Year: 1861




the Confederate States Of America-friends
and fellow citizens: Called to the difficult
and responsible station Of Chief Executive OF
the Provisional Government which you have
instituted, | approach the discharge of the
duties assigned me, with an humble distrust
of my abilities, but with sustaining conf
dence in the wisdom of those who are to
guide and aid me in the administration OF
public affairs, and an abiding faitl in the
virtue and patriotism Of the people. .. ..r..


Looking forward to the speedy establish
ment of permanent government to take the
place OF this, and which by its greater moral
AMI physical power will be better able to
combat with the many difficulties which
arise from the conflicting interests Of sepa-
rate nations, | enter upon the duties of the
Office TO which have been chosen with the
hope that the beginning Of our career as a
Confeleracy may not be obstruc.ed by hos
tile opposition to our enjoyment ofthe sepa-
rate existence in independence with the
blessing of Providence which We have assert
ed and which with the bless ng OF Providence
we inted to maintain. .. .... r


Our present condition, achieved in man,
ner unprecedented in the history of nations,
illustrates tn, American idea that govern
ments rest upon the consent of thn governed
and that it * the right cfthe people to alter
and abolish governments whenever they he
come destructive to the enls for which they
were established The declared compact OF
the Union from which we ave withdrawn
was TO establish justice. ensure domestic
tranquility, promote the general welfaae AMI
secure the blessing Of liberty to ourselves
and cur posterity. # - 'aa .a aa.a.@ /.


And when in the Judgment Of the Sow
crcign States now comprising the Coniede-
racy, it has been perverted from the purpos-
e, for which it was ordained, and ceased to
answer the end, for which it was establish.
ell, a peaceful appeal to the ba'lot-box dec!ar-
ed that so far as they were concerned, the
government created by tnat compact should
cease to exist. In this they merely asserted
the right which the Declaration of lndepend-
cnce of l176, defined to be inalenable of the
time and occas.o on of its exercise They as
Sovereigns were the final judges each ofitself.
The Impartial, enlightened verdict of man
kind will viniicat, the rectitude of our con.
duct, and he who knows the hearts of men
viii judge of the sincerity with which ali
laborel to preserve the government of our
fathers in its spirit aaTs a..t fa yro0rr.


Thc right, solemaly proclaimed at the
birth of the States, and which has been at.
firmed in the bills Of rights of the States
subsequently admitted into the Union OF
l7s0, undeniably recognizes in the people the
power to resume the authority delegated for
the purpose of government This the SOW
ereIgn States have represented, proceeded to
form this Confederacy, and it is by the abuse
of language that their act has been denomi-
mated revolution. $500 III ras


They formed a new alliance, but within
each State its government has retained the
rights of person and property and have not
been disturbed. The agent through whom
they communicated with foreign nations is
changed, but this does not necessarily inter
rupt their international relations sustained
by the consciousness that the transition
from the formcs Union to the present Con-
federacy has not proceeded from disregard
on our part of or just obligations or any
failure to perform every Constitutional duty
moved by no interest or passion to invade
the rights Of others. .- ... ..-..- @


Anxious to cultivate peace and commerce
with all nations, if we may not hope to avoid
war we may at least expect that posterity
will acquit if having necdlessly engaged in
it doubly just. Justified by the absence of
wrong on our part or by wanton aggression
on the part Of others, there can be no cause
to doubt the courage and patriotism of the
people of the Confederate States will be
found equal to any measures Of defense
which soon their security may require.


An agricultural people whose chief is the
export Of a commodity required in every
manufacturing country. Our true policy is
peace and the freest which our necessities
permit 1t is alike our interest and that of
those from whom we would buy, that there
should be the freest practicable restrictions
upon the interchange Of commodities. There
can be but little rivalry between ours and
manufacturing or navigation community,
such as the free States Of American Union.
1t must therefore follow there from that mu-
tual interest would invite goodwill and kind
Offices, if, however, passion or lust Of domin-
ion should cloud the judgement or inhame
the ambition Of these States We must pro-
pose to meet the emergency and maintain by
the final arbitrament of the sword, the posi-
ton which we have assumed among the ma
tons Of the earth.


We have entered upon career of indie
pendence which must be infeXibly pursued
through many years of controversy, but our
late associates and Northern States may
have vainly endeavored to secure tranquility
and obtain respect for the rights to which We
were entitled as necessity, not choice. We
have fesorted to the remedy of a separation
and henceforth our energy must be directed
to the condition of our own affairs and the