Replies

So what was going on in Frankfurt Kentucky?

https://www.nytimes.com/1861/06/05/archives/the-border-state-convention.html

“In the Border State Convention, now in session at Frankfort, Ky., on May 31, Mr. WICKLIFFE stated that in examining the act under which the Convention was authorized, there were two or three subjects which had suggested themselves as worthy of consideration, and he therefore moved that the Committtee on Resolutions be instructed to inqure into and report upon the following questions:

1. Has the Administration of the United States Government the right and power under the Constitution to acknowledge the separate independence of the seceded States?

2. Has the Administration of said Government, without the consent of Congress, the right to cede and surrender the military forts and naval stations of the United States to any State or States, whether such States have seceded or remain in the Union under the obligations of the Constitution of the United States?

3. If such powers do not, in the opinion of the Committee, exist, then to report in what manner, in their opinion, it may be practicable peacefully to settle the controversy and issues now existing between the United States and the seceded States.

4. Would a National Convention, elected by the people of all the States under the authority of Congress for that purpose, be competent to settle the controversy and acknowledge the independence of such seceded States?
These were received and submitted to the Committee on Resolutions under the rules, without debate. At the request of Mr. CRITTENDEN, his place on the Committee was filled by the substitution of Mr. BEISTOW.”