A Report of the Debates and Proceedings in the Secret Sessions of the Conference Convention For Proposing Amendments to the Constitution of the United States, Held at Washington, D.C., in February, A.D. 1861

"A Report of the Debates and Proceedings in the Secret Sessions of the Conference Convention for Proposing Amendments to the Constitution of the United States" by L.E. Chittenden is a historical record of a crucial conference in February 1861, when America was teetering on the brink of civil war. Delegates gathered to debate potential changes to the Constitution, hoping to ease tensions between the states and prevent a national catastrophe. Chittenden, a participant in these secret sessions, felt compelled to document the intense discussions and the political atmosphere surrounding the event which presents the organization of the conference, the careful selection of leaders, and a prevailing sense of urgency as the nation faced a looming crisis. This book captures the delicate balance between compromise and principle as leaders grappled with issues that would define the future of the Union.