Baton Rogue, Jan. 26, 1861
The delay ordinance, moved to be substituted for the secession ordinance reported by the Committee of Fifteen, was voted down yesterday by an immense majority.
Commissioners Manning, of South Carolina, and Winston, of Alabama, made eloquent addresses in favor of immediate secession.
There was an animated debate last night on the resolution for submitting the secession ordinance for ratification to the people. The advocates of immediate secession abstained from all debate. There was no extreme opposition to the ordinance.
The vote on submitting the ordinance to the people was taken this morning—ayes 45, nays 84.
John Perkins addressed the Convention on the passage of the secession ordinance.
The debate closed, and a vote was ordered.
The galleries and lobbies were intensely crowded, and a deathlike silence prevailed. On the call of the roll many members were in tears.
The Clerk announced the vote—ayes 113, nays 17—and the President declared Louisiana a free and sovereign republic.
Capt. Allen then entered the Convention with a Pelican flag, accompanied by Governor Moore and staff, and put the flag in the hands of the President, amid tremendous excitement.
A solemn prayer was then offered, and a hundred guns were fired.
The Convention adjourned to meet in New Orleans on the 29th inst.
Before the Convention adjourned the resolution accompanying the ordinance, declaring the right of free navigation of the Mississippi river and tributaries to all friendly States, and the right of egress and ingress to boats of the Mississippi by all friendly states and Powers, passed unanimously.
A gold pen was given each member with which to sign the ordinance of secession.
The State Convention has adjourned, to reassemble in New Orleans.
The New York Herald, January 27, 1861
