At half past twelve Judge Farrar called the meeting to order, and requested Gen. W. R. Miles to act as temporary chairman. On taking the chair the General delivered a short address and then announced that the convention would proceed to permanent organization. A committee of twenty on permanent organization was appointed. While the committee was out the convention was addressed by Judge H. Simrall, of Mississippi, and Hon. Henry S. Foote, of Louisiana. The following gentlemen were elected permanent officers of the convention: President--Gen. W. R. Miles, of Yazoo county. Vice-presidents--T. F. Cassell, of Tennessee; James Hill, of Jackson, Mississippi; H. B. Robinson, of Arkansas; David Young, of Louisiana. Secretary--A. W. Crandall, Louisiana. Assistant Secretaries--Jno. A. Galbreth, Jackson; J. D. Webster, Washington county. Sergeant at Arms--J. B. Pegram, Vicksburg. Assistant sergeant at Arms--J. W. Crichloy, Vicksburg; George Volker, Vicksburg; G. W. Walton, Vicksburg; Wesley Crayton, Vicksburg. After appointing a committee on credentials, the convention took a recess until three o'clock. SECOND DAY The convention was called to order by the president at half past nine. Col. W. L. Nugent, chairman of the committee, presented the following preamble and resolutions: _Mr. President._ Your committee on resolutions beg leave respectfully to report that they have inquired into the causes which have given rise to the recent exodus of our colored population, as far as possible within the limited time allowed, and while these causes are difficult to ascertain, owing to the exceptional cases of all kinds brought to their attention, they believe the following to include those which may be considered prominent: 1st. The low price of cotton and the partial failure of the crop of the past year. 2d. The irrational system of planting adopted in some sections, whereby labor was deprived of intelligence to direct it, and the presence of economy to make it profitable. 3d. The vicious system of credit fostered by laws permitting laborers and tenants to mortgage crops before they were grown or even planted. 4th. The apprehension on the part of many colored people, produced by insidious reports circulated among them, that their civil and political rights are endangered, or are likely to be. 5th. The hurtful and false rumors, diligently disseminated, that by emigrating to Kansas, the colored people would obtain lands, mules and money from the government without cost to themselves, and become independent forever.