Winthrop wrote, "the country has never been in more serious
exigency than at present". "The South is angry, mad." "The Union
must be saved . . . by prudence and forbearance." "Most sober men
here are apprehensive that the end of the Union is nearer than
they have ever before imagined." Winthrop's own view on February
19 had been corroborated by General Scott, who wrote him four
days earlier, "God preserve the Union is my daily prayer, in and
out of church".[55]

[55] Winthrop MSS., Feb. 10, 6.


Webster however, as late as February 14, believed that there was
no "serious danger". February 16, he still felt that "if, on our
side, we keep cool, things will come to no dangerous pass".[56]
But within the next week, three acts in Washington modified
Webster's optimism: the filibuster of Southern members, February
18; their triumph in conference, February 19; their interview
with Taylor about February 23.

[56] Writings and Speeches, XVI. 533; XVIII. 355.


On February 18, under the leadership of Stephens, the Southern
representatives mustered two-thirds of the Southern Whigs and a
majority from every Southern state save Maryland for a successful
series of over thirty filibustering votes against the admission
of California without consideration of the question of slavery in
New Mexico and Utah. So indisputable was the demonstration of
Southern power to block not only the President's plan but all