But we have already said that we regarded this resolution as the utterance of a sentiment, and we had no confidence that it would assume the shape of a tangible, practical proposition which would yield the fruits of the sacrifice it required. Our people are influenced by the same want of confidence, and will not consider the proposition in its present impalpable form. The interest they are asked to give up is to them of much importance, and they ought not to be expected even to entertain the proposal until they are assured that when they accept it their just expectations will not be frustrated. We regard your plan as a proposition from the Nation to the States to exercise an admitted constitutional right in a particular manner and yield up a valuable interest. Before they ought to consider the proposition, it should be presented in such a tangible, practical, efficient shape as to command their confidence that its fruits are contingent only upon their acceptance. We cannot trust anything to the contingencies of future legislation. If Congress, by proper and necessary legislation, shall provide sufficient funds and place them at your disposal, to be applied by you to the payment of any of our States or the citizens thereof who shall adopt the abolishment of slavery, either gradual or immediate, as they may determine, and the expense of deportation and colonization of the liberated slaves, then will our State and people take this proposition into careful consideration, for such decision as in their judgment is demanded by their interest, their honor, and their duty to the whole country. We have the honor to be, with great respect, C. A. WICKLIFFE, _Ch’n_, GARRETT DAVIS, R. WILSON, J. J. CRITTENDEN, JOHN S. CARLILE, J. W. CRISFIELD, J. S. JACKSON, H. GRIDER, JOHN S. PHELPS, FRANCIS THOMAS, CHAS. B. CALVERT, C. L. LEARY, EDWIN H. WEBSTER, R. MALLORY, AARON HARDING, JAMES S. ROLLINS, J. W. MENZIES, THOMAS L. PRICE, G. W. DUNLAP, WM. A. HALL.