Virginia Governor's Communication Enclosing the Credentials of the Commissioner from Mississippi

This collection consists of one printed pamphlet in four parts: a preface by Virginia Governor Letcher, a letter from Peter B. Starke, a letter from Mississippi Governor Pettus, and resolutions of the Mississippi legislature.

The preface is a letter (dated February 21, 1860) by Virginia Governor John Letcher addressed to the Virginia General Assembly. Letcher requests that the Assembly acknowledge Peter B. Starke, Mississippi commissioner. The second part consists of a letter by Starke to Virginia Governor John Letcher. In this letter Starke accuses the North of violating constitutional provisions for the protection of slavery. Although Mississippi is less prone to northern attacks than the border states, she wants to join other slave-holding states in protecting the institution of slavery. This is to be accomplished by means of a convention proposed by South Carolina and agreed to by Mississippi. Starke invites Virginia to this convention, which will promote union, not disunion, by "devising some remedy consistent with their interest and honor in the Union." Mississippi will secede only if necessary. (This is couched in the most diplomatic terms.)

Part three consists of a letter (dated February 11, 1860) from Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus and co-signed by Mississippi Secretary of State, A.B. Dilworth addressed to Virginia Governor John Letcher. Pettus recommends Starke to the governor of Virginia and requests that he be allowed to present resolutions passed by the Mississippi legislature on state and federal relations.

The fourth part consists of these same resolutions (dated February 11, 1860) signed by representatives of the Mississippi House and Senate, Mississippi Secretary of State (A.B. Dilworth), and Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus. There are five resolutions: (1) The United States has an obligation to protect slavery; (2) The election of a president by the northern states only would justify "the slave-holding states in taking counsel together for their separate protection and safety"; (3) The Mississippi legislature agrees to attend a convention of slave-holding states on the first Monday of June, in Atlanta, Georgia, and will elect seven delegates for this purpose; (4) The Mississippi legislature agrees that the governor appoint a commissioner to go to Virginia and present a copy of the resolutions and an invitation to the proposed convention to each of the slave-holding states. Peter B. Starke is to submit a copy of the resolutions to the Virginia General Assembly.