Raynor HCA 2014-04
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/1/2014
MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT, (Jefferson Davis), Montgomery, April 29, 1861, 24pp. modern marbled wrappers. Good. Jefferson Davis' first message to the Confederate Congress, announcing the ratification of the constitution for the Confederate States of America, "It is my pleasing duty to announce to you that the Constitution framed for the establishment of a permanent Government for the Confederate States has been ratified by conventions in each of those States to which it was referred." Davis then continues with the urgency at hand, "The declaration of war made against this Confederacy by Abraham Lincoln, the President of the United States, in his proclamation issued on the 15th day of the present month, rendered it necessary, in my judgment, that you should convene at the earliest practicable moment to devise the measures necessary for the defense of the country." Davis then compares the Confederate Constitution to the Federal Articles of Confederation quoting from the latter, "severally into a firm league of friendship with each other for their common defense, the security of their liberties, and their mutual and general welfare, binding themselves to assist each other against all force offered to or attacks made upon them, or any of them, on account of religion, sovereignty, trade, or any other pretense whatever ... each State retains its Sovereignty, freedom, and - independence, and every power, jurisdiction and right ..." In closing Davis expresses "We feel that our cause is just and holy; we protest solemnly in the face of mankind that we desire peace at any sacrifice save that of honor and independence; we seek no conquest, no aggrandizement, no concession of any kind from the States with which we were lately confederated; all we ask is to be let alone; that those who never held power over us shall not now attempt our subjugation by arms. This we will, this we must, resist to the direst extremity. The moment that this pretension is abandoned the sword will drop from our grasp, and we shall be ready to enter into treaties of amity and commerce that cannot but be mutually beneficial. So long as this pretension is maintained, with a firm reliance on that Divine Power which covers with its protection the just cause, we will continue to struggle for our inherent right to freedom, independence, and self-government." Scarce Montgomery confederate print only one week before Richmond was named the new capitol of the Confederacy. One of the earliest and best descriptions of the Confederacy, and a key Confederate imprint. Scarce. P&W 897.
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