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H Stephens of Georgia Vice President.
Mr Alexander seems quite confident that the convention will settle matters peacably. 
The North however seems still unwilling to make any concessions. 

23rd Yesterday Washington-Birthday was observed with more than usual interest. The display of  military was fine, besides the volunteer companies of the District, the Government forces amounted to 600 men. In the evening, Senator Foster called with his wife. also other friends. Later father brought in from the Institution Mr Douglas Mr Pierce of Maryland & Gen Totten. The latter was very melancholy in regard to the political troubles he seemed to think civil war inevitable. We [[dined?]] with Mrs Merrick.
The President elect reached here this morning. 

March 4th The day has passed off quietly in spite of the predictions of the people. The display of military was fine. Mr. & Mrs. Bell are with us, hopes are entertained that the President may put him in his cabinet. 

April 13rd "It is a long time since I have written in journal." Nothing of any great importance occured for so long we began to hope the threatened war might be averted, it was a false hope, a lull before the storm. On Friday armed

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troops were sent, [[striketrhough]] to [[/striketrhough]] with sealed orders to Fort Sumter, or rather the vessels of war reached that fort on Friday. [[strikethrough]] The accounts to day informs us that Fort Sumter[[/strikethrough]] The accounts to night are very gloomy. When the last telegram was received Fort Sumter was in flames, the flag at half mast, the number of killed & wounded uncertain. 

April 15th  The papers to day give a full account of the bombardment of Fort Sumter. The demand to surrender was sent to Major Anderson on the Eleventh. He replied his duty to his Government prevented his compliance adding "I will await the first shot & if you do not batter us to pieces we will be starved out in a few days." Gen. Beauregard then proposed to Major Anderson to state the length of time the provisions of the fort would last & promise not to use his guns against the batteries unless he was attacked, under which conditions the bombardment would be postponed. Major A. of course declined this offer, as it would have obliged him to remain silent should any attempt be made to aid him so long as Fort Sumter itself was not fired upon. On Friday morning at 4 o'clock the firing commenced from Fort Moultrie & was answered at long intervals from Major Anderson's guns. Hostilities were discontinued during the night but recommenced early the next morning. Fort Sumter was soon in
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