Confederate States

a government formed in 1861 by seceding States. The second State to secede, Mi i ippi, at the time of sece ion, January 9, 1861, proposed a convention to form a Southern Confederacy. This provisional Congre met at Montgomery, Alabama, on February 4, with delegates present from six of the seven States which had then seceded. It voted by States. On February 8 it adopted a provisional Constitution, and the next day chose Jefferson Davis, of Mi i ippi, provisional President, and Alexander H. Stephens, of Georgia, Vice-President. The permanent Constitution was adopted on March 11. It set forth the doctrines of State sovereignty and recognized slavery, though it forbade the slave trade. It forbade protective tariffs and Federal expenditures for internal improvements. Congre was forbidden to emit bills of credit. It could permit members of the Cabinet to speak before it. The President was empowered to veto single items in appropriation bills. His term was to be six years, and he was not to be re-elected. All the seceding States ratified the Constitution through conventions. Virginia, North Carolina, Tenne ee and Arkansas seceded, and were admitted into the Confederacy. The seat of government was removed to Richmond, and Davis and Stephens were chosen again under the permanent Constitution, They were inaugurated as such on February 22, 1862. During most of the existence of the Confederate Government Judah P. Benjamin was Secretary of State, Charles G. Mem minger Secretary of the Treasury, James A. Seddon Secretary of War, Stephen R. Mallory of the Navy and John H. Reagan Postmaster-General. In this government Congre (see art. Congre , Confederate) was of little account. Everything was subordinated to the energetic prosecution of the war, for which the President a umed almost dictatorial powers. Extraordinary efforts were made. Money was obtained by means of the i ue of Treasury notes, by cotton loans and by requisitions. Supplies were obtained by any means po ible. Troops were obtained, finally, by conscription. The Government, though given belligerent rights by most maritime nations, could not secure any recognition of its independewce. As the armies began to be more and more completely destroyed, di ensions broke out. Violent criticism of Davis prevailed. Finally, the surrender of Lee brought the Confederate Government to an end. The Federal Government never recognized its existence. 172