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A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1875

Journal of the Confederate Congress --WEDNESDAY, February 6, 1861.

Journal of the Congress of the Confederate States of America, 1861-1865 [Volume I]
WEDNESDAY, February 6, 1861.

OPEN SESSION.

The Congress met pursuant to adjournment.

Prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Tichenor.

Mr. Jackson Morton appeared as a Delegate from the State of Florida presented his credentials; which are as follows:

In the name and by the authority of the State of Florida.

To all to whom these presents may come, greeting:

Whereas Jackson Morton hath been appointed by the governor and approved by the convention of said State, by virtue of an ordinance of said convention, to be a delegate to represent the State of Florid in a convention of States composed of such slaveholding States as have now, or shall have before the final adjournment of said convention, dissolved their connection with the late Federal Union:

Now, therefore, the said Jackson Morton is hereby duly commissioned to be such delegate according to the ordinance aforesaid, to represent this State in the convention of slaveholding States (as have now, or shall have before the final adjournment of said convention, dissolved their connection with the late Federal Union), to be

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holden at Montgomery, in the State of Alabama, on the 13th day of February next, or at such other time and place as may be agreed upon by the delegates appointed for the purpose of forming a provisional government for a southern confederacy, to continue until superseded by the organization of a permanent government; and after said provisional government shall have been organized said delegates shall proceed to form a permanent government for said confederacy.

In testimony whereof the governor of said State has signed this commission and caused to be affixed the great seal of the State at Tallahassee, this 21st day of January, A. D. 1861.

[SEAL.](Signed)M. S. PERRY,
Governor of Florida.

By the governor.

Attest:

F. L. Villepigue.

Mr. Morton then signed the roll.

Mr. Toombs presented to the President a communication in writing from the commissioners from the State of North Carolina to the Congress; which was reported, and is as follows:

Montgomery, Ala., February 6, 1861.

To the Hon. Howell Cobb,
President of the Southern Congress:

The undersigned have the honor to submit to the consideration of the Southern Congress the accompanying resolutions adopted by the general assembly of the State of North Carolina on the 29th ultimo.

We are, with high consideration, your obedient servants,

• D. L. SWAIN,
• M. W. RANSOM,
• JOHN L. BRIDGERS.

The following were then reported to the Congress as the resolutions accompanying the foregoing communication:

• (1) Resolved, That for the purpose of effecting an honorable and amicable adjustment of all the difficulties that distract the country, upon the basis of the Crittenden resolutions, as modified by the legislature of Virginia, and for the purpose of consulting for our common peace, honor, and safety--the Hons. Thomas Ruffin of Alamance, D. M. Barringer, David S. Reid, John M. Morehead, and George Davis be, and they are hereby, appointed commissioners to represent North Carolina in the proposed consultation to be held at Washington City on the 4th February, 1861; and

  Whereas the State of North Carolina has been invited by the State of Alabama to meet at the city of Montgomery on the 4th February, 1861, for the purpose of forming a provisional as well as permanent government; and

  Whereas North Carolina as apart of the Federal Union has no right to send delegates for such a purpose: Therefore,

• (2) Be it resolved, That for the purpose of effecting an honorable and amicable adjustment of all the difficulties that distract the country upon the basis of the Crittenden resolutions, as modified by the legislature of Virginia, and for the purpose of consulting for our common peace, honor, and safety, the Hons. David L. Swain, M. W. Ransom, and John L. Bridgers are appointed commissioners to visit Montgomery, Ala., for the purpose above indicated.
• (3) Resolved further, That his excellency, the governor, be requested immediately to inform the commissioners of their appointment, and upon the refusal of any one of them to serve, report the same immediately to the general assembly.

Indorsed, read three times, and ratified in general assembly this 29th day of January, A. D. 1861.

• (Signed) ... WM. T. DORTCH,
  Speaker House of Commons.
• HENRY T. CLARK,
  Speaker of Senate.

State of North Carolina, Office of Secretary of State.

I, Rufus H. Page, secretary of state, in and for the State of North Carolina, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the original on file in this office.

Given under my hand this 31st day of January, 1861.

RUFUS H. PAGE,
Secretary of State.

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On motion of Mr. Toombs, a committee of three was appointed to invite the commissioners from the State of North Carolina to seats on the floor when the Congress is in open session.

The committee appointed by the President are Messrs. Toombs, Walker, and Barry.

On motion of Mr. Keitt, the President is authorized to appoint an engrossing clerk when necessary.

Leave was granted, on motion of Mr. Memminger, for the committee appointed to frame a provisional government to retire and consult during the session of the Congress.

On motion of Mr. Toombs,

The Congress adjourned until 11 o'clock to-morrow morning.

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