so as to afford to the people of the slaveholding States
adequate guarantees for the security of their rights, to
appoint Commissioners to meet, on the 4th day of February
next, in the City of Washington, similar Commissioners
appointed by Virginia, to consider, and, if practicable,
agree upon some suitable adjustment."

I confess I hail this movement, on the part of Virginia, with
great satisfaction. From the past history of this ancient and
renowned Commonwealth, we have the fullest assurance that
what she has undertaken she will accomplish, if it can be
done by able, enlightened, and persevering efforts. It is
highly gratifying to know that other patriotic States have
appointed, and are appointing Commissioners to meet those of
Virginia in council. When assembled, they will constitute a
body entitled, in an eminent degree, to the confidence of the
country.

The General Assembly of Virginia have also resolved "that
ex-President JOHN TYLER is hereby appointed by the concurrent
vote of each branch of the General Assembly, a Commissioner
to the President of the United States; and Judge JOHN
ROBERTSON is hereby appointed, by a like vote, a Commissioner
to the State of South Carolina, and the other States that
have seceded or shall secede, with instructions respectfully
to request the President of the United States and the
authorities of such States to agree to abstain, pending the
proceedings contemplated by the action of this General
Assembly, from any and all acts calculated to produce a
collision of arms between the States and the Government of
the United States."

However strong may be my desire to enter into such an
agreement, I am convinced that I do not possess the power.
Congress, and Congress alone, under the war-making power, can
exercise the discretion of agreeing to abstain "from any and
all acts calculated to produce a collision of arms" between
this and any other Government. It would, therefore, be a
usurpation for the Executive to attempt to restrain their
hands by an agreement in regard to matters over which he has
no constitutional control. If he were thus to act, they might
pass laws which he should be bound to obey, though in
conflict with his agreement.

Under existing circumstances, my present actual power is
confined within narrow