The Peace Conference of 1861

In February 1861, following the inauguration of Lincoln and the secession of seven states from the Union, a convention of 131 politicians from the remaining states met in Washington, D. C., at the Willard Hotel. They aimed to prevent civil war, and the secession of further states, by proposing an amendment to the Constitution that would protect the existence and practice of slavery, within certain parameters, by enshrining them in constitutional law. An amendment was eventually agreed and recommended to Congress, where it was not passed.

Committee on Credentials

The Committee on Credentials was created to examine and report on the credentials of those elected to the Conference. We do not have the records of this committee.

To see the full record of a committee, click on the corresponding committee on the map below.

Committee Document Library View

The list of documents under consideration by committee: Committee on Credentials at the end of its timeline.

Creator event:

The Peace Conference of 1861, Date: 05 Feb 1861, 12:00

Communication from the Governor of the State of Iowa


Creator event:

The Peace Conference of 1861, Date: 05 Feb 1861, 12:00

Resolutions of Rhode Island


Creator event:

The Peace Conference of 1861, Date: 05 Feb 1861, 12:00

Resolutions of New Jersey

People: George W. Summers


Creator event:

The Peace Conference of 1861, Date: 05 Feb 1861, 12:00

Resolutions of Pennsylvania


Creator event:

The Peace Conference of 1861, Date: 05 Feb 1861, 12:00

Resolutions of Delaware


Creator event:

The Peace Conference of 1861, Date: 05 Feb 1861, 12:00

Resolutions of Kentucky


Creator event:

The Peace Conference of 1861, Date: 05 Feb 1861, 12:00

Resolutions of Ohio


Creator event:

The Peace Conference of 1861, Date: 05 Feb 1861, 12:00

Resolutions of Indiana


Creator event:

The Peace Conference of 1861, Date: 07 Feb 1861, 10:00

Resolutions of New York


Creator event:

The Peace Conference of 1861, Date: 07 Feb 1861, 10:00

Resolutions of Tennessee


Creator event:

The Peace Conference of 1861, Date: 07 Feb 1861, 10:00

Resolution of Illinois


Creator event:

The Peace Conference of 1861, Date: 08 Feb 1861, 12:00

Resolutions of Massachusetts


Creator event:

The Peace Conference of 1861, Date: 08 Feb 1861, 12:00

Resolutions of Missouri

Creator event:

The Peace Conference of 1861, Date: 06 Feb 1861, 12:00

Report of the Committee on Credentials 1861-02-06

People: George W. Summers

Last decision:

The Peace Conference of 1861, Date: 06 Feb 1861, 12:00

Mr. SUMMERS:—I am instructed by the Committee on Credentials to make a report.


Creator event:

The Peace Conference of 1861, Date: 07 Feb 1861, 10:00

Report of the Committee on Credentials 1861-02-07

People: George W. Summers

Last decision:

The Peace Conference of 1861, Date: 07 Feb 1861, 10:00

Mr. SUMMERS:—I am instructed by the Committee on Credentials further to report


Creator event:

The Peace Conference of 1861, Date: 08 Feb 1861, 12:00

Report of the Committee on Credentials 1861-02-08

People: George W. Summers


Creator event:

The Peace Conference of 1861, Date: 09 Feb 1861, 12:00

Report of the Committee on Credentials 1861-02-09

People: George W. Summers

Last decision:

The Peace Conference of 1861, Date: 09 Feb 1861, 12:00

Mr. SUMMERS:—I am directed by the Committee on Credentials to report [...]