vote of the electors will be
cast for President on the 5th day of December, after which it will
require a few days to ascertain the result. Thirty days' notice
will have to be given after the day upon which, the delegates to
the convention will be elected, and the convention is required to
convene in two weeks after the election. This is not a matter of
discretion with me, but is fixed by law. I regret that earlier
action cannot be had, as it may be a matter of much importance
that all the States that may determine to withdraw from the Union
should act before the expiration of Mr. Buchanan's term of service.

The facts and opinions herein communicated you are at liberty to
make known to those with whom you may choose to confer, but they
are not to be published in the newspapers.

I have had a full and free conversation with General Gist, the
substance of which is contained in this letter. He will, however,
give it to you more in detail. It is my opinion that all the
States that may determine to take action upon the election of
Lincoln should call a convention as soon as practicable after the
result is known.

With great respect, your ob't serv't,

B. MOORE.

[Sidenote] MS. Confederate Archives.

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, Nov. 9, 1860.
His EXCELLENCY GOVERNOR GIST.

DEAR SIR: Your communication of the 5th ultimo reached me per last
mail under cover from General States Rights Gist, with an
explanatory note from that gentleman in relation to the
subject-matters thereof.

The mode employed by your Excellency to collect authoritatively
the views of several of the Executives of the Southern States as
to their plan of action in the event of the election of Lincoln,
commends itself warmly to my judgment. Concert of action can alone
be arrived at by a full and free interchange of opinion between
the Executives of the Cotton States, by whom it is confidently
expected that the ball will be put in motion.

We are in the midst of grave events, and I have industriously
sought to learn the public mind in this State in the event of the
election of Lincoln, and am proud to say Florida is ready to wheel
into line with the gallant Palmetto State, or any other Cotton
State or States, in any course which she or they may in their
judgment think proper to adopt, looking to the v