made early preparations for the withdrawal | by the good people of South Carolina," of of their States from the Union. Some of the Ordinance of May 23d, 1788, and "the the more extreme anti-slavery men of the dissolution of the union between the State North, noting these preparations, for a of South Carolina and other States under time favored a plan of letting the South the name of the United States of Amerigo in peace. South Carolina was the first ca," and proclaiming to the world "that to adopt a secession ordinance, and before the State of South Carolina is, as she has it did so, Horace Greeley said in the New a right to be, a separate, sovereign, free York Tribune: and independent State, and, as such, has a right to levy war, conclude peace, negotiate treaties, leagues, or covenants, and to do all acts whatsoever that rightfully appertain to a free and independent State.

"If the Declaration of Independence justified the secession from the British Empire of three millions of colonists in 1776, we can not see why it would not justify the secession of five millions of Southrons from the Federal Union in 1861."

These views, however, soon fell into disfavor throughout the North, and the period of indecision on either side ceased when Fort Sumter was fired upon. The Gulf States openly made their preparations as soon as the result of the Presidential election was known, as a rule pursuant to a previous understanding. The following, condensed from Hon. Edward McPherson's "Political History of the United States of America during the Great Rebellion," is a orrect statement of the movements which followed, in the several Southern States:

SOUTH CAROLINA.

"Done in the eighty-fifth year of the sovereignty and independence of South Carolina."

Jan. 3d, 1861. South Carolina Commissioners left Washington.

4th. Convention appointed T. J. Withers, L. M. Keitt, W. W. Boyce, Jas. Chestnut, Jr., R. B. Rhett, Jr., R. W. Barnwell, and C. G. Memminger, delegates to Southern Congress.

5th. Convention adjourned, subject to the call of the Governor.

14th. Legislature declared that any attempt to reinforce Fort Sumter would be considered an open act of hostility and a declaration of war. Approved the Governor's action in firing on the Star of the West. Accepted the services of the Catawba Indians.

March 26th. Convention met in Charles

November 5th, 1860. Legislature met to choose Presidential electors, who voted 27th. Received Judge Robertson, Comfor Breckinridge and Lane for President missioner from Virginia, but rejected the and Vice President. Gov. William H. proposition for a conference and co-operGist recommended in his message that inative action. the event of Abraham Lincoln's election to the Presidency, a convention of the people of the State be immediately called to consider and determine for themselves the mode and measure of redress. He expressed the opinion that the only alternative left is the "secession of South Carolina from the Federal Union."

7th. United States officials resigned at Charleston.

10th. U. S. Senators James H. Hammond and James Chestnut, Jr., resigned their seats in the Senate. Convention called to meet Dec. 17th. Delegates to be elected Dec. 6th.

13th. Collection of debts due to citizens of non-slaveholding States stayed. Francis W. Pickens elected Governor.

17th. Ordinance of Secession adopted unanimously.

21st. Commissioners appointed (Barnwell, Adams, and Orr) to proceed to Washington to treat for the possession of U. S. Government property within the limits of South Carolina. Commissioners appointed to the other slaveholding States. Southern Congress proposed.

24th. Representatives in Congress withdrew.

Gov. Pickens issued a proclamation "announcing the repeal, Dec. 20th, 1860,

ton.

April 3d. Ratified "Confederate" Constitution-yeas 114, nays 16. 8th. Transferred forts, etc., to "Confederate" government.

GEORGIA.

November 8th, 1860. Legislature met pursuant to previous arrangement.

18th. Convention called. Legislature appropriated $1,000,000 to arm the State. Dec. 3d. Resolutions adopted in the Legislature proposing a conference of the Southern States at Atlanta, Feb. 20th.

January 17th, 1861. Convention met. Received Commissioners from South Carolina and Alabama

18th. Resolutions declaring it the right and duty of Georgia to secede, adopted— yeas 165, nays 130.

19th. Ordinance of Secession passedyeas 208, nays 89.

21st. Senators and Representatives in Congress withdrew.

24th. Elected Delegates to Southern Congress at Montgomery, Alabama.

28th. Elected Commissioners to other Slaveholding States.

29th. Adopted an address " to the South and the world."

March 7th. Convention reassembled. 16th. Ratified the "Confederate" Constitution-yeas 96, nays 5.

20th. Ordinance passed authorizing the "Confederate" government to occupy, use and possess the forts, navy yards, arsenals, and custom houses within the limits of said State.

April 26th. Governor Brown issued a proclamation ordering the repudiation by the citizens of Georgia of all debts due Northern men.

MISSISSIPPI.

|between Federal troops and those in the employ of Florida, the act of holding office under the Federal government shall be declared treason, and the person convicted shall suffer death. Transferred control of government property captured, to the "Confederate" government.

LOUISIANA.

December 10th, 1860. Legislature met. 11th. Convention called for Jan. 23d. Military bill passed.

12th. Commissioners from Mississippi received and heard. Governor instructed to November 26th, 1860. Legislature met communicate with Governors of other Nov. 26th, and adjourned Nov. 30th. Elec-southern States.

tion for Convention fixed for Dec. 20th. Jan 23d, 1861. Convention met and Convention to meet Jan 7th. Convention organized. Received and heard Commisbills and secession resolutions passed unanimously. Commissioners appointed to other Slaveholding States to secure their cooperation in effecting measures for their common defence and safety."

sioners from South Carolina and Alabama. 25th. Ordinance of Secession passedyeas 113, nays 17. Convention refused to submit the ordinance to the people by a vote of 84 to 45. This was subsequently reconsidered, and the ordinance was sub

Jan. 7th, 1861. Convention assembled. 9th. Ordinance of Secession passed-mitted. The vote upon it as declared was yeas 84, nays 15.

In the ordinance the people of the State of Mississippi express their consent to form a federal union with such of the States as have seceded or may secede from the Union of the United States of America, upon the basis of the present Constitution of the United States, except such parts thereof as embrace other portions than such seceding States.

10th. Commissioners from other States received. Resolutions adopted, recognizing South Carolina as sovereign and independent.

Jan. 12th. Representatives in Congress withdrew.

19th. The committee on the Confederacy in the Legislature reported resolutions to provide for a Southern Confederacy, and to establish a provisional government for seceding States and States hereafter seceding.

21st. Senators in Congress withdrew. March 30th. Ratified "Confederate" Constitution-yeas 78, nays 7.

FLORIDA.

20,448 in favor, and 17,296 against.

Feb. 5th. Senators withdrew from Congress, also the Representatives, except John E. Bouligny. State flag adopted. Pilots at the Balize prohibited from bringing over the bar any United States vessels of war.

March 7th. Ordinance adopted in secret session transferring to "Confederate" States government $536,000, being the amount of bullion in the U. S. mint and customs seized by the State.

16th. An ordinance voted down, submitting the "Confederate" Constitution to the people-yeas 26, nays 74.

21st. Ratified the "Confederate" Constitution-yeas 101 aays 7. Governor authorized to transfe the arms and property captured fror the United States to the "Confederate" Government.

27th. Convention adjourned sine die.

ALABAMA.

January 7th, 1861. Convention met. 8th. Received and heard the Commissioner from South Carolina.

11th. Ordinance of Secession passed in secret session-yeas 61, nays 39. Proposi

November 26th, 1860. Legislature met. tion to submit ordinance to the people lost Governor M. S. Perry recommended imme--yeas 47, nays 53.

diate secession.

Dec. 1st. Convention bill passed.
Jan. 3d, 1861. Convention met.

14th. Legislature met pursuant to previous action.

19th. Delegates elected to the Southern

7th. Commissioners from South Carolina Congress. and Alabama received and heard.

21st. Representatives and Senators in

10th. Ordinance of Secession passed-Congress withdrew. yeas 62, nays 7.

18th. Delegates appointed to Southern Congress at Montgomery.

21st. Senators and Representatives in Congress withdrew.

26th. Commissioners appointed to treat with the United States Government relative to the United States forts, arsenals, etc., within the State.

The Convention requested the people of Feb. 14th. Act passed by the Legisla- the States of Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, ture declaring that after any actual collision | North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida,

Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, | forts, etc., to "Confederate" Government. Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky and Mis- 23d. Ratified the "Confederate" Constisouri to meet the people of Alabama by tution—yeas 68, nays 2.

their delegates in Convention, February 4th, 1861, at Montgomery, for the purpose of consulting as to the most effectual mode of securing concerted or harmonious action in whatever measures may be deemed most Gov. Ellis recommended that the Legisladesirable for their common peace and ture invite a conference of the Southern security. Military bill passed. Commis-States, or failing in that, send one or more sioners appointed to other Slaveholding delegates to the neighboring States so as to

March 4th. Convention re-assembled. 13th. Ratified "Confederate" Constitution, yeas 87, nays 6. Transferred control forts, of arsenals, etc., to "Confederate" Government.

January 16th, 1861. Legislature passed Convention bill. Vote of the people on the Convention was 27,412 for it, and 15,826 against it.

February 18th. Delegates elected.
March 4th. Convention met.

18th. The Ordinance of Secession defeated yeas 35, nays 39. The convention effected a compromise by agreeing to submit the question of co-operation or secession to the people on the 1st Monday in August.

May 6th. Passed Secession Ordinanceyeas 69, nays 1. Authorized her delegates to the Provisional Congress, to transfer the arsenal at Little Rock and hospital at Napoleon to the "Confederate " Government.

June 5th. Ordinance passed, ceded the 20th. Legislature confirmed the action arsenal at Fayetteville, and transferred of the Convention in deposing Gov. Hous-magazines, etc., to the "Confederate" ton by a vote of 53 to 11. Transferred Government.

10th. The Governor transmitted a despatch from the Mississippi Convention, announcing its unconditional secession from the Union, and desiring on the basis of the old Constitution to form a new union with the seceding States. The House adoptedyeas 77, nays 61,- -an amendment submitting to a vote of the people the question of referring for their decision any action of the Convention dissolving Virginia's connection with the Union, or changing its organic law. The Richmond Enquirer denounced "the emasculation of the Con-union. vention Bill as imperilling all that Virginians held most sacred and dear."

16th. Commissioners Hopkins and Gilmer of Alabama received in the Legislature.

17th. Resolutions passed proposing the Crittenden resolutions as a basis for adjustment, and requesting General Government to avoid collision with Southern States.

20th. A committee reported that in all | Mr. Franklin of Pa., in "Peace Conferbut sixteen counties, the majority for sub-ence," changed by using the expression mitting the action of the Convention to a "involuntary servitude" in place of " pervote of the people was 52,857. Numerous sons held to service." The right of owners resolutions on Federal Relations intro- of slaves is not to be impaired by congresduced, generally expressing attachment to sional or territorial law, or any pre-existthe Union, but denouncing coercion. ing law in territory hereafter acquired.

26th. Mr. Goggin of Bedford, in his speech, denied the right of secession, but admitted a revolutionary remedy for wrongs committed upon a State or section, and said wherever Virginia went he was with her.

March 2d. Mr. Goode of Bedford offered a resolution that, as the powers delegated to the General Government by Virginia had been perverted to her injury, and as the Crittenden propositions as a basis of adjustment had been rejected by their Northern confederates, therefore every consideration of duty, interest, honor and patriotism requires that Virginia should declare her connection with the Government to be dissolved.

5th. The thanks of the State were voted to Hon. John J. Crittenden, by yeas 107, nays 16, for his efforts to bring about an honorable adjustment of the national difficulties. Mr. Harvie of Amelia offered a resolution, requesting Legislature to make needful appropriations to resist any attempt of the Federal authorities to hold, occupy or possess the property and places claimed by the United States in any of the seceded States, or those that may withdraw or collect duties or imposts in the same.

Involuntary servitude, except for crime, to be prohibited north of 36°30′, but shall not be prohibited by Congress or any Territorial legislature south of that line. The third section has some verbal alterations, providing somewhat better security for property in transit. The fifth section prohibits the importation of slaves from places beyond the limits of the United States. The sixth makes some verbal changes in relation to remuneration for fugitives by Congress, and erases the clause relative to the securing of privileges and immunities. The seventh forbids the granting of the elective franchise and right to hold office to persons of the African race. The eighth provides that none of these amendments, nor the third paragraph of the second section of the first article of the Constitution, nor the third paragraph of the second section of the fourth article thereof, shall be amended or abolished without the consent of all the States.

25th. The Committee of the Whole refused (yeas 4, nays 116) to strike out the majority report and insert Mr. Carlile's "Peace Conference" substitute.

26th. The Constitution of the "Confederate" States, proposed by Mr. Hall as a substitute for the report of the committee, rejected-yeas 9, nays 78.

28th. The first and second resolutions reported by the committee adopted.

April 6th. The ninth resolution of the majority report came up. Mr. Bouldin offered an amendment striking out the whole, and inserting a substitute declaring that the independence of the seceded States should be acknowledged without delay, which was lost-yeas 68, nays 71.

9th. Mr. Wise's substitute for the tenth resolution, to the effect that Virginia recognizes the independence of the seceding States was adopted-yeas 128, nays 20.

9th. Three reports were made from the Committee on Federal Relations. The majority proposed to submit to the other States certain amendments to the Constitution, awaiting the response of non-slaveholding States before determining whether "she will resume the powers granted by her under the Constitution of the United States, and throw herself upon her reserved rights; meanwhile insisting that no coercion be attempted, the Federal forts in seceded States be not reinforced, duties be not collected, etc.," and proposing a Convention at Frankfort, Kentucky, the last Monday in May, of the States of Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri and Arkansas. Henry A. Wise differed in details, and went further in the same direction. Messrs. Lewis Same day the Commissioners adopted E. Harvie, Robert L. Montague and Sam- and ratified the Constitution of the Proviuel C. Williams recommended the immedi- sional Government of the "Confederate" ate passage of an Ordinance of Secession. States of America, this ordinance to cease Mr. Barbour of Culpeper insisted upon the to have legal effect if the people of Virimmediate adoption by the non-slavehold-ginia voting upon the Ordinance of Secesing States of needed guarantees of safety, and provided for the appointment of three Commissioners to confer with the Confederate authorities at Montgomery.

19th. Committee on Federal Relations reported proposed amendments to the Constitution, which were the substitute of

April 17. Ordinance of Secession passed in secret session-yeas 88, nays 55, one excused, and eight not voting.

sion should reject it.

25th. A Convention was made between Commissioners of Virginia, chosen by the Convention, and A. H. Stephens, Commissioner for "Confederates," stipulating that Virginia until she became a member of the Confederacy should place her military