Confederate States peace commission

On February 15, 1861, the newly formed Congress of the Confederate States of America adopted a resolution empowering the President-elect Jefferson Davis to appoint a commission of three men to negotiate “friendly relations” with the federal government of the United States. On February 25, newly inaugurated President Davis chose Martin J. Crawford of Georgia, John Forsyth of Alabama, and Andre B. Roman of Louisiana to serve as commissioners. On February 27, President Davis wrote a letter to Abraham Lincoln, President-elect of the United States, introducing the commissioners as representatives of the government of the Confederate States. The commission was not received by Lincoln. On March 12, a letter was sent to William H. Seward, Secretary of State of the United States, introducing the commissioners and explaining their peaceful intent. The commission was not received by Seward. On March 15, the commission filed a memorandum which outlined how they had been ignored by Seward and Lincoln. The commissioners were rejected because acceptance of the commission would be recognition of the Confederate States of America.