What a glorious day.  I assumed the office of President of the Provisional
Confederate Government today.  It was beautiful.  My fellow Southerners
cheered for me like I was their savior.  Our spirits are so high, I predict
that, if there is to be a war, that it will end within 90 days.  The Yankees
don't have the same fighting spirits and desires that we have - we want to
live our life by our terms, not the terms spelled out in the U.S.
Constitution.  God will decide who is right and who is wrong.

Mr. Lincoln is still "President-elect."  He does not take office for 2 more
weeks - March 4.  I can't believe it.  I am actually more powerful than he 
is right now.  Once he takes office, I wonder if he will contact me for
negotiations?
  
I want only peace.  I hope the U.S. government will leave our Confederacy
alone.  However, we must prepare for a war just to be safe.  We have had so
many men volunteer for the Confederate Army - it is truly amazing.  We are
sending some back home; there are just too many of them right now.  

Our spirits are high.  Boy, are they high!  We, like the men who founded 
the American nation, are experimenting in a true test of self-government.