event the State from passing under the Black Republican yoke.
Our people know this, and seem to approve such sentiments, yet I
do not believe Mississippi can move alone.

I will call our Legislature in extra session as soon as it is
known that the Black Republicans have carried the election. I
expect Mississippi will ask a council of the Southern States, and
if that council advise secession, Mississippi will go with them.
If any State moves, I think Mississippi will go with her. I will
write at length from Jackson.

Yours respectfully,

JOHN J. PETTUS.

[Sidenote] MS. Confederate Archives.

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, MILLEDGEVILLE, GA., Oct. 31, 1860.
His EXCELLENCY W.H. GIST.

DEAR SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your
favor by the hand of General Grist, with whom I have had a free
interchange of opinions. In the event of the election of
Mr. Lincoln to the Presidency I have no doubt that Georgia will
determine her action by a convention of the people, which will
probably be held before the 4th day of March next. Her
Legislature, which convenes here next Wednesday, will have to
determine on the time when the convention shall be held. My
opinion is that the people of Georgia will, in case of the
election of Lincoln, decide to meet all the Southern States in
convention and take common action for the protection of the rights
of all. Events not yet foreseen may change their course and might
lead to action on the part of Georgia without waiting for all the
Southern States, if it should be found necessary to her safety. I
have handed General Gist a copy of my message on our Federal
relations, which will be sent to our Legislature on the first day
of the session. I send only the forms from the press as it is just
being put in type. I may make some immaterial alterations before
it is completed. If your State remains in the Union, I should be
pleased that she would adopt such retaliatory measures as I
recommend in the message, or others which you may determine to be
more appropriate. I think Georgia will pass retaliatory laws
similar to those I recommend, should Lincoln be defeated. Should
the question be submitted to the people of Georgia, whether they
would go out of the Union on Lincoln's election without regard to
the action of other States, my opinion