Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-09-08
CorrespOndence.


The following correspondence is appended to the
message:
I'VE have already Published the correspondence
with LINCOLN and omit it,
COXHoSwEALTH CT kESTCCKY, EXECUTIVE DEPT
Frankfort, August, 1861.
Hon. JfFFERsON DAVIS, Richmond, Va:
SIR: Since the commence mene Of the present IN
happy difficulties jet pending in the country. the
people OF Kentucky have indicated a steadfast d.
sire and purpose to maintain a position of strict
neutrality between the begerent parties They
nave already striven. by their policy to iron.
themselves the calamity Of war, and protect their
own sOIi from the pFesence of contendlng armies
Up to this period they have enjoyed comparative
tranquility and entire domestic peace.
Recently military force has been enlisted and
Chartered By the United States authorities within
his State have on this day addressed a eOmmu-
natioa and dispatched Commissioners to the Presi-
dent Of the United States, urging the removal Of
these troops from the soil of Kentucky, and thus
exertne myself TO carry out the will of the people
in e m4inten nee Of neutral position. The people
Of thus Ste desire to be free from the presence of
the soiiers of either belgeFeRts. and to that end
NY efforts are now directed
Although l have no reason to presume that the
Government of the Confederate States contemplate
or have ever purPosed any violation of the neutral
attitude thus assumed by Kentucky, there seems to
be some uneasIness felt among the people of some
portion of the State, occasoned by the collection of
bodies OF troops along their southern frontier. In
order to quiet this apprehension, and to secure to
the people their cherished object of peace, this
comm lnicstion is to represent these facts and ect
an authoritative assurance that the Government of
the Confederate States will continue to respect and
observe the position indicated as assumed By Ken
tucky. Very respectfully, your Obd't serv't.
d. AAGOFFN.
PRESIDENT DAVIS To GOV. NAGoFEN.
RIcIVoyD Aug. %, 1861
To The Hon B. AAGoFFC, GJUGTROT Of Kentucky dc:
SIB: have received your letter informing me that
''snee the commencement of the unhappy Difficult.
ties vet pending in the country, the people of Ken
tucky have indicated staa1fast desire and purpose
to maintain position Of strict neutrality between
the beligeTent parties" In the same commUnica-
ton you express your desire to elicit ian authorita
tive assurance that the Government of the COnfede~
rate States will continue to respect and observe the
neutral position of Kentucky
In reply to this request, lose time in assuring
you that the Government Of the Confederate States
of America neither intends nor desires to disturb
the neutrality of Kentucky. The assemblage cf
troops il Tennessee, to which you refer, had no
other object than to repel the lawlesz invasion Of
that State by the forces Of the United States should
their government 10 approach it through Kentucky
without respect for It's position of neutrality. That
such approximations were not groundless has been
proved by the course Of that government in Mary
land and Missouri, and more recently in Kentucky
itself in which As you inform me, "a military force
has teen enlisted and qusrtsIe by the Uaited StIt6s
authorities ="
The Government of the Confederate States has
not only respected most scrupUlOusy the neutrality
of Kentucky, but has continued TO maintain the
friendly relations of trade aid intercourse which
it has suspended with the people of the United
States generally.
In view of the history of the past it can scarcely
be necessary to assure your Excelleney that the
Government Of the Confederate States will continue
to respect the neutrality Of Kentucky so long
her people viii maintain it themselves.
But neutrality, to be entitled to respect must be
strictly maintained between both parties; if the
door Be opened on the side for the aggressiOns
Of of the beligerent parties upon the other, 1t
ought not to be shut to the assaed when they seek
to enter it for the purposes Of self>defense.
do not however for q moment believe that
your gallant State will suffer its soil to be used for
the purpose of giving an advantage to those who
violate It's neutrality and disregard its rights over
those YhO respect them both.
In conclusion, tender to your Excellen9y the
assurance of my high consideration and regard.
And am, sir, very respectfully yours, &c.
JEFFERsON DAVIS.
GOV. HARRIS TO COY. MiGOYE1N
ExECUHvE DEPARTMENT.
NdshUils Tim, A1gast l4h 1861
Hs Ercepeacy, B. AAGoFFIN, Governor Of Kentucky:
STA: From the date of the proclamation of your
Excellency declaring the neutrality Of Kentucky, it
has been the settled policy Of the authorities Of
Tennessee to resp ect Kentucky a neutral power,
and to carefully avoid all acts thai could be con-
strued into violation Of any Of her rights as such,
This policy has been adhered 70 with perfect idei-
ty and will be adhered to by Tennessee Is long "a
the people of Kentucky will at the part Of neutrels
and the Federal government respect their neu-
trsity
Bat it is proper thar call the attention of your
Exeeleney to the fact thIt each day briggs It's
mutation OF evidencs, forcing 90 the conclusion
that the Federal Government is organizing mill
tary companies, batahOns, and regiments in