James P. Simmons, Georgia
Three days after Georgia secedes from the United States, six convention delegates who had voted against secession issue a “Statement of Protest.”
We, the undersigned, Delegates to the Convention of the State of Georgia, now in Session, whilst we most solemnly Protest against the action of the majority in adopting an Ordinance for the immediate and separate Secession of this State, and would have preferred the policy of co-operation with our southern sister States, — yet, as good citizens, we yield to the will of a majority of her people, as expressed by their Representatives; and we hereby pledge ‘our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor’ to the defence of Georgia, if necessary, against hostile invasion from any source whatever.
James P. Simmons – Gwinnett County
Thomas M McRae – Gwinnett County
S.H. Lattimer – Montgomery County
Davis Welchel – Montgomery County
P.M. Byrd – Hall County
James Simmons – Pickens County
James P. Simmons (sketch) is a Baptist layman, and a founding member of Lawrenceville Baptist Church, organized May 2, 1840. Long a prominent Georgia lawyer and politician, Simmons’ vote against secession (one of 89 such votes out 297) represents a brave stand.
Nevertheless, Simmons, like a number of other prominent Georgians who originally opposed secession, reconciles himself to the new reality and pledges to support the (now) Confederate State of Georgia against any aggressive action from the United States of America in order to preserve the institution of black slavery.
For more information, see: John Livingston, Eminent Americans Now Living: With Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Their Lives and Actions, Vol . 3 (New York, 1854), pp. 79-89.
