From the second he excused himself for obvious reasons.

After his experience with Baker, Breckinridge evidently did not court a conflict with Fessenden.
The course of Mr.Breckinridge was in direct hostility to the prevailing opinion of his State.

The Legislature of Kentucky passed a resolution asking that he and his colleague, Lazarus W.Powell, should resign their seats, and, in the event of refusal, that the Senate would investigate their conduct, and, if it were found to be disloyal, expel them.

Mr.Breckinridge did not wait for such an investigation.

In the autumn of 1861 he joined the Rebellion, and was welcomed by the leaders and the people of the Confederacy with extravagant enthusiasm.