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.—Idem.
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1861. February 12.—Yesterday’s news from home a shade more promising. The President’s message to Congress on the mediatorial propositions from Virginia is calmly and judiciously written. It looks to that State for the preservation of the Union. The Convention of the Border States, free as well as slave, assembled on the 30th of January, and we ought now to have its first movements. There will be a collection of distinguished men at it,—Rives, Tyler, Reverdy Johnson, etc. I fear, however, they are rather effete celebrities than fit for the moment.
A curious sort of intermediate public counsel, not employed by either plaintiff or defendant, but seeming to act and argue as a Judge-Advocate at a Court-Martial, has addressed an admirable argument to the Bench in “Betsey Bonaparte’s” case at Paris. He seems a representative “pro bono publico.” His name is Duvignaux. Another singular feature of this trial was in allowing a presumptuous American called Gould to intrude his written notions as to what was general opinion about the marriage of Jerome and Betsey with our eminent lawyers in 1803! How completely this could have been exploded by the production of my father’s written and elaborate view of the whole matter given to old Mr. Paterson at the time. I have the rough draft among his relics.
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FORT PICKENS, FLA., February 12, 1861.
Hon. J. HOLT, Secretary of War:
SIR: Since the departure of Lieutenant Gilman as special messenger for Washington nothing of special interest has transpired. I am continuing the defenses, mounting guns on the ramparts, and blocking up the casemate embrasures. Having observed a battery in course of erection upon which they were mounting heavy guns, 8-inch columbiads, and as this battery would rake two bastions and the connecting curtains of this fort, I addressed the following note to Colonel Chase:
FORT PICKENS, FLA., February 11, 1861.
Col. WM. H. CHASE, Commanding the Forces of Florida:
SIR: I observe you are erecting and arming battery west of the light-house. I deem it my duty to protest against its further continuance, and also of all batteries which may bear on Fort Pickens.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
A. J. SLEMMER,
First Lieutenant, First Artillery, Commanding.
To which I received the following satisfactory reply:
HEADQUARTERS PENSACOLA DISTRICT,
February 12, 1861.Lieut. A. J. SLEMMER, Commanding Fort Pickens:
SIR: I have this moment received your letter of the 11th instant. I am determined to make good the assurances that I have given, that no attack shall be made on Fort Pickens, and to discontinue all preparations for one, as stated in my letter to Capt. S. Barren, dated January 29. I do not consider the erection of batteries on this side as aiming at an attack on Fort Pickens; but, desiring to avoid all actual or implied preparations for an attack, I will give orders for the discontinuance of the erection of the battery.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
WM. H. CHASE,
Colonel, Commanding Forces of Florida, &c.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
A. J. SLEMMER,
First Lieutenant, First Artillery.
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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1861.
Have had rather a busy day of it and it has been quite warm. Packed Julia’s trunk and then went to the Pat office. Went up to the Navy Dept by request of Chief Engineer Saml Archibold to inspect some Drawings and Models of Engines, Valves, &c. Went to Express off and pd charge on trunk $2.00 and then back to Pat office. Have not done much office work today, a good many in the room talking over the affairs of the Nation. Went this evening to the Levee (the last of Pres Buchanans). A great crowd there, many Army & Navy officers in uniform. H N Jr went with me and was introduced to the Prest & shook hands with him.
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The three diary manuscript volumes, Washington during the Civil War: The Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft, 1861-1865, are available online at The Library of Congress.
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FEBRUARY 12, 1861. No. 5.–A RESOLUTION in relation to the occupation of the forts and arsenals, &c.
Resolved by the Congress of the Confederate States of America, That this Government takes under its charge the questions and difficulties now existing between the several States of this Confederacy and the Government of the United States of America, relating to the occupation of forts, arsenals, navy-yards, and other public establishments; and that the President of the Congress be directed to communicate this resolution to the several States of this Confederacy, through the respective governors thereof.
Adopted February 12, 1861.
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MONDAY 11
It has been warm and pleasant today but is a little rainy tonight. Business in the Pat office goes on as usual and is now increasing. Went down to Willards and met my old friend J C Smith who is a member of the Peace Convention from NY. The Hotel is or appears to be quite full. It is said that the proffits are at least $1200 pr day. Went from Willards to the Adams Express office (sending trunk of clothing &c to Julia). Called in at the “National.” Came home and read papers and go to bed at 12 1/1.
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The three diary manuscript volumes, Washington during the Civil War: The Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft, 1861-1865, are available online at The Library of Congress.
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Mr. President: I have been notified by a committee of this body of my election to the office of Vice-President under the Provisional Government established for the Confederate States of America; the notification is in a letter, which I beg leave to read:
Montgomery, Ala., February 9, 1861.
Sir: The Congress of the Provisional Government for the Confederate States of America have this day unanimously elected you to the office of Vice-President of the Confederate States, and we have been appointed to communicate the fact, and to respectfully invite your acceptance.
In performing this pleasing duty, allow us to express the hope that you will accept; and we beg to suggest that it would be most agreeable to the body we represent, as you are a member of the Congress, that you should signify to it, in person, your consent to serve the country in the high position to which you have been called.
We have the honor to be, very respectfully, yours,
JOHN PERKINS, Jr.,
W. P. HARRIS,
JNO. GILL SHORTER.
To Hon. Alexander H. Stephens.
From this it appears to be the general desire that I should in person make known to the body in a verbal response my acceptance of the high position to which I have been called.
This I now do. In this august presence, before you, Mr. President, before this Congress and before this large concourse of people under the bright sun and brilliant skies which now smile so auspiciously upon us, I will take this occasion also to return my most profound acknowledgments for this expression of confidence on the part of Congress.
There are special reasons why I place an unusually high estimate on it. The considerations that induced me to accept it I need not state. Suffice it to say that it may be deemed questionable whether any good citizen can refuse to discharge any duty that may be assigned him by his country in an hour of need.
It might be expected that I should at this time indulge in some remarks upon the state of our public affairs, the dangers that threaten us, and the most advisable measures to he adopted to meet pressing exigencies. Allow me to say, that in the absence of the distinguished gentleman who has been called to the chief executive chair I think it best to forbear to say anything on such matters. We expect him here in a few days—by Wednesday of this week at farthest—unless providentially detained longer. When he comes we will hear from him on all these difficult questions, and I doubt not we shall cordially and harmoniously concur in the line of policy his superior wisdom and statesmanship shall indicate. In the meantime there are matters we may very profitably be directing our attention to. Such as providing necessary postal arrangements, making provision for the transfer of the custom-houses from the jurisdiction of the separate States to the Confederacy, and the imposition of such duties as will be necessary to meet present and expected exigencies. In the exercise of the power to assess duties we are limited to the objects of revenue. A small duty, not exceeding 10 per cent upon importations, it is believed will be sufficient.
And above all, in the interim between this and the arrival and inauguration of the President, we can be directing our attention to the constitution of a permanent government, stable and durable, which is one of the leading objects of our assembling.
I am now ready to take the oath of office.
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Source: Journal of the Congress of the Confederate States of America, 1861 – 1865. Vol. 1; page 42
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—The New York vessels seized by the State of Georgia were released.—Courier & Enquirer.
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SUNDAY 10
Warm spring day and very pleasant in the street. Went to Ch. with wife this morning. Doct Smith is something of a “fossil” in Theology, but is eloquent and earnest and a very industrious man, has preached in the same church (4 Presn) twenty one years. Took a walk with the boys round Lafayette Square this evening. The boys were much interested in the U.S. Soldiers which we frequently met, over one thousand now in the City. Very little trouble is now apprehended at the Inauguration, or before that time. There are four Batteries of flying Artillery here. Washington presents at the present time quite a military appearance.
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The three diary manuscript volumes, Washington during the Civil War: The Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft, 1861-1865, are available online at The Library of Congress.
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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1861.
Mercury 20 this morning and the weather is quite moderate. The public mind seems to be much quieted and all seem to expect that a settlement will be made betwen the north and the border Slave States at least, in which case the “Cotton States” it is thought will ultimately come back. Seven have now seceded, Texas last. Business in the Pat office is increasing again. Some of the Examiners are quaking in their shoes for fear of being removed by the incoming Administration. I am quite indifferent about it. Was at “Willards” an hour tonight, 800 guests.
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The three diary manuscript volumes, Washington during the Civil War: The Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft, 1861-1865, are available online at The Library of Congress.
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