April 11, 1861: Confederate Commissioners’ Telegrams

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. 

AMs 811-20 p219 Confederate Letter Book 4-11-1861 telegrams

Montgomery April 11th 1861.

To Hon Jno. Forsyth.

Balto.

Is the powder ready for delivery? If not we have an order covering the point the object in replying as I did to you was to get immediate supply if to be manufactured nothing is gained. The order to you was for ninety tons cannon, and ten tons musket powder. Reply especially and state time of delivery.

L.P. Walker.

 

 

Charleston April 11th 1861.

To Roman Crawford & Forsyth.

Commissioners

Balto.

Evacuation of Fort Sumter will be demanded today. If refused, hostilities will commence tonight. Answer.

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

April 11, 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.

 

April 10-14, 1861

Transcript:

Government seems now determined, to reinforce Forts Sumpter & Pickens, which will assuredly commence the war. A fleet of seven war vessels is reported to be off the harbour of Charleston S.C. Signal lights displayed from Fort Sumpter. The Confederate forces, ordered to arms at midnight. Great excitement at Charleston.

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

April 10, 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.

 

1861-04-10

Transcript:

At Miss Irwins picture.

The public are now all holding breath with fear & anxiety. Every flash of the Telegraph startles us with the news of active preparations on the part of the government for War. A number of vessels have already left New York for some point on the Southern Coast. Gov. Curtin, of this state, has sent a message to the Legislature, asking for an appropriation to arm the State. The excitement is on the increase.

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

April 10, 1861: New York Herald

top

Transcript (excerpt):

Page 2, Lower Half

Interesting From Virginia.

Our Richmond Correspondence.

Richmond, Va., April 6, 1861.

The Present Attitude of Virginia – How Long is She to Remain in the Union? – The Union Men in the Convention Endeavoring to Escape from the Rising Tide of Revolution, &c., &c.

The cord which binds Virginia to the Union at this moment is so slight as to need but the pressure of any little emergency to snap it forever. It is fast yielding under the natural strain of Southern interest and Southern sympathy; and any sudden emergency which would abruptly rend it would but anticipate by a few months a result that is not inevitable.

Citation:New York Herald. 10 April 1861. Gift of Steven and Susan Raab. AN .N56792

April 9, 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.

 

1861-04-09

Transcript:

At Miss Irwins picture.

The public are fearfully excited at the condition of things.

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

April 8, 1861: Confederate Commissioners’ Telegrams

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. 

AMs 811-20 p213 Confederate Letter Book 4-8-1861 telegram edited

 

AMs 811-20 p215 Confederate Letter Book 4-8-1861 telegram edited2

AMs 811-20 p217 Confederate Letter Book 4-8-1861 telegrams edited

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

April 7, 1861: Confederate Commissioners Telegrams

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. 

AMs 811-20 p211 Confederate Letter Book 4-7-1861 telegram

Transcript:

Washington April 7th 1861.

To Hon R Toombs.

Events since our last have in our judgment made it our duty to require an answer to our official note of March Twelfth—We do so tonight with notification that our Sec’ty will call for a reply tomorrow at two PM—We believe that a hostile movement is on foot and part of it sailed against the confederate states—It may be Sumter and [inserted: or] the Mississippi—It is almost certain that it is Pickens and the Texas frontier—If Sewards reply is not satisfactory we shall consider the gauntlet of war thrown down—and close our mission after two P.M . tomorrow will teleg’h you.

Crawford Roman & Forsyth.

 

letter book

To Hon Mess. Crawford & Forsyth

Commissioners

We have so many extraordinary telegrams I would be glad to know from you if it is true that they have determined to reinforce Sumter & if a naval force is sent to our harbor.

Be so good as to answer as soon as convenient for something desired to govern our conduct.

F. W. Pickens.

 

 

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

April 6, 1861: New York Herald

top

Transcript (excerpt):

Page 3, Lower Half

Important News from Charleston

Charleston, April 5, 1861

A terrible moment is evidently at hand. The news from Washington and New York to-night corroborates the general impression, that within twenty-four hours war will be upon us.

Every man has been ordered on duty, and the utmost activity prevails. The State is prepared for any emergency.

The highest officials say the present state of things cannot last but a short time longer.

The excitement throughout is intense, and everything wears a warlike aspect.

Citation: New York Herald. 6 April 1861. Gift of Steven and Susan Raab. AN .N56792

April 5, 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.

1861-04-05

Transcript:

At Miss Irwin’s picture. The prostration of my business, with a family I dearly love, depending on me for support, harrows my feelings almost to madness. The extent of my grief I do not impart to my wife. Her more hopeful spirit is all that keeps me up. There seems to be no relief for me from this state of things, as almost ever other business is equally prostrated. This prostration or suspension of business, is continued by Mr. Lincolns policy, or rather perhaps for want of a policy on his part clearly & distinctly defined. If there was a certainty that he would not resort to coercive measures in the settlement of our troubles, business would soon revive. As it is, we have a report from Washington, one day, to strengthen our hopes that peace will be continued, next day one to destroy that hope. This alternation from hope to fear perplexes men of money, who of course, while this uncertainty continues, will not invest their means.

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

April 4, 1861: Confederate Commissioners to Robert Toombs

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. 

AMs 811-20 p209 Confederate Letter Book 4-4-1861 telegram Transcript:

Washington April 4th 1861.

To Hon R Toombs.

It is believed here in high circles that the naval preparations alluded to in our telegraph of yesterday are intended against Spain on account of the Dominican affair. The Contemptuous allusions to the U.S. by European presses & people as a government in ruins induces the contemplated demonstration to show the world that it is still one of the great powers, & that the separation of the Confederate States does not impair its importance—In Confirmation, we know that a diplomatic note of rather a disagreeable nature, has been sent the spanish minister from the Department of State in reference thereto—Notwithstanding all this fleet may now or hereafter be ordered to our coast, hence we would say—Strengthen the defences at the mouth of the Mississippi.

Crawford.

Forsyth.

Roman.

 

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