limits. It is my duty at all times to
defend and protect the public property within the seceding
States so far as this may be practicable, and especially to
employ all constitutional means to protect the property of
the United States, and to preserve the public peace at this
the seat of the Federal Government. If the seceding States
abstain "from any and all acts calculated to produce a
collision of arms," then the danger so much to be deprecated
will no longer exist. Defence, and not aggression, has been
the policy of the administration from the beginning.

But while I can enter into no engagement such as that
proposed, I cordially commend to Congress, with much
confidence that it will meet their approbation, to abstain
from passing any law calculated to produce a collision of
arms pending the proceedings contemplated by the action of
the General Assembly of Virginia. I am one of those who will
never despair of the Republic. I yet cherish the belief that
the American people will perpetuate the Union of the States
on some terms just and honorable for all sections of the
country. I trust that the mediation of Virginia may be the
destined means, under Providence, of accomplishing this
inestimable benefit. Glorious as are the memories of her past
history, such an achievement, both in relation to her own
fame and the welfare of the whole country, would surpass them
all.

JAMES BUCHANAN.

The "series of resolutions" referred to, and transmitted in President
BUCHANAN'S message to Congress, are in the body of this book on pages
9 and 10.

The following communication by the Governor of Virginia to the General
Assembly thereof, was also submitted with the President's Message:

_The Commonwealth of Virginia,
to all to whom these presents shall come, greeting:_

Know you, that the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of
Virginia, having, by joint resolution, adopted on the 19th
instant, and hereto attached, appointed ex-President JOHN
TYLER a Commissioner to the President of the United States to
carry out the instructions conveyed in said resolution:
therefore, I, JOHN LETCHER, Governor, do hereby announce the
said appointment, and authenticate the same.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and
[L.S.] caused the great seal of the State to be affixed, i