such measures for vindicating the government of the state
and the protection of its institutions as shall appear to be
demanded." The governor was authorized to appoint com-
missioners to visit the other slave states, and inform them of
the action of Mississippi, and to invite their coöperation in
the adoption of efficient measures for their defence and
safety. The commissioners at once bestirred themselves at
the various Southern capitals, at all of which they were
received in truly diplomatic style as ambassadors from foreign
republics. Governors were formally notified of their arrival,
audiences were granted, and their credentials submitted in
the most formal manner. Committees of the legislature were
appointed to wait upon them and extend the courtesies of
the chambers, and their addresses were delivered before the
joint session of the two houses. Complimentary resolutions
were sometimes passed, and the proceedings in the reception
of the commissioner enrolled on parchment, the great seal
affixed, and the signatures of the officers of both houses
attached. The instrument was then presented as the "response
of a sister state to the friendly greeting of Mississippi."
Their missions in most cases were successful. ¹

In the meantime the canvass for the election of delegates
to the convention was proceeding. In a good many counties
mass meetings were held, and resolutions adopted declaratory
of the sense of the community on the all-absorbing question.
Most of these, but by no means all, were in favor of seces-
sion. A very respectable minority were strongly opposed to
secession. They bestirred themselves to secure the return
of Union delegates, and were successful to the extent that
about one-fourth of those chosen were Whigs, most of whom
were opposed to secession, and some of whom had positive
instructions to vote against an ordinance of secession. The
secession contingent were divided among themselves as to
the expediency of secession without the joint coöperation of
a certain number of other slave states. They were designated
as "coöperationists" and "immediate secessionists," the
latter party constituting about two-thirds of the convention.
The ultimate object of both was the same. As against the
North, they were all united; they were all for resistance, the
difference of opinion being only as to time and manner of
procedure. The recognized leader of the "immediate seces-
sionists" was Mr. L. Q. C. Lamar, who, on January 9,

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