Democrat Office,
Winona, Min., Feb. 22d, 1861.
Hon. Howell Cobb: The action of the Southern States in seceding from a Union which refused to recognize and protect their constitutional rights, meeting my most cordial approbation, and the absolute proscription of every Journal in the North which defends this action, has induced me to sell my office at this place with a view to a location in the South.
Having always been (permit me to say without intent to flatter) an admirer of yourself as a public man, I have taken the liberty to address you as to the eligibility of a location, believing that you would freely communicate such information as I may desire: 1st, as to a good location for a poor man who fully understands his business, and can edit and print a paper which would not discredit any gentlemen who might take an interest in his enterprise. I have had seventeen years experience as an editor and publisher—was in ’55 and ’56 one of the editors of the State Sentinel at Indianapolis, Ind., and since that time conductor of a paper in this State. Am industrious, sober and energetic, supported Breckinridge and lost a large portion of my patronage for so doing—have since defended the South, and lost the most of what remained. Am soul, body and strength opposed to Abolitionism and all other Black Republican heresies. Can give you such gentlemen as Senators Rice of this State and Bright and Fitch of Indiana as references; and will do my whole duty as an editor and publisher. Would prefer Georgia or Northern Alabama—a healthy location.
If an old (though young in years) political admirer may presume upon your time and patience I will be greatly obliged for an answer to this brief letter.
P. S.—I leave here in a few days for New Albany, Ind., at which place please address me.
From Annual Report of the American Historical Association for the Year 1911.
C. W. Cottom from Rochester, Minnesota, founded and edited a Winona, Indiana newspaper.
Howell Cobb was an American political figure. A southern Democrat, Cobb was a five-term member of the United States House of Representatives and Speaker of the House from 1849 to 1851. He also served as the 40th Governor of Georgia and as a Secretary of the Treasury under President James Buchanan. Cobb is, however, probably best known as one of the founders of the Confederacy, having served as the President of the Provisional Congress of the Confederate States.