The New York Legislature's Concurrent Resolutions Tendering Aid to the President of the United States in Support of the Constitution and the Union

Concurrent Resolutions Tendering Aid to the President of the United States in Support of the Constitution and the Union.

Whereas, Treason, as defined by the constitution of the United States, exists in one or more of the States of this confederacy, and

Whereas, The insurgent State of South Carolina, after seizing the post office, custom house, moneys and fortifications of the federal government, has, by firing into a vessel ordered by the government to convey troops and provisions to Fort Sumter, virtually declared war; and whereas, the forts and property of the United States government in Georgia, Alabama and Louisiana, have been unlawfully seized, with hostile intentions; and whereas, further, senators in congress avow and maintain their treasonable acts; therefore,

Resolved (if the senate concur), That the legislature of New York, profoundly impressed with the value of the Union, and determined to preserve it unimpaired, hail with joy the recent firm, dignified and patriotic special message of the president of the United States, and that we tender to him, through the chief magistrate of our own State, whatever aid in men and money he may require to enable him to enforce the laws and uphold the authority of the federal government. And that in defence of “the more perfect union,” which has conferred prosperity and happiness upon the American people, renewing the pledge given and redeemed by our fathers, we are ready to devote “our fortunes, our lives, and our sacred honor” in upholding the Union and the constitution.

Resolved (if the senate concur), That the Union-loving representatives and citizens of Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky, Missouri and Tennessee, who labor with devoted courage and patriotism to withhold their States from the vortex of secession, are entitled to the gratitude and admiration of the whole people.

Resolved (if the senate concur), That the governor be respectfully requested to forward, forthwith, copies of the foregoing resolutions to the president of the nation, and the governors of ill the States of the Union.

STATE OF NEW YORK,

IN ASSEMBLY, January 14, 1861.

The preceding preamble and resolutions were duly passed.

By order.

H. A. RISLEY, Clerk.

STATE OF NEW YORK,

IN SENATE, January 14, 1861.

The foregoing preamble and resolutions were duly passed.

By order.

 JAS. TERWILLIGER, Clerk.

SOURCE: Supplement to the Fifth Edition of the Revised Statutes of the State of New York, p. 107