Here is a wonderfully historic letter and it comes with a perfect cover postmarked “Milledgeville, Ga. Jan. 18”.  This four page letter in ink was written by John F. Furman.  The Furman name is a famous one in South Carolina, and further research will probably determine why Furman was sent or volunteered to attend the Georgia Secession Convention, while he was from the neighboring state of South Carolina.  Furman is writing home to his wife Susan E. Furman in Manchester, Sumter District, South Carolina.  After a couple paragraphs of family news Furman spends the rest of the letter – 3 full pages talking about the Convention. 

The letter is headed, “Scottsboro, Jany. 17th, 1861”.  Scottsboro is a small town just a few miles south of Milledgeville where the Convention was taking place (Milledgeville was the capital of Georgia at this time).
 

·         “The convention met yesterday.  Col. Benning of Muscogee temporary President after which I saw
Crawford of Richmond was elected for permanent President & Mr. Lamar Secretary – both secessionists. 
Today the Commissions from Carolina & Alabama (Orr & Shorter) addressed this body.  Orr’s address
 was very sagacious & telling.”

·         “Almost all the able men of the state are here.  As yet no action has been taken – something will
probably be done tomorrow.  Col. Jones remarked to me today, ‘We have a majority of 25 to 30 true
 men and can carry through our measures without fail.’  He is a most uncompromising secessionist.”

·         “I think Georgia will go out at once though I apprehend there will be a strong effort made by the
corporatists to defy the action of the body as long as possible, or to modify that action in passing the
ordinance to take effect at some future time.  The secessionist however I trust will never consent to such
 an arrangement.  There is a great crowd of men in Milledgeville.  The boys went in today to hear the
speakers.  I had them both with me in the Representative Chamber.”

For the collector of Georgia, South Carolina or Confederate history, this is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity.  It is the only letter we have ever had at a Secession Convention describing in great detail the proceedings.    

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                    Transcription:
                                                                                                                                            Scottsboro (Georgia) Jany. 17th, 1861
                                    My Dear Sue

                                                        I have received your second letter – also your letter to Aunt arrived today.  I was 
                                    glad to hear that Nat was better but sorry to hear that Tilpha was so sick.  I hope it did not
                                    prove serious.   Colds have been very prevalent here.  Nearly all of James Children have been 
                                    sick since my arrival here.

                                                        Since writing you last I have made an arrangement by which I have got some 
                                    money, though not as much as I had hoped. 

                                                       The convention met yesterday.  Col. Benning of Muscogee temporary President 
                                   after which I saw Crawford of Richmond was elected for permanent President & Mr. Lamar 
                                   Secretary – both secessionists.  Today the Commissions from Carolina & Alabama (Orr & 
                                   Shorter) addressed this body.  Orr’s address was very sagacious & telling. 

                                                     Almost all the able men of the state are here.  As yet no action has been taken – 
                                   something will probably be done tomorrow.  Col. Jones remarked to me today, “We have a
                                   majority of 25 to 30 true men and can carry through our measures without fail.”  He is a
                                   most uncompromising secessionist.

                                                    I think Georgia will go out at once though I apprehend there will be a strong effort
                                  made by the corporatists to defy the action of the body as long as possible, or to modify that
                                 action in passing the ordinance to take effect at some future time.  The secessionist however
                                 I trust will never consent to such an arrangement.  There is a great crowd of men in
                                 Milledgeville.  The boys went in today to hear the speakers.  I had them both with me in the
                                 Representative Chamber.  I shall probably leave on Saturday if not the first of next week for
                                 Charleston & shall endeavor to be at Manchester by Thursday morning – Tomorrow work. 
                                 I am feeling very anxious to see you and little darling.  Kiss her for me many times.  I trust
                                you may get on comfortably during my absence.

                                                   It is now bed time so I must close.  Don’t forget me & give much love – The boys do
                                not know I am writing.  I thank you for being so prompt & regular in writing.  With a great
                               deal of love, I am dear wife most affectionately yours, 
                                                                                                                                  John H. Furman