Created via resolution passed by the House on January 9th, 1861, the Special Committee of Five was designed to recieve and consider a message from the President recieved on the aforementioned day regarding the secession crisis, the slavery question, and possible compromises.
To see the full record of a committee, click on the corresponding committee on the map below.
To the Senate and House of Representatives:
I have received from the Governor of Kentucky certain resolutions adopted by the General Assembly of that Commonwealth, containing an application to Congress for the call of a convention for proposing amendments to the Constitution of the United States, with a request that L should immediately place the same before that body. It affords me great satisfaction to perform this duty; and I feel quite confident that Congress will bestow upon these resolutions the careful consideration to which they are eminently entitled, on account of the distinguished and patriotic source from which they proceed, as well as the great importance of the subject which they involve.
JAMES BUCHANAN. Washington, February 5, 1861.