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  1. Overview: The Peace Conference of 1861
  2. Full Record: The Peace Conference of 1861
  3. Session List

Session list for:
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.

Monday, 04 February 1861

Committee Time Description
The Convention12:00:00The Conference elected a temporary Chairman and Secretary, organized itself, decided not to admit reporters, and appointed a committee on rules and organization to report rules for the governance of the Conference. Delegates appeared from New Hampshire, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana.
Committee on Rules and Organization12:00:00The Committee on Rules and Organization was appointed.

Tuesday, 05 February 1861

Committee Time Description
The Convention12:00:00The Committee on Rules and Organization made a report. The first section recommended the election of John Tyler as President and Crafts J. Wright as Secretary of the Conference, which was duly adopted. The second section, recommending rules for the governance of the Conference, was postponed until the following day. It was resolved to open meetings of the Conference with prayer.
Committee on Rules and Organization12:00:00The Committee reported a recommendation on the appointment of officers and a list of proposed rules for the consideration of the Conference.
Committee on Credentials12:00:00The Committee on Credentials was appointed, and received a communication from the Governor of the State of Iowa, along with resolutions from the States of Rhode Island, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana.

Wednesday, 06 February 1861

Committee Time Description
The Convention12:00:00The Committee on Credentials made a report. The Conference resolved that the Secretary be authorized to appoint assistants. The remaining section of the report of the Committee on Rules and Organization was considered. The majority of the rules were adopted, but those concerning secrecy and alternative proposals were recommitted to the Committee. A committee of one from each State was appointed to consider the resolutions of all the States and make a report recommending action for the Conference.
Committee on Rules and Organization12:00:00The rules not adopted by the Conference were recommitted to the Committee, alongside a proposed secrecy rule for their further consideration.
Committee on Credentials12:00:00The Committee made a report confirming the appointment/election of delegates from the States of New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, and Iowa.
Committee on Clergy12:00:00The Committee on Clergy was appointed.

Thursday, 07 February 1861

Committee Time Description
The Convention10:00:00Four assistant secretaries were appointed. A message from the President asked the members of the Convention to call on him at 11.00, which was agreed. The Committee on Credentials made a second report. The Committee on Rules and Organization reported a resolution to provide for financing the printing which had been ordered, which was agreed by the Convention. The members of the Committee on Resolutions were announced. The Committee on Rules and Organization reported a new secrecy rule, which was adopted.
Committee on Rules and Organization10:00:00The Committee reported a resolution providing for the expenses of printing and a secrecy rule for the consideration of the Conference.
Committee on Credentials10:00:00The Committee received resolutions from the States of New York, Tennessee, and Illinois and made a report confirming the appointment/election of delegates from the States of New York, Tennessee, and Illinois.
Committee on Resolutions10:00:00The Committee on Resolutions was appointed.

Friday, 08 February 1861

Committee Time Description
The Convention12:00:00The Committee on Credentials made a third report. Three delegates were added to the Committee on Resolutions. Mr. Guthrie requested that the time allowed for the report of the Committee on Resolutions be extended until Monday, which was granted. The President was requested to issue cards of admission to members and officers of the Convention. The secrecy rule was clarified.
Committee on Credentials12:00:00The Committee received resolutions from the States of Massachusetts and Missouri and made a report confirming the appointment/election of delegates from the States of New York, Massachusetts, and Missouri.
Committee on Resolutions12:00:00Late arrivals were appointed to the Committee.

Saturday, 09 February 1861

Committee Time Description
The Convention12:00:00The Committee on Credentials made a fourth report. Mr. Tuck submitted resolutions, which were read and referred to the Committee on Resolutions.
Committee on Credentials12:00:00The Committee received made a report confirming the appointment/election of delegates from the State of Maine.
Committee on Resolutions12:00:00Further arrivals were appointed to the Committee, which also received resolutions from Amos Tuck and from a Connecticut democratic meeting (presented by James Clay).

Monday, 11 February 1861

Committee Time Description
The Convention12:00:00None
Committee on Resolutions12:00:00The Committee reported on the resolutions from a Connecticut democratic meeting (presented by James Clay), recommending that they be withdrawn.

Wednesday, 13 February 1861

Committee Time Description
The Convention12:00:00None

Thursday, 14 February 1861

Committee Time Description
The Convention12:00:00None

Friday, 15 February 1861

Committee Time Description
The Convention12:00:00None
Committee on Resolutions12:00:00The Committee made a majority report recommending proposals of amendment to the Constitution of the United States. Baldwin and Seddon both made minority reports and reported various substitutes for the proposals of the Committee.

Saturday, 16 February 1861

Committee Time Description
The Convention12:00:00None
Committee on Rules and Organization12:00:00The Committee reported a resolution to amend the eleventh rule to allow appeals from the decision of the Chair for the consideration of the Conference.

Monday, 18 February 1861

Committee Time Description
The Convention11:00:00None

Tuesday, 19 February 1861

Committee Time Description
The Convention11:00:00None
Committee on Credentials11:00:00The Committee received made a report confirming the appointment/election of Granger from the State of New York, to fill a vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Gardiner.

Wednesday, 20 February 1861

Committee Time Description
The Convention10:00:00None

Thursday, 21 February 1861

Committee Time Description
The Convention10:15:00None
The Convention19:30:00None

Friday, 22 February 1861

Committee Time Description
The Convention10:00:00None
Committee on Credentials10:00:00The Committee received made a report confirming the appointment/election of Stone from the State of Kansas.
Committee on Expenses10:00:00The Committee on Expenses was appointed.

Saturday, 23 February 1861

Committee Time Description
The Convention10:00:00None
The Convention19:00:00None
Committee on Credentials19:00:00The Committee received made a report on the defect in the case of Stone, confirming his right to membership of the Conference, and also confirming the appointment/election of further delegates from the State of Kansas.
Committee on Introductions with the President-Elect19:00:00The Committee on Introductions with the President-Elect was appointed.

Monday, 25 February 1861

Committee Time Description
The Convention10:00:00None
The Convention19:30:00None
Committee on Printing the Journal19:30:00The Committee on Printing the Journal was appointed.

Tuesday, 26 February 1861

Committee Time Description
The Convention11:00:00None
The Convention19:30:00None

Wednesday, 27 February 1861

Committee Time Description
The Convention10:00:00None
Committee on Rules and Organization10:00:00The Conference adjourned sine die.
Committee on Credentials10:00:00The Conference adjourned sine die.
Committee on Clergy10:00:00The Conference adjourned sine die.
Committee on Resolutions10:00:00The Conference adjourned sine die.
Committee on Expenses10:00:00The Committee made a report on the expenses incurred by the Conference on printing and stationery, and the Conference adjourned sine die.
Committee on Introductions with the President-Elect10:00:00The Conference adjourned sine die.
Committee on Printing the Journal10:00:00The Conference adjourned sine die.