January 28, 1861: John Henry Brown’s Journal

John Henry Brown was a painter of portrait miniatures, living and working in Philadelphia. He had met Lincoln in August of 1860 when he was commissioned to paint Lincoln’s portrait for a supporter, but although Brown liked Lincoln personally, he did not agree with Republican policies.

1861-01-28

Transcript:

Mrs. Gibson sat a short time this morning.

The telegraph briefly tells us that, on Saturday last, the convention of Louisiana, passed an ordinance of secession from the Union of States. The vote stood—ayes 113, nays 17. This makes the sixth star that, has thus far fallen from the azure field of the American flag, in regular order thus—South Carolina, Dec: 20. Mississippi, Jan: 9, Florida Jan 10, Alabama,11. Georgia, 191. Louisiana, Jan:26.


Citation: John Henry Brown (1818-1891), autograph journal/account book. Philadelphia, 1844-1890. AMs 574/14.1

January 26, 1861: New York Herald

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Transcript (Excerpt)

The New York Herald, New York, Saturday, January 26, 1861

Page 3, Upper Half

Reinforcements Sent to Fort Sumter and Pickens

There is no longer any doubt that the government have sent forces to relieve forts Sumter and Pickens. The administration do not regard this action as any declaration of war on the part of the government, but as simply a duty. The authorities of Charleston and Pensacola understand this, and if they choose to be the aggressors and make the attack, they must take the consequences.

It may be some days before it is known that forces have been sent. The movement has been quietly made, but the movement is in earnest now, as these people well understand. The destination of the steamer Brooklyn is Fort Pickens.

Citation: New York Herald. New York, 26 January 1861. Gift of Steven and Susan Raab. AN .N56792

January 29, 1861: John Henry Brown’s Journal

John Henry Brown was a painter of portrait miniatures, living and working in Philadelphia. He had met Lincoln in August of 1860 when he was commissioned to paint Lincoln’s portrait for a supporter, but although Brown liked Lincoln personally, he did not agree with Republican policies.

1861-01-29

Transcript:

At Mrs Gibsons picture.

On Saturday Louisiana stepped out of the Union & yesterday Kansas stepped into it by an Act of Congress. The president, sent a Message to Congress yesterday, conveying a resolution of the Virginia legislature asking for a conference of the Border States & that the United States, in the meantime abstain from all acts calculated to provoke a collision with the States that have seceded.

Citation: John Henry Brown (1818-1891), autograph journal/account book. Philadelphia, 1844-1890. AMs 574.14.1

January 26, 1861: John Henry Brown’s Journal

John Henry Brown was a painter of portrait miniatures, living and working in Philadelphia. He had met Lincoln in August of 1860 when he was commissioned to paint Lincoln’s portrait for a supporter, but although Brown liked Lincoln personally, he did not agree with Republican policies.

1861-01-26 1861-01-26(2)

Transcript:

Too dark for painting. Snowing all day.

The clouds of political trouble still portentous. The whole week consumed by Congress, without any advancement towards a settlement. The Republicans, still persistently refuse to make any compromise. Congress flooded this week with petitions, on behalf of Mr. Crittendens plan of adjustment.


Citation: John Henry Brown (1818-1891), autograph journal/account book. Philadelphia, 1844-1890. AMs 574/14.1

January 22, 1861: Georgia Ordinance of Secession

Transcript:

Republic of Georgia

ORDINANCE OF SECESSION

PASSED JANUARY 19, 1861

WITH THE NAMES OF THE SIGNERS

AN ORDINANCE to dissolve the Union between the State of Georgia and other States united with her under a compact of government entitled “ THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNIED STATES OF AMERICA”

We, the People of the States of Georgia in Convention assembled, do declare and ordain, and it is hereby declared and ordained, that the Ordinance adopted by the people of the State of Georgia, in Convention on the Second Day of January. was assented to, ratified, and adopted: and also, all acts and parts of acts, of the General Assembly of this State, ratifying and adopting of the said Constitution and hereby Repealed, Rescinded, and Abrogated

We do further Declare and Ordain, that the Union, now subsisting between the States of Georgia and other States, under the name of the United States of America is Hereby Dissolved, and that the State of Georgia is in the full possession  and exercise of all these rights of Sovereignty which belong and appertain to a Free and Independent state.

GEORGE W. CRAWFORD, of Richmond President.

[…]
PROTEST OF SIX OF THE THE DELEGATES

WE, the undersigned to the Convention of the State of Georgia, now in session, while we more solemnly Protest against the majority in adopting an Ordinance for the immediate and separate Secession of this state, and would have preferred the policy of co-operation with out southern sister States—yet as good citizens, we yield to the will of a majority of her people as expressed by their Representatives, and we hereby pledge “our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor” to the defence of Georgia, if necessary, against hostile invasion from any source whatever..

[…]

MILLEDGEVILLE, January 22, 1861

 

Citation: Republic of Georgia, Ordinance of Secession. 1861. A 861r

January 19, 1861: John Henry Brown’s Journal

John Henry Brown was a painter of portrait miniatures, living and working in Philadelphia. He had met Lincoln in August of 1860 when he was commissioned to paint Lincoln’s portrait for a supporter, but although Brown liked Lincoln personally, he did not agree with Republican policies.

1861-01-19

Transcript:

First clear day for some time. At Mrs Gibsons picture. Congress engaged all week, more or less, discussing the present troubles of the country. They have done nothing towards as settlement. The Georgia Convention passed an ordinance of Secession today.


Citation: John Henry Brown (1818-1891), autograph journal/account book. Philadelphia, 1844-1890. AMs 574/14.1

January 18, 1861: New York Herald

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Transcript (excerpt):

The New York Herald, New York, Morning Edition, Friday, January 18, 1861.

Page 1, Upper Half

Colonel Hayne sent his communication to the President to-day. It is understood that since the arrival of Colonel Hayne, after a free conference with his Southern friends here, he has somewhat changed his original intention and purpose, and instead of making an unconditional demand for the surrender and evacuation of Fort Sumter, he now presents it in the shape of a suggestion. He therefore suggests to the President the property of the surrender, in order to avoid bloodshed.

It does not change in the slightest degree the aspect of the question, or the state of affairs. They want Fort Sumter, and are willing to enter into negotiation with the President for it. The President will inform South Carolina, through Colonel Hayne, that he has no authority to open such negotiations. They must appeal to Congress, it being the only power that can act or entertain such a proposition; and as regards the surrender of that fort to South Carolina, that is impossible.

Citation: New York Herald. New York, January 1861. Gift of Steven and Susan Raab. AN .N56792

January 16, 1861: John Henry Brown’s Journal

John Henry Brown was a painter of portrait miniatures, living and working in Philadelphia. He had met Lincoln in August of 1860 when he was commissioned to paint Lincoln’s portrait for a supporter, but although Brown liked Lincoln personally, he did not agree with Republican policies.

1861-01-16

Transcript:

Too dark for painting. The weather lately has been very bad, by which I have lost a great deal of time. Engaged at writing the greater part of the day.

Attended a very large meeting in the evening of those opposed to coersion.

Citation: John Henry Brown (1818-1891), autograph journal/account book. Philadelphia, 1844-1890. AMs 574.14.1

January 15, 1861: John Henry Brown’s Journal

John Henry Brown was a painter of portrait miniatures, living and working in Philadelphia. He had met Lincoln in August of 1860 when he was commissioned to paint Lincoln’s portrait for a supporter, but although Brown liked Lincoln personally, he did not agree with Republican policies.

1861-01-15

Transcript:

At Miss Roger’s picture. Lost another engagement today, owing to the condition of the times. This makes six hundred & seventy five dollars, lost thus far, by broken engagements and no new engagements making. This is the time of year, engagements were generally made, which gave me work for a year.

Andrew G. Curtin, (Republican) inaugurated Governor of Pennsylvania, for three years. His address is moderate in tone.


Citation: John Henry Brown (1818-1891), autograph journal/account book. Philadelphia, 1844-1890. AMs 574/14.1