January 7th, 1861.—I am so glad it is not raining today. I am really going and, little diary, I will tell you all about the day when we get home.
8:30 p. m. We have just finished supper. Mother would not let me write until we had eaten, now she says I can only have one hour because I am going again tomorrow and must have a good sleep.
The convention was assembling in the hall of representatives when we entered the Capitol, and soon everybody was in place and Dr. DuBose made a very fine prayer. I like Dr. DuBose and perhaps I ought not to write this about him, but nobody will see my diary and really I do not mean any harm, but he has such a convincing way of praying; like he was determined the Lord should grant all he asks. It is very comforting.
After the preliminaries were disposed of a communication from the Governor was read and the first thing I knew Aunt Mary, who was sitting next caught me by the hand and said, “Look, there is the ambassador from South Carolina.” A small man very erect and slender was being introduced by Mr. Villepigue as Mr. Leonidas Spratt of South Carolina. Mr. Spratt bowed gravely and looking around upon the audience with a pair of brilliant, beautiful eyes, he began somewhat in this manner, though I probably will not get it quite right.
He said he felt some delicacy in appearing before this convention, coming as he did from a foreign power, but the heart of South Carolina was filled with love and sympathy for Florida, who now was standing where Carolina had so lately stood. Then he read aloud a communication from his state, recounting the grievances, which had led her to sever the ties which bound her to the Union. You never heard such cheers and shouts as rent the air, and it lasted so long. When quiet was restored Mr. Villepigue introduced Colonel Bulloch, of Alabama, and I found that he was the same Col. Bulloch who had taken part in the mock trial in the ball room at Montvale Springs. He made a fine address but a short one. Said his own state was now deliberating as to what course she should pursue and had sent him to assure Florida of her cordial good-will. He sat down amid cheers for “Bulloch and Alabama.”
Mr. Edmund Ruffin, of Virginia, was introduced and said he came to tell us that Virginia was with her Southern sisters in feeling and, if the worse came to the worst, she would be with them, heart and soul. He is a splendid looking man, quite old and yet he is perfectly erect and only his snow-white hair shows his age. He reminds me very much of dear Grandpa, who is taking such a warm interest in these proceedings, though he is so far away. I believe it will break his heart if North Carolina does not secede.
When the speaking was over and a few resolutions had been passed the convention adjourned and we came home. We left a noisy crowd behind us. As far as we could hear there were cheers for South Carolina; cheers for Mississippi; cheers for Alabama and for Florida. Never before have I seen such excitement. It even throws the horse races in the shade. What will tomorrow bring?
Susan Bradford is nearly 15 when this entry was made.