"It is clear that the North has forced an unreasonable man as the leader of the country on us. We know that the Liberal Party is clearly against our precious institution, and Mr. Seward's voting record has not shown us that he is more reasonable than his party. So, we are going to form our own Parliament, in the South, loyal to Britain and to the Monarchy, but not to the unreasonable Philadelphian government filled with abolitionists and mudrakers. The Southern Assembly will be established on the 7th of September 1861, and I have it personally that most Southern Members will be attending. May we leave peacefully, and continue our institutions, and you the same."
Part of the Member of Parliament John Breckinridge (Dem.)'s famous "Peaceful Exit" speech, in the House of Commons. After this, most Southern MPs cheered, and left, along with Breckinridge. The image of a half-empty House would become a famous part of the War Between the States.