ABSTRACT OF JOURNAL OF EXECUTIVE SESSION OF THE CONGRESS, C.S.A. FEBRUARY 27, 1861. THE CONGRESS BEING IN EXECUTIVE SESSION MR. RHETT FROM THE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS, MADE THE FOLLOWING REPORT

[Montgomery, Alabama, 1861. Autograph document, entirely in ink manuscript, in the hand of Alex. B. Clitherall, Assistant, and signed "J.J. Harper, Secretary per Alex B. Clitherall Asst." Letter written by Clitherall, an Alabama lawyer and assistant to Burton Harrison, Jefferson Davis's private secretary. Written on the recto of first leaf; docketed, in the probable hand of Harrison, on recto of second leaf: "Commn to European Powers. For the President." Blank verso of second leaf is laid down. Very Good.

"The Congress being in Executive Session Mr. Rhett from the Committee on Foreign Affairs, made the following report:
"The Committee on Foreign Affairs, to whom was referred the nominations by the President, of W. L. Yancey, P.A. Rost, and A. Dudley Mann as Commissioners to the European Powers, respectfully report, that they have had the same under consideration, and recommend that the Congress do advise and consent to the nominations of W.L. Yancey, and P.A. Rost,'
"Which report was unanimously carried.
"So the Congress does advise and consent that William L. Yancey of Alabama, and P.A. Rost of Louisiana, be commissioners to the European Powers, under the resolution of Congress of February 13th 1861.
"I certify the above abstract to be correct.
"J.J. Harper Secretary per Alex B. Clitherall Asst."

President Davis had sent a Message to Congress on February 26, 1861, recommending the appointment of Yancey of Alabama, Rost of Louisiana, and Mann, whose nomination was not approved. But Mann's consolation was his later appointment as Commissioner of the Confederate States of America for Belgium and the Vatican.
Yancey and Rost would be replaced by Mason and Slidell, whose capture on a mission to Europe nearly started a war between the United States and England.