Small earthquakes are surprisingly common on the coastal plain of South Carolina with shocks having been recorded since 1698.  At around 7 p.m. in Charleston the latest of these was felt, lasting 20-25 seconds but causing little damage.  The quake was also felt in parts of Georgia.  In August 1886, Charleston would suffer its largest ever earthquake losing two-thirds of its buildings and more than 120 citizens.   (By John Osborne)

South Carolina had dispatched the moderate legislator Christopher Memminger to Richmond to discuss the state of the Union and raise the idea of a "southern conference" that would provide the slave states with a united front in the sectional crisis.  He was well received in the city and gave a four-hour speech at the Virginia statehouse that pointed out the dangers of inaction in the face of Northern antagonism.  (By John Osborne) 

South Carolina dispatched the moderate legislator Christopher Memminger to Richmond to discuss the state of the Union and raise the idea of a "southern conference" that would provide the slave states with a united front in the sectional crisis.  He was well received in the city and gave a four-hour speech at the Virginia statehouse on January 19, 1860.  (By John Osborne)