Lincoln arrives in Washington, Texas ratifies secession

Washington, D.C. in 1861. Click to enlarge

• President-elect Abraham Lincoln, by an unpublished schedule and route, switches trains at 4am in Baltimore and arrives safely in Washington, D.C., at 6:00am for his inauguration despite receiving an assassination threat a few days ago. After breakfast with Sen. Seward (N.Y.), they call upon President Buchanan at the White House and meet members of cabinet. Various groups greet him throughout the day including delegates from the Peace Convention at 9pm, an impromptu reception for members of Congress, then Buchanan’s Cabinet at 10pm. /1861

• In Texas, a public referendum votes 34,794 to 11,235 to ratify their legislature’s February 1 ordinance of secession, sending a strong message to Texas Governor Sam Houston, a staunch Unionist who had refused to call a secession convention. This gallant founder of Texas will soon be sacked as governor for his Unionist position./1861