The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-06-19
VERY IMPORTANT
DOCUMENT FOUND
Efforts Made TO Establish a Central
Confederacy.
VIRGINIA AMONG THE STATES.
Executive and Others 10 Form
the Proposed New Gov
crnInent.
VIRGINIA AMONG The STATES.
oeumept mas recently been pub

A document mas recently been pub
lished in an obscure portion OF the
..Records of the War Between the
States" which shows that just prior to
the outbreak of the confllct between 'ne
States negotiations were begun LOOKING 70
tahe formation of Central SohLeuefacs,
in addition to the Southern Confederacy,
in event OF the dissolution of the Union
The States included in these negotiations
were Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York.
New Jersey, Delaware, Virginia, Mis-
souri, ana ONO.
To most historians the fact that such a
Confederacy was in contemplation is d
surprise, and for them awaits the task
OF tracing out the beginning, the progress
and the termination of the negotiations
The only document which has thus far
come to light and in which any reference
to the proposed Confederacy IS made IS
the report Of Mr.. Ambrose r. Wright,
dated at Savannah, Ga, March 13, 1851
and addressed TO Hon. G. w. Crawford
president of the Georgia Convention, by
which Mr. Wright had been authorized
to visit Maryland, and to induce this
state, if possible, to join the Confederacy
of the cotton-growing States of the South
Mr.. Wright visited Maryland, and at
ANNAPOLIS he had an interview with Gov
ernor Hicks, in which the latter referred
TO the proposed formation of the Central
Confederacy.
Marylantl's action at that time, whether
It would throw her fortunes with the
South or remain in the Union, depended
TO a great extent upon the action OF Viz
ginia, which had not at the time of Mr..
NVrightts visit to Maryland separated
from the Union. The most reasonable
explanation of the termination OF the
negotiations was the secession Of Nir-
GINA u few weeks after Nr. Virgin S
Ics.e- t-.1E- JTj-c,T ,oin n
projected Confederacy the whole scheme
evidently fell through.
NTARYLAND'S POSITION.
In the meantime, as is we'll known, the
friends of the Union in Maryland lad
rallied. Hon. Henry Winter Davis
strong hand was eIerted. ard Governor
Hicks was, almost by force, compelled
to take sides with the North. His course
resulted in the stay of proceedings by
which the Southern sympathizers hai eS-
pected to swing Maryland into the col
unnn of seeding States.
These are, however. well known his
torical facts. Dhe corresoon ience to
which Governor Hicks makes reference
would be interesting, if it could De found.
The archives at Annapolis, Richmond.
Trenton Albany and Columbus should
contain the letters in which are fully out
lined plans for this new Confederacy.
The language of the report of Mr.. Wright
gives rise to the belief that other States
than those named We're involved IN the
project, and, hence, an extension OF the
field OF inquiry. It is very evident, how
ever, that in the darkest and gloomiest
days of the Union, when the cotton
growing States of the South had formed
powerful combination, there arose an
other sceptre, powerful in resources OF
men, arms munitions and wealth, which,
if directed against the Union, sin1ul-
taneously with the blow from the South,
would have crushed it. and, instead OF
one Union, ''inseparable forever" the
map of the United States would to-day
show at least three, # not more, comb
nations of States.
GOVERNOR HICKS STATEMENT.
Mr. Wright, in his report to Mr.. Craw-
ford, president of the Georgia convention,
says:
.aOn the 18th of February QS69, visited
for the third time Annapolis, the seat of
government (having failed, while there on
a former visit on the 21st to meet the exec
utive), and waited upon Governor Hicks,
and after personal interview and pretty
free interchange of opinion with His Ex-