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. 

Transcript:

Washington April 3^rd 1861.

To Hon R Toombs.

Much activity to-day in the war & navy dep^ts—It is said the “Minnesota at Boston has been ordered to the mouth of the Mississippi—“Powhattan” suddenly put in Commission to Sail next week—four companies now here, three artillery—one sappers & miners ordered to New York—Report says these movements have reference to the San Domingo question—“Pawnee” will not be ready for sea until Saturday—Our intermediary says—they dare not deceive him, as they knew we don’t rely upon them, but upon him.

Crawford.

Roman.

Forsyth.

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

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. 

Transcript (excerpt):

No 2.

Department of State.

Montgomery April 2 1861

Hon Martin J Crawford.

“ John Forsyth.

“ A. B. Roman.

Commissioners of the Confederate States.

&c. &c. &c.

Gentlemen

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your dispatch (No 7) of the 26^th ult, signed by Messrs Crawford and Roman, and of that of the 29^th ult, signed by Mr Roman alone, together with the paper attached to the latter marked “C.”

[…]

The President feels very much gratified by the friendly disposition evinced by the representative of the foreign Government, whom you mention, by the intervention of his good offices to bring about the interview with Mr Roman, which Mr Seward sought and afterwards declined. It is almost needless to remark that the unofficial interference of that Gentleman shall be regarded as an inviolable secret.

In your dispatch of the 26^th ult, you remark: “The question now, which we wish to submit to you is, whether we shall dally longer with a Government hesitating and doubting as to its own course, or shall we demand an answer at once?”

In reply to this question I have the President’s instructions to inform you that he does not consider the delay caused by this “hesitating and doubting” policy of the U.S. Government, as injurious to this Government, and therefore, he desires that you do not make any peremptory demand for a formal answer to your official note, as long as you can maintain your present position consistently with honor and dignity, or until you are especially instructed to the contrary by this Department. […]

While the Government at Washington continues to follow its present vacillating and uncertain course, neither declaring war nor establishing peace, it affords the Confederate State the advantages of both conditions, and enables them to make all the necessary arrangement for the public defence, and the Solidifying of their Government, more safely, cheaply, and expeditiously, than they could, were the attitude of the United State more definite, and decided.

[…]

You seem to anticipate that the United States Government will propose “a truce maintaining the present Status” until the meeting of the next Congress.

[…]

Were such a proposition as that to which you refer, to be made by the United States and accepted by this Government, it is to be supposed that both parties are earnestly desirous to avoid everything which could lead to collision or difficulty.

The Confederate States have now assembled in the vicinity of Fort Pickens large bodies of troops; and while the United States retain their present force in that work, and oblige us to maintain a condition of quasi war, it is obvious that there is constant danger of collision between the forces of the two countries, however much their governments might regret the occurrence. You are therefore instructed not to agree to any proposition for the maintenance of the present Status, unless it is agreed by the United States to evacuate Forts Sumter and Pickens. […]

The importance of maintaining intimate friendly relations with the representatives of foreign Governments at Washington is fully appreciated by this Government, and the President is much pleased to find that you have established the pleasant intercourse that now exists between you and those gentlemen. Where it is in your judgment consistent with the interests of your government you will not hesitate to give them all proper information as to our public policy and assure them of the desire of the President and people of the Confederate States to be on terms of amity and good will with all the world.

[…]

I am Gentlemen,

Very Respectfully yours

R. Toombs.

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

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.

Transcript (excerpt):

No 9

Commission of the Confederate States

Washington, April 1^st 1861.

Hon: Robert Toombs,

Secretary of State

of the Confederate States,

Montgomery, Alabama.

Sir,

[…]

I have thought it of the highest importance that we should have, before definite action upon our part, the settled, fixed and permanent possession of our own Government; that we should have, as far as possible, the confidence and support of our own people; that we should look alone to our future safety, permanence and prosperity. With these objects steadily in view we might do much at this point to secure them all. My conception therefore of the wants of the Confederate States at this time, is comprised in the single word Peace. If they have peace whatever of life there is in the movement can be successfully developed. If there is not vitality in it, it will perish without destruction to the elements of order and civilization which it found existing at the time of its formation. We all know that the Northern people no where recognize the legal validity of the movement, the doctrine of secession has no advocates or supporters among them. We cannot obtain from the Federal union any recognition of the right of secession, because the President, with the sanction of all parties North, repudiates it; but he, at the same time, with the concurrence of a large portion of the Northern people, desires to escape the peril of a civil war, and rejects force as the essential principle of Government,—at least we believe this to be his and their principle.

The question of force therefore becomes the important matter in our negotiations and must be the first to be settled. Is it not possible then, that we can make this a common ground upon which we can deal with the Federal Government and gradually enlarge it so as to comprehend all our aims, in the course of a reasonable time?

[…]

In the cause of peace we have visibly at work for us—1^st, the Democratic party, with which the South has been allied; 2^nd, the interests of commerce—a great bond in itself; 3^rd, the hopes of those who still cling to the idea of reconstruction if war be avoided; 4^th, The Border states, men of all parties, and who are our most powerful allies; 5^th, a portion of the Republicans themselves are for peace.

[…]

We think then that the policy of “masterly inactivity,” on our part, was wise in every particular. I thought so because I knew that we were not quite ready to move on the enemy. I witnessed the delays and the difficulties surrounding our infant Republic in its first efforts for organization and existence. I knew its resources, power, capacity, and was not willing to allow it rashly to engage in a trial of military strength with a Government which had the advantages of nearly three quarters of a century of organization and growth. Many of our people rely upon the forbearance of the United States.

This will not do now; that time has passed, and whatsoever be done in future must be done only as we are able to maintain it at the cannon’s mouth.

[…]

I am, Very Respectfully,

Sir,

Your most obt: svt:

Martin J Crawford

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