This is President Jefferson Davis' state of the Confederacy as of December 7, 1863. The document covers a variety of topics including setbacks in the military field, no improvement in relations with foreign countries, and a suggestion of hypocrisy on Britain’s part in refusing relations on the basis of slavery. To this point Davis argued that “these States were, when colonies, made slaveholding by the direct exercise of the power of Great Britain, whose dependencies they were, and whose interests in the slave-trade were then supposed to require that her colonies should be made slave-holding.” Davis also asserts barbaric treatment of civilians and captured slaves by the armies of the North, concluding with an optimistic: “Whatever obstinacy may be displayed by the enemy in his desperate sacrifices of money, life and liberty in the hope of enslaving us, the experience of mankind has… shown the superior endurance of those who fight for home, liberty and independence to permit any doubt of the result.” Published in Richmond, VA. 29 pages with three blank pages at end, as issued. Bound with original string ties and "Rebel Archives" stamp on the first page.

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Condition: B+

Light toning with a "Rebel Archives" stamp on the first page. A few leaves are unopened along the fore-edge.