elected delegates of 29. But, upon assembling, by coaxing, bullying, and all other arts, the majority was changed."

This Convention assembled at Milledgeville on the 16th of January. General W. Crawford was elected President. Commissioners Orr, from South Carolina, and Shorter, from Alabama, were invited to seats in that body. On the 18th, a resolution declaring it to be the right and duty of Georgia to secede, and appointing a committee to draft an ordinance of secession, was offered and put to vote. On a division, the vote was-ayes, 165; noes, 130. The ordinance was as follows:

AN ORDINANCE to dissolve the union between the State of

United States."

Georgia and other States united with her under the com. pact of Government entitled “The Constitution of the We, the people of the State of Georgia, in Convention assembled, do declare and ordain, and it is hereby declared and ordained, that the ordinance adopted by the people of Georgia in Convention in the year 1788, whereby the Constitution of the United States was assented to, ratified, and adopted, and also all acts and parts of acts of the General Assembly ratifying and adopting the amendments to the said Constitution, are hereby repealed, rescinded, and abrogated; and we do further declare and ordain, that the Union now subsisting between the State of Georgia and other States, under the name of the United States of Americo, is hereby dissolved; and that the State of Georgia is in full possession and exercise of all those rights of sovereignty which belong and appertain to a free and independent State.

The vote on its adoption was-ayes, 208; noes, 89.

On the night after its passage, great demonstrations of joy were made at the Capital, including the firing of cannon, torch-light processions, sky-rockets, music, speeches, &c. In Augusta there was an illumination with fireworks, ringing of bells, and firing of cannon.

A substitute was introduced for the ordinance of secession, but was lost. It was also moved to postpone the operation of the ordinance to March 3d. This motion failed, Subsequently a preamble and resolution were adopted, the object of which was to remove the unfavorable impression created by the large vote given in opposition to the ordinance of secession. The preamble was in these words:

Whereas, as a lack of unanimity in this Convention on the passage of the ordinance of secession indicates a difference of opinion amongst the members of the Convention, not so much as to the right which Georgia claims or the wrongs of which she complains, as to a remedy and its application before a resort to other means for redress; and whereas, it is desirable to give expression to that intention which really exists among all the members of the Convention to sustain the State in the course of action which she has pronounced to be proper for the occasion; therefore, &c.

The resolution required every member to sign the ordinance. This was adopted unanimously.

Before the Convention proceeded to sign the, ordinance, a resolution was offered, proposing to submit it to a vote of the people, through the proclamation of the Governor, and that the question should be "secession or no seces

66

sion" at the ballot-box. If a majority of votes were for secession, then the ordinance was to take effect, and not otherwise. The resolution was rejected by a large majority.

Representatives to the Montgomery Congress were appointed on the 24th. Before voting, an assurance was given to the Convention, that none of the candidates were in favor of forming a Government having in view an immediate or ultimate union with the Northern States. No such idea could be entertained. All were for the establishment of a Southern Confederacy on the basis of the old Constitution, and never, under any circumstances, to connect themselves with the Northern States. Notwithstanding this unanimity in the Convention, there was a great reaction in some parts of the State, and the flag of the United States was kept flying without regard to the ordinance of the Convention. This was done also in North Alabama, and in portions of Mississippi and Louisiana. Fears were expressed by former members of Congress from Georgia, that the reaction might be greatly increased in the popular mind in the Gulf States, if a compromise was effected satisfactory to the Border States.

Two regiments were ordered by the Convention to be organized as the army for the Republic of Georgia, over which a number of officers were appointed by the Governor, chiefly those who had resigned from the army of the United States.

In Louisiana the authorities were undoubtedly early enlisted in the plans for the secession of the Southern States from the Union, and ready to use all their efforts to secure success. In November, 1860, Governor Moore issued a proclamation for an extra session of the Legislature on the 10th of December. The reason requiring this session was thus stated:

Whereas the election of Abraham Lincoln to the office of President of the United States by a sectional and aggressive anti-slavery party, whose hostility to the people and the institutions of the South has been evinced by repeated and long-continued violations of constitutional obligations and fraternal amity, now consummated by this last insult and outrage perpetrated at and through the ballot-box, does, in my opinion, as well as that of a large number of citizens of all parties and pursuits, furnish an occasion such as is contemplated by the Constitution; and whereas some of our sister States, aggrieved like ours, are preparing measures for their future security, and for the safety of their institutions and their people, and both patriotism and the necessity of self-preservation require us to deliberate upon our own course of action; now, therefore, I, Thomas O. Moore, Governor of the State of Louisiana, do hereby convene the Legislature of this State in extra session, and do appoint Monday, the 10th day of December next.

On the day appointed this body met at Baton Rouge, and caused to be prepared an act providing for a State Convention, to be held on the 23d of January, and for the election of delegates. On the next day the act was passed by the Senate and House. In the Senate it was eloquently opposed by Randall Hunt. In the House a strong effort was made to cause the

question "Convention or no Convention" to be submitted to a vote of the people. It, however, failed of success. At the same time an act passed both Houses, which appropriated $500,000 for military purposes, and provided for the appointment of a military commission, the organization and arming of volunteer companies, and for the establishment of military depots. On the 12th, Wirt Adams, commissioner from Mississippi, was introduced to the Legislature in joint session, and made an address, announcing the action of Mississippi, and asking the cooperation of Louisiana. The speech was eagerly listened to by a crowded audience. On the next day the Legislature adjourned to January 21st.

Friends of secession became active in New Orleans, the great city of the State, as soon as the movement commenced in South Carolina, and the sentiment had gathered so much volume that as early as December 21st a general demonstration of joy was made over the secession of that State. One hundred guns were fired, and the Pelican flag was unfurled. Speeches in favor of secession were made by distinguished citizens, and the Marseillaise hymn and polkas were the only airs played.

The movement had now commenced in earnest. The influence and efforts of New Orleans were expected to carry the rest of the State. Only four days later a mass meeting was held to ratify the nomination of the "Southern Rights" candidates, as they were called, for the Convention. It was the largest assemblage of all parties ever held in the city. Speeches were made by prominent citizens advocating immediate secession amid unbounded enthusiasm. The Southern Marseillaise was again sung as the banner of the State was raised, with reiterated and prolonged cheers for South Carolina and Louisiana. A citizen of eminence in the southern part of the State, writing upon the condition of affairs at this time, thus says: "In our section the excitement is confined to the politicians, the people generally being borne along with the current, and feeling the natural disposition of sustaining their section. I think that ninety-nine out of every hundred of the people sincerely hope that some plan will yet be devised to heal up the dissensions, and to settle our difficulties to the satisfaction of both the North and the South; and a combined effort will be made to bring about such a result, even after the States withdraw from the Union."

A State Convention was early called, and the vote in New Orleans for members was close enough to defeat a portion of the secession candidates. The city was entitled to twenty "rep, resentative delegates" and five "senatorial delegates." The "immediate secessionists" succeeded in electing all of the latter class and fifteen of the former, whilst the "cooperationists" obtained five of the "representative delegates." The majority of the secessionists for the senatorial delegates was about 350. The

number of votes polled was little upwards of 8,000, being less than one-half the voters registered in the city. Their success, however, was regarded as sufficient to be made the occasion of great rejoicing. This election took place on the 8th of January. On the next day three separate military organizations departed to take possession of Forts Jackson and St. Phillip at the mouth of the Mississippi, and also the arsenal at Baton Rouge.

On the 13th the United States revenue cutter, Lewis Cass, was seized by a military company at Algiers, opposite New Orleans. The vessel war laid up and undergoing repairs. Her armament, consisting of one long 24-pounder and six 8-pounder carronades, with a large quantity of cannon-balls, powder, and other military stores, had been placed in the Belleville Iron Works, an extensive and unoccupied brick building. About the same time the barracks below the city, which had been for several months occupied as a marine hospital, were taken possession of in the name of the State of Louisiana. They contained at the time 216 invalids and convalescent patients. The collector at New Orleans was required to remove the convalescents immediately, and the sick as soon as practicable. The reason assigned for this act by the State authorities was that they wanted the buildings for quarters for their own troops.

On the 24th the State Convention met at the same place and organized. A committee of 15 was ordered to report an ordinance of secession. Over the capital waved a flag with 15 stars.

On the 26th the ordinance of secession was adopted by a vote of ayes 113, noes 17. The following is the ordinance:

AN ORDINANCE to dissolve the union between the State of Louisiana and other States united with her under the compact entitled "The Constitution of the United States of America."

vention assembled, do declare and ordain, and it is We, the people of the State of Louisiana, in Conhereby declared and ordained, that the ordinance passed by us in Convention on the 22d day of November, in the year 1811, whereby the Constitution of the Constitution, were adopted, and all laws and ordiUnited States of America, and the amendments of said nances by which the State of Louisiana became a member of the Federal Union, be, and the same are hereby, repealed and abrogated; and that the union now subsisting between Louisiana and other States, is hereby dissolved. under the name of the "United States of America,"

We do further declare and ordain, that the State of Louisiana hereby resumes all rights and powers heretofore delegated to the Government of the United States of America; that her citizens are absolved from all allegiance to said Government; and that she is in full possession and exercise of all those rights of sovereignty which appertain to a free and independent State.

acquired and vested under the Constitution of the We do further declare and ordain, that all rights United States, or any act of Congress or treaty, or under any law of this State and not incompatible with this ordinance, shall remain in force, and have the same effect as if this ordinance had not been passed. ordinance is a true copy of the original ordinance The undersigned hereby certifies that the above adopted this day by the Convention of the State of Louisiana.

Given under my hand and the great seal of Louigiana, at Baton Rouge, this 26th day of the month of January, in the year of our Lord, 1861.

[L. 8.] A. MOUTON, Pres. of the Convention. J. THOMAS WHEAT, Secretary of the Convention.

The aspect of New Orleans at the time of the passage of this ordinance is thus reported:

Every thing in this city appears to be in rapid progress toward a war establishment. Trade is at a stand still; the importation of merchandise has almost entirely ceased; the warehouses of the Federal Government are everywhere literally glutted with bonded goods; the banks are remorselessly curtailing their discounts; ordinary creditors are endeavoring by all means short of legal pressure to lessen the liabilities of their debtors; stores and manufactories, traders and mechanics, are diminishing their expenses by the discharge of hands, and, save the office-holders, an influential, wealthy, and important body, electorially considered, everybody looks dubious and bewildered, not knowing what to expect or what may happen. The proceedings at Baton Rouge will take no one by surprise. The Legislature is engaged

in spending money profusely, and the Convention is engaged in laying down a broad foundation for the erection of a monstrous superstructure of debt.

In the Convention on the 31st, a resolution was offered to instruct the delegates to the Montgomery Convention, who had been previously appointed, to resist any attempt to reopen the African slave trade. This was laid on the table by a vote of 83 to 28.

On the same day the United States Mint and Custom-House at New Orleans were quietly taken possession of by the State authorities, and the oath was subsequently administered to the officials under the ordinance. In the mint was $118,311, and in the sub-Treasury $483,984. A draft of the United States for $300,000 was presented soon after, which the sub-Treasurer refused to pay, saying that "the money in his custody was no longer the property of the United States, but of the Republic of Louisiana."

No sooner was secession an organized fact in South Carolina, with a certainty that other States would soon reach the same result, than suggestions were made for a Southern Confederacy. A committee in the Legislature of Mississippi, on Jan. 19, reported resolutions to provide for a Confederacy and establish a Provisional Government. Florida, Alabama, and Georgia at once approved of this general object, and delegates were appointed to a Congress to be held at Montgomery. The design of this Congress, as then understood, was to organize a new Confederacy of the seceding slaveholding States, and such other slaveholding States as should secede and join them; and to establish first, a Provisional Government, intended to prepare for the general defence of those States which were linked together by a common interest in the peculiar institution, and which were opposed to the Federal Union; second,

make treaties with the United States and "other

foreign" countries; third, obtain decisive legis lation in regard to the negro; and fourthly, determine what States should constitute the Confederacy.

On the 4th of February this Congress met at Montgomery, in a hall, on the walls of which, portraits of Marion, Clay, Andrew Jackson, and several of Washington, were hanging. It was composed of the following members, except those from Texas, who were not appointed until

Feb. 14:

South Carolina.-B. B. Rhett, James Chesnut, jr., W. P. Miles, T. J. Withers, R. W. Barnwell, C. G. Memminger, L. M. Keitt, and W. W. Boyce.

Georgia.-Robert Toombs, Howell Cobb, Benjamin

H. Hill, Alexander H. Stephens, Francis Bartow, Martin J. Crawford, E. A. Nisbett, Aug's B. Wright,

Thomas R. R. Cobb, and Augustus Keenan.

Alabama.-Richard W. Walker, Robert H. Smith, Colin J. McRae, John Gill Shorter, S. F. Hale, David P. Lewis, Thomas Fearn, J. L. M. Curry, and W. P. Chilton.

Mississippi.-Willie P. Harris, Walker Brooke, A. Campbell, and W. S. Wilson, M. Clayton, W. S. Barry, J. T. Harrison, J. A. P.

Louisiana.-John Perkins, jr., Duncan F. Kenner, C. M. Conrad, E. Spencer, and Henry Marshall. Florida.-Jackson Morton, James Powers, and J. P. Anderson.

Texas.-L. T. Wigfall, J. H. Reagan, J. Hemphill, T. N. Waul, Judge Gregg, Judge Oldham, and Judge

W. B. Ochiltree.

All the members were present except Mr. Morton, of Florida, and the members from Texas. A permanent organization was made by the election of Howell Cobb, of Georgia, as Alabama, Secretary. Chairman, and J. J. Hooper, of Montgomery,

Mr. Cobb, on taking the chair, made an address, saying:

sincere thanks for the honor you have confer"Accept, gentlemen of the Convention, my red upon me. I shall endeavor, by a faithful and impartial discharge of the duties of the Chair, to merit, in some degree at least, the confidence you have reposed in me.

"The occasion which assembles us together is one of no ordinary character. We meet as representatives of sovereign and independent

States, who, by their solemn judgment, have dissolved the political association which con

nected them with the Government of the United States. Of the causes which have led

to this decision it is unnecessary now to speak. It is sufficient to announce that by the judgment of our constituents they have been pronounced ample and sufficient. It is now a fixed and irrevocable fact. The separation is perfect, complete, and perpetual.

"The great duty is now imposed upon us of providing for these States a Government for their future security and protection. We can and should extend to our sister States our late sister States-who are identified with us in interest, feeling, and institutions, a cordial welcome to unite with us in a common destiny -desirous at the same time of maintaining with our former confederates, as with the world, the most peaceful and friendly relations, both political and commercial.

"Our responsibilities, gentlemen, are great, and I doubt not we shall prove equal to the occasion. Let us assume all the responsibility which may be necessary for the successful completion of the great work committed to our care, placing before our countrymen and the world our acts and their results, as the justification for the course we may pursue, and the policy we may adopt. With a consciousness of the justice of our cause, and with confidence in the guidance and blessings of a kind Providence, we will this day inaugurate for the South a new era of peace, security, and prosperity."

The rules of the Convention were drawn on the principle that it was a Congress of sovereign and independent States, and the members should therefore vote by States.

On the 7th of February, the Committee on a Provisional Government reported a plan which was discussed in secret session. On the 8th, the Constitution of the United States was adopted with some amendments, as follows:

Alterations.-1st. The Provisional Constitution differs from the Constitution of the United States in this: That the legislative powers of the Provisional Government are vested in the Congress now assembled, and this body exercises all the functions that are exercised by either or both branches of the United

States Goverument.

2d. The Provisional President holds his office for one year, unless sooner superseded by the establishment of a permanent government.

3d. Each State is erected into a distinct judicial district, the judge having all the powers heretofore vested in the district and circuit courts; and the several district judges together compose the supreme bench-a majority of them constituting a quorum.

4th. Wherever the word "Union" occurs in the United States Constitution the word " "Confederacy" is substituted.

Additions.-1st. The President may veto any separate appropriation without vetoing the whole bill in

which it is contained.

2d. The African slave trade is prohibited.

3d. Congress is empowered to prohibit the introduction of slaves from any State not a member of this Confederacy.

4th. All appropriations must be upon the demand of the President or heads of departments.

Omissions.-1st. There is no prohibition against members of Congress holding other offices of honor

and emolument under the Provisional Government.

2d. There is no provision for a neutral spot for the

location of a seat of government, or for sites for forts, arsenals, and dock-yards; consequently there is no visional Government. reference made to the territorial powers of the Pro

3d. The section in the old Constitution in reference to capitation and other direct tax is omitted; also the section providing that no tax or duty shall be laid on any exports.

4th. The prohibition against States keeping troops or ships of war in time of peace is omitted.

5th. The Constitution being provisional merely, no provision is made for its ratification.

Amendments.-1st. The fugitive slave clause of the old Constitution is so amended as to contain the word "slave," and to provide for full compensation in cases of abduction or forcible rescue on the part of the State in which such abduction or rescue may take place. 2d. Congress, by a vote of two-thirds, may at any time alter or amend the Constitution.

Temporary Provisions.-1st. The Provisional Government is required to take immediate steps for the settlement of all matters between the States forming it and their late confederates of the United States in relation to the public property and the public debt. 2d. Montgomery is made the temporary seat of government.

8d. This Constitution is to continue one year, unless altered by a two-thirds vote or superseded by a permanent government.

"All legislative powers herein delegated shall be vested in this Congress, now assembled, until otherwise ordained."

The fifth article is as follows:

"The Congress, by a vote of two-thirds, may, at any time, alter or amend this Constitution."

The other portions of the Constitution are nearly identical with the Constitution of the United States.

On the next day after the adoption of the Provisional Constitution, at the opening of Congress, the President of the body was sworn by R. W. Walker to support the new Constitution, and the oath was then administered in turn by the President to all the members, in the order in which they were called by States.

At a quarter past twelve o'clock in the afternoon the Congress threw open its doors, after having previously gone into secret session, and proceeded to elect a President. The ballots were taken by States, each State being allowed one vote. On counting, it was found that Jefferson Davis, of Mississippi, had received six votes, the whole number cast. The same formality was gone through in the election of Vice-President, resulting likewise in the unanimous election of Alexander H. Stephens, of Georgia.

An immense crowd had gathered on the floor and in the galleries to witness the election of the first President of "the Confederate States of America." The clection of Davis and