Howell Cobb to His Wife.
Montgomery [Ala.], 3 Feby., 1861.
My Dear Wife, I have been here for more than a day. . . .
Most of the delegates have arrived, but there has been not much consultation. From all I hear there is a general disposition to make me president of the convention. It is thought that my taking that position will exclude me from the Presidency of the Confederacy and some of my friends doubted on that account the policy of my taking it. In this I differed from them and have determined to follow my own judgement. The truth is that the Presidency of the Confederacy is an office I cannot seek and shall feel no disappointment in not getting.
There is at present much diversity of opinion as to the course to be pursued in the formation of a provisional government, but there is a general good feeling and disposition to unite and harmonize on whatever may be found the best policy. I feel confident all will work out well in the end. . . .
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.