Confederate President Davis introduces Commissioner Martin J. Crawford to President Lincoln
February 27, 1861
Confederate President Jefferson Davis
The Confederate Congress, on Feb. 15, authorized the appointment of three "commissioners" to settle "all questions of disagreement between the two governments," i.e., the Confederacy and the United States.  This letter served to introduce Commissioner Crawford to President Lincoln (it was anticipated that Crawford would not reach Washington in time to expect any action from outgoing President Buchanan).     

Confederate Commissioner Martin J. Crawford






Montgomery, February 27, 1861.

The President of the United States: Being animated by an earnest desire to unite and bind together our respective countries by friendly ties, I have appointed M. J. Crawford, one of our most settled and trustworthy citizens, as special commissioner of the Confederate States of America to the Government of the United States; and I have now the honor to introduce him to you, and to ask for him a reception and treatment corresponding to his station and to the purpose for which he is sent. Those purposes he will more particularly explain to you. Hoping that through his agency, &c.

              Jeff'n Davis


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Source:  Richardson, James D., Messages and Papers of the Confederacy, Vol. I, United States Publishing Company, Nashville, 1905 (Archive Society 1996 reprint), p. 55.

Date added to website:  January 8, 2025.