidas W. Spratt, Commissioner of South Carolina, are in this city, duly commissioned and'authenticated by credentials from the Governors of their respective States, and await to be presented in due form to the Convention. • I have the honor to be, sir, voi^' respectfully, M. S. PERRY. Which was read. ]Mr. Ward mo^ed that a Committee of three be appointed by the President to communicate with the Commissioners from Ala- bama and South Carolina to know if it l)e their pleasure to com- municate with this Convention ; AVhich motion was agreed to. AVhereupon the President appointed Messrs. Ward, Beard and Lamar said Committee. On motion of Mr. Parkhill a committee was appointed to wait upon the Hon. Edmund Ruffin of Virginia and escort him to a seat on the floor of the Convention. The President aj^pointed Messrs. Parkhill and Mcintosh said committee. On motion of Mr. Mcintosh the Convention adjourned tii half past 4 o'clock, P. M. 4^ O'CLOCK, P. M. Tiic Convention resumed its session — a quorum present. Mr. Beard moved that the Hon. Edmund Ruffin, of Virginia, be invited to the privileges of the bar otlthe Convention ; Which was carried, , - ]Mi-. Gary moved that a select committee be appointed by the President to confer with the Speaker of the House of Represen- 13 tatives with regard to retaining the hall at present occupied by the Convention ; Which was lost. Mr. Parkhill moved that Judge Finley be requested to qualify the Sergeant-at-Arnis ; Which was carried. Mr. Beard moved that a committee of three be appointed to make arrangements for a ])ro])er place for the sittings of this Convention, to report on Monday next; The 7notion prevailed, and the President appointed IMessrs. Beard, Kii-ksey and ]J)avis said cominittee. ]\[r. Mcintosh moved that the floor of the Convention be cleared ; Which was carried. jMr. Parkhill introduced the following resolution : -Z?e it resolved by this Convention^ That immediate action in respect to the question of Secession is necessary, and Ave are wil- ling, should the people of the State so desire it, that the action of this Convention be referred to them for ratification or rejection, the vote to be taken after the action of the Alabama and Georo-u Conventions ; Which resolution, on motion of Mr. Beard, was laid u])ou the table. ' • !Mr. Mcintosh offered the foUowhig preamble and resolution : WiiKRKAS, All hope of the ]n'eservation of the Federal Union upon terms consistent with the safety and honor of the slave- holding States, has been finally dissipated by the recent indica- tions of the strength of the anti-Slavery sentiment of the free States. Therefore, Jki it Jtesolved by tJie People of the State of Florida in Con- vention assembled^ That as it is the imdoubted right of the sever- al States of the Federal Union, known as the United States of America, to vrithdraw from the said Union at siich time, and for such cause or causes, as in the ophiion of the people of each State, acting in their sovereign capacity, may be just and i)roper, in the ojmiion of this Convention, the existing causes are such as to compel the State of Florida to proceed to exercise that right. IMr. Ward moved that the i)reaml)le and resolution be laid on the table until Monday next, and that 100 cojues be })rinted for • the use of the Convention ; Pending which, u])on motion of Mr. Davis, Messrs. Morton and Simpson of Santa llosa, Wi-ight and Nicholson of Escambia counties, j)resented their credentials, enrolled their names and" took their seats in the Convention. U])on Mr. Ward's motion the yeas and nays were calU'd for by Messrs. Oavcus and Palmer and were: 14 Yeas — Messrs. Alderman, Baker of Jackson, Beard, Bethel, Chandler, Collier, Coon, Davis, Derail, Glazier, Gregory, Henry, Hunter, Jordan, Kirksey, Lamb, Leigh of Sumter, Lewis, Love, McC'askill, McLt'an, McXealey, Morrison, Morton, Newmans, NiclKilson, Talmer, Parkhill, Pinckney, Rutland, Sever, Simp- son, Tift, Turman, Ward, Woodruff and Wright of Escambia — 37. Nats — 'Mr. President, Messrs. Allison, Anderson, ]>aker of Callioun, Barrington, Cooper, Daniel, Dawkins, Dilwortli, Fuie- iran, Folsoni, Gary, Gettis, Ilelvenston, Irwin, Lamar, Lea of Madison, McGahagiji, Mcintosh, ]V[ays, Owens, Pelot, Sander- son, Spencer, Solana, Stephens, Thomas, Wright of Columbia and Yates— 29. So the motion prevailed. ]\[r. Pelot moved that a Committee of three be appointed to report such rules of the House of Representatives as in their opin- ion arc applicable to the government of this Convention; Which motion was adopted and Messrs. Pelot, Cooper and Gettis were appointed said Committee. On motion, the Convention adjourned until 10 o'clock, Mon- day morning. THIRD DAY. MONDAY, January 7th, 1861. The Convention met — a quorum present. Prayer l)y the Rev. Dr. DuBose. On motion of Mr. Lamar, further reading of the minutes was dis]»ensed with. The committee appointed to wait on the Commissioners accred- ited from the States of Alabama and South Carolina, through Mr. Beard, rcj)orted that the committee had performed theii' diity and that the Commissioners, so accredited, were now present. a\Ir. Daniel moved that the Comn\issioners be received within the bar of the Convention. Mr. Morton offered the followhig amendment: That the Convention is ready to recei^'e any communication, either oral or written, that the Connnissioners from South -Car olina and Alabama may make ; Which was acce]»ted, and the motion as amended agreed to. Hon. E. C. Bullock, CoHunissioner from Alabama, and Hon. L. A\'. S])ratt, Co))imissioner from South Carolina, Avere intro- duced to the Convention, and addressed by the President as fol- lows : 15 Gentlemen^ Commissioners from South Carolina and Alabama: As the organ of the sovereignty of Florida in ConAention assembled, it gives me great pleasure to extend to you, as the Representatives of your States, a cordial welcome. In the great struggle in 'which we are all engaged for deliver- ance and safety, it is grateful to give and receive mutual encour- agement and support. Florida acknowledges, with high satis- faction, the friendly compliment paid her by your respective States in accrediting to her their Commissioners. May not she and they indulge the pleasing lio])e that that mutual regard and sym})athy and su})port now tendered and received may be an earnest of a re-union of destinies that shall secure liberty, peace and hapjiiness to their people for all time to come? To South Carolina, Avho has, in the maintainance of the rights of her peo])le, reassumcd the powers granted in the Constitution, which made her a mendjcr of the Union, and taken jiosition among the separate and indej)endent nations of the earth, I'lorida says, All hail — well done. Alabama, who this day asseml)les her sovereignty with the high behest to take care that lier common- wealth receives no detriment, Florida bids God speed. And to you, gentlemen, ])ersonally, this Convention tenders considerations of high respect and regard. iMr. Bullock, Commissioner from the State of Alabama, ad- dressed the CouAcntion. ]Mr. Spratt, Commissioner from the State of South Carolina, read an ordinance "To dissole the union between the State of South Carolina and other States united with her mider the com- pact entitled the Constitution of the United States of America," and read the addresses from the Committee of the State of South Carolina! "On Relations of the Slaveholding States of North America," and proceeded to address tiie Convention upon the ac- tions and policy of the State of South Carolina. ]\Ir. Davis offered the Ibllowing resolution : licsolred., That the written communication made to this Con- vention by the State of South Carolina l)e referred to a Conmiit- tee of five, to be appointed by the President, to report to the Convention what action should be had thereon ; Which was adopted. On motion of Mr. Pelot, Mr. Edmund Ruffin, of the State of Virginia, was invited to address the Convention ; Which Avas promptly responded to by Mr. Ruffin. Mr. Anderson i)resented papers concerning the contested elec- tion in Holmes county, and moved that they be referred to the Committee on Elections; Which AN'as agreed to. On motion of Mr. Mcintosh the Convention took a recess for one hour. 16 1 O'CLOCK, P. :\[. Tlu' Convention resumed its session and proceeded to busi- ness. The President announced to the Convention that be bad, diirinir the recess, received an important telegrapliic dispatcb. Mr. Pelot moved that tbe lobby be cleared and that the doors be closed, and that tbe dispatcb then be read; Whicb "was agreed to. The Convention then ^\'ent into secret session. The Convention resumed business in open Convention. ^Ir. Davis oftered the following resolution: 7?c.'?('/'*er7, That the Convention do receive Avitb pleasure tbe e<^)nnnunicati()n Avbicb has been made to tbis body by the State of South Carolina through her Commissioner, signifyhig to tbis Convention that South Carolina has assumed the position of an inde])endent sovereignty, and that Ave, tbe People of Florida, hi Convention assembled, do heartily recognize the correctness and the justice of the act by Avhich South Carolina has assumed the c;haracter which she now occupies, and in which,- we, the People of Florida, in Convention assembled, do now receive her Com- missioner as a free and sovereign State. Which Avas referred to the Select Committee on South Ca- rolina Kelations. ]\[r. Pelot, trom the dimmittee on Rules, made the following report : Strike out " House" and insert Coua ention in all [daces where it may occur. That President be substituted for "Speaker" in all the rules where "Speaker" occurs. In the 18th rule, strike out the words, "messages from the Senate lying on the table." Strike out tbe first part of the 23d rule, whicb requires one day's jiotice for the introduction of a bill. Strike out the 24th rule and insert in place thereof, Every bill and resolution introduced into tbis body may be debated, amend- ed, referred or passed tbe same day. In the 2Gth rule,' strike out in tbe second line all after the word passed. Strike out all of the 2Sth rule. "The Governor and such other person as shall be invited by a vote of the Convention," shall be substituted for the 32d rule. In tbe 34tb rule strike out "joint resolutions." 35tb. In case of any disturbance or disorderly conduct in the lobby, or in case tbe CouAcntion should deem it necessary to go into secret session, the President shall have tbe poAver to order the doors to be closed. Strike out rules 48, 49 and 50. 17 Li the 55th rule, strike out "General Assembly" in the first line and insert Convention. JOHN C. PELOT, Chairman. On motion of Mr. Sanderson, the report Avas received and adopted, and 75 copies of the Rules ordered to he printed. The Chair announced the following Standing Committees, viz: On Militia and Internal Police. Messrs. PiVliKHILL, Committee on Judiciary. Messrs. DAVIS, GETTIS, SANDERSON, BETHEL, STEPHENS, Federal Belations. Messrs. McINTOSH, WARD, LAMAR, DAWKINS, MORTON, Foreign delations, Commerce ANDERSON, BAKER of Calhoun, GARY, COOPER, On Sea Coast Defences. Messrs. FINEGAN, SOLANA, PINCKNEY, LADD, WRIGHT of Escambia and D'ade. Messrs. WARD, FINEGAN, OWENS, NICHOLSON, McINTOSH. Taxation and Jievenue. Messrs. BEARD, DILWORTH, MAYS, PELOT, BAKER of Jackson, On Public Lands. Messrs. ALLISON, McGAHAGIN, PALMER, THOMAS, MORRISON. On Printing and Contingent Expenses. Messrs. TURMAN, KIRKSEY, LOVE, LEA of Madison, McCASKILL, On Enrollments. Messrs. DANIEL, LAMB, BARRINGTON, HENRY, SAXON, On motion of Mr. Parkhill, 75 copies of the names of the Standing Committees were ordered to be printed. 2 18 Mr. Ward called up the resolution of Saturday, Avliicli -^'as made the spooiari^rdi'^ of Monday, viz: Wakkkas, All hope of the preservation of the Federal Union, iijKni tenns consistent Avith the safety and lionor of the slave- holdintj States, has hcen finally dissipated by the recent indica- tions <»f tlie strength of the anti-slavery sentiment of the free States. Therefore, Jk it resolved hy the People of the State of Florida in Con- rent ion assemlded^ Tliat, as it is the imdoubted riglit of the seve- ral States of the Federal Union, known as the United States of America, to withdraAV from the said Union at such time and for such cause or causes as in the opinion of the people of each State, acting in their sovereign capacity, may be just and proper, in the opinion of this Convention, the existing causes are such as to compel the State of Florida to proceed to exercise that right. 3[r. Morton amoved to mend the resohition by striking out in the 5th line, the Avord " compel" and insert in lien thereof the Avords "justify and require ;" in the 6th line after the Avord " pro- ceed," insert the Avords " at a proper time Avithout harmful delay." ^VVter some discussion, 3Ir. Morton AvithdreAV the first amend- ment. On the adoption of the second amendment to the resolution the yeas and nays A\'ere called by Messrs. Morton and Ward and Avere as IoHoans : Yeas — Messrs. Alderman, Baker of Jackson, Collier, Coon, Uavis, Gregory, Hunter, Jordan, Kirksey, Ladd, Lamb, LeAvis, Love, ]\[cCaskill, McXealey, Moi-rison, Morton, NeA\'mans, Nich- olson, Rutland, Simpson, Ward, Woodruff and Wright of Es- cambia — 24. Xays — ]\rr. President, Messrs. Allison, Anderson, Baker of Calhoun, Barrington, Beard, Bethel, Chandler, Cooper, Daniel, DaAvkins, Derail, Finegan, Folsom, Gary, Gettis, Glazier, Hel- venston, Henry, IrAvin, Lamar, Lea of Madison, Leigh of Sumtei', McGahagin, ]\icLean, McTntosli, Mays, Oavcus, Palmer, Parkhill, Pelot, I^incknc}', Sanderson, Saxon, Sever, Spencer, Solana, Stc- ])hens, Thomas, Tift, Turman, Wright of Columbia and Yates — i^. So the amendment Avas lost. ^ Mr, Owens moved the adoption of the resolution, and moved the ])revious ([uestion. rpon Avhich the yeas and nays avVc called by Messrs. Morton and Simpson, and Avere: 'S'eas — Mr. President, Messrs. AUison, Anderson, Baker of Callioun, Ixiker of Jackson, Barrington, Beard, Bethel, Chandler, Cooper, Daniel, Davis, DaAvkins, Devall, Finegan, Folsom, Gary, 19 (rettis, Glazier Gregory, Helvenston, Henry, Hunter Irwin Jordan, Ladd, Lamar, Lan.b, Lea of\Ai;Klison,'LeioW 's„ n er' LeAvis, Love, McGahagin, Mcintosh, McXJale^ Mays Tw So tlic previous question was secoudeil vote was*!" '^"'"''°" " *^''"" "«^ """" 'i'""'"''"" •>« "O"- 1»» ?" the ?3%-^ ^'^' /^"^« ":'- liiSiilislil Seyer, hpencer, Snnpson, Solana, Stephens TJiZas T ]> ^^ ?:;^s^f' '"^^"^^^'^ of Escambia, Wright'I;^^??^,Sk ^i;^ wfo'd"ff-5""* "'"^"•' '^^^■^^^^"^' ^^^-■--"' I^utland and • So the preamble and resohition was adopted. Mr. Sanderson oftered the folIoAving resohition : Aesolved, TJiat a Select Committee consisfiTio- nf Ti,;vf i Which was adopted. oliS^af '''"' '^""""'^^^'^ t^>^ ^^"o^ving Committee mider said res- Smiderson of Duval, Allison of Gadsden, McLitosh of Frank Kosa W-nvl .^T ' A \ ^ ot Escambia, Mwton of Santa tolninw"''' "" «0"™""°" "-™ed muil H o'clock .A.M. 20 FOURTH DAY. TUESDAY, January 8th, 18G1. Till' Convention met jiursuant to acljoururaent — a quorum pre- pont. Prayer by the Rev. E. L. T. Blake. ^Mr/Pelot moved that the communication received yesterday, when tlie Convention Avas m secret session, from Bishop Riit- Ic'dire', !»«' now read by the Secretary and spread iipon tlie Jour- nal^ and lliat tlie thanks of the Convention be tendered to the yem-rabk' IJif^lio}) for his truly patriotic pi'oposition ; Wliicli was unanimously adoj^ted. The Ibllowing conununications were then read and ordered to spread upon the Journal : To the President of the Convention : Allow me to enclose a voluntary offer on the part of a citizen of Tallahassee. (Signed.) C. H. AUSTIN, Treasurer. Tallahassee, January 7, 1861. The undersigned promises to pay into the Treasury of the State of P^lorida, on demand, the sum of five hundred dollars, towards defra}nng the expenses of government for the year eighteen hundred and sixty-one, whenever by ordinance she shall be declared an mdependent republic. (Signed,) . FRS. H. RUTLEDGE. Tallahassee, January V, 1861. Mr. Daniel moved that there be added to the Standing Com- mittees a Conunittee on Postal Affairs, to consist of seven mem- bers of the Convention; Which motion was agreed to. Mr. Sanderson moved that two members be added to each of the Standing Connnittees, to be selected from Delegates not named on any of said Committees; Which Avas adopted. !Mr. Ward offered the following resolutions: Jifsolccd, That the 6th article of the treaty betAveen Spain and the ^Tuited States, Avhereby the Territory of Florida was ceded to the United States, be referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Bcfiob-ed, That the act of Congress of March 3d, 1845, by Avhich the State of Florida was admitted, be referred to the Committee on Public Lands, Avith instructions to report thereon. 21 Mr. Mcintosh moved that the resohitions offered by Mr. Ward be received and referred, to the resi^ective Committees; Which was adopted. Mr. Beard offered the following resolution : JResolved, That seats immediately withont the bar be provided for ladies visiting this Convention ; Wliich was adopted. A motion was made to adjourn to 10 o'clock to-morrow; Which was lost. Mr. Folsom, froni the Committee on Credentials, made the following rejiort : The Committee on . Credentials, to whom was referred the matter of the contested election from the Comity of Holmes, beg leave to report : That Richard D. Jordan holds the certificate of the proper ot- ficer of said county, which upon its face entitles him to a seat in this bod3\ That the same officer, however, further certifies that the votes of one jirecinct in said county, to wit: Ilarrell's )>re- cinct, or precinct No. 5, were not canvassed or counted by him. It further a]ii)cars by testimony, and is admitted by both ))arties to this contest, that had the votes of said ]>recinct Xo. 5 been regularly canvassed and counted, it would haA-e appeared by said count, taken in comiection with the returns from the other pre- cincts in the county, that K. R. Golden, the contestant in this case, had received a majority of o//^' of all the A-otes of the county. Without the votes Avhich were pol>(?d,at said jn-ecinct No. 5, the occui^ant of the seat, Richard D. Jordan, had a majority of eleven votes. .But counting .the votes polled at said precinct No. 5, the contestant, R. R. Golden,- has a majority of one as above stated — the said Golden having received at .precinct No. 5 twelve votes, and the said Jordan ha-sdng received no votes at that precinct. It further a]ipears before the Committee, that the returns of said*precinct No. 5, were delivered by one of the Inspectors of Election at said prechict to the said Richard D. Jordan, ihe oc- cupant of the contested seat upon this floor, on Wednesday after the election, at about 11 o'clock, A. ]M., but that the same were not delivered to the Judge of Probates by the said Jordon lyitil about 10 o'clock A. M. of the next day. That from the i)lace where said returns were delivered to said Jordon, to the county site where they were to be delivered, was about eightci'u miles; that there was sufficient time between the delivery of said returns to said Jordan, and the time at which the returns of the county were canvassed, to have admitted of their delivery to the proper officer before he had canvassed the returns of the county. The Committer have not concluded, from the facts in their ])osses- sion, that Mr. Jordan, the occujiant of the seat, withheld the 22 returns of said precinct through any fraudulent design. But that inasmuch as lie holds the seat by. reason of his own failure to deliver the returns to tlie Probate of said county, the "svill of the majority of thei)eople of the county ought not to be defeated ]>y reason of his said failure. The Committee therefore reeoimnend to the Convention the passage of the following resolution : Resolved^ That R. R. Golden is entitled to a seat in this Con- vention from the County of Holmes. R. G. MAYS, Chairman. .Mr. Lamar moved that the report be received, and that the accompanying resolution be placed among the orders of the day. Seci'esy havmg been removed, Mr. Allison, from a Select Com- mittee, made the following report: The Select Committee to whom was referred the communica- tion of our Senators in Congress, asking instructions of this Con- vention in relation to the course they shall pursue in the critical and perilous condition of public aiiairs, report: Tlint they have had the matter under consideration, and beg leave to report the following resolutions upon the subject, and ask to be discharged from tlie further consideration thereof. A. K. ALLISON, Chairman Select Committee. Resolved, That it is the sense of this Convention that our members in Congress remain at their jjosts and continue to dis- charge and perform all their respective duties as such members, until officially notified by the President of this Convention of the Avithdrawal of the State of Florida ft-om the Federal com- pact. Resolved, That it shall be the duty of the President of this Convention to forthwith forward to each of said members a cer- tified copy of the above resolution. AVhicli, ujion motion of Mr. Davis, was received and .con- curred in. On 7nr)tion, the Conveuticm adjourned until 4 o'clock P. M. 4 O'CLOCK, P. M. The Convention resumed its session. ^Mr. Sanderson presented the credentials of T. J. Hendricks, member elect from Clay comity, which was referred to the Committee on Credentials. Mr. Hendricks signed the roll and took his seat. The f illowing communication was read to the Convention by the President : " I 23 MiLLEDGEviLLE, Ga., Jan. 7, 1861. Gov. John Milton : Georgia will certainly secede. Has Florida occupied the forts':' (Signefl,) JOSEPH E..BKOWX. The resolution reported by the Committee on Credentials in the Holmes county election was called up by Mr. Anderson and was i;nanimously agreed to. Mr. R. R. Golden, ot'Hohnes county, signed the roll and took liis seat in the Convention. Mr. Turnian, from the Coinmittee on Printing, made the fol- lowing report : Mu. Pkesidext — I am instructed to rejiort on behalf of the Committee on Printing and Contingent Expenses that it has been ascertahied that the necessary printing for the Conventon can be done at the fotUowing rates : 1500 copies of the Journals in pamphlet form at |3.50 per jiage, counting one copy. jNIiscellaneous Printing, such as daily slij)S of the Proceedings, Bills, Reports, Resolutions, &c., at f of a cent, per 100 words — counting 80 copies ; and for all over 80 copies, at a reasonable charge for paper, labor, «fcc. The Conmiittee recommend that 500 slips of the daily I'ro- seedings, and that 1500 copies of the Journals in j)ani]ihlet form be ordered to be printed; and that Messrs. Dyke ct Carlisle be employed to print the same, as well as all incidental miscellaneous printing, at the rates herein above s])ccitied. SIMON TURMAN, Chairman. Which was received and adopted. The Convention went into secret session, after which, oi^ mo- tion, the CouAxntion adjourned to 10 o'clock to-morrow. FIFTH DAY. WEDNESDAY, January 0th, 1861.' The Convention met pui'suant to adjournment — a quorum present. Prayer by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Rutledge. The President announced the followmg additional members to the various Standing Committees : Committee on Judiciary — S. M. G. Gary, of Marion ; W. S. Dil worth, of Jefferson. Committee on Federal JRelations — G. H. Hunter, of Columbia and Suwanee ; D. G. Leigh, of Sumter. Committee on Foreign Relations., Commerce and Trade — L. A. Folsom, of Hamilton; George Helvenston, of Levy county. 24 Committee on Taxation and Revenue — J. H. Chandler, of Volusia ; Win. T. Gregory of Liberty, Committee on Militia and Internal Police — A. Collier, of Jackson; J. O, Devall of Putnam county.- Committee on Sea Coast Defences — E. C. Simpson, of Santa. Rosa ; Saml. W. Spencer, of Franklin county. Committee on Public Lands — J. S. Coon, of New River ; R. R. Golden of Holmes. Committee on Printing and -Contingent Expenses — Adam ]\Ic]S«"ealy, of Jackson county ; W. H. Sever, from Madison, Tay- lor and Lafayette. Committee on Enrolments — Joseph Thomas, of Hamilton ; S. S. Alderman, of Jackson county. The President announced the following additional Standing Committee : Committee on Postal Affairs — J. M. Daniel, of Duval ; John Beard, of Leon; Jackson Morton, of Santa Rosa"; Jas. O. De- vall, of Putnam ; James Gettis, of Hillsboro' ; S. W. Spencer, of Franklin ; Geo. Helvenston, of Levy. On motion, the reading of the minutes was dispensed with. Mr. Sanderson, of Duval, presented the memorial of John W. Jones, contestant for the seat in this Convention now occujiied by A. J. T. Wright, from Columbia county. Mr. Sanderson, of Duval, Chairman of the Committee on Or- dinance, asked leave for his Committee to retire for a few minutes ; Which was granted. The President announced that the seats in the lobby, on the right of the Chair, would be reserved for the use of ladies. Mr. Pelot, of Alachua, moved to correct the minutes, that the vote of Mr. Himter, on Monday, on the resolutions referring to " Federal relations," be changed from Nay to Yea, and that the vote of Mr. Gregory on the same vote be changed from Yea to Nay; _ Wliich was agreed to. Mr. Beard, of Leon, made the following report : The Committee appointed to make arrangements for a proper place for the sittings of the Convention, respectfully report that they have discharged that duty, and that the House of Repre- sentatives, through a committee of that body, has tendered to the Convention the use of this hall. JOHN BEARD, Chairman. Which Avas received and ordered to be spread ujjon the Journal. 25 Mr. Sanderson, of Duval, Chairman of tlie Committee on Or- dinances, made the following report : The Select Committee on Ordinances respectfully sxibmit : That they are now prepared to report to this Convention an Ordinance of Secession. In view of the grave import of the sub- ject under their consideration, they deem a recurrence to a few of the leading i)rincii3les involved in the formation of the Confed- eracy, Avhich Ave are about to server, not ina])propriate. Your Committee regard the Constitution of the United States of Amer- ica as simply a compact in solemn form entered into between equals. / At the formation of the Confederacy, the several colo- nies, the then contracting parties, had declared themselves free and independent States. These States thus declared and mutu- ally acknowledged to be free and mdependent, for the jjurpose of formhig a Federal Government, delegated certain of their rights. Those rights, with Avise forecast and prudence, they specifically enumerated in the instrument so made to constitute the bond of Union between them ; and with equal Avisdom declared that all powers not granted or prohibited, Avere reserved to their people. The Federal Government Avas therefore limited by the plain sense and intention of the instrument cont;tituting the compact. Your Committee find no clause in the Constitution prohibiting the States from re-assuming these delegated poAvers, and are of the opinion that the right of Secession, or taking back the poAV- ers so delegated to the Federal Government, Avas one of the rights reserved to the States respectively. In support of this opinion reference is made by your Committee to the acts of tlie States of New York, Virginia and Rhode Island, ratifying the Federal Constitution./ Each of these States distinctly affirm the right to reassume the poAvers granted " Avhenever it should be- come necessary to the hap})iness of their people, or should be perA^erted to their injury or oppression." These States haA'ing thus entered into this compact, the reservations made by them must of necessity enure equally to the benefit of the other con- tracting parties. The Constitution Avas formed by the sanction of the States, given by each in its soA'ereign capacity. That these rights reserved by the origuial States belong equally to the State of Florida. By the act of Congress of the United States of America, passed on the 3d day of March, A. D. 1845, said Congress declared Florida to be a State of the United States of America and " admitted into the Union on ecpial footing Avith the original States in all respects Avhatsoever." To these terms of admission into the Confederacy and Union of the United States, Florida, by act of the General Assembly, passed on the 25th day of July, A. D. 1845, agreeably to the 6th clause of the l7th article of her Constitution, gave her assent. Thus Florida delegated and agreed that, Avhile she should remain a member 26 of the Federal Union, the Congress of the United States of America sliould liave and exercise tlie ])Owers enumerated in the Federal Constitution, and that she would not exercise the powers therein proliibited to the States. The inducements which led Florida to become a member of the United States were those which actuate every people in the formation of a government, to secure to themselves and their posterity tlie enjoyment of all the rights of life, liberty and property, and the j)ursuit of happiness. Your committee fully concur in the opinion, that the consider- ation for which Florida ga\e her assent to become a member of the Federal Union has wholly failed — that she is not permitted enjopiient of equal rights in the Union, and is not therefore " on equal footing with the original States in all respects Avhatsoever" — inasmuch as she has not by said union secured to her ])eople and their posterity the enjoyment of all the rights of life, liberty and property, and the pursuit of hai)pin£ss^ which was promised her on her admission into the Union. ^The contract is therefore wilfully and materially broken. /^TA compact thus broken in part is broken in whole. States benig the parties to tlie constitutional comjiact, hi their sovereign capacity, in the absence of any ura- ])ire provided to decide in the last resort, it follows that the States must for themselves determine the time at •which, and the manner in which they will interpose. In consequence of these and other grievances the General As- sembly of the State, in accordance with the jH-ovisions of the Con- stitution, has assembled this CouA-ention to take into considera- tion " the dangers incident to the position of this State in the Federal Union, established by the Constitution of the United .States of America, and the measures which may be necessary, and therefore to take care that , the Commonwealth of Florida shall suffer no detriment." To discharge this duty in an effectual maimer, your committee recommend that the State of Florida do, by her Convention now assembled, secede now, and re-assume all the rights by her delegated to the Federal Government known as the United States of America, and declare herself to be a Sove- reign and Independent Nation, and to this end advise the adop- tion of the Ordinance of Secession herewith respectfully sub- mitted. J. P. SANDERSON, Chairman, a. k. allison, McQueen McIntosh, JAMES GETTIS, JAS. B. OWENS, JAMES B. DAWKINS, , S. BAKER, J. PATTON ANDERSON. On motion of Mr. Folsom, of Hamilton, the report was r ceived and concurred in. 27 Mr. Pelot, of Alachua, moved that the ordmance be ^w^\- taken up and acted on ; Which was 'not agreed to. Mr. Sanderson, of Duval, Chairman of the Committee on Or- dinances, made the folloAving report : The Committee heg leave to submit the follo^ving ordinance for the consideration of this Convention. (Signed,) J. P. SANDERSON, Chairman. We, the Peo})le of the State of Florida, hi Convention assem- bled, do solenmly ordain, publish and decree. That the C\)nstitution of the United States, the treaties and the laws heretofore made in ])ursuance thereof and in force in tlv3 State of Floi'ida at the date of this ordinance, so far as the same can be applicable to a single State, shall remain and con- tinue in full force in this State, imtil the same sliall be altered or ix'pealed under the authority of this Convention. On motion of Mr. Mays, of St. Johns, the Convention went into Connnittee of the Wliole on the Ordhiance of Secession, report- ed by the Connnittee, Mr. Pelot, of Alachua, in the Chair. The Committee, after some time spent hi session, rose, report- ed ]irogress and asked leave to sit again. ]Mr. Davis, of Leon, moved that the ordinance be recommitted and that the Committee be instructed to re])ort in one hour. Mr. Stephens, of Gadsden, offered as a substitute to Mr. Da- vi<^' motion, that the ordinance be referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, with instructions to report in one hour ; Which motion was accepted and agreed to. On motion, the Convention took a recess for one hour. At the e;cpiration of the hour, the Convention resumed its session. The President announced the following Committee : 0)1 Coniimniicatioiis from South Carolina — W.^G. M. Davis of Leon, J. B. D:iwkins of Alachua, S. M. G.'Gary of Marion, T. B. Lamar of Jefferson, Jackt^Oii Morton of Santa Rosa. Mr. Davis of Leon, Chairman of the Judiciary Comnlittee, made the following rej)ort: The Committee on the Judiciai-y to whom Avas referred the ordinance reported by the Select Committee on Ordinances enti- tled tlie Ordinance of Secession, with instructions to consider the same and report thereon, have had the same under consideration and report the followhig as a substitute for said Ordinance, and recommend its adoption. All of which is respectfully submitted, ' ' V . W. G. M. DAVIS, Chairman. 28 ORDINANCE OF SECESSION. We, the peo]>le of the State of Florida m Convention assembled, do solemnly ordain, j)ublisli and declare, That the State of Florida hereby Avithdraws herself from the Confederacy of States existing nnder the name of the United States of America, and from the existing Government of the said States ; and that all political connection betAveen her and the Government of said States onght to be, and the same is hereby totally annulled, and said Union of States dissolved ; and the State of Florida is hereby declared a Sovereign and Independent Nation ; and that all Ordinances heretofore ado]ited, in so far as they create or recognize said Union, are rescinded ; and all laws or part of laws in force in this State, in so far as they recognized or assent to said Union, be and they are hereby repealed. Which was read and the substitute concurred in, and 100 copies ordered to be printed for the use of the Convention. On motion of Mr. Dawkins of Alachua, the Convention went into Committee of the Whole on the report of the Judiciary Committee. Some time being spent therein, the Committee rose and re- ported the ordinance back to the Convention without amend- ment, and recommended its passage. Mr. Ward of Leon offered the following amendment: He it further ordained, That this Ordinance shall not take effect until the Convention shall be advised of the action of the Conventions of Georgia and Alabama. Mr. Allison of Gadsden offered the following as an amend- ment to the amendment : J?e it further ordained, That the Ordinance of Secession shall not take effect until the Governor of this State is officially in- formed that the States of Georgia and Alabama have dissolved their connection with the government heretofore known as the United States of America. JBe it further ordained, That in case both of said States refuse to secede as aforesaid, then said Ordinance shall not take effect until it has been submitted to the legal voters of the State of Florida and ratified and affirmed by them. Mr. Daniel of Duval moved to adjourn to 10 o'clock to-mor- row morning; Which was lost. On the question of the adoption of the amendment to the amendment the vote was : Yeas — Messrs. Alderman, Allison, Baker of Jackson, Beard, Collier, Coon, Davis, Gregory, Hendricks, Henry, Hunter, Kirk- sey, Lamb, Love, McCaskill, McLean, McNealy, Morrison, Mor- .29 ton, ISTewmans, Nicholson, Rutland, Simpson, Stephens, Ward, Woodruif and Wi-iglit of Escambia — 27. Nays — Mr. President, Messrs. ^Vnderson, Baker of Callioun, Bar- rington. Bethel, Chandler, Cooper, Daniel, Dawkins, Derail, Dil- worth, Finegan, Folsom, Gary, Gettis, Glazier, Golden, Helven- ston, Irwin, Ladd, Lamar, Lea of Madison, Leigli of Sumter, Lewis, McGahagin, Mcintosh, Mays, Owens, Palmer, Parkhill, Pelot, Pinckney, Sanderson, Saxon, Sever, Spencer, Solana, Thomas, Tift, Turman, Wriglit of Columbia and Yates — 42. So the amendment to the amendment Avas lost. The question then recurred upon the amendment, the yeas and nays were called for by Messrs. Pelot and Dawkins, and Avere as follows : Yeas — Messrs. ^Vlderman, Allis©n, Baker of Jackson, Beard, Betliel^* Collier, Coon, Davis, Gregory, Hendricks, Henry, Hunter, Kirksey, Ladd, Lamb, LcAvis, Love, McCaskill, JMcNealey, Mor- rison, Morton, Newmans, Nicholson, Pinckney, Putland, Simp- son, Tift, Ward, Woodruff and Wright of Escambia — 30. Nays — Mr. President, Messrs. Anderson, Baker of Calhoim, Barrington, Chandler, Cooper, Daniel, DaAvkins, Devall, Dil- Avorth, Finegan, Folsom, Gary, Gettis, Glaziei-, Golden, Ilelven- ston, IrAvin, Lamar, Lea of Madison, Leigh of Sumter, McGaha- gin, McLean, IMcIntosh, INIays, Oavcus, Palmer, Parkhill, Pelot, Sanderson, Saxon, Sever, Spencer, Solana, Ste])hens, Thomas, Turman, Wright of Columbia and Yates — 39. So the amendment Avas lost. ]Mr. Lamar of Jefferson nioved to adjourn until to-morroAV 10 o'clock, A. M. ; AYhich Avas not agreed to. Mr. Ward of Leon offered the folloAving as an amendment to the ordinance : Hesolved, That the Ordinance shall not not take effect until it shall haA'e been submitted to the people and ratified by them. Upon the passage of the i-esolution the yeas and nays Avere called by Messrs, Wright and Morton, and Avere : Yeas — Messrs. Alderman, Baker of Jackson, Beard, Bethel, Collier, Coon, Davis, Gregory, Hendricks, Hunter, Kirksey, Ladd, Lamb, LeAvis, McCaskill, McNealey, Morrison, Morton, New- mans, Nicholson, Pmckney, Rutland, Sim2)son,?Ward, Woodruff and Wright of Escambia — 26. Nays — IMr. President, Messrs. Allison, Anderson, Baker of Calhoun, Barrhigton, Chandler, Cocf|)er, Daniel, DaAA'kins, Devall, Dihvorth, Finegan, Folsoni, Gary, Gettis, Glazier, Golden, Hel- venston, Henry, IrAvin, Lamar, Lea of Madison, Leigh of Sumter, IMcGahagin, Mcintosh, Mays, Oavcus, ^PallUer, Parkliill, Pelot, 30 . Sanderson, Saxon, Sever, Spencer, Solana, Stephens, Thomas, . Tift, Turman, Wright of Cohimbia and Yates — 41. So the resolution was lost. Mr. Morton of Santa Rosa otfered the following resolution : JRenolred, That a vote of the Convention on the final passage of the Ordinance of Secession shall not be taken until satisfactory and reliable information has been received that the Convention of Alabama has, by resolution or otherwise, declared her deter- mination to secede from the Federal Union. Upon its passage, the yeas and nays were called, and resulted as follows : Yeas — Messrs. Alderman, Allison, Baker of Jackson, Beard, Collier, Coon, Davis, Gregory, Hendricks, Henry, Hunter, Kirk- sey, Ladd, Lamb, Lewis, Love, McCaskill, McNealey, Morrisop, , Morton, ISTewmans, Nicholson, Pinckney, Simpson, Tift, Ward; Woodruft'and Wright of Escambia — 28. Nays — Mr. President, Messrs. Anderson, Baker of Calhoim, Barrington, Bethel, Chandler, Cooper, Daniel, Dawkins, Devall, Dilworth, Finegan, Folsom, Gary, Gettis, Glazier, Golden, Ilel- venston, Irwin, Lamar, Lea of Madison, Leigh of Sumter, McGa- hagiii, McLitosh, Mays, Owens, Palmer, Parkhill, Pelot, Rut- laud, Sanderson, Saxon, Sever, Spencer, Solana, Stephens, Tho- mas, Turman, Wright of Columbia and Y^'ates — 40. So the resolution was lost. Mr. Ward, of Leon, offered the following resolution : JResolved, That the further consideration of the Ordinance be postponed until tbe 1 8th day of this month. Which was put upon its passage, and the yeas and nays being called for by Messrs. Wright and Morton, resulted as follows : Y^eas — Messrs. Alderman, Allison, Baker of Jackson, Beard, Bethel, Collier, Coon, Davis, Gregory, Hendricks, Heiu'y, Hun- ter, Kirksey, Ladd, Lamb, Lewis, Love, McCaskill, McNcaley, Morrison, Morton, Newmans, Nicholson, Rutland, Simpson, Ward, Woodruff" and Wright of Escambia— 28. Nays — Mr. President, Messrs. Anderson, Baker of Callionn, Barrington, Chandler, Cooper, Daniel, Dawkins, Devall, Dil- worth, Finegan, Folsom, Gary, Gettis, Glazier, Golden, Helven- ston, Irwin, Lamar, Lea of Madison, Leigh of Sumter, McGaha- gin, Mcintosh, Mays, Owens, Palmer, Parkhill, Pelot, Pinckney, , Sanderson, Saxon, Sever, Spencer, Solana, Ste2:)hens, Thomas, . Tift, Turman, Wright of Columbia and Y'^ates — 40. So the resolution was lost. On motion, the Convention adjourned until to-morrow morn- ing 10 o'clock. 31 SIXTH DAY. THURSDAY, January lOtli, 1861. The Convention met pursuant to adjournment — a quorum present. The Rev. Mr. Ellis officiated as Chaplain. On motion, tlie reading of the journal of yesterday's proceed- ings was dispensed with. "Mr. Daniel, from the Committee on Enrolled Bills, made the following report : The Committee on Enrolled Bills beg leave to 1-eport as cor- rectly enrolled the following: Resolution on Federal Relations. Respectfully submitted, . J. M. DANIEL, Chairman. Which was received and adopted. Mv. Davis moved a call of the Convention ; Which was agreed to. Every member was found to be present. The following Ordinance of Secession, l)cing the special order of the day, was taken up, viz : ORDINANOK OF SECESSION. We, the People of the State of Florida, in Convention assem- bled, do solemnly ordain, publish and declare, That the State of Florida hereby withdraws herself from the Confederacy of States existing mider the name of the United States of America, and from the existing government of said States ; and that all political connection between her and th^ government of said States ought to be and the same is hereby totally annulled and said Union of States dissolved, and the State of Florida is hereby declared a sovereign and independent Nar tion; and that all ordinances heretofore adoi)ted, in so far as they create or recognize said Union, are rescmded, and all laws or parts of laws in force hi this State, in so far as they recognize or assent to said Union, be and they are hereby repealed. Upon the question of its passage, the yeas and nays being called for by Messrs. Dawkins and Finegan, the vote was: Yeas — Mr. President, Messrs. Aldennan, Allison, Anderson, Baker of Calhoun, Barrington, Beard, Bethel, Chandler, Collier, Coon, Cooper, Daniel, Davis, Dawkins, Devall, Dilworth, Fme- gan, Folsom, Gary, Gettis, Glazier, Golden, Ilelvenston, Henry, Hunter, Irwin, Kirksey, Ladd, Laniar, L.-ynb, Lea of Madison, Leigh of Sumter, Lewis, Love, ]\IcGahagin, IMcLean, Mcintosh, McXealey, Mays, Morton, Newmans, Nicliolson, Owens, Pahner, Parkliill, Pelot, Pinckncy, Sanderson, Saxon, Sever, Spencer, 32 Simpson, Solana, Stephens, Thomas, Tift, Tm-man, Ward, Wright of Escambia, Wright of Cohunhin^.anfl Yates — 62. X;iy^ — Messrs. Baker of Jackson, Gregory, Hendricks, McCas- kill, Morrison, Rutland and Woodruff — V. Tlie ordinance was declared adopted at 22 minutes past 12 o'clock. Mr. Dawkins of Alachua oftered the folio whig resolutions: litsolved, That the ordinance he enrolled muler the direction of the Judges of the Supreme Court of this State, and signed by the members of the Convention, at one o'clock to-morrow, on the portico of the east side of this Capitol, and then be deposited in the archives of the State. Hcsolced, That a message be sent to his Excellency the Gov- ernor and to both branches of the Legislature, inviting their at- tendance at the Capitol at one o'clock to-morrow, and that this Convention, in the presence of the 6onstituted authorities of the State and of the people, ratify the Ordinance of Secession. liesolved, That the President of this Convention invite the Rt. Rev. Bishop Rutledge to attend at 1 o'clock to-raorroAv, to retui-n thanks to Almighty God on behalf of the People of this State and to invoke His blessings i;pon these our proceedings. Which were unanimously adopted. Mr. Anderson of Jefferson offered the foUoAving resolution : Resolved, That the President of this Convention be instructed to inform the proper authorities of our sister Southern States of the action which Florida has just taken. Which was adopted. The Convention was engaged some time in secret session, after which, ^n motion, adjourned until 11. o'clock to-morrow. SEVENTH DAY. FRIDAY, January 11th, 1861. The Convention met pursuant to adjournment — a quorum present. The Rt. Rev. Bishop Rutledge addressed the Throne of Grace as follows: Almighty God, unto Avhom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid, and Avho art ever wont to give more than either Ave desire or deserve, Avejapproach the throne of Thy august majesty this morning, as humble sup- l)liants, imploring Thy benediction and grace. Thou hast nour- ished and brought us up as children, but Ave have rebelled against Thee. Nevertheless, let not, Ave pray Thee, our sins and our iniquities to prevail against us, as that Ave may feel ourselves to 33 be a })eople forsaken of their God. Father .of Mercies, we invoke Thy protection and guidance in behalf of our civil rulers, and especially in behalf of the Delegates of this Convention here assembled to consummate a work -which Thou hast given them to perform — a work in which we trust they have been directed by Thy counsel, and which has been effected in accordance Avith Thy will : a work which is in- tended to be for the advancement of Thy glory — the good of Thy Church — and the safety, honor and weltare of this people, in all thne to come. They are assenibled to put too their hands and their seals to a solemn ordinance, by which our allegiance to a confederated government, (alike regardless of their stijnilated covenant and plighted vows, is forever annulled;) and by which is proclaimed to the world our determination to establish for ourselves a government, free and independent, and based upon the eternal principles of truth, justice, equity and love. Let them not, Heavenly Father, ])roceed to this solemn transaction through strife or vain glory. Let all bitterness and wrath, and anger and clamor, (^xith all malice,) be put away from among them, and let tlie fear of God, and the love of God, and the desire of dohig that only which shall api)rove itself to their own consciences and be acce])table to Thee, be the ruling spirit of their minds and hearts ; and animated by the same desire, and the same spirit, mav all their future deliberations and proceedmgs be conducted. Impress, too, we beseech Thee, the minds of the j^eople of this land with a sense of the unspeakable blessings and advantages which they n\ay hope to realize imder this newly-constructed govern- ment of liberty and equal rights and salutary laAvs. May they thankfully receive the boon which Thy Providence by this day's transaction betokens, and faithfully and diligently maintain and preserA^e the same. Perpetuate to them and future generations the blessmgs of ])cace, liberty and prosperity under this new political organization, as in times jiast Thou didst grant unto our fathers. Heal all divisions among Thy people, and make them of one mind and one heart and as a band of loving brothers, struggliiig together in one common cause, let them do all in their poAver to maiiitain and defend the institutions of their country against for- eign invaders or domestic*foes, and ever impress u})on our minds this imcontroverted truth, that he only is a true jtatriot Avho yiehls ready and cheerful obedience to the supreme laws of the land and sustains fearlessly the constituted authorities chosen and ordained to administer the same. Almighty God, to whom alone it belongeth to order the un- ruly Avill and affections of sinful men, and whose power no crea- ture is able to resist, to whom all things in Heaven and hi earth and under the earth do bow and obey, take this, our republic, 3 34 uuiler thy protecting care, and be Thou now and evermore our refiige and our defence. All of which we ask in the Redeemer's name. Mr. Morton, of Santa Rosa, moved that Mr. Baker of Jack- son be granted leave of absence for five days ; "Which was agreed to. 3Ir. Morton, of Santa Rosa, presented the following paper, and asked that it be spread Upon the Jom-nal : The imdersigned desire to set forth in writing the reasons Avhicli mduced them to vote for the Ordinance of Secession, after the Convention had decided by its vote not to await the action of the States of Alabama and Georgia, and against the submis- sion of the ordinance to the people for ratification or rejection, both of which measures the undersigned felt themselves bound to support and insist on, as well as other amendments looking to co-operation, knowing that their constituents deemed them Avise and prudent. The undersigned have not changed their \iews, as appears by their votes on the amendments offered to the ordinance, but voted for the ordinance to prevent any injurious effect which might arise from a large negative vote being recorded against secession. The imdersigned wish distinctly to announce to this Con- vention and the country that they have been and are now as fully alive to the wrongs perpetrated by the North agahist the South as any member of this Convention, and only differed with this Convention as to the mode and manner of redress. JOSEPH A. COLLIER, S. S. ALDERMAN. Mr. Cooper of Nassau moved that leave of absence be granted to Mr. Lea of Madison until Monday next ; Which was agreed to. Mr. Daniel of Duval moved that leave of absence for one week from to-morrow be granted to Mr. Baker of Calhoun ; Which was agreed to. Mr. Ward of Leon offered the following resolution : Hesolved, That the action of tliis Convention having termi- nated aU Federal relations on the part of this State, the Commit- tee on Federal Relations shall be blended with the Committee on Foreign Relations ; Which was adopted. Mr. Ward of Leon moved that he be discharged from^ the du- ties of Chairman on the Committee on Foreign Relations, and that Mr. McLitosh be substituted m his stead ; Wjiich Avas agreed to. 35 Mr. Pelot of Alachua moved that Mr. Sever of Madison be al- owed leave of absence until Monday next ; Which was agreed to. Mr. Pelot of Alachua moved tliat Mr. Helvenston of Levy be allowed leave of absence for one week ; Which was agreed to. Mr. Ward of Leon offered the following resolution : Resolved, That hi addition to tlie other Standing Committees of this Convention, tliere be appohited by the President the fol- loAving Committee : Committee on Internal Improvements. Committee on Scliools and CoUeges. Committee on Charters and Corporations. Commmittee on Agricultui-e. Which was adopted. Mr. Daniel of Duval moved that a committee of three be ap- pointed to wait upon the Right Rev. F. II. Rutledge, Bishop of the Diocese of Florida, and reqiiest for the purpose of being spread upon the minutes of this Convention, a copy of the beau- tiful, appropriate and patriotic prayer with Avhich the Convention was this morning opened ; Wliich Avas agreed . to. Mr. Ward of Leon moved that tlie rules bo waived and a mo- tion be entertained that leave of absence be granted to Mi-. Al- derman of Jackson for one week ; Which was agreed to. Mr. Folsom of Hamilton, from tlie Committee on Credentials, made the foUowhig re])ort: The Coimiiittee on Credentials, to whom was referred the mat- ter of the contested election froni the counties of Columbia and Suwannee, beg leave to make the following report : Tliat A. J. T. Wright, the occupant of the seat in this Con- vention from said counties,, holds the same by virtue of the cer- tificate of the Judge of Probate of the county of Columbia; that by the reti»rns of said election, as canvassed by said Probate Judge, it appeared that said Wright was elected by a majority of nine votes; but tlie Committee further find that the Judge of Probate in Suwannee county failed to canvass and count the re- turns from two precincts in that county, to wit: Plowdens and Columbus precinct ; that at said Plowdens precinct the occupant, Wriglit, rceived a majority of four votes, and at said Columbus precinct the contestant, John W. Jones, received a majority of twenty-six votes, leaving a clear majority in the two comities for the contestant of thirteen votes. Waivmg all formalities, your Committee are of the imanmious opinion that the will of the majority of the voters of said coun- ties should be respected, and that the said John W. Jones should 36 bo admitted to his seat in this Convention, and that the said A. J. T. Wright is not entitled to the same. In \-iew of the fact that the said Wright received the certifi- cate of election in this case, and has been in no way to blame for the part he has taken in the matter, your Committee would re- spectfully recommend the i)assage of the following resolution: Mesolved, That John W. Jones be admitted to the seat in this Convention from the coimties of Columbia and Suwannee here- tofore occupied by A. J. T. Wricjht. L. A. FOLSOM, Chainuan, RHYDON G. MAYS, WILLIAM W. WOODRUFF, THOMPSON B. LAMAR. Which was read and on motion of Mr. Lewis adopted. Mr. Dawkins of Alachua moved that a committee of three be appointed to make suitable arrangements for signing the Ordi- nance of Secession at 1 o'clock ; Mr, Turman, of Hillsboro, moved that John W. Jones come forward, sign the roll and take his seat. Mr. Allison, of Gadsden, moved to reconsider the vote taken this morning in relation to the contested election of Suwanee and Columbia counties ; Which was agreed to. The President read the folloAving communication from Hon. E. C. Bullock, the Connnissioner from the State of Alabama: Tallahassee, Fla., Jan, 11, 186i.' -'-i*^ Srr: — I am indebted to the Convention of Florida and the ~ people Avhom they represent for so nuich kindness and courtesy during my stay here, as the Commissioner of Alabama, that I am miAvilling to depart Avithout some formal expression of my gratitude. Be pleased to communicate to them my high appre- ciation, both for myself and on behalf of the State of Alabama, of the warnath and cordiality Avith Avhich I liaA'e been receiA'ed and treated, and my firm conviction, founded on the A'ery recent assurances of her chief magistrate, as Avell as my OAvn judgment, that the secession of Alabama cannot be delayed beyond the present Aveek. Not long divided in their AvithdraAval from a Union of "irre- ^ ])ressible conflict," I fervently hope that Florida and Alabama Avill soon be united in that neAV Union of brotherly love hi Avhich a homogeneous people, taking their destiny into their OAvn hands, shall exhibit to the Avorld tlie highest development of free goA-- ernment and the noblest phase of true civilization. With very great respect. Your obedient servant, E. C. BULLOCK. To lion. J. C. MoGeiike, President of the Convention. Ordered to be spread upoii the Journal, 37 The following cominmiication from liis Excellency the Gover- nor was received by the President, read and ordered to be spread upon the Jom-nal : ExEcrTiA'K Department, ) Tallahassee, Jan. 11th, 1861. j To tlie Hon, Jko. C. McGehee, P)'esldent of the Convent io?i: SiK : I yesterday afternoon received at the liands of the Secre- tary of the Convention, its resolution providin<2; for and ap})oint- ing a Committee of " Public Safety." Immediately thereupon, and in advance of any knowledge on my part of the passage by tlie Convention of its resolution of the 10th inst., I incited to a Conference said Committee, and advised them fully of my action ui reference to tlie matters mentioned in the resolution last named. To tliat Committee I resjiectfuUy refer the Convention for such information as they may deem it not inconsistent with the i)ublic interests to lay before your body. This, I trust, will be deemed by the Convention a sufficient compliance witli tlie request embraced in said resohition. Yerv resjiectfullv, U. S. Pl^liUY. Mr, Dawkins, of Alachua, from the Committee on Arrange- ment, made the following report : The committee to whom was I'cferred the subject of making arrangements for signing the Ordinance of Secession, beg leave to rei)ort that thev have discharged that dutv. (Signed,) j. B.' DAWKINS, Chairman. Mr. Sanderson of Duval, Chairman of the Committee on Or- dinances, made the following re])ort: Tlie Select Committee on Ordinances resj^ectfully re]iort here- with : An ordinance proA'iding for extending the jurisdiction of tlie State of Florida over the Forts, Arsenals, &c., within thelimits of the State; also. An ordinance conferring upon the General Assembly of the State power to rejjcal, alter or amend the act of Congress of force m this State, and other powers enumerated therein, and so altcrhig and amending the Constitution of the State as to enable the exe- cutive, legislatiA"e and judicial departments of the State of Floi'ida to discharge the several diUies heretofore devolved ujion the executive, legislative and judicial de]iartments of the late Federal Union; and recommend tliat the ordinances herewith presented be referred to the Standing Committee on the Judiciary, with instruction to" consider and rejiort upon the same for the action of this Convention. ,]. P. SAXDEllSOX, Chairman. 38 Also the following report : The Committee on Ordinances beg leave to report to the Con- vention the accompanying ordinances, viz : An ordinance prescribing the action of persons holding offices in the State under the late Federal Government; also, An ordinance creating District Courts of Admiralty and For- eign Jurisdiction; also. An ordinance vesting in the General Assembly of the State ])Ower to regulate citizenship, &c. ; also. An ordinance authorizing the Governor of this State to accept the serA^ices of certain citizens therein indicated; also. Ordinances making provision for uniting with other States in the formation of a Southern Confederacy. All of which are respectfully reconunended to the favorable consideration of the Convention. J. P. SANDERSON, Chairman. ■ Also the folloAving report : The Committee on Ordinances further report a series of four ordinances regulating conunerce and j^rescribing the duties of collectors, &c., and recommend that they be referred to the Standing Committee on Foreign Relations, Commerce and Trade. Respectfully, J. P. SANDERSON, Chairman. Also the following report: The Committee on Ordinances also report herewith two Ordi- nances, providing for the continuance of the mail service in the State, and for organizmg a Post Office De])artment, and recom- mend their reference to the Connnittee on Postal An-angements. Your Committee respectfully suggest, havmg now rejjorted to the Convention the jjrincipal Ordmances necessary to inaugurate the new government for the State, and believing that whatever other Ordinances may be required, would come more properly from the appropriate Standing Committees of the Convention, that this Committee be discharged. RespectfuUy, J. P. SANDERSON, Chairman. On motion of Mr. Davis of Leon, the respective reports were concurred in. Mr. Call, Chairman of the Joint Committee of the two branches of the General Assembly, reported that their respective bodies are now ready and accept the ijivitation to attend the ratification of the ordinance. Mr. Ward of Leon moved that Winer Bethel, a delegate from Monroe county, be allowed to withdraw his vote given yesterday on the passage of the Ordinance of Secession upon the ground of a question of legal liability as a naturalized citizen of the United States ; Which motion was adojited. 39 Mr. Daniel of Duval, from the Committee on Enrolments, made the following report : The Committee on Enrolments beg leave respectfully to re- port, that, in obedience to a resolution adopted by this Conven- tion, the enrolment of the " Ordinance of Secession " has been properly and correctly made under the direction of the Judges of the Supreme Court of the sovereign State of Florida, and the same is now submitted to this Convention for signature. We beg leave to present further the followhig correspondence between the Hon. Judges and Miss EUzabeth ^I. E})pcs of this city, and ask that the same be spread upon the minutes of this Convention. All of AvJiich is respectfully submitted. J. M. DANIEL, Cliairnuui. (copy.) Tallahassee, January 10th, 1801. Miss Elizabeth M. Eppes : By resolution of the Convention of the People of the State of Florida, Ave, the Judges comprising the Supreme Court of this State, are appointed ito direct the enroling of tlie Ordinance of Secession passed tliis day by tliem. In discharging our duty, we have directed that the Ordinance be enroled on parclnncnt and bound witli blue ribbon. The honor of binding tlie same, Ave have, Avith your permission, en- trusted to you, believing that you, as one of the native daughters of our beloVed Florida, and a lineal descendant of the inunortal author of the first Declaration of American Independence, Avill cheerfully lend your aid in embellishing the parchment Avliich contains the Declaration of the Independence of the Sovereign State of Florida. . Yours Avith great respect, CHAS. H. DuPONT, WM. A. FORWARD, ]■ Judges S. C. State of Fla. D. S. WALKER, • Tallahassee, Fla., Jan. 10th, 18G1. Hon. C. H. DuPont, Hex. Wm. A. Foraa^ard and Hon. D. S. * Walker, Associate Justices Stqyreme Court of Florida : Gentlemen : — Your honored and esteemed favor of this eve- nmg is just received " soliciting my aid in embellishing" by your order, *" Avith blue ril)bon, the parchment containmg the Dec- laration of the Independence of the Sovereign State of Florida." I thank you, gentlemen, for thd. honor and the flattering terms in Avhich your communication is couched. With you, I glory in the solemn act of our oAvn State independence ; and in behalf of 40 the ladies of my native State of Florida, I assure you Ave go heart and hand into the cause, and Avill do all in our feeble power to assist in the maintenance of her proud Declaration of Indepen- dence. I cheerfully accept the- portion of duty assigned me, and will embellisli the immortal Parchment as you desire and request. I have tlie honor to be, yours respect'y, E. M. EPPES. Which was read. Mr. Beard of Leon moved that Committees of three each be appointed by the President to wait on his Excellency the Gov- ernor, both branches of the Legislature, and upon the Judges of the Supreme Court, and inform them that the Convention is now ready to proceed to the East Portico of the Cajjitol, to rat- ify the Ordinance of Secession and invite their attendance ; Which motion was agreed to and tlie Committees appointed. Mr. Beard of Leon, from tlie Committee, to "wait on the Gov- ernor, reported that the Committee liad pe.iformed the duty as- signed them, and .that the Governor, from indisposed health, could not be present at the signing of the Ordinance of Secession, but that Gen. Milton, Governar elect, was present, and would officiate on the occasion. The Convention then proceeded in procession to the east por- tico of the Capitol, and after prayer by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Rutledge, signed the Ordhiance of Secession before the assem- bled citizens of Florida. After wliich the President declared that the State of Florida was a free and independent State, and that all political connec- tion between her and the " existing government of the United States" was dissolved. Gen. Milton, Governor elect, in behalf of the Ladies of Broward's Neck of Duval county, presented to the Convention and to the people of Florida a beautiful flag, which was received and res|)onded to by the President. The Convention returned to their Hall and resumed business. On motion of Mr. Davis of Leon, the Convention went into Committee of the Wliole on au ordinance to ])roA'ide for the assembling of a Convention of all the seceding slaveholdmg States, Mr. Pelot of Alachua in the Chair. After some time spent therein, the Committee rose, reported progress and asked leave to sit again ; Which report was concurred in. ISlv. Dans of Leon made the folloAving report : The Select Committee on Soutli Carolina Relations, to whom was referred the communication naade to tliis House by the State of South Carolina, through her Commissioner, and in com- pliance with the instruction of the Convention, beg leave to re- 41 port that they liave had the same under consideration, and re- commend tliat the proposition made by tlie State of South Caro- Una for the hokling of a Conveittion of sucli slavehohling States as have seceded or may secede from the Federal Govermnent, be acceded to, with tlie exception tliat a change shouki be proposed by this Convention, to wit : that the powers of tlie Deputies be enlaj'ged as t© the time and place of the holding of the Conven- tion. W. G. M. DAVIS, Chairman. Which, on motion, was received and spread upon the journals, Mr. Davis of Leon, froni a Select Committee, made tlie fol- lowing report: The Select Conunittee on Comnumications from South Caro- lina report that they have had the accompanying resolution before referred to them under consideration, and beg leave to report the same bade without amendment, and recommend its passage. W. G. M. DAVIS, Chairman. Hcsolred, That the Convention do receive with pleasm'e the communication which has been made to lliis body by the State of South Carolina through her Commissioner, signifying to this Convention that South Carolina has assimied tlie position of an independent sovereignty, and that we, the People of Florida, in Convention assembled, do heartily recognize the correctness and the justice of the act by which South Carolina has assumed the character which she no\v occuj^ies, and in which, we, the People of Florida, in Convention assembled, do now receive her Com- missioner as a free and sovereign State. Which was read and the resolution adopted. Mr. jMcIntosh of Calhoun moved that a certified copy of the report of the Select Committee be furnished the Commissioner from the State of South Carolina; Whicli was agreed to. On motion, the Conrentiou adjourned until ^Monday next, 12 o'clock, M. EIG-HTH DAY. 3[ONDAY, January 14, 1861, The Convention met pursuant to adjournment — a quorum present. I'rayer by the Rev. E. L. T. Blake. On motion, the reading of the minutes was dispensed witli. On motion of Mr. Beard of Leort, the Standing Committees, 42 as now arrano-ed, were ordered to be jniblished in the proceed- ings of tlie Convention. Mr. ]Morton of Santa Rosa moA^d leave of absence be granted to Mr. Simpson, for eight or ten days ; "Wliieli was granted. Mr. Beard of Leon moved that tlie following additional Stand- ing Committees be appointed, viz : A Committee on "Ways and Means ; A Committee on the State Constitution ; Which was lost. Mr. Finegan of Nassau moved the folio wmg ordinance : AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE SEVENTH ARTICLE OF THE CONSTI- TUTION OF THIS STATE CONCERNING MILITIA. Sect. 1 . Be it ordained that the seventh article of the Consti- tution of this State be and the same is hereby annulled, and in lieu thereof the following ordmance adopted : It shall be the duty of the General Assembly to provide for the election or appointment of such military or militia offi- cers and the estabushment of such miUtary departments as may be proper to secure a thorough organization of the military strength of the State. Sect. 2. All violations of the military laws of the State shall be tried before court martials, to be held in such mode and manner as the General Assembly may i^rescribe. Sect. 3. The fifth section of the sixth article of the Constitu- tion of this State, disqualifying certain persons from holding office, shall not be held or deemed to apply to military officers. Which was read, and referred to the Committee on Militia and Internal Police. My. Finegan of Kassau moved the following : JBe it Ordained by the People of the State of Florida in Con- vention assembled. That the third and eighth sections of the sixth article of the Constitution of this State be and the same are hereby annulled. Which was ordered to be printed and laid on the table until to-morrow. Mr. Folsom of Hamilton moved the following : AN ORDINANCE TO REMOVE DISABILITIES ARISING UNDER THE FIFTH SECTION OF THE SIXTH ARTICLE OF THE CONSTITUTION. J5e it ordained by the People of the State of Florida in Con- vention assembled. That all persons laboring under any disability from holding office under the fifth section of the sixth article of the Constitution are hereby reinstated and empowered to hold office., either civil or military, under this State, as fully as il' such disabihty had not attached. 43 Which was ordered to be printed and laid on the table until to-morrow. Mr, Morton of Santa Rosa moved the following : Be it ordained^ That the Governor of this State be, and he and he is hereby authorized to appoint and commission William H. Chase of Escambia county a Major General in the army of Florida. Which was ordered to be printed and laid on the table until to-morrow. ]Mr. Ward of Leon offered the following resolution : Resolved, That the Committee on the ]\[ilitia inquire into the expediency of making it the duty of the Legislature to adopt and prescribe by laAv a uniform dress for the troops of the line and general and staif officers, and report thereon. Which was laid on the table until to-morrow. Mr. Ward of Leon offered the following resolution : Hesoh'cd, That the 24th rule shall be so amended that every resolution or ordhiance introduced shall lie on the table for one day, unless by consent of four-fifths of the Convention it may be ordered otherwise. Which Avas adojited. Mr. Folsom of Hamilton offered the following resolution: Eesoh'ed, That it is the sense of this Convention that all the Standing; Committees be in readiness to report their action to this Convention on Tuesday next, or at an early day as possible ; Which was adopted. ]Mr. Mcintosh of Calhoun offered the foUowmg resolution : Resolved, That Commissioners be appointed by this Conven- tion, one to each of the Conventions to be held in the respective States of Georgia, Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas ; that the said Commissioners be accredited severally to the said Conventions by the Governor of this State, under the seal of State, and that their instructions be furnished to them by the President of this Convention ; Mr. Morton of Santa Rosa moved that the resolution be amended by adding the States of Tennessee and Virgmia; Which amendment was agreed to, and on motion the resolu- tion Avas laid on the table until to-morrow. Mr. Pelot of Alachua offered the folloAving resolution: Resolved, That the Treasurer be authorized to pay R. D. Jor- dan mileage and ])cr diem for six days service in this Convention as member from Holmes county ; Which, on motion, Avas placed among the orders of the day for to-morrow. 44 Mr. Pelot of Alachua offered the following preamble and reso- lution : "Whereas, The State of Florida is involved in an extraordinary financial crisis, which has been occasioned and which is hourly aggravated by the political troubles of the country and the rapid transmutation of the political relations of the States whicli is now in progress; And Wiiekeas, It is in the opmion of this Convention exjiedient to resort to all legitimate legis- lation which may be calculated to lighten the present enibar- I'assment and to shield from threatened ruin the citizens and monied institutions of the South : Be it resolved hy the Delegates of the People of Florida in Convention assembled, That they do respectfully recommend and urge the Legislature of our State, now in session, to pass a law legalizing the suspension of specie payments by the Banks of Florida, and also jireveuting, upon such conditions as may a])i)ear to be just and proper, the collection of money in all cases, on execution or other compulsory process, imtil the 1st day of January, 1862; Which, on motion, was placed among the orders of the day for to-morrow. Mr. Fineu'an of Xassau offered the following resolution: Hesolved, That A. J. T. Wright be entitled to the same pay and enu)hmients as are allowed to other members of this Con- vention for the i)eriod he has served as a member thereof. Which, on motion, was placed among the orders of the day for to-morrow. Mr. Turman of Hillsborough offered the following resolution: Resolved, That the Secretary of State be recpiestcd to furnish seventy copies of the Constitution of the State for the use of the Convention; Which was adopted. Mr. Davis of Leon offered the following : Resolved, That the Connnittee on Foreign Relations be di- rected to take under their consideration and report to the Con- vention whether the ])resent critical affairs of this State and other of the slaveholdhig States of the South, which have de- clared themselves indei)endent of the late United States, do not require that there should l>e a speedy assemblage of a Conven- tion of such States, to provide for their common defence and general welfare, and that the Committee have leave to report by ordinance or otherwise; Whieli, on motion, was placed among the orders of the day for to-morrow. JNfr. Thomas of Hamilton offered the followinu- resolution : • 45 JResolved, That no new matter, by resolution or otherwise, shall be presented to this Convention after Thixrsday next; Which, on motion, was placed among the orders of the day for to-morrow. Mr. Mcintosh of Calhoun, from the Committee of Foreign Re- lations, made the folio whig report: The Committee, to whom was referred the following ordi- nances, beg leave to report back the same with amendments. MgQUEEN NtlNTOSH. Which, on motion, was received. Mr. Davis of Leon, from the Judiciary Committee, made the following report : The Committee on the Judiciary have instructed me to report to the Convention the accompanying Ordinances and recommend their adoption. First — An Ordmauce to establish two Courts in this State to l)e styled District Courts of the State of Florida, to define their jurisdiction, provide for the a})pointment of Judges, and to ascer- tain their salaries. . Second — An Ordhiance to provide for the continuance of all offices Avhich existed in this State under the laws of the United States on the 10th January, 1861, and retaining the persons in such offices who held the same at such time, and providing for their salaries and emofuments, and for an oath of allegiance to the State to be taken by such officers. TiiiKP — An Ordinance to provide for the continuance of force in this State of certain of the laws of the United States which were of force in the State on the 10th day of January of the ])re- sent year, and for keeping in full force and effect, and continu- ance of all Judgments and Judicial proceedings wliich existed or were pending in the District Courts of the United States at the date aforesaid. Which Ordiiiances they reconnnend inav be adopted. W. G. M. DAVIS, Chairman. Also the folloAving report : The Committee on the Judiciary, to whom was referred the Ordinances herewith returned, Avhich Ordinances were reported to the Convention by the Select Conunittee on Ordinances, and by the Convention referred to this Conunittee, REPORT That they havi' had the said Ordinances under consideration^ and that, as to the ordinance numbered 1.1, they reconnnend that the same l)e amended by striking out the words "or con- tract," words "to adojtt new laws, create new offices, establish new lyail routes," in 4th line; insert word "and" after word 46 executive, aucl strikiug out word "judicial," Tth line; and strik- ing out word "judicial," in 9th line; and with these amendments they recommend said ordinance be adopted. And your Committee further report, that in their opinion said ordmance numbered 3 is not necessary, masmuch as the necessary consequence of the independence of the State is the destruction of all loreigil power and jurisdiction within her territory, and that the adoption of the ordinance, whereby the separate and m- dependent sovereignty of the State was declared, of itself abol- ished all jurisdiction heretofore possessed in this State by the government of the United States under the Constitution of the United States. They therefore recommend that the ordinance numbered 3 do not pass, W. G. M. DAVIS, Chairman. Which, on motion, was received and eighty cojDies of the ordi- nances rejiorted ordered to be printed for the use of the Con- vention. Mr. Daniel of Duval, from the Committee on Postal Aflairs, made the foUoAving report: The Committee on Postal Affiiirs respectfully REPORT: That sound policy and a proper regard for the social and com- mercial intercourse of the country dictate, that all laws concern- ing Postal arrangements made by the government of the United States while Florida was one of those States, should be treated by the State of Florida as bemg in full force, so long as the ex- isting government of said remainmg States will alloAV them so to be considered; and until some alterations should be made therein l)y that government, none should be made by this. But as it is to be apprehended that, (luider the new relations now assumed by this State,) great and radical changes in, and most probably an entire suspension of all mail fiicilities will at an early day be made, it becomes the duty of this Convention to make all needful lyrovisional arrangements for this service. Your Committee, hoAvever, see no sufficient reason to think that any such change will be made, so long as Georgia shall re- main a member of the existmg Confederacy. But as it is iioav assumed to be as certaui as any event yet to take place can he^ that Georgia will, within a few days,witlidraAV herself from said Confederacy, itis reasonable to presume that, after that event, no mail will be dispatched by the existing government to any point Avithin the territory of South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi or Florida. But Ave can see no just cause to doubt that the mails Avill be carried as usual along the existing routes in the States of North Carolina, Tennessee and Louisiana, as far as the most Southern Distributing Offices in the tAvo former, and 47 to the city of New Orleans in the latter ; and that to these pomts in the several States will be carried letters and other mail matter addressed to residents of the seceding States. Should this prove to be the actual result of the withdrawal of the five States, it will then become necessary for Florida to provide for transport- ing the mail-matter of her citizens from these points, say from Wilmington on the North, and New Orleans on the West. As regards the Northern mail, your Connnittee are of opinion that the necessity of any thmg more than providing for carrying the mails within our OA\ai State, will be removed by the action of South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama — inasnuich as upon these States will devolve "the duty of bringing their own mails from the points of delivery on the Southern borders of North Carohna and Tennessee. And it is not to be doubted that all mails destined for Florida will be most cheerfully embraced in such arrangements as^k they make for themselves ; and we venture to say on very reasonable terms, if we may take the generous and noble offer of aid recently tendered by the Executive of South Carolina to his Excellency Governor Perry, as a basis of our judgment. But inasmuch as a direct route by sea from Charleston to any ]ioint in Florida would be liable to interrup- tion in case of blockade or hostile measures on the part of the existing Federal government, and M'ill also hwolve additional cost, Ave tliink our mails should take the course of the Carolina and Georgia routes — i. e., by rail to Savannah, and by steamer along the inland passage to Fernandina. From this place there can, by contracts now for the most part actually existing, be forwarded along the Hues of the two Rail Roads, and up the St. Johns, to almost every part of the State, East, South and West. In case, however, of actual war, (which wedonot_apprehend,)_ our mails must, of necessity, come down the various lines of Rail Road through Georgia to the Florida line, and thence by existing routes and contracts, be distributed through the State. The only material change imder either of these systems, Avould be that Florida will have her quota of the cost of transportation to the borders to pay, as also the entire cost within her bounds, so fir as the same may exceed the iuoouTc from postage. The mail froan the West, your Connnittee think,, may be brought by steamer from New Orleans, via Mol>ile^ Pensacola and Apalachicola to St. Marks, and even to Cedar Keys and to Tampa, if thought advisable— and from these points may be distributed through the entire State. It has been suggested to yoin- Committee that an arrangement to this effect may, at any time, be made on favorable terms, with a boat proposed to be put on that hue for freight. Should, however, blockade or actual war be resorted to, this 48 mail may t^till bo brought by the old land route, via Mobile — — Florida paying her proportion of the cost. The detail of the mode and maimer in which all this maybedone, would be too voluminous for a Report to the Convention, or for an Ordinance to be adopted by that body, and may Avith more propriety be left either to the action of the General Assembly, or to an officer who shall be hereafter ai)])ointed by that body, in the cai)acity of a Post Master General, as may seem best to the General Assembly. Under this arrangement for our mail service, however, the Northern States being to us a Foreign Government, there will be on each letter or paper a/oi'eif/n, as well as dohiestlc itoatage ; and thus the cost or postage will be increased. Indeed, it be- comes a question for the consideration of this Convention or of the Legislature of the State, whether even the domestic postage should not be increased, for the purpose pf thereby enablmg the revenue of this Dejjartment to approximate its expenditure. And whether, in the same connection, in many of the sparsely populated sections of the State, especially in the South and South East, much exjiense may not, and ought not to be saved, by dis- contini;ing remote routes, now costing each from three to five hundred dollars per annum, and at no time carrying more than six or eight letters and papers. Your Committee fully appreciate how obnoxious it is to add to the burthens, or lessen the conveniences of the people in this respect. But we are purchasing freedom from Northern tyranny by sacrifices numerous and great, and this must be of the num- ber. Shallow and short-lived indeed must be that patriotism Avhich cannot submit to such trials, and that without a murmur. Such was not the patriotism of our fathers of '76. To- them, news of great jJolitical events — of battles upon which was sus- l)ended the fate of their country — of the welfare of loved ones at home, and on the battle field, was not carried on the lightning's fiash. And shall the sons of such sires murmur at such petty l>rivations, as the price of their Liberty ? Should, however, the existing Federal Government, in blind infatuation and hatred, refuse to carry our mails at all, then your C^ommittee can only suggest, that private agencies be appointed at each of the jDoints indicated above, and others on t-he South- ern boundary of the border States, and that all mail matter in- tended for the South, being jire-paid, should be forwarded under cover to such agents, and thence mailed to their projier destina- tion, the domestic postage to be paid by the parties receiving. So likewise Avith letters sent North, except that on these the domestic postage must be pre-paid, and also a stamp i)laced on them for foreign postage. All this will, no doubt, be cumbrous and annoying, but we trust of short duration. 49 Under this arrangement, jonr Committe are of the opmion that all mail service for this State, except that for Key West, may be had. In regard to this, your Coimnittee would suggest that all mail matter for that point may he carried by the noAv existing routes to Tampa ; and thence by a weekly line either by sail or steam to Key West ; and if by steam, (and if not prevented by a state of war,) the mail may go throur/h to Havana. This ser- vice by steam, your Committee are informed, may in all proba- bility be eftected at a very inconsiderable cost by means of a steamer now engaged iii cattle trade, and running regularly from Tampa to Havana. All the foregohig suggestions, hoAvever, are based upon the presumj^tion that there will be no hostile collision between the existmg Federal Government and the seceding States. Should we, howaver, be mistaken in this, and should the blind infatuation of Northern fanatics, or the weak vacillation of Mr. Buchanan, proceed to such extremity, then all commercial intercourse be- comes illegal ; and it will be neither to the interest, nor consis- tent with the safety of the Southern States to permit the inter- change of mails. But your Committee cannot be brought to be- lieve that either the present or future President of the Northern Confederacy can be so absolutely insane as to imagine that ho can, by force of arms, effect a voliaitary Union of States. Union hy force is mvohmtary, and hence a misnomer. But should it end in this, yoiir Committee rely with great confidence on the fact that the uiterests of the great commercial cities of New York and Pennsylvania are so entirely dependent upon an mn'estricted mtercourse with the Southern States, that the great cotton f;ic- tories of the North and East depend so Avholly \\\w\\ the South for the raAV material, that the subsistence and uideed the very ex- istence of the laboring class of these States, that great artery through -which passes the pulsations of the Avhole frame-work of Northern society, rests so completely and fully upon emplojnnent — constant, daily employment by these interests — we feel assur- ed that any Government seekmg to break up all these mterwov- en and dependent interests, will find at Jiome ^n enemy suflieient- ly ]iowerful to brhig it to terms. Under these impressions, your Committee recommend the adop- tion of the following Ordijiances, to-wit : 1st. That the laws of the United States in relation to j^ost-of- fices, mail routes, contract, and all other postal matters, Jiereto- fore made, and in force hi the State of Florida, at the date of this Ordinance, so far as the same may be applicable to a single State, shall remain and continue in full force in this State until the same shall be altered or repealed under the authority of this Conven- tion. 50 2nd. That all persons avIio, at tlie date of this Ordinance, hold office in tlie State of Florida, under the Government of the late United States, connected with the mail service, whether as post- masters, or in any other way, be, and they are hereby continued in office under the Government of this State, until otluerwise pro- Added under the authority of this Convention, or until their sev- eral offices shall have been abolished or vacated by proclamation by the Chief Magistrate of the State of Florida; and all persons so holding office shall receive the same compensation and emol- uments for their service as they are now entitled to ; and aU va- cancies in their respective offices, whether occurring by death, resignation, or otherAvdse, shall be filled, until otlierwise provid- ed, by the Governor of the State, by and Avith the advice and consent of the Senate, Avhen in session. 3d. That the several mail routes Avhich lie in whole or iii part in the State of Florida, or in its adjacent waters, and the con- tracts now subsisting for carrying the mails thereon, be and they are hereby continued until otherAvise proAdded mider the author- it}' of this Convention, or luitil, by proclamation by the Chief Magistrate of the State of Florida,, tliey shall be suspended or discontinued ; and that all amounts fallmg due under said con- tracts T)e jjaid oi;t of any moneys iii the Treasury of the State of Florida not otherAvise appropriated. 4th, That the General Assembly of the State of Florida do proA'ide for the ai)pointment or election of a competent person Avho shall, for the State of Florida, dischai'ge all the duties here- tofore performed by the Post Master General of the United States, so fir as the sanie may be applicable to a single State, subject hoAvever to such modifications as the said General As- sembly may prescril)e, and Avhose duty especially it shall he to ricgotiate Avith the proper authorities of the States of South Car- olina, Georgia and Alabama, for tlie joint payment of the expense of trans2>orting tlie nuiils over such routes as may have one of their termini hi either of said States and the other hi Florida. 5.th. That the General Assembly of Florida shall have poAver to repeal, alter, or amend any act of Congress in relation to postal affiiirs, herein declared to be in force in this State ; to abolish any Post Office established by and under the authority of the late Federal, Government; to dispense Avitli any existing mail route or (.contract ; to ado])t ncAV laAVS, create ncAV offices, estabhsh ncAv mail joutes, and authorize the letting of ncAV con- tracts, as may from time to time be required by the mail service in tliis State. Respectfully submitted, J. M. DANIEL, Chairman. Wliicli Avas received and ])laced on the table. 51 Mr. Finegan of Nassau, from the Coiuniittee of Sea Coast De- fences, made the folloAvinc: report: Tlie Committee on Sea Coast Defences have instructed nie to rejjort : That Fernandina, the mouth of the St. Johns, Tampa, Cedar Key, St. Marks and Aplaachicola are all points at winch an en- emy could land and find greater or less facilities for reaching the interior and devastating the country, and these points should consequently be i>rovidcd "with as ample means of defence as it is m the poAver of the State to furnish on so short a notice. At none of these points did the late Federal Government, iluring its existence, make any provision Avhatever for the defence of the people, saving at Fei'uandina, where there is a Fort in process of erection, hut which is as yet in so unfinished a condition as to be insusceptible of defence and harmless as a means of oflTense. — At St. Augustine is a Fort amply sutficient for the defence of the city, which is in our possession. At Key West, Fort Tay- lor, a work of great strength, commands the city, and would be a complete protection thereto, but it is unfortunately still in the hands of the Federal troops. The Tortugas, another work of great strength, is also in the hands of the Federal troops, but is so far renun'ed from the main land as only to be valuable in a commercial point of view, not as a matter of defence. Pensaco- la is also strongly fortified, and Avould be impregnable if all her defensiA'e works were in our jiossession, VTiich however is unfor- tunately not the case as yet, but nothing more need be done for her citizens. Your Committee are very far from apjirehending any invasion of the State at any of the poiiits' indicated : they are imable to conceive of any considerations which could induce the Federal Government to adopt such a course. It is, they admit, extreme- ly probable that an attem])t Avill be made to collect Federal du- ties by ships of war stationed ofl:" the more important ports in the seceding States, perhaps even to blockade these ports and totally cut off their connnerce ; but that will only lead to collis- ions on the high seas, and will not disturb the internal peace of the country, and it is further confidently expected that the whole jiower of the late Federal GoA'ernnient will be required to block- ade Charleston, Savannah, IMobile and New'Orleans, leaving the Florida coast undisturbed, though perhaps the large commerce of Apalachicola may attract a small share of attention. Under these circumstances, your committee deem it only necessary" to recommend that the ])roper Military authorities of the State, if not already authorized, be, by the passage of proper laws, au- thorized to provide suitable field batteries for the undefended ])omts, to be under the command of local ofticers, for the purpose of preventing any landing which might possibly be attempted for 52 the purpose of insult or plunder, if it were kjiown that it might be done with impunity. At Fernandina, and at other points also perhaps, they would suggest the erection of Sand Batteries, under the supervision of the local Military, Avhich Avould be suf- ficient to jH'Otect the port against the mcursions of a single ves- sel, all that the State can now attempt. But the details of any plan of defence at any point must so necessarily be left to the discretion of the officer- charged with the same, that your Com- mittee refram from any further suggestions, presumuig that the Committee on Military Affiiirs will report an ordmance, if any is necessary, that will enable the proi:)er steps to be taken. Which is respectfully submitted. JOSEPH FINEGAN, Chairman. Which was received and j^laccd on the table. Mr. Folsom of Hamilton moved that the resolution on the table, reported by the Comiuittee on Credentials, giving Mr. John W. ' Jones the seat now occupied l)y A. J. T. Wright of Columbia county, be now taken up and acted on ; Which was agreed to and said resolution adopted. Mr. John W. Jones, the said contestant, thereupon signed the roll and took his seat in the Convention. On motion, the Convention took a recess until 4 o'clock. 4 O'CLOCK, P. M. The Convention resumed its sesssiou. . Mr. Davis of Leon moved a call of the House be had ; Which was agreed to. Mr. Davis of Leon offi?red the following resolution : Hesolved^ That this Convention will not adjourn sine die until it has been so ordered by a vote of two-thirds of this Conven- tion; Which was ordered to be laid on the table imtil to-morrow. The President annoimced the follo'wang Standing Committees: Committee on Interned Improvements — Messrs. Sanderson of Duval, Alhson, Chandler, IrAvin, Gettis, Hunter and Folsom. Committee on Schools and Colleges — Messrs. Thomas of Ham- ilton, Anderson, Wright, LeAvis, McGahagin, Gary and Collier. Committee on Charters and Corporations — Messrs. Lamar of Jeiferson, Morton, Pelot, Tift, Simpson, Love and DaAvkins. Committee on Agricullare — Messrs. Cooper of N"assau, Alder- man, Baker of Calhoun, Barrington, Coon, Devall and Gregory. Mr. Finegan offered the folloAA'm2;: 53 AN ORDIXAXCE TO AUTHORIZE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A STATE BANK. JBe U ordained by the People of the State of Florida in Con- vention assembled^ That the General Assembly of this State bo and they are hereby authorized to establish a State Bank, for the liabilities of which the faith of the State shall be pledged, and whose bills shall be a legal tender ui the State of Florida; Which, on motion, Avas ordered to be laid on the table until to-morrow. The Convention Avent into secret session, and, after some time spent therein, tlie Convention resumed its session. Mr. Sanderson of Duval otfered the following resolution: Whereas, The State of Florida has severed her connection with the late Federal Union, it becomes necessary and proper that ofHcial notice of that fact shoidd be communicated to the Pre- sident and government of said Confederacy^ — Therefore, Besolved, That the lions. S. R. Mallory, D. L. Yulee and George S. Hawkins be and they are hereby ap])ointed Conunis- sioners of the State of Florida, and duly commissioned by this Convention to perform that duty, and such, other as may be projier. The rule was waived and the resolution put upon its passage. After "some discussion, Mr. Gary of Marion oftered the follow- ing amendment: Strike out in the preamble, " it becomes necessary and proper," and substitute. " it is proper.-" AVhich was adopted. Mr. Beard of Leon moved the following as a substitute: Whereas, The State of Florida has severed her connection with the late Federal Union, notice of tliat fact should lie conunu- nicated to President Buchanan ; Eesoh-ed, That the Hons. S. R. Mallory, D.L. Yidee and Geo. S. Hawkins be and they are hereby appointed Connnissioners for that purpose ; Which was. agreed to and adopted. Mr. McLitosh oftered the folio wmg resolution : liesolved, That copies of all resolutions referring to the Exec- utive be transmitted to him by the President of this Convention. The rule was Avaived and said resolution ado]ited. j\lr. Davis of Leon oftered the following resolutions : Resolved^ That this Convention doth authorize and empower the Governor of this State to employ the MiUtia of this State, and of such forces as may be tendered to tbe State from the States of Alabama and Georgia, to defend and protect the State and especially the forts and public defences of the State now in the possession of the State, and that the Governor be authorized to 54 make all necessary arrangements for the support and maintenance of such troops, and carrymg on the inihlic defences. Jiesolved, That it is the sense of this Convention that tluc Go- vernor should not direct any assault to be made on any fort or mil- itary post now occu})ied by Federal troops, unless the persons in occupation of such forts and posts shall commit overt acts of hos- tility agauist this State, its citizens, or troops ui its service, unless so directed by a vote of this Convention. Which were referred to the Committee on Sea Coast and Har- bor Defences. On motion the Convention adjourned until 10 o'clock to-mor- row morning. STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE CONVENTION. Coinmittee on Juc^iciary. Messrs. DAVIS, GETTIS, SANDERSON, BETHEL, STEPHENS, GARY, DILWORTH. 0)1 Militia and Internal Police. Messrs. PARKHILL, ANDERSON, BAKER of CaHioun, GARY, COOPER, • COLLIER, DEVALL. Federal Relations. Messrs. McINTOSH, WARD, LAIVIAR, DAWKINS, MORTON, HUNTER, LEIGH of Sumpter. Foreign Relations, Commerce and Trade. Messrs. WARD, FINEGAN, OWENS, NICHOLSON, McINTOSH. FOLSOM, HELVENSTON. On Sea Coast Defences. Messrs. FINEGAN, SOLANA, PINCKNEY, LADD, WRIGHT of Escambia SIMPSON, SPENCER. On Public Lands. Messrs. ALLISON, McGAHAGIN, PALMER, THOMAS, MORRISON. COON, GOLDEN. 55 Taxation and Heveyme. Messrs. BEARD, DILWORTH, MAYS, PELOT, BAKER of Jackson, CHANDLER, GREGORY. On JEnrolbnents. Messrs. DANIEL, LAIMB, BARRINGTON, HENRY, SAXON, THOMAS, ALDERMAN. On Internal Improvements. Messrs. SANDERSON, ALLISON, CHANDLER, IRWIN, GETTIS, HUNTER, FOLSOM. On Printincf and Contingent JE-r^yenses. Messrs. TURMAN, • KIRKSEY, LOVE, LEA of Madison, McCASKILL, SEVER, McNEALEY. On Postal Affairs. Messrs. DANIEL, BEARD, ]\[ORTON, DEVALL, GETTIS, SPENCER, HELVENSTON. On Schools and Colleges. Messrs. THOMAS, 'ANDERSON, WRIGHT, LEWIS, McGAHAGIN, GARY, COLLIER. On Charters cC Cor2)orations. On Agricidture. Messrs. LAINIAR, Messrs. COOPER, MORTON, PELOT, TIFT, SIMPSON, • LO^^i:, DAWKINS. ALDERMAN, BAKER of Callioun, BARRINGTON, COON, DEVALL, GREGORY. 56 NINTH DAY. TUESDAY, January 15th, 18G1. The Convention met pursuant to adjournment — a quorum pre- sent. Prayer by Rev. E. L. T. Blake. Mr. Beard of Leon ottered the following resolution: Iiesolved, That in order to meet demands "which must necessa- rily be made on the Treasury, "without resorting to o^^erous tax- ation, the General Assembly should cause to be executed Treas- ury Notes to the amount of one million of dollars ; and to efiect the early redemjjtion of said notes "udth specie, the Governor should be authorized to offer for sale State jBonds to the amoimt of one million of dollars, bearing interest at a rate not exceeding eight per cent, pei' annum, payable semi-annually and redeemable in twenty years ; Which "svas received and referred to the Committee on Taxa- tion and Revenue. , Mr. Hendricks of Clay offered an Ordinance on Revenue. Mr. Fmegan of Nassau, from the Committee on Sea Coast De- fences, made the follo"\ving report : Your Committee on Sea Coast Defences, to "whom was referred the Ordinance here"^vith numbered one, for the consideration of this Convention, reconnnend the adoption of the same. Your Committee have had imder consideration the Ordinance herewith numbered two, and beg leave to state, that for the rea- sons heremafter assigned, they do not recommend the adoption of the same. First, because the several fortresses heretofore con- structed within the limits of this State were intended for the de- fence of its i^eople and its commerce. It was never contemplated by the several States surrendermg the jurisdiction over such sites, that they were ever to be occu- pied except for the purposes which were pre-supposed to belong to the exercise of a constitutional jurisdiction over the same. That the State of Florida having dissolved her comiection "with the Federal Government, the jurisdiction heretofore granted can no longer be exercised in contravention of the sovereign right of a State to legislate for its own territory. That the occupation of the forts by Federal troops, thereby menacing the surround- ing country, is an overt act of defiance and hostility. That the same is an invasion of the States. Tlie mere right of proprietor- ship does not justify the late Federal Government m thus array- ing itself agahist the uuintevruiited commerce of the State, to the 57 detriment of its citizens ; and further, that the Governor being Commander-in-Chief of the Army and N"a\'y under the Constitu- tion of tliis State, having the power to order the Military forces thereof to any point to repel invasion, -vve conceive him fully au- thorized so to do, so long as this Convention shall see pro]ier to permit that clause of the Constitution to remahi unchanged. All of which is respectfully submitted, JOSEPH FINEGAN, Chairman. Wliich Avas received and placed upon the table. On motion of Mr. JMcIntosli, tlie Convention went into Com- mittee of the Whole for the consideration of an Ordinance upon Duties of Collectors — Mr. Pelot of Alachua in the Chair. After some time being spent therein, the Connniltee rose and reported the Ordinance back to the Convention with amend- ments ; Wliich report was received, and the Ordinance adopted. On motion of Mr. Sanderson, the Convention went into Com- mittee of the Whole on an Ordinance — Mr. Lamar in the Chair. After some time being spent therein, the Committee rose and reported in lieu of the Ordinance a substitute, and recommended its ]>assage. My. Love of Gadsden offered an auTendment ; Which was read, and the substitute as amended was then adopted. On motion, the Convention took a recess until 4 o'clock, P. M. 4 O'CLOCK, P. M. Tlie Convention resumed its session. ]Mr. Pelot of Alachua called up a resolution introduced yester- day, relating to Stay Laws, and aslvcd leave to withdraw the same ; Which was granted, and the resolution withdrawn. Mr. Mcintosh called up an ordinance introduced this morning upon Revenue and Taxation ; Whereupon Mr. Hendricks asked leave to withdraw said ordi- nance ; Which was granted, and said orcliuance was withdrawn. IMr. Folsom of Hamilton called up an ordinance mtroduced yesterday for removing disabilities under the 5th Section of the Gth Article of the Constitution of the State of Florida. Mr. Mcintosh of Calhoun oifercd the followinii' as a substitute : 58 AN ORDINxVXCE TO REMOVE DISABILITIES ARISING UNDER THE FIFTH SECTION OF THE SIXTH ARTICLE OF THE CONSTITUTION. Be it ordained by the I^eopk of tJie State of Florida in Con- ve?itlon assefnbled., That the Fifth Section of the Sixth Article of the Constitution be and the same is hereby repealed ; Upon the adoption of the substitute, the yeas and nays were called for by Messrs, Allison and Gettis, and were : Yeas — Mr. President, Messrs. Bethel, Coon, Cooper, Dawkins, Devall, Dihvorth, Finegan, Folsom, Gary, Ilelvenston, Henry, Lamar, Lewis, McGahagin, McLitosh, INIays, Palmer, Parkhill, Rutland, Sanderson, Spencer, Solana, Tift, \Yard and Yates — 26. Nays — Messrs. Allison, Barrington, Beard, Daniel, Davis, Get- tis, Glazier, Golden, Hendricks, Hunter, IrAvin, Jones, Kirksey, Lamb, Leigh of Sumter, Love, McCaskill, McLean, McNealey, Morrison, Nicholson, Pelot, Pinckney, Saxon, Sever, Stephens, Thomas, Turman and Woodruff — 29. So tlie substitute was lost. Tlie question then recurred upon the adoption of the origmal ordinance, upon which the yeas and nays were called for, and were : Yeas — Mr. President, Messrs. AlUson, Barrington, Bethel, Chandler, Cooper, Da\ds, Dawkins, Devall, Finegan, Folsom, Gary, Helvenston, Henry, Jones, Lamar, Lamb, Lea of Madison, Lewis, McGahagin, Mcintosh, Mays, Nicholson, Pahner, Park- liill, Rutland, Sanderson, Sever, S]3encer, Solana, Tift, Ward and Yates— 33. Nays — Messrs. Beard, Daniel, Dilworth, Gettis, Glazier, Gol- den, Hendricks, Hunter, Irwm, Kirksey, Leigh of Sumter, Love, McCaskill, McLean, McNealey, Morrison, Owens, Pelot, Pmck- ney, Saxon, Stephens, Thomas, Turman and Woodruff — 24. So the ordinance was adoj^ted. Mr. Mcintosh of Calhoun called up his resolution of yesterday respecting Commissioners to other States, and upon leave of the Convention withdrew said resolution. Mr. Fmegan of Nassau called up an ordinance introduced j^esterday re])ealing the third and eighth sections of the sixth article of the Constitution. Mr. Thomas of Hamilton offered to amend said ordinance by inserting also the 10th section of the same article; Upon which the y^as and nays were called for by Messrs. Hel- venston and Finegan, and were : Yeas — Mr. President, Messrs. Barrington, Chandler, Cooper, Dawkins, Devall, Glazier, Kirksey, Lea of Madison, Lewis, Mc- Gahagin, Nicholson, Owens, Palmer, Pelot, Rutland, Sanderson, Saxon, Sever, Thomas, Tift and Ward— 22. Nays — Messrs. Alhson, Beard, Bethel, Coon, Daniel, Davis, Dilworth, Finegan, Folson, Gary, Gettis, Golden, Ilelvenston, 59 Hendricks, Heury, Hunter, IrAvin, Jones, Lamar, Lamb, Leigh of Sumter, Love, McCaskill, McLean, Mcintosh, McNealey, Mays, Moraison, Parkhill, Pinckney, Spencer, Solana, Stephens, Turman, Woodruff and Yates— 36. So the amendment was lost. Mr. Mcintosh moA'ed to reconsider the vote just taken, and that said ordinance lie on the table until to-morroAV ; Upon Avhich the yeas and nays were called by Messrs. Allison and Gettis, and Avere: Yeas — Mr. President, Messrs. Barrington, Chandler, Coon, Dawkins, Dihvortli, Finegan, Gary, Glazier, Helvenston, Kirk- sey, Lea of Madison, Lewis, McGahagin, Mcintosh, Mays, Nicholson, Oavcus, Palmer, Parkhill, Pelot, Pinckney, liutland, Sanderson, Saxon, Spencer and Tift — 27. Nays — Messrs. Allison, Cooper, Daniel, Davis, Devall, Folsom, Gettis, Golden, Hendricks, Henry, Hunter, IrAvin, Jones, Lamb, Leigh of Sumter, Love, McCaskill, McLean, McNealey, Morri- son, SeA'ei", Solana, Stephens, Turman, Ward, Woodruff and Yates— 27. So the Conventiion refused to reconsider. The question then recurred upon the passage of the origmal Ordinance ; "NVliich Avas adopted. ^ Mr. Lamar of Jefferson, nioA-ed to reconsider the vote by AA'hich the ordinance to remove disability under the 5th section of the 6tli article of the Constitution of the State of Florida Avas adopted ; IJpon AA'hich the yeas and nays Avere called for, and. Avere : Yeas — Mr. President, Messrs. Barrington, Davis, DaAvkins, Dihvorth, Finegan, Folsom, Gary, Helvenston, Lamar, Lea of Madison, LcAvis, McGahagin, Mcintosh, Nicholson, Owens, Palmer, Rutland, Sanderson, Saxon, Spencer, Tift, Ward and Yates— 24. Nays — Messrs. AlUson, Chandler, Cooper, Daniel, Devall, Gettis, Glazier, Golden, Hendricks, Henry, Hunter, IrAvin, Jones, Kirksey, Lamb, Leigh of Sumter, Love, McCaskill, McNealey, Mays, Morrison, Pelot, Pinckney, Sever, Solana, Stephens, Thomas, Turman and Woodruff — 29. So the Convention refused to reconsider. On motion of Mr. Lamar, the Convention adjourned until 10 o'clock to-morroAv mornimr. 60 TENTH DAY. WEDNESDAY, Jauuaiy IGth, 1801. Tlie Convention met pursuant to adjournment — a (quorum present. On motion, the reading of the minutes Avas dispensed with. Mr. Gary oflered the following ordinance : J^e it ordained hy the People of the State of J^lorida in Con- vention assembled., That the Second Section of the Sixteenth Ar- titlc of the Constitution of this State be and the same is hereby annulled ; Which was received and laid on the tal)le until to-morrow. Mr. Folsom offered the following ordinance : AN OEDINAXCE TO PREVENT THE KECEPTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF ABOLITION DOCUIMENTS AND OTHER INCENDIARY PUBLICATIONS IN THIS STATE. Be it ordained hij the People of the State of Florida in Con- vention assembled.! ■ That after the pass!»ge of this ordinance, it shall not be lawful for any paper, panl|^hlets, circulars, docmuents, or other printed matter of any incendiary or abolition chai-acter to be distributed, circulated, or sent through the mails of this State. I3e it further ordained., That it shall be the duty of all Post- master^ of this State to examine all jn-inted matter that may be suspected of being abolition or incendiary in its character; and that such matter be retained and burnt. And be it further ordained., That all Post-masters in the State of Florida, shall be required to take the ' folio wmg additional oath : That I, A. B., do solenmly swear or affirm, that I will ex- amhic and prevent the distributio]i of all such printed matter as may be suspected to be of an abolition character ; Wliicli was received and ordered to be laid on the table until to-morrow. Mr. Dilworth of Jefferson moved that Mr. Anderson of Jeffer- son, be excused from fiirther attendance on this Convention ; AVhich was granted. ]Mr. Daniel of Duval presented a communication from Edward IIo])kins of Duval comity; Which Avas read and ordered to be laid on the table. ]Mr, Devall of Putnam, offered the following resolutions : Tie it resolved., That this Convention will adjourn on Friday next, 12 o'clock, M., subject to a call of the President for re-as- semblinir. 61 Be it further resolved. That the President of this Couveution is hereby authorized to call together this Body, whenever in his opuiion tlie public uiterest demands it. Mr. Folsom of Hamilton moved that the rules be waived, and the resolution be put upon its passage ; Upon -which the yeas and nays were called for, and were : Yeas— Messrs. Barrington, Chandler, Coon, Cooper, Daniel, Dawkins, Devall, Dilworth, Finegan, Folsom, Gettis, Glazier, Golden, Hendricks, Hunter, Irwin, Jones, Kirksey, Lamar, Lamb, Lea of Madison, Leigh of Smnter, McLean, McNealey, INIays, Morrison, Newman, Nicholson, Palmer, Parkhill, Pelot, Pinck- ney, Rutland, Sanderson, Saxon, Sever, Solana, Thomas, Turman, Woodruff and Yates— 4 1 . Nays— Mr. President, Messrs. Beard, Bethel, Davis, Gary, Henry, Lewis, Love, McCaskill, McGahagin, Spencer, Stephens, Tift aud Ward— 12. So the Convention refused to waive the rules. Mr. Mays of St. Johns offered the following ordinance : AX ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE ORGAOTZATION OF THE ARMY OF FLORIDA. Be it ordained hy the People of the State of Florida in Con- vention assemNed, That the General Asseml)ly of this State be and they are hereby authorized to provide by law for the elec- tion or a]ipointmeut of such general officers as the emergencies of the public service mav require. Wliich was received and laid on the table until to-morrow. ^l\\ Allison of Gadsden offered the following preamble and ordmancc : Whereas, The General Assembly has construed the Constitu- tion to mean that the term of the Governor elect does not commence until October next after said election. Be it ordained Inj the People of the State of Florida in Con- vention assembled, That said construction be so altered and changed that the Governor elect of this State shaU be magu- rated and take liis seat on the first day of the first session of the General Assembly after his election. On motion, laid on the table mitil to-morrow. Mr. Sanderson of Duval ofiered the following ordmance : Be it ordained hj the Co?ivention, That the 11th section of the 6th article of the Constitution be amended by strikmg Irom the last line of said section the words "and of the United States" and adding the words " and the ordinances adopted by this Con- vention." . -, T , • 1 1x11 On motion, the ordinance was received and laid on the table until to-morrow. Mr. Ptutland of Orange offered the folio wmg resolution : 63 Be it resolved., That the President of tliis Convention ajipoint three of this Convention as a Committee, to Avait u])oii his Ex- cellency, the Governor of the Connnonwealth of Florida, and reqnest that his Excellency report to this Convention hoAV many troojis he has raised, for what piirpose he has raised them and by whose anthority he raised them. Mr. Rutland moved that the rules he waived and the resolu- tion be put upon its passage ; Ui>on which motion the yeas and nays were called for and were : Yeas — Mr. President, Messrs. Allison, Barrington, Beard, Bethel, Chandler, Coon, Cooper, Daniel, Davis, Gettis, Glazier, Hendricks, Henry, Hunter, Irwin, Jones, Kirksey, Lamar, Lamb, Leigh of Sumter, Lewis, Love, McCaskill, McLean, McNealey, Mays, Morrison, Morton, Newman, Nicholson, Palmer, Parkhill, Rutland, Sanderson, Saxon, Sever, Spencer, Solana, Stei")hens, Woodruff and Yates— 42. Nays — Messrs. Dawkins, Devall, Finegan, Folsom, Gary, Hel- venston. Lea of IMadison, McGahagin, Pelot, Pinckney, Tift, Turman and Ward — 13. So the Convention refused to waive the rules. Mr. Allison of Gadsden, offered the following resolution : Itesolved, That liis Excellency the Governor be respectfully requested to communicate to the Convention, at as early a mo- ment as possible, all the correspondence he may have had in re- lation to the seizure of the Forts and Arsenals situated within this State ; and also the all circumstances connected therewitli. Which was laid on the table until to-morrow. Mr. Parkhill of Leon, from the Conunitte on Militia and Inter- nal Police, made the following report : The Standmg Committee on Militia and Internal Police, to whom was referred an Ordinance to amend the seventh Article of the Constitution of this State, concerning Militia, REPORT : Your Committee have examined the said Ordinance and re- conunend that it do not pass. In tlieir opinion the seventh Article of our Constitution covers and embraces the ground proposed in the first and second sec- tions of said Ordinance, and as no additional power woiild be conferred upon the Legislature by the proposed amendment, they can see no necessity for it. As to the third section, relieving military officers from tlie dis- qualifications of the sixth Article of the Constitution, the Con- vention Iiaving refused to repeal said Article, your Committee 63 see no reason why excej)tions should he made of any particular class of citizens. Your Committee had the subject of re-organizing the Militia of our State mider consideration, but believhig it to be the pi'o- vince, as within the power, of the Legislature, now m session, to act in the matter and to pass all laws necessary in the premises^ they would respectfully refer the same to said body. Respectfully submitted, G. W. PAPJvIIILL, Chairman. Which Avas read. Mr. Davis of Leon, from the Committee on Comnnmications frqm South Carolina, made the following report : The Committee on Conununications from South Carolina, to whom was referred the proposition by said State, made to the People of the State of Florida in Convention assembled, that a Confedei'acy should be formed of the slave-holding States which should secede from the Federal LTuion, and that there should be a Convention of Delegates to rejiresent such States, to agree upon a plan of Government for such Confederacy, have liad the said proposals under consideration; and said Conimittee have also considered the form of an Ordinance giving the assent of the State of Florida to such proposals of the State of South Carolina, and makhig ]n-ovisions for the Representation of this State in said Convention ; and the Committee report back the said pro- posed Ordinance, with certain amendments thereto, and recom- mend that the Ordinance so amended be adopted. Your committee reconunend that the orduaance now reported be amended as folloAvs : Lisort after the woi'ds " and of any other slavcholding States" in the 2d hue, the Avords, "which may dissolve her jiolitical connection Avith the government heretofore existing and knoAAni as the LTnitcd States of America, at any time before the final adjournment of such Convention." (Signed) ' W. G. M. DAVIS, Chiarman. Which Avas read and the ordinance placed among the orders of the day for to-day. Mr. Finegan of Nassau, called u]^ the resolution providing for the relief of A. J. T. AVright; Which Avas put u])on its passage and adopted. Mr. Pelot of Alachua, called up the resolution for the relief of R. D. Jourdan ; Which resolution Avas adopted. The Ordinance reported from the Committee on Communica- tions from South Carolina Avas taken up ; U])on motion of Mr. Sanderson of DuA-al, the Convention Avent into Committee of the Whole, Mr. Beard of Leon in the Chair ; After some time spent therein the Committee rose, and report- ed said ordinance back to the Convention, Avith ameudinents ; 64 "Wliidi report was received, and on motion of Mr. Davis was referred to tlie Committee on the Jndiciary. AVlien on motion of Mr. Stephens, tlie Convention went into secret session. iVfter some time sjjent in secret session, the doors "svere opened, when Mr. Stephens of Gadsden called np the rcsohitions of Mr. Davis, reported to the Convention yesterday by the Committee on Sea C'xist Defences. ]Mr. Davis of Leon moved to strike out in the first resohition the last proposition ; Upon which the yeas and nays were called for by MeSsrs. Ste- phens and Davis, and were ; Yeas — Messrs. AUison, DaA'is, Hendricks, Henry, Irwin, Johes, Kirksey, Lamb, LeAvis, Love, McCaskill, McLean, McNcaley, ]\Ia}'S, Morrison, IMorton, NeAvman, Nicholson, Palmer, Rutland, Sever, Stephens, Ward and Woodruff— 24. Nays — Mr. President, Messrs. Barrington, Beard, Bethel, Chan- dler, C^oon, Cooper, Daniel, Dawkins, Devall, Dihvorth, Fmegan, Folsom, Gary, Gettis, Glazier, Hunter, Lamar, Lea of Madison, McGahagLu, McLitosh, Owens, Pelot, Pinckney, Sanderson, Sax- on, Spencer, Solaua, Thomas, Tift, Turman and Yates — 32. So the motion was lost. Mr. Allison of Gadsden moved an amendment : that the Avords "any of the Slaveholding States" be used, instead of the "States of Alabama and Georgia." Mr. J\Iays of St. Johns offered to amend by adding the words " by and Avith the advice and consent of the Senate." To which Mv. Davis offered the folio Aving as a substitute : Provided^ That no authority is hereby conferred to expend public monies, or make contracts binding the State for the pay- ment of money, Avithout authority of the General Assembly. Wliich Avas accepted. ]\Ir. Allison of Gadsden offered the following amendment : Or Avliich may hereafter come into the possession thereof; AVliich was adopted. jMi-. Dawkins of Alachua moA^ed to amend by Avriting Military instead of Militia. Mr. Beard moved to use the Avord forces instead of the Avord troops ; Wliich Avas agreed to. j\Ir. Davis of Leon moved that the resolution be engrossed and made the order for this afternoon ; Wliich motion Avas agreed to. On motion the Convention took a recess until 4 o'clock this afterhoon. 65 4 O'CLOCK, P. M. The Convention resumed its session. Tlie following coinmimication was received from his Excellency the Governor : Executive Depart:ment, ) Tallahassee, January 16th, 1861. \ Hon. John C. McGehee, President of the Coyivention : SiK :— I have tlie honor, in compliance with the resolutions of the Convention, " Authorizing the GoverHor by and with the ad- vice and consent of the Convention, to ap2:»omt four Counsellors, to he called and known as the Counsellors of State, with wliom it shall be the duty of the Governor freely to consult and ad- vise witli on all hnpcntant matters of State," to nominate for the advice and confirmation of the Convention tlie Hon. J. C. McGehee, Gen. Jackson Morton, Maj. Joun BexVkd, and Col. Joseph Finegan Very respectfully, M. S. PERRY. Which was read, an\l the nominations therein were confirmed by the Convention. Mr. Davis of Leon, from the Judiciary Committee, oifered the foUwmg report : The Judiciary Committee report back to the Convention the following ordmance as amended, and recommend its passage. W. G. M. DAVIS. Chairman. "Which was received, and the orduiance reported made the order for to-day. ^ \ Mr. Pelot of Alachua moved that the futiu'e daily sittings of the Convention shall be as follows : from 10 A. M. to 2 P. M., from 4 P. M. to 6 P. M., from S P. M. to 11 P. M. ; "Wliich was consic^sred and adopted. The ordinance reported by the Judiciary Committee for a Con- vention of Slaveholding States, was taken up and put upon its passage. Mr. Dawkins of Alachua moved to amend by striking out 13th day; Which was agreed to, and the ordinance as amended, was adopted. On motion, the blank was filled up with the 13 th day. Mr. Folsom offered the following : JResolved, That this Convention will proceed to elect three Delegates to the Soiithern Convention, as provided for by an ordinance adopted tliis day, at 12 M. o'clock on to-morrow. 5 G6 Mr. Davis oftered the following ameudnient : That no member of this Convention or General Assembly of the State be chosen to be a Delegate to said Convention. Upon the yeas and nays being called for, the amendment was lost : Mr. Davis moved that the rules be Avaived and the resolution be i>ut on its passage. Mr. Daniel of Duval offered as a substitute for the resolution the iblloAving : Hesolved, That this Convention go fortlnvith into an election of three Delegates to represent this State in the Convention of such slaveholding States as may be represented m the proposed Con\ ention to be held in Montgomery. AVliich was adopted. On motion, leave of absence was granted to Mr. Ward until to-morrow. Mr. Pelot moved a call of the House and absentees sent for ; ^ Which was agreed to. The roll being called the following members answered to their names : Mr. President, Messrs. Allison Barrington, Beard, Bethel, Chandler, Coon, Daniel, Davis, Dawkins, Devall, Fine- gan, Folsom, Gary, Gettis, Glazier, Hendricks, Henry, Hunter, IrAvin, Jones, Kirksey, Ladd, Lamar, Lamb, Lea of Madison, Leigh of Sumpter, Lewis, Love, McCaskill, McGahagin, McLean, Mcintosh, McNeally, Mays, Morrison, Morton, NeAVinau, Nich- olson, Owens, Pahner, Pelot, Pinckney, Rutland, Sanderson, Saxon, Sever, Solana, Stephens, Thomas, Tift, Tnrman, Wood- ruff and Yates. On motion of Mr. Davis, Mr. Dilworth was excused for not being present. Oil motion, it Avas agreed to vote for three Delegates at a tune. Messrs. Allison and Lea Avere appointed Tellers by the Presi- dent. Mr. Stephens moved that a majority of the Avhole Convention be necessary to elect ; Wliich Avas agreed to. The Convention proceeded to a first ballot Avhich resulted as folloAvs : T. B. Lamar 11, J. B. Oavcus 23, J. J. Finley 14, J. P. San- derson 27, G. T. Ward 28, J. M.- Daniel 2, Jackson Morton 23, S. R. Mallory 6, Mays 2, Mcintosh 4, Hilton 2, DaAvkins 1, J. P. Anderson 2, W. G. M. Davis 1, B. C. Pope 4, G. W. Call 3, A. E. ]\laxwe]l 2, J. Wayles Baker 1, G. W. Parkhill 1, B. A. Put- nam 1, J. E. Broome 2, E. C. Love 1. The President decided that there Avas no election, none of the caniUdates receiving a majority of the Whole House. 67 Tlie names of Messrs. Mcintosh, Call and Lamar were with- drawn. The Convention then proceeded to a second ballot. Mr. Lamar nominated J. P. Anderson. Mr. Da^^s nomuiated G. T. Ward. Mr. Nicholson nominated J. Morton. Mr. Gettis nominated J. B. Owens. Mr. Daniel nominated J. P. Sanderson. Mr. Pelot nominated J. J. Finley. Mr. Bethel nomuiated S. R. Mallory. The result was as follows : J. P. Sanderson 32, G. T. Ward 33, J. :^rorton 25, J. P. An- derson 20, S. R. Mallorv 8, J. B. Owens 27, J. J. Finley 18, Mr. ' McCaskill 1, A. E. IMaxWell 1. The President decided that tliere was no election. ]Mr. Stephens moved to reconsider the resolution passed in re- gard to an adjourmnent ; Which was carried. Mr. Davis moved that the resolution lie on the tahlc ; On motion of Mr. Morton, the Convention adjourned until 10 o'clock to-morrow mornino-. ELEVENTH DAY. THURSDAY, January Ivth, 18G1. The Convention met pursuant to adjournment — a quorum pres- ent. Prayer by tlie Rev. Mr, Harwell. Mr. Davis of Leon moved to reconsider the ordinance to ap- point delegates to a Southern Convention adopted on yesterday, and moved the previous question ; Upon which motion the yeas and nays were called for, and were : Yeas — Mr. President, Messrs. Barrington, Beard, Bethel, Chan- dler, Coon, Davis, Dawkins, Devall, Finegan, Folsom, Gettis, Golden, Henry, Hunter, Irwin, Jones, Kirksey, Ladd, Lamb, Lea of Madison, Leigh of Sumter, Love, McCaskill, McGahagin, Mc- intosh, Mays, Morrison, Morton, Nicholson, Owens, Pmckney, Rutland, Sanderson, Saxon, Spencer, Tift, Ward and Yates — 39. Nays — Messrs. Allison, Cooper, Daniel, Gary, Glazier, Hen- dricks, Lamar, LcAns, Newman, Palmer, Pelot, Sever, Solana, Stephens and Woodrufl> — 15, So the previous question was sustained. The maui question was then put and carried. 68 Mr. Finegan of Xassau ofierecl the following ordmance : AX OKDIXAXCE AISLEXDIXG THE SEVEXTU AKTICLE OP THE COXSTI- TIOX OP THE STATE ENTITLED MILITIA. Jic it ordained hy the People of the State of Florida in Con- vention assembled^ That the lih. Article of the Constitution of the State he repealed, and in lieu thereof, the following adoi)ted : 1. All militia officers shall be elected or appomted under such rules and regulations as the General Assembly may from time to time direct and establish. 2. All oifeuces against the mihtia laws shall be tried by Court martial or before a Court and Jury, as the General Assembly may direct. . 3. Xo conunission issued under the act approved December 22d, 1859, entitled an act to amend the militia and patrol laws, or any military commission hereafter to be issued imder that or any future act of the General Assembly, shall be vacated except by sentence of Court martial. " Which was laid upon the table until to-morroAv, and ordered to be printed. Mr. Mcintosh of Calhoxm moved that the Delegates from this State to the Southern Convention be instructed to opjjose any attempt on the part of said Convention to legislate or transact any business whatsoever, other than the adoption of a provision- al Government to be substantially on the basis of the Constitu- tion of the late United States, and a permanent Constitution for the Southern Confederacy upon the same basis ; and that in the event of the said Convention undertaking on any pretext whatso- ever, to exercise any powers other than those above cnmnerated, that the said delegates do retire from said body. Mr. Davis of Leon moved to amend the motion by striking out ail after the word "enumerated" andinsert, "that our Dele- gates are instructed to protest against the same, and to declare, in behalf of the State of Florida, that such acts will not be deemed binding in this State." Which motion Avas put upon its passage and adopted as amend- ed. Mr. Davis of Leon'^moved to take up the Ordinance on the table under reconsideration, and moved the following amend- ment : Three persons, citizens of this State and qualified voters there- in, shall be apj^ointed by the Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Convention, who shall represent the State of Floi-ida in said Convention of slave-holding States, proposed by this Ordinance to be holden as aforesaid. ' Upon which the yeas and nays were called, and were : Yeas — Mr. President, Messrs. Beard, Bethel, Cooper, Daniel, Davis, DaAvkius, .Devall, Finegan, Gettis, Glazier, Golden, Heu- 69 dricks, Irwin, McLitosb, Mays, jMorton, Nicholson, Owens, Pal- mer, Pelot, Pinckney, Sanderson, Se^-er, Spencer, Solana, Ste- phens, Thomas, Tift, Turman, Ward and Yates — 32. Nays — Messrs. Allison, Barring-ton, Chandler, Coon, Folsoni, Gary, Henry, ITnnter, Jones, Kirksey, Ladd, Lamb, Leaof^fad- ison, Leigh of Smnter, Love, McCaskill, McGahagin, McLean, McNealy, Morrison, Ne^onan, Rutland, Saxon and Woodruff — 24. So tlic motion was carried. Mr. Davis of Leon, moved to reconsider the amendment, and that the motion to reconsider lay on the table, upon which the previous question was called. The yeas and nays were called, arid were : Yeas — Mr. President, Messrs. Beard, Bethel, Cooper, Daniel, Davis, Dawkins, Devall, Finegan, Folsom, Gettis, Glaziei*, Gol- den, Hendricks, Irwin, Ladd, Lamar, Leigh of Sumter, Lewis, IMcLean, Mcintosh, Mays, Morton, Nicholson, Owens, Palmer, Peh^t, Pinckuev, Sanderson, Spencer, Solana, Stephens, Thomas, Tift, Turman, Ward and Yates— 37. Nays — Messrs. • ^Vllison, Barrington, Chandler, Coon, Gary, Henry, Hunter, Jones, Kirksey, Lea of Madison, Love, jNIc- Caskill, IMcGahagin, Morrison, Newman, Rutland, Saxon and Woodruff— 19. So the motion was carried. On motion of Mr. Davis, the Ordinance as amended was ])ut upon its passage. The yeas and nays were called, and Avere : Yeas — Mv. President, Messrs. AUison, Beard, Bethel, Cooper, Daniel, Davis, Dawkins, Devall, Fhiegan, Folsoni, Gary, Gettis, Glazier, -Golden, Hendricks, Hunter, Irwin, Jones, Ladd, Lamar, Leigh of Smnter, McCasIcill, IMcGahagin, McLean, JMcIntosh, Mays, jNIorrison, Morton, Nicholson, Owens, Palmer, Pelot, Pinckney, Sanderson, Saxon, Sever, Spencer, Solana, Stephens, Thomas, Tift, Turman, Ward and Yates— 45. Nays — 3Iessrs. Barrington, Chandler, Coon, Henry, Kirksey, Lea of Madison, Lewis, Love, McNealey, Newnian, Rutland and Woodruif— 13. So the Ordinance as amended was adopted. Mr. Dawkins of Alachua offered the following resolution : Iiesolvc(7, That the President of this Convention be instructed to furnish to the Governors of the slave-holding States attested copies of the Ordinance of Secession, and Ordinances proAading for the holding of a Southern Convention, and request theii* concurrence therein ; Which was adopted. iSlv. Gary of IMarion moved to take from the orders of the day an orduianco to annul the 2d section of the 16th article of TO the Constitution, and moved that said ordinance be laid upon the table; Wliicli was agreol to. ]\Ir. Finegan of Xassau called from the orders of the day an ordinance to authorize the General Assenibly to establish a State Bank, and asked leave to -tt-ithdraM' said ordinance ; Which was granted, and said ordinance withdrawn. Mr, Folsom of Hamilton called up a resolution, hitroduced yes- terday, that the Convention will adjourn on Friday, at 12 o'clock, M. Mr. Sandersoii of Duval ofiered to amend by providing that in case of any disability on the part of said President, then said power to vest in the Governor of this State ; Which was agreed to. Upon the adoption of the resolution as amended, the yeas and nays were called, and were: Yeas — Messrs. Barrington, Chandlei*, Cooper, Daniel, Daw- kbis, Devall, Finegan, Folsom, Golden, Hendricks, Hunter, Ir- wui. Jones, Lamb, Lea of Madison, Leigh of Sumter, McXealey, Mays, jMorrison, Ne^sanan, Palmer, Pelot, Rutland, Sanderson, Saxon, Sever, Thomas, Woodrufl'and Yates — 29. ;N'ays — Mr. President, Messrs. Allison, Beard, Bethel, Davis. Gary, Gettis, Glazier, Henry, Kirksey, Lamar, Love, McCaskill, McGahagin, Nicholson, Owens, Spencer, Stephens, Tift, Tur- man and Ward — 21. So the resolution v.'as adopted. ]Mr. Lamar moved that T. M. Palmer be excused from further duty in this Convention till jMonday next ; "NV^hich was not agreed to. Mr. Allison of Gadsden called up an Ordinance respecting Gubnatorial terms ; Which was put upon its i">assage and adopted. Mr, Mcintosh of Calhoun callexl up an Ordinance relating to Courts ; AVhich, on motion, was referred to a Select Committee of three, consisting of Messrs. Stephens, Davis and Dawkius. 3Ir. Sanderson of Duval called up gn Ordinance amending the 11th Section of the 0th Article of the Constitution; Wliich Avas read and adopted. 3Ir. AlUson of Gadsden called iip a resolution requesting his Excellency to commmiicate correspondence, &c. ; Which was read and adopted. Mr. Dawkins of Alachua called up an Ordinance respecting offices not Judicial ; Which was adopted as amended. Mr. Davis of Leon called up an Ordinance from the orders of the day and oifered to amend ; 71 Which Avas agreed to, and the ordmanee as amended adopted. Mr. Morton of Santa Rosa called up an ordinance authorizing the Governor to appoint AV. II. Chase a IMajor General in the army of Florida ; Which was read and ado])ted. Mr. Sanderson of Duval moved to reconsider the ordinance last passed ; Which motion prevailed, and the ordinance was amended and adopted as amended. Mr. Morton moved that a certified copy of the " Ordinance of Secession" be, by the President of the Convention, transmitter! to our Senators and Re})resentative in Congress ; Which was ado))ted. On niotion, the Convention took a recess until 4 o'clock, P. M. 4 O'CLOCK, P. M. The Convention resumed its session — a quorum present. Mr. Stephens, of Gadsden, from a Select Committee, made the foUowhig rejjort : The Select Connnittee, to whom was referred the ordinance to establish tAVO additional Courts to exercise and possess the }>0Avers and jurisdiction of the Courts heretofore existing in this State, as the District Courts of the United States, havehad the same under consideration and beg leaA'e to submit to this Con- vention the following ordinance in lieu thereof, and recommend its adoption. .Vll of Avhich is respectfully submitted, S. B. STEPHENS, Chairman. Which was received, concurred in, and the ordinance reported ' put upon its passage and adopted. Mr. Beard, of Leon, offered an ordinance to amend the Con- stitution so as to make tlie sessions of the General Assembly an- nual instead of biennial ; * AVhich, on motion, Avas laid on the table. Mr. Allison oflered an ordinance to amend the second section of the third article of the Constitution so as to make Governors elected for tAVO years instead of four. Mr. Folsom offered the folloAving resolution : Bewlved^ That no more ncAV matter be introduced into this body ; AVhich Avas lost. Mr. Davis of Leon called uj) Ordinances reported from the Judiciary Committee defining the jiowers of the Legislature in aholishing offices and mail routes, and in creating new mail rontes, &c. ; A^^lcn on motion, the report of the Committee was concurred in, and the ordinance read and adopted. Also, an Ordinance extending the jurisdiction of the State over Forts, Arsenals, Dock-yards, &c., re])orted -with amendments; When on motion, the report Tras not concurred in, and the or- dinance in its original form was then read and adopted. On motion, the Convention took a recess until 8 o'clock tliis cvenincT. 8 O'CLOCK, P. M. The Convention resumed its session — a quorum present. The following communication from the Governor was read : Executive Department, ) Tallahassee, Jan. iTth, 18G1. [ To the Hon. Jxo. C. McGehee, President of the Convention : Sir — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of j^our official • notification of the passage of "the section of an ordinance" requir- ing " the Governor to appomt by and with the advice and con- sent of the Convention, three persons to represent tlie State of Florida in Convention of the slave-holding States, provided by this ordinance." In compliance with the above recited ordinance, I respectfully recommend, for the advice and consent of the Convention, Gen. Jackson Moetok, Col. J. Patton Anderson and Col. J. B, Owens, as delegates to said Convention of the slave-holding States. •Very resj^ectfully, M. S. PERRY. Mr. Lamar of Jefferson moved tlint the nominations be con- firmed. Mr. Love of Gadsden moved a call of the House, when, after the i-oU had been partially gone through with, on motion, further proceedings under the call was dispensed with. Mr. Pinckney of Monroe moved that the nominations be ta- ken up separately ; Which was agreed to. Mr. Morton was then jmt in nomination and unanimously con- firmed. Mr. Love moved that a majority of the whole Convention be required to confinn a nomination. 73 ♦ Mr. Folsom moA-ecl to amend by inserting a majority of a quo- *rmn. s Mr. Mcintosh moved as a substitute that the same rule be ob- served as was 23racticed in ^Iie late United States Senate ; Which was agreed to. Mr. Beard moved to reconsider the vote last taken ; Which was agreed to. The question then recurred upon Mr. Folsom's motion that a majority of a quorum be sufHcient to contirm a nomination ; U2)on Avhicli the yeas and nays were called for and were : Yeas — Mr. President, Mcssi'S. Barruigton, Chandler, Daw- kins, Devall, Dilworth, Fiuegrni, Folsom^ Gtary, Gettis, Irwin, Lamar, McGahagin, McLean, jMays, Nicholson, Pclot, Rutland, Saxon, Spencer, Solana, Thomas and Yates — 23. Nays — Messrs. Beard, Coon, Daniel, Hendricks, Hunter, Jones, Lamb, Lewis, Love, McCaskill, McNealey, Morrison, Newman and Sever — 14. So the motion was agreed to. Mr. IMays moved to reconsider the vote confirming Mr. Mor- ton's noinination ; Which was carried. Mr. Folsom moved that the nominations made to the Conven- tion by tlio Governor be postponed imtil to-morroAV 1 o'clock, A. M.; Which was agreed to. Mr. Bethel of ]\Ionroe moved to reconsider the first section of an ordinance passed this day respecting the Coxirts ; IT])on Avhich the yeas and nays were called for by Messrs. Dil- worth and Lewis, and were : Yeas— Mr. President, Messrs. Beard, Bethel, Chandler, Coon, Daniel, Dawkins, DcAall, Fmegan, Folsom, Gary, Gettis, Golden, Hunter, Irwin, Jones, Lamar, Lamb, McGahagin, McLean, Mc- Intosli, Newman, Nicholson, Pinckney, Rutland, Sanderson, Sax- on, Spencer, Solana, Tift and Yates — 31. Nays— Messrs. Dihvorth, Love, Lea of Madison, McCaskill, McNealey and Morrison-.-6.i So the motion prevailed. Mr. Bethel moved to reconsider the second section of the same ordinance ; Which was agreed to. jMr. Dilworth moved to adjourn until half-past 9 o'clock, to- morrow ; Which was not agreed to. Mr. liethel of jMonroc offered a substitute for the Ordinance respectuig the Courts ; Which was, on motion of Mr. Love, refei'red to a Select. Com- mittee of three, consisting of Messrs. Love, Bethel and Stephens. Mr. Mcintosh of Calhoun offered the following resolutions : Eesolved, That the Hon. S. R. Mallory, Hon. D. L. Yulee and Hon. George S. Ilawkms be and they are hereby apjiointed Com- missioners for the State of Florida, whose duty it shall be to ne- gotiate Avith the authorities at Washington for the suiTender to this State of all Navy Yards, Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, and all other pubhc property witJiin its limits. -Z>e it further resolved, That the President of this Convention transmit to the said commissioners a certified copy of this reso- hition. Which were read and ordered to be placed among the orders of the day. Mr. Mclntosli of Calhoun called up the report of the Commit- tee on Sea Coast Defences ; WhiclT was read and concurred in. Mr. Mcintosh of Calhoun called up an ordinance to provide for tlie organization of the army of Florida; Which was ado])ted. On motion, a Select Committee of five on Finance was ap- pointed, consisting of Messrs. Beard, Mcintosh, Davis, Kirksey and Dilworth. Mr. Dilworth of Jefferson moved that a Committee of five be appointed on the Constitution, whose duty it shall be to report such amendments to the Constitution as they may deem neces- sary and proper to this Convention ; Pending which, on motion, the Convention adjourned until to- morrow morninf; at 9 o'clock. TWELFTH DAY. FRIDAY, January 18th, 1861. The Convention met pursuant to adjournment — a quorum l^resent. , Mr. Sanderson moved to reconsider the vote of yesterday con- curring in the report on Sea Coast Defences ; Which motion prevailed. Mr. Finegan of Nassait oftered the following ordinance : AN 0RDIN'A2S'CE TO LIMIT THE SECOXD CLAUSE OF THE TniRTEENTII AllTICLE OP THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA. Be it ordained hy the People of tJie State of Florida in Con- vention assemhled, ' That the Second Section of the Tliirteenth Article of the Constitution of this State, which is in these words, " The General Assembly shall j^ass no act of incorporation, or make any alternation therein, unless with the assent of at least two-thirds of each house, and unless public notice in one or more newspapers in the State shall have Ijcen given for at least three months hnmediately preceding the Session at which, the same may be applied for," shall be restricted in its operation to private corporations having exclusive privileges or niono])olies, and shall not ap])ly to any corporation chartered exclusively for and on behalf of the State, nor to " any Internal Improvement, Manufacturing, Steamboat, Express, Telegraph, or other business Comj^any, seeking merely the use of a corj)orate name and the exemption of its stockholders from individual liability as partners; Which was laid on the table and 80 copies ordered to be prin- ted. Mr. Allison of Gadsden called up the folio whig: Be it ordained hy the People of the /State of F'lorida in Con- vention assembled^ That the Second Section of the Third Article of the Constitution be so amended as to read, "that the Gover- nor shall be elected for two years instead of four," Provided^ That this ordinance shall not take effect until the election for said ofhce in the year 18G5 ; Which was laid on the table for the present. The President announced that the hour had arrived for the special order of considerhig the nominations made to this Con- ventioii for delegates to a Southern Convention. Mr. Mays moved that the persons nominated by the Governor to this Convention as delegates to the Southefn Convention bo confirmed collectively ; Which was agreed to. Upon the nominations of Mr. Jackson Morton, Mr. J. P. An- derson and Mr. Jas. B. Owen, the vote Avas : For the Nomination — Mr. President, Messrs. Allison, Bar- i-higton, Beard, Chandler, Cooper, Daniel, Davis, Dawkins, De- vall, Dilworth, Finegan, F'olsom, Garj^, Gettis, Glazier, Golden, Hendricks, IlenVy, Irwin, Jones, Kirksey, Lamar, Lamb, Lea of Madison, Leigh of Sumter, McGahaghi, Mcintosh, Mays, Nich- olson, Pelot, Pinckney, Sanderson, Saxon, Spencer, Solana, Thom- as, Tift, Turman and'Yates— 40. AciAiNST THE No:\iiNATioN — Messrs. Coon, Hunter, Lewis, Love, McCaskill, JMcLean, McNealey, Morrison, Newman, Rut- land and Stephens — 11. The Chair declared Jackson Morton, J. P. Anderson, and Jas. B. Owens, duly confirmed as delegates to said Convention. Mr. Davis of Leon moved to reconsider the vote of confirma- tion of the Delegates to the Southern Convention, 'and moved that his motion be laid on the table; A\"hich was airreed to. 76 Mr. Davis of Leon oftered the following ordinance : Be it ordained, That the ordinance providing for the repre- sentation of this State in the Convention of the Southern slave- holding States, at Montgomery, be so amended that the number of Delegates shall consist of six, instead of three ; And moved that the rules be waived and the ordinance be put on its ])assage; "Wliich was not agreed to. i\Ir. Mcintosh called up a resolution authorizing Messrs. Mal- lory, Yulee and Hawkins to act as Commissioners' m Washing- ton for this State; Which was read and adopted. Mr. Fniegan of Nassau called up an ordinance amenduig the seventh article of the Constitution of tliis State entitled "Militia." Mr. Davis of Leon offered the following resolution : Hesoh'ed, That the enacting clause of all ordinances adopted or to be adopted hy this Convention be m the following terms : "Be it ordained by the People of the State of Florida in Con- vention assembled;" Which was put u])on its passage and adopted. Mr. Folsom of Hamilton offered the following resolution : Mesolved, That the Secretary of the Convention be instructed to issue certificates to the officers and members for their per diem and mileage ; Which Avas agreed to. Mr. Allison of Gadsden called u]) the ordinance respecting Governor's term of office. Mr. Dawkins moved tliat said Ordinance be laid on the table ; Which motion was lost. The Ordinance was then put upon its pa&sage, and the yeas and nays were called by Messrs. Dilworth and Davis, and were : Yeas — Mr. President, Messrs. Allison, Bari'ington, Beard, Bethel, Cooper, Daniel, Finegan, Glazier, Golden, Hendricks, . Hem-y, Plunter, Irwin, Jones, Kirkscy, Lanjb, Lewis, Love, Mc- Caskill, McGahagin, McNealy, Morrison, Morton, Xewman, Nicholson, Pelot, Rutland, Sanderson, Saxon, Sever, Stephens, Thomas, Tift and Woodruff— 35. . Nays — IMessrs. Davis, Dawkuis, Devall, Dilworth, Folsom, Ga- ry, Gettis, Lamar, Leigh of Sumter, Mcintosh, Mays, Owens, Pinckney, Solana, Turman, Ward and Yates — 17. So the Ordinance passed. Mr. Allison moved to reconsider the vote last taken, and mov- ed that his 'motion lay on the table ; Which motion prevailed. IMi-. Daniel of Duval, from the Committee on Enrolments, made the folloAving report : T7 The Coimnittee on Enrobuents heg leave respectfully to re- port as properly and correctly enrolled the folio whig Ordinan- ces : An ordmance to provide for clearance of vessels, and other matters ; An ordinance to annitl certam sections of the Constitution of the State of Florida : An ordhiance to remov* disabilities of certain citizen of this State ; An ordmance for the relief of A. J. T. Wright ; An ordmance for the relief of R. D. Jordan ; An ordinance to adopt and make laws of this State certain laws of the United States ; Aji ordinance declarbig certain officers of the United States to be officers of the State of Florida ; All ordinance to empower the General Assembly of the State of Florida to declare Avho are citizens of this State ; An ordhiance to empower the General Assembly of this State to abohsh certain offices, and to do other matters ; An ordinance to authorize the Governor of this State to ap- point Wm. H. Chase a Major General m the army of the State of Florida ; _^ An ordmance to extend the jurisdiction of the State oO'lorida over certain docks, forts, &c., Avithin the limits of the State ; An onTJnance to amend the 11th section of the Cth article of the Constitution of the State of Florida; Resolution fixing the day of adjournment. All of which is respectfully submitted. J. M. DANIEL, Chairman. "Which was received. Mr. Love of Gadsden, from a Select Committee of three, made the foUowhig report: The Select Committee to whom Avas referred an amencbnent to an ordinance vesthig the Circuit Courts of this State with the jurisdiction and powers heretofore possessed and exercised by the Courts known and designated as the District Courts of the United States, beg leave to REPORT: That they have had the same under consideration and recom- mend that said amendment do not pass. All of which is respectfully submitted, E. C. LOVE, Chaii-man. Which was received. Mr. Bethel, from the same Committee, made the following minority report: The imdersigued, one of the Committee to whom was referred 78 the ordinance authorizing the estahlishiiig of a District Court of the State of Florida, for^the Southern District, liaving had the same luider consideration, the majority of said Committee having reported against said Ordhiance, your subscriber, as one of said Committe,"begs leave to make a minority*report as follows : That the report of the majority of said Committee be not con- curred bi, and that the ordinance referred to be received and adop- ted by the Convention, subject to such changes and alterations as may be deemed necessary by a committee of the whole Con- vention. Respectfully submitted, WINER BETHEL. Which wasreceived. On motion of Mr. Mcintosh, the Convention went into Com- mittee of the Whole upon the Ordinance reported. After some time bemg spent therein, the Committee rose, re- ported progress and asked^leave to sit agaui ; Which was agreed to. On motion of Mr. Davis, the further consideration of the re- port was suspended for the present. Mr. Davis moved that the resolution passed yesterday on ad- iournment to-day at 12 o'clock M. be reconsidered; Wliic!^ was agreed to.. Mr. Mays of St. Johns moved that he be allowed leave to ap- pohit a proxy to represent him on the floor of the Convention. On motion, Mr. Mays of St. Johns was allowed leave of ab- sence. Mr. Lea of Madison moved that Mr. Cooper of Nassau be allowed leave of absence for one week; Which was agreed to. Mr. Davis of Leon moved that Mr. Yates of Brevard be ex- cused from further attendance on this Convention; AVhich Avas agreed to. Mr. Ward of Leon offered the following resolution: Resolved^ That it shall be the duty of the Legislature of the State of Florida, at its present session, to provide by law for the maintenance of the Light-Houses on the coast of this State, when- ever the same shall cease to be maintained by the Federal Gov- ernment at Washington city. On motion, the rules were waived and the resolution adopted. Mr. Folsom of Ilamiltou offered the following resolution: Resolved^ That this Convention do adjourn at 3 o'clock, Tues- day next; Upon which the yeas and nays were called for by Messrs. Davis and Daniel and were: Yeas — Mr. President, Messrs. Allison, Barrington, JBethel, Coon, Cooper, Davis, Devall, Finegan, Folsom, Jones, Kirksey, Lamar, Lamb, Leigh of Sumter, Love, McCaskill, McLean, Mc- Y9 Intosh, Mays, Newman, Pinckuey, Saxon, Sever, Spencer, Ste- phens, Tift, Turman and Yates — 29. Nays — Messrs. Chandler, Daniel, Dawkms, DUworth, Gary, Gettis, Glazier, Golden, Hendricks, Henry, Lewis, McGahagin, McNealey, Morrison, Nicholson, Pelot, Rutland, Sanderson, Ward and Woodruff— 21. So the resolution was adopted. The President read the following letter from the Goyernor : Executive Department, \ T.VLLAiiASSEE, Jan. 18th, 18G1. ) To the President and Ifembers of the Convention : My Aids, Cols. Holland and Gee, liave arrived with verbal dis- patches from Col. Wm. H. Chase. I would respectfully enquire if it is the pleasure of the Convention that these gentlemen shall appear before you and report to you those despatches ? •Very res})ectfully, M. S. PERRY. Mr. Mcintosh moved that the messengers mentioned in the Governor's communication be received uito the Convention to report verbally, and that the Sergeant-at-Arms be despatched to notify them ; Which motion was adopted. On motion, the Convention Avent into secret session. After some time spent therem business was resmned in open session. Mr. IVEcIntosh of Calhoun moved that injunction of secresy be removed ; Which was agreed to. Mr. Davis of Leon offered the following resolution ; Hesolved^ That the Convention doth hereby signify their ap- proval and high appreciation of the acts of Major General Chase in the conduct of the late military operations, at and near Pensacola, as the same have been communicated to this body by Cols. Hol- land and Gee, Aids to his Excellency the Governor ; and tliat the thanks of this Convention be also given to Cols. Holland ajid Gee for the services by them rendered to the State ; Which was read, and on motion the rule waived, and the res- olution put upon its passage, and was adopted. Mr. Dil worth of Jefferson offered the following resolution: Resolved, That sliould any vacancy occur in the delegation to the Convention of Slaveholding States while this Convention is not hi session, it shall be the duty of the President of this Con- vention to fill said vacancy or vacancies ; Upon which, the rule was Avaived, and the resolution put upon its passage, and was adopted. Mr. Davis of Leon moved thatiiis Ordinance appomting three so additional' delegates to the Southern Convention, introduced this mornincr, be made the special order of the day for this afternoon ; "Whic-li was agreed to. JNIr. Dihvorth of Jeftersou called up his resolution of yesterday, asking the appointment of a Committee on the Constitution; "Which Avas agreed to. Mr. Ward of Leon offered the folloAvhig resolution: Jicsolved, That the Convention, through their President, com- municate to the Governor of Alabama, their high appreciation of the conduct of the Alabama troops in the late operations at Pen^ sacola ; and that the thanks of this Convention, representhig the State of Florida, are hereby tendered to Gov. Moore for his promptness and patriotism ; Which was unanimously adopted. ' On motion, the Convention took a recess until half-past three o'clock, P. M. 3i O'CLOCK, P. M. The Convention resumed its session — a quorum present. Mr, Folsom moved that no member of this Convention shall speak longer than five minutes at a time on one subject ; Which was adopted. A letter from W. A. Marvin, was, on motion of Mr. Mcintosh, read and referred to the Judiciary Conmiittee. ORDERS OF THE DAY. Resolution instructmg the Military Committee to recommend the Legislature to prescribe a uniform dress for the line, General and Staff Officers of Florida ; Which was read and ordered to be placed among the orders of the day for to-morrow. An ordinance to amend the Constitution of the State ; Which was read, and referred to the Committee on the Con- stitution. Resolution that no more neAv business be introduced. Was withdrawn. An ordinance to repeal the 5th Section of the- 16th Article of the Constitution,. Was withdrawn. Resolution calling upon the Committees to report business. Was withdraAvn. On motion of Mr. Gettis of Hillsborough, the rule was waived, and he allowed to offer the following resolution : 81 Resolved, ITiat the Secretary of this Convention be instructed and required, under the super\-ision of the Secretary of State, to prepare for publication all Ordinances passed, or that hereafter may be passed by this Convention ; Which was agreed to. On motion, the Convention adjourned until 10 o'clock, to-mor- row mornincr. THIRTEENTH DAY. SATURDAY, January 19, 1861. The Convention met pursuant to adjournment — a quorum pres- ent. Prayer jby Rev. Mr. Blake. jMr. Davis of Leon moved to have the journal of Wednesday so amended as to have the yeas and nays appear on his amend- ment, " that no member of this Convention or General Assembly of the State be chosen to be delegates to said Convention ;" Which was agreed to, and the yeas and nays on said amead- meut were: Yeas — Messrs. Davis, Ladd, Lewis, Love, Morton, Palmer, Stephens and Ward — 8. Nays— Mr. President, Messrs. Allison, Barriugton, Beard, Beth- el, Chandler, Coon, Daniel, Dawkius, Devall, Fmegan, Folsom, Gary, Gettis, Glazier, Hendricks, Henry, IrAvin, Jones, Ivirksey, Lamar, Lamb, Lea of Madison, Leigh of Sumter, McCaskill, Mc- Gahagin, McLean, McLitosh, McNealey, Mays, Morrison, Xew- man, Nicholson, Owens, Pelot, Piuckney, Rutland, Sanderson, Saxon, Sever, Spencer, Solana, Thomas, Tift, Turman, Woodruft' and Yates — 47. Mr. Ward of Leon moved that the mmutes of yesterday be amended so as to place his name on the vote of confirmation of delegates to the Southern Convention in the affirmatiA"e ; Wliich was agreed to. Mr, Beard of Leon, from the Committee on Finance, oftered the following report : The Committee on Finance to whom was referred a resolution relative to the means of providmg for the support of the State Government, 6 82 REPORT: That ill the present disordered coudition of tho country in every branch of business, the ordinary mode of raising revenue by di- rect taxation cannot be relied on to supply the immediate neces- sities of the State. The extraordinary pressure now existing, and the probability that there will be no mitigation, but rather an increase of that pressure before tranquility shall be restored, forbid the augmentation of the taxes wluch are already burden- some, and indicate the j^olicy and expediency of resorting to some other metbod by which the necessities of the State may be re- lieved. Three other methods have been suggested for the purpose, namely : the incorporation of a State Bank, the sale of State Bonds, and the issuing of Treasury Notes, redeemable in coin at an early clay after the return of peace and tranquihty shall have re-opened the fountains of wealth, which, imder a new and more benign pohty, must flow vnth unwonted exuberance. It is the opinion of the Committee that the emission of Treas- ury Xotes is the least objectionable of all the methods that have l)een suggested for meeting the exigenoies of the State ; and as the General Assembly possesses the power to adopt this plan, and consequently to regulate its details if adopted, no further ac- tion by this body is deemed proper in the premises. Respectfully submitted, JOHN BEARD, Chan-man. "Which was received and adopted, and on motion the Commit- tee discharged. Mr. Finegan moved to amend the minutes of yesterday so as to add, after the word "mihtia," m the notice of the ordinance amending the seventh article of the Constitution of this State entitled "MiUtia," the words "Was adopted;" Which was agreed to. Mr. Beard of Leon moved that Mr. Lewis of Wakulla have leave of absence imtil Monday next ; Which was not granted. ' Mr. Sanderson of Duval offered the following amendment to the original ordinance reported by the Select Committee respect- ing the District Courts : That the oi'dinance reported by the Select Committee be so amended as to make it applicable to the Northern District Court of this State;! Which amendment was adopted. The ordinance as amended was then put upon its passage and adopted. Mr. Mcintosh offered the following ordinance: 1st. He it ordained^ That there shall be estabUshed a Com-t at 83 Key West, in tliis State, wMcli Court shall have and exercise acliui- ality jurisdiction only; that the laws of the late United States ap- phcable to and heretofore governing the District Court of the United States for the Soiithern Pistrict of Florida be and the same are hereby adopted for the control and government of said Court; that said Court shall be known as the Court* of Admi- ralty for the Southern District of Florida, and that tlie limits of its jurisdiction shall be the same as Avero prescribed by an act of the late Federal Congress approved February 28th, 1847. 2d. Be it farther ordained. That there shall be one Judge of said Court, witli a salary of Twenty-Five Hundred Dollars per amnim, Avho shall be appointed by the Governor of this State, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate thereof, who shall have poAver to appouit a Clerk of said Court, Avhich said Clerk, before entering upon the duties of his office, sliaU enter into a bond, in the sum of Two Thousand Dollars, to be ap- proved by the said Judge, conditioned for the faithful perform- ance of his duties. 3d. Be it further or darned, That aMarslial of said Court shall be aj^pointed in like manner as the Judge thereof, Avho, Avith the Clerk of said Court, shall receive the same fees and emoluments as were prescribed by an act of the late Federal Congress, ap- proved February 26th, 1853, The said Marshal shall enter into a bond in the sum of Twenty Thousand Dollars, conditioned for the faithful performance of liis duties and the payment of all monies coming into his hands under the order of the Court, which bond shaU be approved by the Judge thereof. 4th. Be it further ordained. That the said Judge shall reside at Key West ; that the Court shall be always open for the trans- action of admiralty bushiess, and that appeals may be taken from the decrees thereof to the Supreme Court of this State in like manner as appeals from the Cu'cuit Courts of this State are now prosecuted. 5th. Be it further ordained. That Avheuever the provisional or permanent government of a Southern Confederacy shall estab- lish a Court of Admiralty and Foreign Jurisdiction for the South- ern District of Florida, this ordinance shall cease to be of any force and effect. The rules being Avaived, the ordinance Avas put upon its pas- sage. Mr. Pinckney of Monroe moA^ed to strike out one per cent, on salA'age; Which was agreed to. Mr. Stephens offered the following substitute: Be it ordained, That the General Assembly of the State of Florida are hereby authorized to establish a Court of Admkalty 84 for the Southern District of the State of Florida, to continue until otherwise pro^'i(.led for by the pennanent government of the Southern Confederacy; Upon the adoption of which the yeas and nays were called for and were: Yeas — Messrs. Alderman, Allison, Beard, Chandler, Coon, Devall, Dilworth, Hendricks, Henry„ Hunter, Irwin, Jones, Kirk- sey, Lamb, Lea of Madison, Leigh of Sumter, Love, McCaskill, McLean, McNealey, Morrison, Newman, Rutland, Sever and Stephens — 25. Xays — Mr. President, Messrs. Barrington, Bethel, Davis, Daw- kins, Finegan, Folsom, Gary, Gettis, Glazier, Golden, Lamar, Mcintosh, Morton, Nicholson, Pinckney, Sanderson, Spencer, Solana, Tift, Turman and Ward— 22. So the substitute was adopted. Mr. Beard moved to reconsider tlie vote adopting the substi- tute. Mr. Stephens moved that the motion to reconsider be laid on the table ; And on this motion the yeas and nays were called by Messrs. Stej^hens and Davis, and were : Yeas — Messrs. Allison, Kirksey, Love and Stephens — 4. Nays — Mr. President, Messrs. Alderman, Barrington, Beard, Bethel, Chandler, Coon, Davis, Dawkins, Devall, Dilworth, Fin- egan, Folsom, Gary, Gettis, Glazier, Golden, Henry, Hmiter, Ir- win, Jones, Lamar, Lamb, Leigh of Sumter, Lewis, McLean, Mclntosli, McNealey, Morrison, Morton, Newman, Nicholson, Pinckney, Rutland, Sanderson, Saxon, Sever, Spencer, Solana, Tift, Turman and AYard— 42. So the motion to lay on the table was lost. The question then recurred upon the motion to reconsider ; Wliicli motion Avas adopted. Mr. Folsom moved that the original ordinance be now adopted ; L^pon which motion the yeas and nays were called for, and were : Yeas — Mr. President, Messrs. Alderman, Allison, Barrington, Beard, Bethel, Chandler, Coon, Davis, Dawkins, Devall, Dil- worth, Finegan, Folsom, Gary, Gettis, Glazier, Golden, Himter, Irwin, Jones, Lamar, Lamb, Leigh of Sumter, Lewis, McLean, ^Mcintosh, McNealey, Morrison, Morton, Newman, Nicholson, Pinckney, Rutland, Sanderson, Saxon, Sever, Sjiencer, Solana, Tift, Turman and Ward — 42. Nays — Messrs. Henry, Kirksey, Lea of Madison, Love and Stephens — 5. So the ordinaTice was adopted. 85 Mr. Mcintosh of Calhoun offered the following ordinance : Whekeas, Divers disturbances and breaches of the peace have, mthin the last twelve months, occurred in the counties of Cal- houn and Franklin, accompanied with numerous violations of the criminal laws of the State, which it is not to the interest of the State at this time to prosecute — Therefore, Be it ordained by the People of the State of Florida in Con- vention assembled, That the Governor of this State be and he is hereby authorized and requested to proclaim a general amnesty and pardon for all offences committed in said counties of Calhoun and Franklm during the year 1860. Which was laid on the table and ordered to be printed. Mr. Sanderson of Duval moved to take up the folio Aving ordi- nances reported by the Committee on Postal Affiiirs: 1st. That the laAvs of the United States in relation to Post of- fices, mail routes, contracts, and all other postal matters, licreto- fore made and in force in the State of Florida, on the 10th day of January of the present year, so far as the same may be applicable to a single State, shall remaui and contniue in lull force in this State, until the same shall be altered or repealed under the au- thority of this Convention. 2nd. That all persons wlio, at the date of this Ordinance, hold office in the State of Florida, under the Government of the late United States, connected with the mail service, whether as jwst- masters, or in any other way, be, and they are hereby continued in office under the Government of this State, until otherwise ])ro- vided under the authority of this Convention, or until their sev- eral offices shall have been abolished or vacated by proclamation by the Chief Magistrate of the State of Florida ; and all ]iersons so holdmg office shall receive the same compensation and emol- mnents for their service as they are now entitled to ; and all \ci- cancies in their respective offices, whether occurring by death, resignation, or otherwise, shall be filled, until otherwise provid- ed, by the Governor of the State, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, when in session. 3d. That the several mail routes which lie in whole or in part in- the State of Florida, or in its adjacent waters, and the con- tracts now subsisting for carrying the mails thereon, be and they are hereby continued until otherwise provided under the author- ity of this Convention, or until, by proclamation by the Chief Magistrate of the State of Florida, they shall be suspended or discontinued ; and that all amounts filling due under said con- tracts be paid out of any monc}*^ in the Treasury of the State of Florida not otherwise approju-iated : I^'ovided, Payment shall not be received by the contractors under existmg contracts made by them with the government of the United States. 4th, That the General Assembly of the State of Florida do provide for tlie appomtment or election of a competent person Avho sliall, for the State of Florida, discharge- all the clutics here- tofore performed by the Post Master General of the United States, so for as the same may be applicable to a sovereign State, subject liowever to snch modifications as the said General As- sembly may prescribe, and whose duty especially it shall be to negotiate -with the proper authoi-ities of the States of South Car- oliTia, Georgia, Alabama and Louisiana, for the joint payment of the expense of transporting the mails over such routes as may liave one of their termini in either of said States and the other in Florida. 5th. That the General Assembly of Florida shall have power to repeal, alter, or amend any act of Congress in relation to postal aflairs, herein declarQd to be in force in this State ; to abolish any Post Ofiice establisbed by and under tUejiuthority of the late Federal Government; to dispense ^vith any existing mail 'route or contract ; to adopt new laws, create new offices, establish new mail routes, and authorize the letting of new con- tracts, as may from time fo time be required by the mail service in this State. Pending which, Mr. Ward moved a call of the House, when the following delegates answered : JNIessrs. Alderman, Barrington, Bethel, Coon, Davis, Dawkins, Devall, Dilworth, Folsom, Gary, Gettis, Glazier, Golden, Henry, Hunter, Irwin, Jones, Kirksey, Lamar, Lamb, Lea of Madison, Lewis, Love, McCaskill, McNealey, IMorrison, Newman, Nichol- son, Pmlcney, Sanderson, Saxon, Sever, Stephens, Turman and Ward. A quorum being present, the Convention proceeded to busi- ness. Mr. Sanderson of Duval offered the following amendments: To strike out in the fourth line of the first ordinance, " at the date of this ordinance". and insert the words " on the tenth day of January of the present year." And in the sixth line strike out the word " smgle" and insert in stead thereof, the word " Sover- eign ;" Which were adojited. Tlie ordmauce«was then^put upon its passage, as amended, and was adopted. Mr. Sanderson moved that the second ordinance reported by said Committee be indefinitely postponed ; Wliich was agreed to. * Tlie third ordinance reported by said Committee was then ta- ken up. Mr. Sanderson of Duval ofiered tlie following amendment : Provided^ Payments shall not be received by the contractors 87 under existing contracts made by them with the late Goverment of the United States ; Which -u'as adopted. The ordinance as amended was then adopted. The Convention then took imder its consideration the fourth orduiance reported by said committee ; Which, after being amended, was adopted. Mr. Sanderson moved that the fifth ordinance reported by said committee be indefinitely postponed ; Whicli was agreed to. On motion the Convention took a recess until 4 o'clock, P. M. 4 O'CLOCK, P. M. The Convention resumed its session — a quorum present. Mr. Bethel of Monroe asked that the Ordinance of Secession be In-ought in, and that he be permitted to sign the same : Which was granted. Mr. Fmegan of Nassau called itp an ordinance to limit the 2d clause of the 13th article of the Constitution ; Which was piit upon its passage and was lost. The rules bemg waived, Mr. Finegan of Nassau oiiered the following resolution : Resolved^ That the Secretary transmit immediately a certified copy of each ordinance that has passed the Convention to the Sen- ate and House of Representatives of this State,Jand that hereafter, as soon as any ordinance is passed, a copy of the same l)e so cer- tified and sent; Which was adopted. • The rule being waived, Mr. McLean of Washington made the following motion : That a Connnittee of three be appointed by the President to audit the claims of Delegates to this Convention for mileage and per diem due them, and that the Delegates be requested to in- form said Committee the number of miles traveled ; Which was agreed to. ^ Messrs. INIcLean, Ward and Henry were appointeroper device for a 8tate Seal ; 'Which"%vas read, the rules waived, and the resolution adopted, and Messrs. Stephens, Mcintosh and DaAvkins ajDpointed said committee, Mr. DaA-is of Leon offered the following Resolution : Hesolved, That the officers of this Convention be allowed the same compensation as is allowed to similar officers in the Senate of this State, and that the President do certify the amoimt of the .allowance due to each officer. Whicli Avas read, the rules waived, and the resolution adopted. Mr. Davis of Leon offered the following resolution : liesolved, That the Committee on Fruiting be directed to ex- amine pomtod said Committee. IMr. Rutland of Orange offered the foUoAving preamble and ordinance : Whereas, There are certain individuals in our Commonwealth who have done service in defence of our common country, and having been wounded therein have received annual pensions from the Federal Government. Therefore, 92 Be it resolved by the People of the State of Florida iii Con- ventio?i assetyibled. That the General AssemlDly be and are here- by instructed to allow such persons the same pay as was allowed by the late government of the United States. A7id be it further resolved, That the said General Assembly pass such laws regulating the time and place of such pay as to them may seem just. "Which was read and placed among the orders of the day for to-morrow. Mr. Turman of Hillsborough, from the Committee on Printing and Contingent Exj^enses, made the following report : The Committee on Printing and Incidental Expenses beg leave to REPORT: That the following accounts have been duly audited and re- commend their payment, to- wit : Messrs. Dyke & Carlisle's bill for printing up to and including Saturday the 19th instant, S795 20. ^Y. S. Harris's bill for telegraphing, t2l 65. Messrs. McDougall & Hobby's bill for stationery, 881 39. Your committee respectfully recoimnend that the Comptroller of State be authorized to audit the account of Messrs. Dyke & Carlisle for printing, imder the report of your committee hereto- fore made, necessary to complete the published journals of this Convention. SIMON TURMAN, Chairman. Which was received and adopted. BIr. McLean of Washington, from the select Committee of three to audit accounts of Delegates, made the following report : • The Committee of three appointed by the President to audit the claims of Delegates to this Convention beg leave to make the foUoAving REPORT : That each Delegate shall be entitled to ten cents per mile to and from the Capitol and $3 for every twenty miles travel upon -the most direct route, and $3 per day while at the Convention. D. H. McLEAN, THOMAS Y. HENRY, GEO. T. WARD. Which was received. Mr. Daniel offered to amend said report l^y inserting 83 per day for traveling instead of 83 for each 20 miles travel; Which was rejected. The report was then adopted. 93 Mr. Mcintosh of Calhoiin, from the Committee of five, made the following report : The Committee to whom was referred the subjact of tiboli«h- ing certain offices in this State, have had the same imder consid- eration and beg leave to REPORT: That the several Inspectors' offices, the Surveyor-General's ot- fice, the Boats and hands at the several Custom Houses, the Na- vy Agent's office at Pensacola, and the offices of four Timber Agents, and the Inspector or Surveyor of the port of Palatka, be discontinued, and they recommend that aU the papers and things appertaining to the office of Surveyor-General be turned over to the Register of Public Lands at St. Augustine. Your Commit- tee therefore recommend the adoption of the following Ordi- nance : Be it ordained by tliei:>eox>le of the State of Florida, That the Surveyor-General's, the several Inspectors' offices, the Boats and hands at the several Custom Houses, the Navy Agent's office at Pensacola, and the offices of four Timber Agents, and the office of Inspector or Surveyor of the port of Palatka be abolished. Be it further ordained^ That the Surveyor-General of the late Federal Government be instructed to deliver over to the Regis- ter of Public Lands at St. Augustine all the jiapers and property appertainmg to said office, who shall be authorized to carry on to completion all contracts for surveys heretofore made. McQueen McINTOSH, chairman. "Which was recieved, the rules waived and the ordinance re- ported put upon its passage and adopted. Mr. Allison of Gadsden offi^red the follo^ang Ordinance : Be it ordained by the people of Florida in Convention assem- bled, That the fifth section of the fourth Article of the Constitu- tion be so altered and changed as to read that the Senators shall be elected for the term of two years instead of four years ; Bro- vided, That this amendment sliall not take effect until the first election after the expiration of the terms of the present incum- bents thereof respectively. Which Avas recieved and placed among the orders of the day, Mr. Mcintosh called up an ordinance for the relief of sundry ])ersons of Calhoun and Franklin counties ; Which Avas put upon its passage and adopted. The Govenor sent the following communications to the Prcsi- ident of the Convention, which were read and ordered to be spread uj^on the journal : 94 Executive Department, ) Tallahassee, Jan. 21st, 1861. \ Hon. John C. McGehee, Pi'esident of the Convention : SiK : — lu compliance -svith the Ordinance of the Convention anthorizuio; me to appoint W. H. Chase a Major General of the Ai-my of Florida, I immediately forwarded his commission as JMajor General, and telegraphed him to that eflect. I have the honor to transmit herewith the reply of Gen. Chase, together with a dispatch from his Excellency, Gov. BroAvn, of Georgia. Very respectfully, M. S. PERRY. Pensacola, Fla., Jan. 19th, 1861. Gov. M. S. Peeky, Tallahassee^ Fla : * * * * * If I accept the honor of the Major Generalship, I shall serve without pay or any personal expense from the State. W. H. CHASE. Milledgeville, 19th Jan., 1861. Gov. Peert, Tallahassee: 2.30 P. M. — Ordinance for immediate Secession just jDassed by two hundred and eight to eight-nine. Nearly all will sign it. JOS. E. BROWN. CnAELESTON, 19th Jan. 1861. Gov. Peeey, Tallalmssee : Four thousand muskets ready for shipment 'Monday morning. How shall they be sent and where ? L. W. SPRATT. Mr. Daniel of Duval moved that a special Committee of three be a])pointed by the President of the Convention as a Committee on Enrolments, and that it be made the duty of said Committee to see that all Ordinances and Resohitions adopted by the Con- vention are properly enrolled after the Convention shall have ad- journed ; Wliich was adopted, and Messrs. Beard, Davis and Ward were appointed said Committee. Mr. Beard of Leon offered the following resolution : Mesolved-y That the Governor be authorized to fill any vacan- cy that may occur in his Council during the recess of this Con- vention. "Which was adopted. 95 Mr. JMcIutosh moved that a committee of three be appomted to Avait ou the Governor and inform him that the ConA-ontion is now ready to adjom-n and inquire of him if he has any further communications to make to this body ; ' Which was adopted, and Messrs. Mcintosh, Folsom and Gettis ai3pointed said committee. The committee returned and reported that the Governor had no further commmiications to make to the Convention and were discharged. Mr. Ijeard of Leon offered the following resohition : Resolved^ That the thanks of this Convention arc due and are hereby rendered to the Hon. John C. McGehee, President, for the impartial and dignified manner ui which he has discharged the duties of the position. Whicli was unanimously adopted. Mr. Sanderson of Duval offered the following resolution : Resolved, That this Convention now take a recess to be re-as- sembled at the call of the President, or by the Governor in the event of the inability of the President from illness or other cause. Which was adopted and the Convention adjourned in accord- ance therewith. ORDNANCES & 1{ES0LUTI0?(S PASSED ];y tiik STATE CONVENTION OF TIIK PEOPLE OF EEORID^. BEGUN AND HELD IN THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE, JAN. 3, 1861. PKEPARED UNDEK THE SUPERVISION OF THE SECRETAIIY OF STATE ORDINANCES. [ No. 1. ] Ordinance of Secession. We, the People of the State of Florida, in Convention assem- bled, do solemnly ordain, pnblish and declare, That the State of Florida hereby Avithdraws herself from the Confederacy of States existinu; nnder the name of the United States of America, and fi-om the existhig govermnent of said States; and that all political coimection between her and the goA-ernment of said States onght to be and the same is hereby totally ajmnllcd and said Union of States dissolved, and the State of Florida is hereby declared a sovereign and indei)endent Na- tion; and that all ordinances heretofore adopted, in so far as they create or recognize said Union, are rescinded, and all laws or ])arts of laws in force in this State, ui so far as they recognize •or assent to said Union, be and they are hereby repealed. Done in open Convention, Jannary 10th, 1861. [ No. 2. ] Be it Ordahied hi/ the People of the State of Florida, in Conven- tion Assembled, That until otherwise provided by the General Assembly of the State of Florida, no duties shall be collected upon imports from the States forming the late Federal Union, nor upon the tonnage of vessels, owned in whole or in pari by the citizens of said States, nor shall any act of Congress regulating fo'eign com- merce, or prescribing forms to be observed by foreign vessels, be iheld or deemed applicable to said State. That all the official acts of the officers in which it is usual and proper to set forth the authority u!ider which they act, the style of the documents heieafter issued by them, or any of them, shall be in the name of the State of Florida : Provided, That these Ordinances :shall not go into eifect, so far as they may be applicable to any Col- lector of Customs in this State, until such time as the Governor of «aid State shall, by public proclamation, have given ten days notice 100 thereof, designating therein the several Collection Districts to which the same apply and also the date at which said Ordinances arc to take effect in said Districts. That all inonevs hereafter collected by an)' of the officers aforesaid, shall, after dedncting the snnis necessary for the compen- sation of officers and other expenses, be paid into the Treasury of the State of Florida, subject to the order of the General Assembly, and the officers aforesaid shall retain in their hands all property, moneys, bonds, and other securities of the United States in their possession, custody, or control, subject to the disposal of this State, which will account for the same upon a final settlement with the Government of the late United States, and that all officers of the late Federal Government within the limits of this State, who, by any ordinance of this Convention, are required to retain in their liands any proper- ty, moneys, bonds, and other securities, which they may hare in their possession at the time of the passage of this ordinance, shall be, and they are hereby required to enter into bond to the State of Florida, of the same tenor and similarly conditioned as were their respective bonds to the United States, \vith good and sufficient se- curity, to be approved by the Judge of Probate of their respective counties ; and for the discharge of this, or any other duty imposed by any ordinance of this Convention, the State of Florida will fully indemnify said officers against any and all losses, which they or any of them may sustain ^by reason of their compliance with the ordi- nances of this Convention, or the laws made in pursuance thereof. Done in open Convention, January 1.5th, A. D. 18G1. [ No. 3. ] Be it oi'dained hy the People of the State of Florida in Cou- vention assendjled, That all laws passed by the Congress of the United States, and approved by the President thereof, prior to the tenth day of January of the present year, and which were in force on that day, be and the same are hereby adopted and made laws of the State of Florida, and declared to be of force as such within this State, and all writs, actions, suits, judgments and proceedings which existed or are pending in the District Court of the United States for the District of Florida, on the tenth day of January of the present year, shall remain unimpaired, and pi'ovision shall be- made by law for the transfer thereof to the District Courts of Florida,, to be i)roceeded in by said courts and making the same records and . proceedings of said District Courts of the State of Florida : Pro- vided, That all writs, actions, suits, and judgments, whether at law or in equity, i]ow pending, or which may hereafter be com- 101 meuced in said courts, shall be subject to the practice and pro- ceedings which now or may hereafter regulate the Circuit Courts of the State. Done in open convention January 15, 18G1. [ No. 4. ] An Ordinance to remove disabilities aiising under the fifth section of the sixth article of the Constitution. ^c it Ordained hj the People of the State of Florida in Convention assembled, That all persons laboring under any disability from hold- ing office under the fifth section of the sixth article of the Constitu- tion, are hereby reinstated and empowered to hold office, either civil or military, under this State, as fully as if such disability had not at- tached. Done in open Convention, .January 15, 18G1. [ No. 5. ] Jie it ordained b}/ the People of the State of P'lorida in Con- vention assembled^ That the third and eighth sections of the sixth article of the Constitution of this State be, and the same are hereby minulled. Done in open Convention, January 15, 1861. [ No. 6. ] WiiERKAs, The General Assembly has construed the Constitu- tion to mean, that the term of the Governor elect does not commence xmtil October next, after said election : Be it ordained by theinople. of the State of Florida in Con- ventio)! assembled, That said construction be so altered and changed that the Governor elect of this State shall l)c inaugura- ted and take his seat on the second IMonday of the first Session of the (General Assembly after his election: Provided, That this amendment shall not go into eft'ect imtil the Session of the Gen- eral Assembly in 1865 ; and that the next election for Governor shall be held on the first Monday in October, 1865: Provided further, That the same officers now authorized to canvass the 102 votes for Reproseiitntives in Consri'ess shall canvass the votes tor Governor, and if the Legislature should not meet in the year of the election of Governor, he shall be qualified by any Judge of the Circuit or Supreme Court. Done in open Convention, January Hth, 1861. [ No. 7. ] Be it ordained hi/ the People of the State of Florida in Co)i- vention asfiembled^ That, until otherwise provided by this Con- vention, all offices, not judicial, which existed in this State under the Constitution and laws of the United States on the 10th day of January of the present year, are hereby (treated offices by, in and under the authority of the State of Florida; and all persons who held such offices at the time aforesaid are hereby consti- tuted and a])ponited officers of said State and continued in the offices i)y them respectively held as aforesaid until they resign to the Governor or be removed by him; and such persons shall I'eceive the same pay and emoluments as such officers as they were entitled to receive under the laws of the United States: Provided^ That all persons so authorized to hold offices under the State of Florida shall take an oath of allegiance to this State to be prescribed by law. Done in open Convention, January 17th, 1861. [ ITo. 8. ] Be it Ordained by the People f Florida in Con rent ion, (litsemhled, That the jurisdiction of the State of Florida be, and the same is hereby extended over all forts, arsenals, docks, yards, and other places within the limits of the State, over which the United States of America have heretofore exercised jurisdiction, and that all ordinances, laws, and conveyances granted, made or executeil bv the State of Florida, conferring upon the United States aforesaid jurisdiction over the same and in conflict with this ordinance, bo and the sa^ne are hereby annulled, repealed and made void. Done in open Convention, January 17th, 1861. [ No. 11. ] J3e it ordaineil h>/ the People of the State of Florida in Coii- Dentioii assembled^ 8th. That the General Assembly of this State shall have power to declare who arc citizens of this State, and as such entitled to the right of suffrage iiercin, and to prescribe the terms upon which citizens of other States of the late American Union lu-i mav be admitted to tlie right of citizenship in this State, and shall provide for the punisliment of such persons as shall hereafter pretend to hold office within the limits of this State, under the authority of the Govenmient of the late United States. Done in open Convention, January l7th, 18G1. [ No. 12. ] An Ordinance i)roviding for the organization of the Army of Florida. J^e it ordabied hy the People of the State of Florida in Con- vention assembled^ That tlie General Assembly of tliis State be and they are liereby authorized to provide by law for the election or appointment of such general officers as the emergencies of the ])ublic service may require^ Done in open Convention, January iVth, A. D. 18G1. [ No. 13. ] Be it Ordained hy the People of the State of Florida in Conven- t'on Assembled, That the Governor of this State be, and he is here- by authorized to appoint and-commission William II. Chase, of Es- cambia county, a Major-General in the army of Florida, with such pay and emoluments as the General Assembly may by law provide. Done in open Convention, January 17th, A. D. 1801. [ No. 14. ] Be it ordained by the people of the State of Florida in Convention assenihled, That the eleventh section of the Gth arti- cle of the Constitution be amended by striking from the last line of .said section, the words, "and of the United States," and adding the words, "and the ordinances adopted by this Convention." Done in open Convention, January iVth, 1801. 105 [ 'No. 15. ] An Ordinance Amending tlic Seventh Article of the Constitution of this State, entitled "Militia." Be it ordained by the Feojjle of the State of Florida in Convention assembled, That the Seventh Article of the Constitution of this State be repealed, and in lieu theseof the following adopted : 1. All Militia Officers shall be elected or appointed under such rules and regulations as the General Assembly ma}' from time to time direct and establish, 2. All offences against the Militia laws shall be tried by Court Martial or before a Court and Jury, as the General Assembly may direct. 3. No commission issued under the act approved December 22, 1859, entitled " An act to amend the Militia and Patrol Laws," or any military commission hereafter to be* issued under that or any future act of the General Assembly, shall be vacated except by sen- tence of Court Mrrtial. Done in open convention January 18th, 1861. [ No. 16. ] Be it ordained by the People of the State of Florida in Convention assembled, That the second section of the third arficle of the Con- stitution be so amended as to read : That the Governor shall be elected for two years instead of four : Provided, That this ordinance shall not take effect until the election for said officer in the year 18G5. Done in open Convention, January 18th, 1801. [ No. 17. ] Be it ordained by the People of the State of Florida i?) Con- vention assembled, That there shall be established a Court at Key West in this State, which Court shall have and exercise Admiralty jurisdiction only ; that the laws of the late United States applica- ble to, and heretofore governing the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of Florida, be and the same are hereby adopted for the control and government of said Court ; that said Court shall be known as the Court of Admiralty for the South- ern District of Florida, and that the limits of its jurisdiction shall 106 be the same as were prescrihed by an Act of the late Federal Con- gress, Approved February 'iSth, 184V. 2. Be it further Ordained, Tliut there shall be one Judge of said Court, with a salary of twenty-five hundred dollars per annum, who shall be appointed by the Governor of this State, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate thereof, who shall have power to appoint a Clerk of said Court, which said clerk, before entering upon the duties of his office, shall enter into a bond in the sum of two thousand dolia»'s to be approved by the said Judge, conditioned for ll)e faithful performance of his duties. 3. Be it jfurtJi.er ordained, That a Marshal of said Court shall be appointed in like manner as the Judge thereof, who, with the Clerk of said Court, shall receive the same fees and emoluments as were prescribed by an act of the late Federal Congress, approved Febru- ary 26th, 1853. The said '•larshal shall enter into a bond in the sum of twenty thousand dollars, conditioned for the faithful per- formance of his duties, and the ])ayment of all monies coming into liis hands under the ordcr,of the Court, which bond shall be approved by the Judge thereof. 4. /Je it furtlicr ordained. That the said Judge shall reside at Key U'est, that the Coiis't shall be always open for the. transaction of admiralty business, a!id that apj^eals may be taken from the decrees thereof to the Suineiiic Court of this State, in like manner as appeals from the Circuit Courts of this State are now prosecuted. 5. Be it further <> daiin'd, Tliat whenever the Provisional or per- ma'.ienl < o'a'riimcnt ot a Southern Confederacy shall establish a CoKi-t of Adiniralty ami foreign jurisdiction for the Southern Dis- tri>-t of Morid , this oi-'iiiianrc shall cease to be of any force and eff.V't. Done in open Convention, January 19th, 1801. [ Ko. 18. ] Be it orddi.K-d hy the People of tlie State of Florida in Con- vention a):d. That the laws of the United States in relation to Post offices, mail routes, contracts, and all other j^ostal mat- ters, heretofore made and in force in the State of Florida on the lOtli day of Jaimary of the i)resent year, so far as the same may be a})plical>le to a single State, shall remain and continue in full force in this State, until the same shall be altered or rejiealed under the authority of this Convention. 2d. That the several nuiil routes which lie in whole or in part in the State of Florida, or in its adjacent waters, and the eon- tracts now subsisting for carrying the nuiils thereon, be and they are herebj'- continued until otherwise provided under the author- 107 ity of this Coiivei)tioTi, ov niitil, Ly proclamation by the Chief Magistrate of the State of Fhjrida, tliey shall be s\isi)e]i(le(l or discontinued; and that all anio\n)ts falling due under said eon- tracts be paid out of any moneys in the Treasury of the State of Florida not otherwise approj^riated : Provhh>' 'onstitution and laws of the United States. Jie it f/itJi r Ordained, ihatall unfinished business remainino; in said Northern Histrict courts, shall be transferred to the ajipi'opiiate • ircuit, under such rules and regulations as .nay be presei'ibed liv the (ieiieral Asseinhly of this State. Done in open C\)n vent ion Janu.ary lOtli, 1861. [No. 20. ] ' Be it ordained hy tlte peajdr if the State of Florida, That the Surveyor-CTCnorars, the several Insjiectors' ofhces, the I^oats and Imnds at the several Custom Houses, the Navy Agent's ottice at 108 Pensacola, and the offices of four Timber Agents, and the office of Inspector or Surveyor of the port of Palatka, be abolished. Be it further ordained, Tliat the Surveyor-General of the late Federal Government be instructed to deliver over to the Regis- ter of Pul)lic Lands at St. ^Vugustine all the papers and property apijertainmg to said office, Avho shall be authorized to carry on to completion all contracts for surveys heretofore made. Done in open Convention January 21st, 1801. [ ISTo. 21. ] TViiEREAS, Divers disturbances and breaches of the peace have, within the last twelve months, occurred in the counties of Cal- houn and Franklin, acconijxuiied with niunerous violations of the criminal laws of the State, which it is ]iot to the interest of the State at this time to prosecute — Therefore, Be it ordained hij the People of the State of Florida in Con- vention assembled, That the Governor of this State be and he is hereby authorized and required to ])roclaim a general amnesty and ])ardon for all offences committed in said counties of Calhoun and Franklin during the year 1860. Done in open Convention January 21st, 1861. [ No. 22.. ] Be it ordained by the People of the State of Florida in Con- vention assembled, That this Convention doth assent to the hold- ing of a Convention of States, to be comprised of such slave- holding States as have now, or shall have, before the final adjourn- ment of said Convention, dissolved their connection with the late Federal Union, to be holden at Montgomery, in the State of Ala- bama, on the 18th day of February next, or at such other time and place as may be agreed upon by the Delegates appointed, for the i)urpose of forming a Provisional Government for a South- ern Confederacy, to continue of force until superseded by the organization of a permanent government ; and after said Pro- visional Government shall have been organized, said Delegates shall proceed to form a permanent government for said Con- federacy, each State to have one vote in said Convention, and three persons, citizens of this State and qualified voters therein. 109 • shall be appointed by the Governor, l)y and Avith the advice and consent of this Convention, Avho shall re})resent the State of Florida in said Convention of slaveholding States proposed by this ordinance to be holden as aforesaid, who shall together cast the vote of the State; that, in the opmion of this Convention, the Constitution of the United States should constitute the basis of the said Southern Confederacy; that as soon as the terms of the permanent government for said Confederation shall be agreed upon, llie same sliall, by the Governor of the State of Florida, be submitted for ratification to this Convention, and, when ratified, the terms of said Confederation shall become the supreme law of the State of Florida. Done in open Convention, January 17, A. U. ISGl. RESOLUTIONS. [ No. 1. ] Resolution for the relief of R. D. Jordon of Holmes county. Jxisolved, That the Treasurer be authorized to pay R. D. Jor- don, mileage and per diem, for six days in the Convention as the member from Holmes county. Done in open Convention, January IGth, 1801. [ No. 2. ] Reiiohed, That \. J. T. Wi-ight be entitled to the same jjay and emoluments as :ire allowed to other members of this Con- vention for the period he has served as a member thereof. ])one in open Convention, .Tanuary 16th, 1S61. [ No. 3. ] liesolred, That the lion. S. R. :\Iallory, Hon. D. L. Yulec and Hon. George S. Hawkins Ijc and they are hereby ai)pohited Com- 110 missioners for the State of Florida, wliose duty it sliall be to ne- gotiate Avitli tlie authorities at Washington ior tlie surrender to this State of all Xavy Yards, Forts, ^NFaoazines, Arsenals, and all other ])ul)lic j)roperty Avithin its limits. Be it fta-tJtcr resolved^ Tliat the President of tliis Convention transmit to the said commissioners a certilied copy of this reso- lution. Done in open Convention Jamiary 18th, 1801. [ No. 4. ] JiesolvetJ, That the Convention doth hereby signify their ap- proval and liigh appreciation of the acts of Major General Cliase in the conduct of the late military o})erations, at and near Pensaeola, as the same have been communicated to this body ])y ^ols. Hol- land and Gee, Aids to his Excellency the Governor ; and that the thanks of this Convention be also given to Cols. Holland and Gee for the services by them rendered to the State. Done in open Convention January 18th, 18G1. [ ISTo. 5. ] Hesolved, That this Convention, through their President, com- municate to the (-rovernor of iVlabamn their high a})])reciation of the conduct of the Alabama troo])s in the late operations at Pen- saeola, and that the thanks of tliis Convention, re})reseuting the State of Florida, are liereby tendered to Governor Moore for his promi)tness and patriotism. Done in 0})cn Convention, January ISth, 18G1. [ No. 6. J Resolved, That it shall be the duty of the Legislature of the State of Florida, at its present session, to provide by law for the mainten- ance of the Light-houses on the coast of this State, whenever the same shall cease to be maintained by tl.e Federal Government at Washington City. Done in open Convention, January IS, 186L Ill [ No. 7. ] JResolved^ That the Secretary oftliis Convention be instructed and required, under the super-\ision of the Secretary of State, to prepare for pixbUcation all ordinances passed or that hereafter may be passed by this Convention. Done in open Convention, January 18-, 1801. [ No. 8. ] liesolved, That the enactuig clause of all ordinances adopted or to be adopted by this Convention be in the following terms : " Be it ordained by the People of the State of Florida in Conven- tion assembled." Done in open Convention, January 18, 18G1. [ No. 9. ] Hesolved, That should any vacancy occur in the delegation to the Convention of Slaveholding States while this Convention is not in session, it shall lie the duty of the l*residcnt of this Con- vention to till said Nacancy or vacancies. Done in 0})en Convention Jainiary 18th, 18G1. [ No. 10. ] Resolved^ That the Journal of the ]iroceedings of this Conven- tion, when printed, shall be -deposited with the Secretary of State, and that officer be instructed to send by mail five copies to each of the members of this Convention, five to eacli member of the Legislature and five to each .Judge of I'robate. Done in open Convention Jamiary 21st, 18G1. [ No. 11. ] \ Resolved^ That the Delegates from this State to the Southern 'Convention be instructed to oppose any attempt on the part of 112 said CoiiA'c-iition to legislate or transact any business whatsoev- er otiier than the adoption of 9, Provisional Government to be substantially on the basis of the Constitution of the late 'United States, and a permanent Constitution for the Southern Confeder- acy upon the same basis, and that in the event of the said Con- Acntion imdertaking on any pretext "whatsoever to exercise any powers other than that above enumerated, that our Delegates are instructed to protest against tlie same, and to declare in be- half of the State of Florida, that such acts will not be deemed binding on this State. Done in open Convention, January iVth, 18G1. I, '>Villiam S. Harris, Secretary of the ConventioTi, do hereby cer- tify -that the foregoing ordinances and resolutions, are copies of ordi- nances and resolutions passed at the late session of the Convention of the people of Florida, and have received the assent of the Tresi- dent. In witness whereof, I hereunto set niv hand this the 22nd day of Januarv, A. D., 1861. WILLIAM S. HARRIS, Secretarv of the Convention. n 4 JOSEPH RUilCKii BQOKaiNoeRs