Mr. Walker, of Alabama, was a distinguished member of the bar of north
Alabama, and was eminent among the politicians of that section. He was
earnestly recommended by gentlemen intimately and favorably known to me,
and was therefore selected for the War Department. His was the only name
presented from Alabama.
The executive departments having been organized, my attention was first
directed to preparation for military defense, for, though I, in common
with others, desired to have a peaceful separation, and sent
commissioners to the United States Government to effect, if possible,
negotiations to that end, I did not hold the common opinion that we
would be allowed to depart in peace, and therefore regarded it as an
imperative duty to make all possible preparation for the contingency of
war.
CHAPTER VII.
Early Acts of the Confederate Congress.--Laws of the United
States continued in Force.--Officers of Customs and Revenue
continued in Office.--Commission to the United
States.--Navigation of the Mississippi.--Restrictions on the
Coasting-Trade removed.--Appointment of Commissioners to
Washington.
The legislation of the Confederate Congress furnishes the best evidence
of the temper and spirit which prevailed in the organization of the
Confederate Government. The very first enactment, made on the 9th of
February, 1861--the day after the adoption of the Provisional
Constitution--was this:
"That all the laws of the United States of America in force and
in use in the Confederate States of America on the first day of
November last, and not inconsistent with the Constitution of the
Confederate States, be and the same are hereby continued in
force until altered or repealed by the Congress.
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