g expression of
the deliberate opinion of that body that, unless the unhappy
controversy which now divides the States shall be
satisfactorily adjusted, a permanent dissolution of the
Union is inevitable; and, being earnestly desirous of an
adjustment thereof, in concurrence with Virginia, in the
spirit in which the Constitution was originally formed, and
consistently with its principles, so as to afford to the
people of all the States adequate security for all their
rights, the attention of the undersigned was necessarily led
to the consideration of the extent and equality of our
powers, and to the propriety and expediency, under existing
circumstances, of a recommendation by this Conference
Convention of any specific action by Congress, whether of
ordinary legislation, or in reference to constitutional
amendments to be proposed by Congress on its own
responsibility to the States.

A portion of the members of this Convention are delegated by
the Legislatures of their respective States, and are
required to act under their supervision and control, while
others are the representatives only of the Executives of
their States, and, having no opportunity of consulting the
immediate representatives of the people, can only act on
their individual responsibility.

Among the resolutions and propositions suggesting modes of
adjustment appropriate to this occasion which were brought
to the notice of the committee, were the resolutions of the
State of Kentucky recommending to her sister States to unite
with her in an application to Congress for the calling of a
Convention in the mode prescribed by the Constitution for
proposing amendments thereto.

The undersigned, for the reasons set forth in the
accompanying resolution, and others which have been herein
indicated, is of opinion that the mode of adjustment by a
General Convention, as proposed by Kentucky, is the one
which affords the best assurance of an adjustment acceptable
to the people of every section, as it will afford to all the
States which may desire amendments, an opportunity of
preparing them with care and deliberation, and in such form
as they may deem it expedient to prescribe, to be submitted
to the consideration and deliberate action of delegates duly
chosen a