A Report of the Debates and Proceedings in the Secret Sessions of the Conference Convention

This volume offers a rare, first‑hand chronicle of the clandestine gathering convened in Washington in February 1861, when the nation teetered on the brink of division. Compiled by a delegate who attended every session, the manuscript captures the heated exchanges, procedural battles and the palpable tension as members debated whether their deliberations should ever be disclosed to the public.

The author’s meticulous notes reveal the early attempts to admit reporters and to appoint an official stenographer—efforts repeatedly blocked by a majority wary of publicity. Yet, as the crisis deepened, the delegate persisted, revising his recordings each day and insisting on a complete, accurate publication. Listeners will gain insight into the motivations, arguments, and constitutional concerns that shaped the conference, hearing the very words that framed a pivotal moment in American history.