Comte de Paris, History of the Civil War in America. Vol. 1.
Henry Coppee , LL.D., Ed.

In the mean time, the slave States which had not broken up their relations with Washington, oscillated between the two parties, undecided as to what course to pursue. On the 4th of March the convention of Arkansas pronounced against secession; on the 19th that of Missouri adopted, with some reservations, a similar resolution; finally, on the 4th of April that of Virginia rejected by a strong majority the propositions of the seceders. But these States struggled in vain to resist the example of their associates already engaged in the rebellion; linked to their fortunes by that terrible bond of complicity which, in politics as in private life, places every malefactor at the mercy of the most daring, they were, soon or late, drawn into the vortex by them.

Unfortunate Virginia, especially, who had contributed so much in former days towards the foundation of the Republic, might, by remaining faithful to the Constitution, have played even a more important part than she did in the days of Washington; but the servile institution had demoralized her; she had become a breeder of slaves, and the interests of that odious traffic bound her to the cause of the South. Consequently, seeing the Federal government in jeopardy, the border States simply desired to keep up their relations with it, in order to be the better able to profit by its weakness, to intimidate it, and to make it subservient to their demands. At a time when great political passions are struggling for the mastery, such a role is always dangerous for those who attempt to play it.

Mr. Lincoln had gone to work without allowing himself to be discouraged by the difficulties of the situation. On the 5th of March he formed his Cabinet, assigning the highest position, that of Secretary of State, or minister of foreign relations, to Mr. Seward, the most influential man in the Republican party. Possessing great mental acuteness, large experience of men and public affairs, a perseverance equal to any trial, and rare vigor of body and mind, in spite of his sickly appearance, Mr. Seward concealed under the gloss of the lawyer a truly political acumen and sincere patriotism.

Mr. Davis's government was not slow in giving the Federal