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.
Transcript:
Atlee has been very sick all day.
The Peace Conference, in session at Washington, for some weeks has ajourned. They have submitted to Congress, propositions that may possibly lead to peace if favourably acted upon by that body.
Citation: John Henry Brown (1818-1891), autograph journal/account book. Philadelphia, 1844-1890. AMs 574/14.1
Missouri, in convention, considers whether to secede from the Union. North Carolina, in convention, declines to secede.
The US Territory of Colorado is formed.
The US House of Representatives passes a proposed amendment to the US Constitution to guarantee slavery in those states where it already existed. It is sent to the US Senate.
As the month of February ends the issue as to whether the crisis can be settled without bloodshed is very much in doubt. The South has made it clear that it will not back down. The North can have peace, but only on Southern terms and that means recognition of the Confederacy and the sundering of the Union. The big question is what will Lincoln do when he is inaugurated on March 4.