Gentlemen, Commissioners from South Carolina and Alabama:
As the organ of the sovereignty of Florida in Convention 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 deliverance and safety, it is grateful to give and receive mutual encouragement and support. Florida acknowledges, with high satisfaction, the friendly compliment paid her by your respective States in accrediting to her their Commissioners. May not she and they indulge the pleasing hope that that mutual regard and sympathy and support now tendered and received may be an earnest of a re-union of destinies that shall secure liberty, peace and happiness to their people for all time to come?
To South Carolina, who has, in the maintainance of the rights of her people, reassumed the powers granted in the Constitution, which made her a member of the Union, and taken position among the separate and independent nations of the earth, Florida says, All hail—well done. Alabama, who this day assembles her sovereignty with the high behest to take care that her commonwealth receives no detriment, Florida bids God speed.
And to you, gentlemen, personally, this Convention tenders considerations of high respect and regard.
Mr. Bullock, Commissioner from the State of Alabama, addressed the Convention.
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 under the compact 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 the Convention upon the actions and policy of the State of South Carolina.
Mr. Davis offered the following resolution:
Resolved, That the written communication made to this Convention by the State of South Carolina be referred to a Committee 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 was promptly responded to by Mr. Ruffin.
Mr. Anderson presented papers concerning the contested election in Holmes county, and moved that they be referred to the Committee on Elections;
Which was agreed to.
On motion of Mr. McIntosh the Convention took a recess for one hour.
