The Papers of Jefferson Davis, a documentary editing project based at Rice University in Houston, Texas, is publishing a multi-volume edition of his letters and speeches, several of which can be found on this web site. The site also provides extensive information on Davis and his family and numerous images.

One of three similar prints published by Oliver Evans Woods, reflecting grave northern fears of British and French interference on behalf of the Confederacy in the Civil War. (See also "The Pending Conflict" and "The Pending Contest," nos. 1864-2 and 1864-3.) The controversy centered on the "Alabama" and other warships built and fitted out for the Confederates in England. French Emperor Napoleon III's military operations in Mexico in 1862 and 1863 were also perceived as dangerous to the North. The print actually appeared in the summer of 1863, when Southern diplomatic overtures to France and England threatened to result in international recognition for the Confederacy. In the center Jefferson Davis--here called "Secesh"--raises a club labeled "Pirate Alabama" over the head of a brawny Union soldier whose arms are constricted by the Constitution, and around whose waist and legs coils a poisonous snake. Davis tramples on an American flag. At right stands a leering John Bull, who holds a pile of clubs in reserve for Davis. Behind him is a prancing Napoleon III, also watching the contest. In the distance two ships burn on the ocean. Napoleon: "Whip him, Secesh, and when I get Mexico, I'll help you whip him again." John Bull: "Down with him, Secesh--burn his Ships--destroy his Commerce--England has plenty more such clubs for you." Secesh: "I'll fix him--I'll kill him." Soldier: "The flag of my country trampled under foot--the ships of my country burning on the ocean--while I stand here entangled in the coils of this foul Copperhead, and so bound up by Constitutional restraints, that I am unable to put forth my true strength in their behalf." The "restraints" mentioned may refer to opposition on constitutional grounds to Lincoln's use of what he considered valid presidential war powers. The cartoon may have been specifically occasioned by the Supreme Court's review in the "Prize Cases" of 1863 of the legality of the Union blockade. "Copperhead" was the derogatory term used for anti-Lincoln or anti-Republican advocates of a negotiated reconciliation with the South.|Published by Oliver Evans Woods, Philadelphia.|The Library's impression of the print was deposited for copyright on July 1, 1863.|Title appears as it is written on the item.|Forms part of: American cartoon print filing series (Library of Congress)|Published in: American political prints, 1766-1876 / Bernard F. Reilly. Boston : G.K. Hall, 1991, entry 1863-10.

A biting cartoon showing Confederate president Jefferson Davis in league with both the devil and Revolutionary War traitor Benedict Arnold. Arnold and Davis stir a cauldron of "Treason Toddy," a brew into which the devil drops miniature black slaves. The devil holds a pitchfork and gloats, "I feel proud of my American sons--Benedict and Jeff." Davis, dressed in a bonnet, shawl, and dress (see "The Chas-ed "Old Lady" of the C.S.A.," no. 1865-11), explains to his fellow traitor, "Well, Arnold, the C.S.A. [Confederate States of America] are "done gone" so I have come home." Arnold greets him, "Welcome, Davis! Thou shalt be warmly received by thy father." At the cauldron base, marked "1865," lie two skulls, marked "Libby" and "Andersonville,"--no doubt intended to represent Union victims of the two notorious Confederate prisons Libby and Andersonville. Copperheads writhe on the ground. Near Davis's feet are a bag of "Stolen Gold" and a valise marked with his initials and "C.S.A. 1865."|Designed by Burgoo Zac.|Entered . . . 1865 by Oscar H. Harpel, (Opera House, Cincinnati) Ohio.|Title appears as it is written on the item.|Weitenkampf, p. 148.|Forms part of: American cartoon print filing series (Library of Congress)|Published in: American political prints, 1766-1876 / Bernard F. Reilly. Boston : G.K. Hall, 1991, entry 1865-12.

This collection uses primary sources to explore the secession of southern states from the US Government prior to the Civil War. Digital Public Library of America Primary Source Sets are designed to help students develop their critical thinking skills and draw diverse material from libraries, archives, and museums across the United States. Each set includes an overview, ten to fifteen primary sources, links to related resources, and a teaching guide. These sets were created and reviewed by the teachers on the DPLA's Education Advisory Committee.

A biting vilification of the Confederacy, representing it as a government in league with Satan. From left to right are: "Mr. Mob Law Chief Justice," a well-armed ruffian carrying a pot of tar; Secretary of State Robert Toombs raising a staff with a "Letter of Marque" (a governmental authorization to seize subjects or property of foreign state, here a reference to Georgia's January seizure of federal Fort Pulaski and the Augusta arsenal); CSA President Jefferson Davis, wearing saber and spurs. Vice President Alexander Stephens holds forward a list of "The Fundamental Principles of our Government," including treason, rebellion, murder, robbery, incendiarism, and theft. Behind the group, on horseback, is Confederate general Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard, commander of forces at the bombardment of Fort Sumter. The delegation is received by Satan and two demonic attendants, who sit in a large cave at right. One attendant has over his shoulder a gallows from which hangs a corpse; the other holds a pitchfork. Satan holds a crown and scepter for Davis in his right hand, while in his left hand he hides a noose behind his back. He greets the Confederates, "Truly! Fit representatives of our Realm." Over his head flies a banner with the palmetto of South Carolina and six stars. A large snake curls round its staff. |Entered . . . 1861 by L. Haugg . . . Eastern District of Pennsylvania.|L. Hough Publ. 600 Chestnut Str. Philada. 3d Story.|The Library's impression of the print was deposited for copyright on June 12, 1861.|Title appears as it is written on the item.|Weitenkampf, p. 128.|Forms part of: American cartoon print filing series (Library of Congress)|Published in: American political prints, 1766-1876 / Bernard F. Reilly. Boston : G.K. Hall, 1991, entry 1861-22.

Title appears as it is written on the item.|Forms part of: American cartoon print filing series (Library of Congress)

An angered response to false Confederate peace overtures and to the push for reconciliation with the South advanced by the Peace Democrats in 1864. (See also "The Sportsman Upset by the Recoil of His Own Gun," no. 1864-32.) Confederate general Robert E. Lee and president Jefferson Davis (center) stand back-to-back trying to ward off an attack by Northern officers (from left to right) Philip H. Sheridan, Ulysses S. Grant, David G. Farragut, and William T. Sherman. Sheridan points his sword at Lee, saying, "You commenced the war by taking up arms against the Government and you can have peace only on the condition of your laying them down again." Grant, also holding a sword, insists, "I demand your unconditional surrender, and intend to fight on this line until that is accomplished." Lee tries to placate them, "Cant think of surrendering Gentlemen but allow me through the Chicago platform to propose an armistice and a suspension of hostilities . . . " The 1864 Democratic national convention in Chicago advocated "a cessation of hostilities with a view to an ultimate convention of the states, or other peaceable means" to restore the Union. Davis, unarmed with his hands up, agrees, " . . . if we can get out of this tight place by an armistice, it will enable us to recruit up and get supplies to carry on the war four years longer." Farragut threatens with a harpoon, snarling, " rmistice! and suspension of hostilities'.--Tell that to the Marines, but sailors dont understand that hail from a sinking enemy." Sherman, with raised sword, informs Davis, "We dont want your negores or anything you have; but we do want and will have a just obedience to the laws of the United States."|Probably drawn by John Cameron.|Published by Currier & Ives, 152 Nassau St. N.Y.|Title appears as it is written on the item.|Gale, no. 6722. |Weitenkampf, p. 142.|Published in: American political prints, 1766-1876 / Bernard F. Reilly. Boston : G.K. Hall, 1991, entry 1864-6.

Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1865 by Gibson & Co. in the Clerks Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of Ohio.|Inscribed in ink below title: Filed June 16 1865.|Title appears as it is written on the item.|Forms part of: American cartoon print filing series (Library of Congress)

Northern fears of European intervention in the Civil War on behalf of the South are manifest here.Uncle Sam, in the form of a bearded Union soldier (closely resembling Abraham Lincoln), unceremoniously routs John Bull from a fenced garden where the latter has been poaching. Grabbing him by the scruff of the neck, Sam warns, "John, You lost your Non-interfering Principle. I'll lay it on your back again." The American wields a large stick "Principle of Non Enterference." John Bull has a handful of cotton plants, more of which appear at right, and wears "Armstrong's Patent" cannon on his legs. (The term refers to a type of English-made gun used by the Confederates.) The artist has hidden several Negro faces in his drawings of cotton plants here. A cock with the head of French leader Napoleon III watches from his perch on the fence at left. At right stands a large scarecrow from whose arms hang the lifeless bodies of Confederate general P. G. T. Beauregard and Confederate president Jefferson Davis. A plaque on the scarecrow reads, "All Persons Tresspassing These Premisses, will be punished according to Law." |The Library's impression of the print was deposited for copyright on June 22, 1861. |Title appears as it is written on the item.|Entered . . . 1861 by E. Stauch . . . Pennsylvania.|Weitenkampf, p. 132.|Forms part of: American cartoon print filing series (Library of Congress)|Published in: American political prints, 1766-1876 / Bernard F. Reilly. Boston : G.K. Hall, 1991, entry 1861-39.

Issued in the wake of Lincoln's assassination in April 1865, the print conveys some of the Northern hostility toward the conspirators, whom the public associated with former president of the Confederacy Jefferson Davis. Uncle Sam or Brother Jonathan stands before a cage in which a hyena with the bonneted head of Jefferson Davis claws at a skull. Davis's neck is in a noose, which will begin to tighten as a man at right turns the crank of a gallows. The bonnet on Davis's head alludes to the circumstances of his recent capture. (See "The Chas-ed "Old Lady" of the C.S.A.," no. 1865-11.) Below, a man grinds out the song "Yankee Doodle" on a hand organ. Above, the Lincoln conspirators are portrayed as "Gallow's Bird's," with their heads in nooses. From left to right they are: Michael O'Laughlin, David Herold, George Atzerodt, Lewis Paine, Mary Elizabeth Surratt, Samuel Arnold, Edman Spangler, and Dr. Samuel Mudd. Uncle Sam points his stick at a skull "Booth," on which sits a black crow. Booth had committed suicide on April 26, 1865.|Entered . . . June 7, 1865, by G. Querner . . . D.C.|Title appears as it is written on the item.|Weitenkampf, p. 151-152.|Forms part of: American cartoon print filing series (Library of Congress)|Published in: American political prints, 1766-1876 / Bernard F. Reilly. Boston : G.K. Hall, 1991, entry 1865-17.

Published by King & Baird, Printers, Philadelphia.|Signed in block: Th. Nast.|Title appears as it is written on the item.|Forms part of: American cartoon print filing series (Library of Congress)|Exhibited in: American Treasures of the Library of Congress, 2004-2005.

An anti-McClellan broadside, contrasting Republican candidate Abraham Lincoln's advocacy of equality and free labor in the North to Democratic opponent McClellan's alleged support of the Southern slave system. The comparison is made in two scenes, "Union and Liberty" (left) and "Union and Slavery" (right). In the first, Lincoln shakes the hand of a bearded man wearing a square paper labor cap, while black and white school children issue from a schoolhouse flying the American flag in the background. On the right McClellan, in military uniform, shakes the hand of Confederate president Jefferson Davis, as a slave auction takes place behind them.|Published by M.W. Siebert, Printer, 28 Centre Street, Corner Reade, N.Y.|Title appears as it is written on the item.|Lorant, p. 264.|Weitenkampf, p. 143.|Forms part of: American cartoon print filing series (Library of Congress)|Published in: American political prints, 1766-1876 / Bernard F. Reilly. Boston : G.K. Hall, 1991, entry 1864-27.

In February 1861 Washington was alarmed by rumors that secessionists planned to seize the city and make it the capital of the Confederacy. The print may have been produced in that context, or during Lincoln's call to arms and rather anxious military build-up of the capital in April. Here, General in Chief of the Army Winfield Scott, who engineered the Washington defense, is portrayed as a fierce bulldog. He stands guard defiantly over a large cut of beef representing Washington, as a greyhound wearing a broad-brimmed planter's hat and wrapped in a Confederate flag (Confederate president Jefferson Davis) slinks away to the left. Beyond the greyhound are bales of cotton, a bone, and an animal skull. A small snake coils threateningly in the grass. A palmetto tree, emblem of secessionist leader South Carolina, rises in the distance. On the right, behind the bulldog, are barrels of "mess pork," beans, beef, sacks of money, and a large cannon. The stars and stripes fly over them. Another version--a crude, slightly smaller copy of this or of a common model, but without the printer's imprint and copyright line--is also in the Library's collection (Stern Collection, portfolio 4, no. 2). Weitenkampf lists four versions. Grant (II, p. 5-35) reproduces several versions of the design on patriotic envelopes in use in June, July, and August 1861. Weitenkampf and Murrell attribute the design to Beard. |Entered . . . 1861 by F T B . . . Southern District of Ohio.|Signed: Friz del (Frank T. Beard?).|Title appears as it is written on the item.|Vent, Starr & Co., West 4th Street, Cincinnati, O.|Murrell, p. 220.|Weitenkampf, p. 131.|Published in: American political prints, 1766-1876 / Bernard F. Reilly. Boston : G.K. Hall, 1991, entry 1861-26.

Jefferson Davis's diplomatic overtures to France and Great Britain fail in an imaginary scene at court. Davis (right) bows before French ruler Napoleon III, extending toward him a tray of "bonds." Davis holds a plate of cotton and, under his arm, a batch of papers. His pockets overflow with more papers labeled "Ordinance of Secession," "Davis," etc. At his feet are a broad-brimmed hat and a satchel with more bonds, and behind him is a small dog named "Sech" (secession) on its hind legs, begging. Napoleon (left) turns away from him with a gesture of refusal, saying, "Not any we thank you, Mr. Davis." Next to him is a table on which lie a crown, inkwell, and "Proclamation." In the background stands British Queen Victoria, who displays another proclamation (probably Victoria's May 13, 1861, proclamation of neutrality). The print was obviously drawn by the same artist as "Strayed" and "Volunteering Down Dixie" (nos. 1861-31 and 1861-33). |Printed and copyrighted by Ehrgott & Forbriger, Cincinnati.|The Library's impression of the print was deposited for copyright on May 30.|Title appears as it is written on the item.|Weitenkampf, p. 129.|Forms part of: American cartoon print filing series (Library of Congress)|Published in: American political prints, 1766-1876 / Bernard F. Reilly. Boston : G.K. Hall, 1991, entry 1861-32.

Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1865 by Gibson & Co. in the Clerks Office of the District Court of the Southern District of Ohio.|Title appears as it is written on the item.|Forms part of: American cartoon print filing series (Library of Congress)