Benson J. Lossing, Pictorial Field Book of the Civil War. Volume 1.

[387] them without “encumbering them with the election of delegates.” He accordingly recommended the Legislature to adopt such an ordinance at once, and call upon the people to vote upon it speedily.

A few days after the Governor's message was submitted to the Legislature, Henry W. Hilliard, a leading member of the “Methodist Church South,” appeared before that body

April 30, 1861.

as a commissioner of Jefferson Davis and his confederates, clothed by them with authority to negotiate a treaty of alliance between the State of Tennessee and the “Confederate States of America,” similar to that already completed between the Virginia politicians and the conspirators at Montgomery. He was allowed to submit his views to the Legislature. He regarded the question at issue “between the North and the South” as one “of constitutional liberty, involving the right of the people to govern themselves.” He believed there was not a true-hearted man in the South who would not rather die than submit to “the Abolition North.” The idea of reconstruction must be utterly abandoned. They would never think of “going back to their enemies.” He considered the system of government founded on Slavery, which had been established at Montgomery, as the only permanent form of government that could be maintained in America. His views were warmly supported by some prominent Tennesseans. Ex-Governor Neil S. Brown, in a letter published at about that time, expressed his belief that it was “the settled policy of the Administration” and of “the whole North, to wage a war of extermination against the South,” and urged the people to arm themselves, as the Border States, he believed, would be the battleground. Ex-Congressman Felix R. Zollicoffer declared that Tennessee was “already involved in war,” and said, “We cannot stand neutral and see our Southern brothers butchered.”

On the 1st of May the Legislature authorized the Governor to enter into a military league with the “Confederate States,” by which the whole military rule of the Commonwealth should be subjected to the will of Davis. He appointed Gustavus A. Henry, Archibald O. W. Totten, and Washington Barrow as commissioners for the purpose. They and Mr. Hilliard negotiated a treaty, and on the 7th

May.

the Governor announced to the Legislature the conclusion of the business, and submitted to it a copy of the “Convention.” By it Davis and his confederates were authorized to exercise absolute military control in Tennessee until that Commonwealth should become a member of the “Confederacy” by ratifying its permanent constitution. The vote on the treaty in the Senate was fourteen ayes to six noes, and in the lower House, forty-two ayes to fifteen noes. Eighteen of the members, chiefly from East Tennessee, were absent or did not vote.¹