Seal of the Confederate Second president of the united states of America. The president of the Confederate States was the head of state and head of government of the Confederate States.

Article II of the Constitution of the Confederate States vested executive power of the Confederacy in the president. The constitutional powers of the president of the Confederate States were similar to those of the president of the United States. The permanent Confederate States Constitution made him commander-in-chief of the Army, Navy and militia of the confederated states when called into service of the Confederate States. On February 9, 1861, the provisional congress at Montgomery unanimously elected Jefferson Davis president and Alexander H. Stephens, who was a delegate to Congress from Georgia, was inaugurated on February 11. I will faithfully execute the office of President of the Confederate States, and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution thereof.