January 21, 1861	

Today, with great sadness, I have resigned from the United States 
Senate.  I was afraid that it would come to this - secession.  
There is no way on earth that I can fight against my home state of 
Mississippi.  Every state has the God given right to secession.  
Mississippi seceded from the Union 12 days ago.  

I am leaving tomorrow for my plantation - Briarfield - in Mississippi.
It is so beautiful there.  I am looking forward to spending time with 
Varina and working on our plantation.  I assume, given my military 
experience in the Mexican Wars, that I will be offered a position in 
the newly formed Confederate Army.  

Lincoln will be inaugurated President of the United States in less 
than 6 weeks.  Then what?  What will happen?  I am both anxious and
scared.  Time will tell.  I will write again when I reach Briarfield.  
As I said to my fellow Senators upon resigning, "Mr. President and 
Senators, having made the announcement which the occasion seemed to 
me to require, it remains only for me to bid you a final adieu."