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 (redacted):
No. 3 Commission of the Confederate States
Washington March 8th 1861
Hon Robert Toombs
& & &
Sir
Mr Crawford has advised the Department of the current of events here up to the 6th Inst. Mr Forsyth reached this Capital on the 5th Inst. Gov Roman has not arrived.
We have been in anxious consultation for the two past days as to the best method of opening negotiations with the Government. As Mr Crawford has apprised you there is reason to believe that there is a party in the Cabinet favourable to pacific measures & Mr Seward is believed to be the head of that party. As our instructions contemplate a peaceful solution and recognition without bloodshed, and delay if necessary in compassing those important objects, it was obvious that it was our policy to cultivate unofficial relations with this party & not to move officially until we were in possession of reasonable assurance that it would prevail in its struggle with the ultra element in the Cabinet. To this end we have availed ourselves of the services of a late distinguished Senator of the U. States to establish an understanding with the Secretary of State. This gentleman is urgent for delay. The tenor of his language is to this effect: “I have built up the Republican party; I have brought it to triumph; but its advent to power is accompanied of great difficulties & perils. I must save the party & save the Government in its hands. To do this, war must be averted; the negro question must be dropped; the “irrepressible conflict” ignored, and a Union party, to embrace the border Slave States inaugurated. I have already whipped Mason and Hunter in their own State. I must crush out Davis, Toombs & their colleagues in sedition in their respective states. Saving the border States to the Union by moderation & justice, the people of the Cotton States, unwillingly led into secession, will rebel against their leaders and reconstruction will follow.”
With these views we find we can travel the same path with Mr Seward up to a certain point—the point of fixing peace as the policy of the Lincoln Government. After that we diverge. Until we reach the point of pacific negotiations, it is unimportant what may be his subsequent hopes and plans. It is well that he should indulge in dreams which we know are not to be realized.
[…]
We are of the opinion that the peace party is growing in strength at the North and are gratified to be able to believe that an increased respect for our Government, its personal and moral character, its dignity, strength, and stability is spreading in the public mind.
We feel encouraged to hope by what we see around us, a successful issue to the important and delicate mission confided to us, by a course of prudence, moderation and firmness.
The Department need not be assured of the devotion of our untiring energies and most zealous efforts to that great end.
We are Very Respectfully
Sir
Your Obt Servants
John Forsyth,
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