I think it very likely that Keitt,
from his warm personal friendship for Mr. Toombs, may at first
have preferred him. I have no recollections of Chesnut's
predilections. I think there was no question that Mr. Davis was
the choice of our delegation and of the whole people of South
Carolina.... I do not think Mr. Rhett ever attempted to
influence the course of his colleagues, either in this or in
matters generally before the Congress. Nor do I think his
personal influence in the delegation was as great as that of
some other members of it. If I were to select any one as having
a special influence with us, I would consider Mr. Robert
Barnwell as the one. His singularly pure and elevated character,
entire freedom from all personal ambition or desire for place or
position (he declined Mr. Davis's offer of a seat in the
Cabinet), as well as his long experience in public life and
admirably calm and well-balanced mind, all combined to make his
influence with his colleagues very great. But neither could he
be said 'to lead' the delegation. He had no desire, and never
made any attempt to do so. I think there was no delegation in
the Congress, the individual members of which were more
independent in coming to their own conclusions of what was right
and expedient to be done. There was always the frankest and
freest interchange of opinions among them, but every one
determined his own course for himself.
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