Washington City, 7 Dec, 1860.
My Dear Wife, … I put a printed copy of my address to the people of Georgia in Judge Black’s[i] hand to be handed to the President. Whether I remain here after its publication to the world will soon be decided. I suppose I cannot; but I hope to part from the old gentleman pleasantly. Duty to Georgia compels me to speak and self respect compels me to speak in plain language. This I have done, as you know from having heard the address read. . . .
[i] Jeremiah S. Black, Attorney-General.
From Annual Report of the American Historical Association for the Year 1911.
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.