Daily Advocate
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
June 20, 1861
Some days ago there appeared in our paper a communication signed “Jefferson,” from the pen of a West Baton Rouge planter, containing a proposition for the formation of “Confederate Leagues” of the planters throughout the South, the object of which was to contribute their produce to aid the Government in carrying on the war of Independence. Accompanying the communication were articles setting forth a plan of thorough organization to make the object effective.
This communication and plan of League has already produced its fruit. We have before us a paper from West Baton Rouge signed by Dr. J. T. Nolan, Judge W. B. Robertson, Dr. W. J. Lyle, W. D. Winter, Jas. R. Devall, A. C. Woods, Jno. A. Bird, Jas. L. Lobdell, Dr. J. C. Patrick, Richard Hanrahan, B. Stevens, and E. Lebail, all prosperous planters, organizing the first League as proposed by “Jefferson.” They hold a meeting on Saturday next, at the Courthouse, West Baton Rouge, at 10 A. M., when a Constitution will be adopted and the planters generally invited to come forward and join in the patriotic work of sustaining the credit of our rising young Government.
To show the spirit of this movement, the following subscriptions were made within the space of a few hours, the subscribers all expressing their desire to take Confederate State bonds in payment, and to deliver the produce at the times and places specified. We cannot close this brief note without proposing “three times three” for our gallant little vis-a-vis sister. With such a beginning what may we expect from the meeting of Saturday next?