February
February 1.
The Texas State Convention, at Galveston, passed an ordinance of secession, to be voted on by the people on the 23d of February, and if adopted, to take effect March 2.--(Doc. 30.)--New Orleans Picayune, Feb. 7.
Feb. 2.
The United States revenue cutter Lewis Cass, Capt. Morrison, a Georgian, was surrendered by the officer at Mobile to the State of Louisiana.--(Doc. 31.)--N. Y. Times, Feb. 6.
February 3.
No entry for February 3, 1861.Feb. 4.
The Montgomery convention organized [17] with Howell Cobb, president, and Johnson F. Hooper, secretary.--(Doc. 32.)
The North Carolina House of Representatives passed unanimously a declaration that if reconciliation fails, North Carolina will go with the other slave States.--Times, Feb. 6.
Feb. 5.
The Peace Convention, at Washington, organized permanently, with Ex-president John Tyler in the chair; J C. Wright, of Ohio, secretary.--Herald, Feb. 6.
February 6.
No entry for February 6, 1861.February 7.
No entry for February 7, 1861.Feb. 8.
The Congress at Montgomery this evening unanimously agreed to a constitution and provisional government. They will go into immediate operation.--(Doc. 83.)--No propositions for compromise or reconstruction. After the vote on the constitution was taken, Jefferson Davis was elected President, and Alexander H. Stevens Vice-President of the Southern Confederacy, by the Congress.--(Doc. 34.)--Commercial Advertiser.
Brigs W. R. Kibby and Golden Lead; barks Adjuster and C. Colden Murray; and schooner Julia A. Hallock, all owned in New York, were seized in the harbor of Savannah, by order of the Governor of Georgia, in reprisal for the seizure, in New York, of arms consigned to Georgia.--Baltimore American.
The Little Rock arsenal, Arkansas, with 9,000 stands of arms, 40 cannon, and a large amount of ammunition, was surrendered to the State of Arkansas.--N. Y. Times, Feb. 11.
Feb. 9.
At Montgomery, Mr. Memminger presented a flag sent by some of the young ladies of South Carolina to the Convention.--(Doc. 35.)--National Intelligencer.
Feb. 10.
The New York vessels seized by the State of Georgia were released.--Courier and Enquirer.
February 11.
No entry for February 11, 1861.February 12.
No entry for February 12, 1861.Feb. 13.
Abraham Lincoln, of Illinois, and Hannibal Hamlin, of Maine, were declared by Vice-President Breckenridge, elected President and Vice-President of the United States for the four years from March 4, 1861.--(Doc. 36.)--Tribune, Feb. 14.
Eight thousand Sharp's rifle cartridges and 10,000 Sharp's rifle primers, were seized by the police in New York city on a Charleston steamer.--Tribune, Feb. 14.
February 14.
No entry for February 14, 1861.February 15.
No entry for February 15, 1861.February 16.
No entry for February 16, 1861.February 17.
No entry for February 17, 1861.Feb. 18.
Jefferson Davis was inaugurated President of the Southern Confederacy.--(Doc. 37.)
Feb. 19.
Old Fort Kearney, Kansas Territory, was taken possession of by the secessionists, and a secession flag raised. It was soon after retaken by a party of Unionists.--Times, Feb. 21.
February 20.
No entry for February 20, 1861.Feb. 21.
The President of the Southern Confederacy nominated the following members of his Cabinet: Secretary of State--Mr. Toombs. Secretary of the Treasury--Mr. Memminger. Secretary of War--Mr. L. Pope Walker. They were confirmed.--Tribune, Feb. 22.
Governor Brown, at Savannah, Ga., seized the ship Martha J. Ward, bark Adjuster, and brig Harold, all belonging to citizens of New York. They will be detained until the arms are delivered up by the State of New York.
The Congress at Montgomery passed an act declaring the establishment of the free navigation of the Mississippi.--Philadelphia Press, Dec. 23.
Feb. 22.
The people of Charleston, S. C., celebrated Washington's birthday with great enthusiasm. The Pickens cadets paraded for the first time, and were presented to Governor Pickens by Lieutenant Magrath. The Governor made the company a brief address, urging upon its members the bright and shining example of Washington as deserving imitation. Subsequently a banner was presented to the Washington Light Infantry, and in the evening the company reassembled in Hibernian Hall, where it was addressed by Colonel Edward Carroll, in an oration of a rather sanguinary hue. Other companies also celebrated the day in their own way.--Louisville Journal.
The Collector of Charleston gives official notice that all vessels from foreign States, except Texas, will be treated as “foreign vessels,” and subjected to the port dues and other charges established by the laws of the Confederated States.--Charleston Courier.
Feb. 23.
President-elect Abraham Lincoln arrived in Washington. The published programme of his journey had been abandoned at Harrisburg, which city he left secretly last night.--(Doc. 38.)--Commercial, Feb. 23.
United States property, to a great amount, together with the various army posts in Texas, were betrayed to that State by General Twiggs.--(Doc. 89.)--Times, Feb. 26.
[18]
February 24.
No entry for February 24, 1861.February 25.
No entry for February 25, 1861.Feb. 26.
Captain Hill, in command of Fort Brown, Texas, refused to surrender his post as ordered by General Twiggs, and engaged in preparations to defend it.--Times, March 6.
Feb. 27.
The Peace Convention submitted to the United States Senate a plan of adjustment involved in seven amendments to the Constitution of the United States.--(Doc. 40.)--Herald, March 4.
Feb. 28.
Mr. Corwin's report from the committee of thirty-three came up for final passage in Congress this morning. It was agreed to amid thunders of applause from the galleries and the floor. As the vote proceeded, the excitement was intense, and on the announcement of the result, the inexpressible enthusiasm of the members and the crowded galleries found vent in uproarious demonstrations. All feel that it is the harbinger of peace.--(Doc. 41.)--Commercial, Feb. 28.
