Page:The Biographical Dictionary of America, vol. 03.djvu/184

 DAVIS

DAVIS

1853, urged upon Mr. Davis the acceptance of the portfolio of war and lie reluctantlj- took his place in the executive family, March 4, 1853. His con- duct of the department is a matter of public record. The army was judiciously but emphati- cally strengthened; the coast was more fully defended; the coast survey and geodetic observa- tions were extended; and the fields of astronomy, zoology, botany and meteorology were fully ex- ploited. He ordered the survey for the construc- tion of the Pacific railways, added to the fortifications of the New England and Pacific coasts; repressed Indian hostilities; and prorided for the more speedy transportation of guns and ammunition in case of need. He recommended national armories, urged the extension of the pension system to widows and orphans of soldiers and took the initiatory measures for a retired list. He also liad charge of the enlargement of the national capitol by the addition of the two wings to provide a new senate chamber and hall of rep- resentatives and the construction of a more imposing dome to the structure. Under his administration the Washington aqueduct and Cabin John Bridge was built, the largest single span arch in the world. President Pierce's cabinet presents the only instance in the history of a presidential administration in which no change was made in the personnel. Mr. Davis was returned to the U.S. senate by the legisla- ture of Mississippi in 1857 and took his seat, March 4, immediately on leaving the cabinet. On a visit to Boston he spoke at Faneuil hall on Oct. 12, 1858, on the condition of the country and the dangers besetting it. He pleaded for the pro- tection of the independence of the states for which New England and all the states fought, and for a strict construction of the constitution, framed and adopted by the foimders. In his speech he instanced, as an evidence of the dignity and individuality of the states, the refusal of Governor Hancock to call upon President Wash- ington when on a visit to Boston, an early and emphatic testimonial in favor of state rights and the privilege.-; of states as superior to the union formed by the states. He congratulated Massa- chusetts as being among the earliest advocates of state rights and community independence. In the Democratic national convention at Charles- ton, S.C. in 18G0, the delegates from Massachu- setts gave him their forty-nine undivided votes in unbroken succession as their candidate for the presidency. On Jan. 9, 1861, Mississippi passed the ordinance of secession, but Senator Davis was not officially notified of the act until January 21. during which time he was straining every nerve to prevent secession, but when South Carolina seceded, he, in company with Senators Yulee, Mallory, Fitzpatrick and Clay, withdrew

after explaining his purpose to the senate. He remained some time in Washington to test the question of whether the seceding senators would be arrested, and then went to Mississippi. He reached Jackson, Miss., where he found Gov- ernor Pettus's commission, making him major- general of the state militia, dated Jan. 25, 1861, awaiting him, and at once proceeded to organize the state into militia districts and to secure arms and ammunition. At the convention of the seceding states at Montgomery, Ala., while Mr. Davis was on his plantation arranging his affairs preparatory to taking the field, on Feb. 9, 1861, he was elected provisional president and Alexan- der H. Stephens vice-president of the Confed- erate States and he was notified of the election while in his rose garden at Brierfield, Miss. He delivered his inaugural address at the capitol, Montgomery, Ala., on Monday, Feb. 18, 1861, and at once began the direction of a Confederate gov- ernment organized on the basis of state rights, under a constitution largely copied from that of the United States, which was not sufficiently specific on the reserved rights of the states. He appointed as his cabinet: Robert Toombs of Georgia, secretary of state; Leroy P. Walker of Alabama, secretary of war; Charles G. Menimin- ger of South Carolina, secretary of the treasury; Stephen R. Mallory of Florida, secretary of the navy; Judah P. Benjamin of Louisiana, attorney- general; and John H. Reagan of Texas, postmas- ter-general. When Virginia seceded, Mr. Davis urged the removal of the capital to Richmond, as the salient point of attack, and the seat of government was removed, July 20, 1861. The battleof Manassas wasfoughtJuly21, 1861, andhe was on the field throughout the engagement, wit- nessing the first victory of the Confederate army. A general election was hel<l in the Confederacy in November. 1861, and Mr. Davis was chosen president for six years with- out opposition. The 1st con- gre.ssof the Con- federate States under the con- stitution met at Richmond, Va., Feb. 18, 1862, '

and Mr. Davis was inaugurated president of the Confederate states. Feb. 22, 1862. On Feb. 27, 1862, the Confederate hou.se of representatives created the office of commanding-general of the Confederate forces, with the approval of the ]ires- ident. On May 31, 1862, President Davis was present on the battle-field of Seven Pines, Va., and after Gen. Joseph E. Johnston was wtounded he assigned Gen. Robert E. Lee to the command