During March and April 1861, after seven states had seceded and formed the Confederate States of America but before war broke out, Confederate Secretary of State Robert Toombs appointed Martin J. Crawford, John Forsyth, and A.B. Roman as Commissioners of the Confederate States to Washington, DC. Their purpose was to seek diplomatic recognition from the United States and negotiate peace—at least for a while. Central to the question of peace or war was whether the United States would continue to retain claim over federal forts located in the southern states that had seceded, including Fort Pickens in Florida and Fort Sumter in South Carolina. This item is transcribed from a letter book maintained by J.T. Pickett, secretary to the commissioners, containing copies of 72 letters, dispatches, and telegrams sent and received by the commissioners from the time of their appointment to the demand for the evacuation of Fort Sumter.
Washington April 8th. 1861.
To Hon R Toombs.
Your telegram of today and dispatch of second received. This Government politely declines in a written paper to recognize our official character or the power we represent. We shall rejoin & then leave the city unless otherwise instructed. We believe Fort Pickens & Texas are the first points of military demonstration.
Forsyth Roman & Crawford
Washington April 8th 1861.
To Gov F. W. Pickens
Charleston.
The military & naval movements are conducted with extraordinary secrecy. We are assured that you will not be disturbed without notice & we think Sumter is to be evacuated & Pickens provisioned. We have taken steps to define relations of peace or war with this Govt within a few hours. Your patience & noble forbearance will not be much longer put to trial.
Forsyth, Roman.
Com——
Charleston April 8th 1861.
To M J Crawford
Commissioner Confederacy
Accounts from Washington so uncertain, I have called out several thousand volunteers.
G T Beauregard.
Washington April 8th 1861.
3 o’clock P.M.
To Gen G.T. Beauregard.
Charleston.
Accounts uncertain because of the constant vacillations of this Government—We were re-assured yesterday that the status at Sumter would not be changed without previous notice to Gov Pickens, but we have no faith in them. The war policy prevails in the Cabinet at this hour.
Martin J. Crawford.
Charleston April 8th 1861
To M. J. Crawford.
Confederate Commr
Special messenger from Lincoln, Mr Chew informs us Sumter to be provisioned peaceably otherwise forcibly.
G.T. Beauregard
Citation:Commissioners of the Confederate States of America to the Government of the United States, letter book.Washington, D.C., Feb 27-April 11, 1861.AMS 811/20