Thus far, the hope that peace might be maintained
was predominant; perhaps, the wish was father to the thought that there
would be no war between the States lately united. Indeed, all the laws
enacted during the first session of the Provisional Congress show how
consistent were the purposes and actions of its members with their
original avowal of a desire peacefully to separate from those with whom
they could not live in tranquillity, albeit the Government had been
established to promote the common welfare. Under this state of feeling
the Government of the Confederacy was instituted.
My own views and inclinations, as has already been fully shown, were in
entire accord with the disposition manifested by the requirement of the
Provisional Constitution and the resolution of the Congress above
recited, for the appointment of a commission to negotiate friendly
relations with the United States and an equitable and peaceable
settlement of all questions which would necessarily arise under the new
relations of the States toward one another. Next to the organization of
a Cabinet, that of such a commission was accordingly one of the very
first objects of attention. Three discreet, well-informed, and
distinguished citizens were selected as said Commissioners, and
accredited to the President of the Northern States, Mr. Lincoln, to the
end that by negotiation all questions between the two Governments might
be so adjusted as to avoid war, and perpetuate the kind relations which
had been cemented by the common trials, sacrifices, and glories of the
people of all the States.
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