ing
election, I shall not advise the secession of my State, and I will
add that I do not think the people of Louisiana will ultimately
decide in favor of that course. I shall recommend that Louisiana
meet her sister slaveholding States in council to consult as to
the proper course to be pursued, and to endeavor to effect a
complete harmony of action. I fear that this harmony of action, so
desirable in so grave an emergency, cannot be effected. Some of
the Cotton States will pursue a more radical policy than will be
palatable to the border States, but this only increases the
necessity of convening the consultative body of which I have
spoken. I believe in the right of secession for just cause, of
which the sovereignty must itself be the judge. If therefore the
general Government shall attempt to coerce a State, and forcibly
attempt the exercise of this right, I should certainly sustain the
State in such a contest.

There has never been any indication made by Louisiana, or by any
public body within her limits, of her probable course in the event
of an election of a Black Republican President, and she is totally
unprepared for any warlike measures. Her arsenals are empty. While
some of her sister States have been preparing for an emergency,
which I fear is now imminent, she has been negligent in this
important matter.

If coming events should render necessary the convocation of the
Southern Convention, I shall endeavor to compose the
representation of Louisiana of her ablest and most prudent men, if
the power shall be vested in me to appoint them. However, I
presume the Legislature will adopt some other course in the
appointments. The recommendations of such a body assembled in such
a crisis must necessarily carry great weight, and if subsequently
ratified and adopted by each State by proper authority, will
present the South in united and harmonious action.

I have the honor to be your Excellency's ob't serv't

THOS. O. MOORE.

[Sidenote] MS. Ibid.

MACON, Oct. 26, 1860.
His EXCELLENCY Gov. GIST.

DEAR SIR: Your letter of Oct. 5 was handed me by General Gist.
Having but few moments to reply, I write this more to acknowledge
its receipt than to reply to its contents. Our friends in this
State are willing to do anything they may have the power to do to
pr