An Federal Relations reported a convention bill, but it was not acted upon. appropriation of $300,000 for organizing and arming the militia was adopted in the Senate, but it failed to be acted on in the House of Commons. On the 22d of December, the legislature took a recess until the 7th of January. By that time the excitement had grown. On January the 8th, the Militia bill was adopted in the Commons. On the 30th of January, a bill for calling a state convention was passed. It provided that no secession ordinance, nor one connecting the state with the Southern Confederacy, would be valid until it should be ratified by a majority of the qualified voters of the state. The vote of the people was appointed to take place on the 28th of February. The delegates were elected on the day named. A large majority of them were Unionists. But, at the same time, the convention itself was voted down. The vote for a convention was 46,671; against a convention, 47,333. The majority against it was 662. This majority against a convention, however, was no criterion of popular sentiment in regard to secession. The true test was the votes received, respectively, by the Union and secession delegates. The former received a majority of nearly thirty thousand. But the indefatigable governor was not to be balked by the popular dislike for secession. The legislature was called together in extra session on May 1. On the same day they voted to have another election for delegates to a state convention on the 13th of the month. The election took place accordingly, and the delegates convened on the 20th. On the following day the secession ordinance was adopted, and the Confederate Constitution ratified. To save time, and avoid further obstructions, the question of popular approval was taken for granted. On the 5th of June, an ordinance was passed for transferring the United States Arsenal at Fayetteville to the Confederate Government. The Legislature of Tennessee met on the 6th of January. On the 12th, a bill for the calling of a state convention was passed. It was passed subject to the approval of the voters. The election took place on the eighth day of February. The people voted against holding a convention by 67,360, to 54,156. In disregard of this vote of the people, however, the legislature, on May 1st, passed a joint resolution authorizing the governor to enter into a military league with the Confederate States. The league was formed. The Governor, Isham G. Harris, sent a message to the legislature, announcing the fact. He stated its terms. Messrs. Gustavus A. Henry, A. O. W. Totten, and Washington Barrow, on the part of the state, and Hon. H. W. Hilliard, on the part of the Confederacy, negotiated the league. It stipulated that until the state should become a member of the Confederacy, "the whole military force and military operations, offensive and defensive, of said state, in the impending conflict with the United States, shall be under the chief control and direction of the Pre esident of the Confederate States." It was ' |