Letter from Wirt Adams to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus; December 13, 1860

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Letter from Wirt Adams to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus; December 13, 1860

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People

Adams, William Wirt, 1819-1888 Hyams, Henry M. (Henry Michael), 1806-1875 Moore, Thomas Overton, 1804-1876 Pettus, John Jones, 1813-1867 Semmes, Thomas Jenkins

Events

Secession. American Civil War

Organizations

Louisiana--Legislature Mississippi--Legislature Political Parties Political Parties--Republican Party (U.S. : 1854- )

Occupations

Legal Profession--Attorneys General

Places

Louisiana Louisiana--East Baton Rouge Parish. Baton Rouge Louisiana--Orleans Parish. New Orleans Mississippi--Hinds County. Jackson

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[seal]

[Note] [Document C.] [/note]

New Orleans 13 Dec 1860

To His Excellency
J. J. Pettus
Jackson Miss

Sir;

Rec discharge of the duties imposed by my appointment as Commission-er to the State of Louisiana, I beg to report to your Excellency, that I repaired without delay to Baton Rouge, the Capital of this State, where the Legis=lature had convenied in extraordinary session on the 10^th Inst.

On my arrival I promptly notified the Governor of Louisiana of my presence and the object of my mission by advancing him the enclosed communication marked A. Governor Moore immediately responded to my note by requesting a personal interview in the Executive Chamber, to which I repaired and was most cordially and courteously received by himself and the Hon T. J. Semmes, Attorney General of the State.

In an [uncensored?] interview of an hour with them, I explained, to the best of my ability, the views of your Excellency regarding the present grave crisis in our political affairs, and the action of the Legislature of Mississippi in reference thereto at their late ^Extra^ Session. I dwelt upon the necessity which character=ised their proceedings, the overwhelming

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public sentiment by which they were sustained in the State, and the certain prospect of the prompt secession of ~~[unclear]~~ Missi=ssippi from a federal Union, which must become, under the Black Republican regime soon to be inaugurated, the augure of the degradation and destruction of the South. I solicited the cooperation of Louisiana in the action Mississippi proposed to take as the only measure left for the protection of Southern Rights and honor. I was gratified to learn from these distinguished patriots and statesman that the action and the predominate sentiment if Mississippi met with their cordial sanction and sympathy and that they had every confidence the people of Louisiana would vindicate the Constitutional rights of the South by the action of their State Convention.

During my interview with Gov. Moore I was waited upon by a Committee of both branches of their Legislature and invited to a seat within the bar of their respective Chambers.

On the day following at 10 'oclock I was formally received by the Legislature in joint session, where in reply to the remarks I had the honor to submit Lieut Governor Hyams, President of the Senate, made an able & eloquent address, a copy of which I herewith furnish as indicative of the sentiment of Louisiana. they are herewith appended marked B.

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After further conference with the Governor, Lieut Governor, Attorney General and the members of the Legislature, I took my leave of them, and shall ever cherish the most grateful recollection of their courtesy, kindness, and cordial hospi=tality I accrued at their hands.

The Legislature, by a unanimous vote has called a Convention, to assemble on the 23^rd of Jany proximo, and I think I may with certain confidence predict that within a few days thereafter she will assume her place in the great [Southern?] [Colossus?] freed of federal shackles and violence to submit only to such a Government as brave & honorable men can approve.

I have the honor, Sir, to remain
Your obt svt
Wirt Adams
Commissioner