It is an irrepressible conflict between opposing and enduring forces, and it means that the United States must and will, sooner or later, become either entirely a slaveholding nation, or entirely a free-labor nation. - William Henry Seward, Oct. 25, 1858

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March 4, 1861

Abraham Lincoln Inaugurated as 16th President

WASHINGTON - There was much excitement in the National Capital today, as Abraham Lincoln is now President, the 16th man to hold the office in the country’s history. President Lincoln’s speech was met with universal approval. Some believe it to be the finest speech ever given in the country. Although they have disagreed on many occasions, Chief Justice Roger Taney administered the oath of office for the seventh time. As has been the custom, Lincoln rode to the Capitol with outgoing President Buchanan.

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March 3, 1861

Beauregard Arrives in South Carolina

CHARLESTON - Pierre G.T. Beauregard, the first Brigadier General of the Confederate Army, arrived in Charleston today and immediately took command of the troops in the city and around Fort Sumter. There is much anticipation in this city concerning Mr. Lincoln’s inauguration tomorrow. If he shows a conciliatory attitude toward the South, there are hopes for a peace. If he speaks of coercion and invasion, South Carolina, and specifically Charleston, could erupt with violence.

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March 2, 1861

Congress Passes Morrill Tariff Bill

WASHINGTON - Congress today approved the Morrill Tariff Bill first introduced in the 35th Congress in 1859. President James Buchanan is expected to sign it into law without delay. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Justin Morrill of Vermont, is a protective tariff meant to encourage industry and high wages for workers. It places very high rates on imports and exports, and was thus blocked by Southern Congressman. With many of them having resigned their posts after secession, the bill finally had a path to passage.

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March 1, 1861

Senate Rejects Peace Conference Proposals

WASHINGTON - The Senate today rejected to final proposals by the Peace Conference which had been meeting in this city for the better part of a month. The Senate voted down the proposal by a vote of 28-7, and it never came before the House. There was much hope for the Peace Conference when it first convened, but ultimately it could not satisfy radical Republicans or Unionist Democrats. The proposal presented to the Senate did not limit the spread of slavery to new territories, but it also did not protect slavery

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February 28, 1861

North Carolina Rejects Secession Convention

RALEIGH - Voters in this state narrowly defeated a call for a secession convention on this day. There was much speculation and excitement all day, as the vote on remained close from start to finish. At the end, the Unionists had defeated the measure by a vote of 47,323 against to 46,672 for. Even though the vote of the people was so close, the vote of the delegates from the counties of the State tell a more accurate story. Only 39 of the 120 delegates voted in favor of a Secession Convention,

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February 27, 1861

More Information on Twiggs Controversy

WASHINGTON - After news of Twiggs’ surrender came yesterday, the War Department released more information they had been compiling in secret in an effort to curb his command in Texas. Twiggs, a Southerner with strong ties to his native Georgia, apparently learned of the investigation and instructed his subordinates to begin surrendering key government property to the Confederates, which they have carried out in the last few weeks. The final surrender learned of yesterday

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February 26, 1861

Major Texas Post Surrendered to Confederates

SAN ANTONIO - Former U.S. Army brevet Major General David E. Twiggs surrendered the Department of Texas, with its estimated $1.3 million in Federal property, to the secessionists. Twiggs had just 200 of his men here, the rest of his command scattered along the border with Mexico. Some believe the scheme to be set-up that would allow the Southerners to invade and Twiggs to surrender without looking derelict of duty. He was immediately dismissed from the Army for treason.

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February 25, 1861

President-elect Lincoln Meets with Congress

WASHINGTON - Mr. Lincoln met with both houses of Congress today, as well as a few members of the Supreme Court. He was received warmly at the Capitol. He also began putting the finishing touches on his Cabinet after Republicans withdrew their exceptions with Sen. Simon Cameron of Pennsylvania. He is likely to be named Secretary of War, with Sen. Salmon P. Chase of Ohio taking the post as Secretary of the Treasury. That will round out the Cabinet, as all other posts have been named.

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February 24, 1861

Peach Conference Passes Resolution

WASHINGTON - The Peace Conference passed a resolution late last night, by a vote of 17-5, approving a measure put forth by Mr. Franklin of Pennsylvania. It was very similar to that of Mr. Guthrie’s, with one major change, eliminating the provision that recognized slavery as legitimate in the territories due to its status of legality in the state from which a person emigrates. Still, Mr. Lincoln is not likely to approve of this measure, as he is not in favor of slavery in the territories in any fashion, and most

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February 23, 1861

President-Elect Lincoln Unexpectedly in Capital

WASHINGTON - President-elect Lincoln arrived in Washington today ahead of schedule, forgoing a stop in Baltimore. With secessionist sentiments running high in Baltimore, Mr. Lincoln and his close associates thought it best for him to bypass the city where they feared a possible assassination attempt. He came into the capital under cover of darkness, arriving sometime in the early morning hours. Vice President Hannibal Hamiln is expected to join Lincoln on schedule tomorrow.

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February 22, 1861

Peace Convention Schedules Vote

WASHINGTON - The Peace Convention is expected to vote tomorrow on a compromise plan in a final effort to keep the Union together. It’s unlikely any measure could bring the Southern States that have already formed the Confederacy back into the Union, but a successful compromise could assuage the desire of some Border States to also secede. Judging by what those around the Convention are saying, the measure could simply uphold the Missouri Compromise, which would likely please nobody.

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February 21, 1861

President-Elect Lincoln Arrives in New York

NEW YORK - Mr. Lincoln arrived in this city today, coming down on his Presidential train from Buffalo and Albany. Vice President-elect Hannibal Hamlin joined him from Maine, and the two will now travel together to Washington. Mr. Lincoln had breakfast with the city’s business elite this morning, then met with Mayor Fernando Wood and the City Council. Mr. Lincoln also traveled around the city with political boss Thurlow Weed, who played a great role in his election in November.

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February 20, 1861

Beauregard Resigns Commission in U.S. Army

G.T. Beauregard of Louisiana resigned from the United States Army today, of which he has been a soldier and officer since his graduation from West Point in 1838. One of the most accomplished military men in the country, it should only be considered a matter of time before he is commissioned in a Southern Army. Beauregard is possibly the most qualified former United States officer from a Southern State to leave the Army, and it’s likely he will soon find himself in a high-ranking post for

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February 19, 1861

President Davis Appoints Cabinet

MONTGOMERY - Jefferson Davis went right to work in the Confederate capital after his inauguration, and today we learned of the members of his Cabinet. The Cabinet represents nearly all Southern States, joining the President from Mississippi and Vice President, Georigian Alexander Stephens. Robert Toombs of Georgia has been named Secretary of State; LeRoy Pope Walker of Alabama has been named Secretary of War; Judah P. Benjamin of Lousisana has been named Attorney-General;

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February 18, 1861

Jefferson Davis Sworn in as Confederate President

MONTGOMERY - Mr. Davis, the unanimously elected President of the Confederate States of America, arrived in this city yesterday and was sworn in as the country’s first President today. Mr. Davis gave a rousing speech before the Congress, swearing himself not worthy of the office of President, but ensuring the body assembled before him that he would work tirelessly to the best of his abilities. He gave an honest audit of the current crisis from the Southern point of view,

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