April 30, 1861
The Charleston Mercury
LATEST BY TELEGRAPH.
MONTGOMERY, April 29. Congress met at noon today.
President DAVIS’ Message was read, announcing the ratification of the Permanent Constitution by all of the Confederate States, and that it only remained that an election be held for the designation of officers to administer it. He says the declaration of war has been laid against this Confederacy by ABRAHAM LINCOLN, which rendered it necessary for the defence of the country.
The President then reviews at length the relations heretofore existing between the states, and events which have resulted in the present warfare. Referring to the result of the mission of the Commissioners to Washington, he says the crooked paths of diplomacy can scarcely furnish an example so wanting in courtesy, in candor, and in directness, as was the course of the United States’ Government towards our Commissioners.
The President incidentally refers to the prudent caution observed by the fleet off Charleston during the bombardment of Fort Sumter, and pays a high compliment to the Carolinians for their forbearance before, heroism during, and magnanimity after, the bombardment.
He says Commissioners have been sent to England, France, Russia and Belgium, to ask our recognition as a member of the Family of Nations, and make treaties of amity and commerce. He recommends the appointment of other diplomatic agents.
He says the Confederacy, through Vice-President STEPHENS, has concluded a Convention with Virginia, by which she has united her power and fortunes with ours. He has satisfactory assurances that other Southern States will soon unite their fortunes with us.
He says most of the Executive Departments are in successful operation. The Postmaster General will soon be ready to assume the direction of postal affairs.
In conclusion, he congratulates the Confederacy on the patriotism and devotion exhibited by the people of the Confederacy. Men of high official and social positions and wealth have been serving as volunteers in the ranks. The railway companies have been liberal in their rates of transporting troops and supplies, and proffer liberal terms for the transportation of the mails, and receive in compensation Bonds of the Confederacy. He says a people thus united and resolved cannot fail in final success. We feel that our cause is just and holy, and protest solemnly in the face of mankind that we desire peace at any sacrifice, save that of honor and independence. We seek no conquest, no aggrandizement, no concessions from the Free States. All we ask is to be let alone; that none shall attempt our subjugation by arms. This we will, we must, resist to the direst extremity. The moment this pretension is abandoned, the sword will drop from our grasp, and we shall be ready to entertain treaties of amity and commerce mutually beneficial. So long as this pretension is maintained, with firm reliance on that Divine Power which coves with its protection the just cause, we will continue to struggle for our inherent right to freedom, independence and self-government.