JANUARY 2, 1861.
His Excellency A. B. MOORE:
SIR: In obedience to your
instructions I repaired to the seat of government of the State of
Louisiana to confer with the Governor of that State and with the
legislative department on the grave and important state of our
political relations with the Federal Government, and the duty of
the slave-holding States in the matter of their rights and honor,
so menacingly involved in matters connected with the institution
of African slavery. Owing to the fact that the Legislature was in
session only three days, and other unavoidable causes, I did not
arrive at Baton Rouge until after the Legislature had adjourned.
But I met many members of the legislative corps, and communicated
with them and with His Excellency Governor T. O. Moore on the
purposes of my embassy, and have the pleasure to report that the
legislative mind appeared fully alive to the importance and the
absolute necessity of the action of the Southern States in
resistance of that settled purpose of aggression on our
constitutional and inherent natural rights by the majority of the
people of the non-slave-holding States of the Federal Union,
which purpose and intention has culminated in the election of a
man to the Presidency of the United States whose opinions and
constructions of constitutional duty are wholly incompatible with
our safety in a longer union with them. In evidence of such a
conclusion the Legislature of Louisiana have provided for a
convention of the people to consider and take action on the
matter, the election of delegates to which takes place on the 7th
instant, and the convention assembles on the 23d instant. I was
rejoiced to find the Governor fully up to the conclusion that the
time had come when the enjoyment of peace and our rights as
coequals in this confederacy were no longer to be expected or
hoped for, and that the solemn duty now devolved upon us of
separating from all political connection with the States so
disregarding their constitutional obligations, and of forming
such a government as a high sense of our rights, honor, and
future peace and safety shall indicate. And that, although the
sense of the necessity of such a course may not yet be so nearly
general and unanimous in Louisiana as in some other States, he
was of the opinion that the conclusion was hourly gaining ground
that there was no hope of justice or safety to us except in a
separation, and that the State of Louisiana would not hesitate to
co-operate with those Southern States who might prove equal to
the emergency of decided action.
The State of Louisiana, from the
fact that the Mississippi River flows through its extent and
debouches through her borders, and that the great commercial
depot of that river and its tributaries is the city of New
Orleans, occupies a position somewhat more complicated than any
other of the Southern States, and may present some cause of delay
in the consummation and execution of the purpose of a separation
from the Northwestern States and the adoption of a new political
status. In consideration of these facts, more time may be
required for reflection than might otherwise appear necessary,
and as the convention does not assemble for some weeks, that may
prevent action on the question until some time in February. As a
point of policy it might be advisable for the State of Alabama to
announce her intention as a foregone conclusion, a fixed fact,
that on a day appointed our relations as a member of the
political association known as the United States had ceased, and
that Alabama, acting as a sovereign for herself in the act of
separation, was prepared to form such political relations with
States having a community of interest and sympathies as to them
may seem just and proper. I feel assured that by such a course of
respectful delay on our part other States would more promptly
respond to whatever action Alabama may take, and that there is
little or no doubt but that Louisiana will co-operate with the
States taking action, and so add dignity and importance to the
movement which is so essential to secure the respect and
recognition of foreign nations and the support of hesitating
States. Should it be considered advisable by Your Excellency to
communicate further with the authorities of the State of
Louisiana after her convention shall have assembled, I will be in
Mobile, and can receive readily by mail or telegraph any
instructions you may deem it advisable to make, and I will
without delay endeavor to discharge them.
Trusting that the time has come
when not only Alabama but the entire South will prove prepared to
vindicate her honor by a fearless assertion of her rights and her
determination to enjoy them,
Most respectfully, your obedient
servant, &c.,
JOHN A. WINSTON.
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