Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-06-21
Letter of Jefferson Davis 10 the Mary
land Commissioners.
MoyTGONERY. ALA. Is Nav

MONTGOMERY, Ala, 25 May, 1861.
GENTLEMEN received with sincere pleas
ure the assurance that the State of MARYLAND
sympathizes with the people of the Coufede-
rate States in their determined vindication
of the right of self government, and that the
people of Maryland are enlisted with their
whole hearts on the side of reconciliation and
peace.
The people of the Confederate States not
withstanding their separation from their late
sisters, have not ceased to feel deep solicitude
10 Der welfare and a hope that at no distant
dav that State whose people, habits and in
stitutiOns are so closely related and assimi-
lated with theirs, will seek to unite her fate
and fortunes with those of this COnfederacy-
The government of the Confederate States
receives with respect the suggestion of the
State of Maryland that there should be a
cessation of the hostilities nov impending
until the meeting of Congress in July next,
in order that the said body may, if possible,
arrange for an adjustment of the existing
troubles by means of negotiation rather than
the sword. But it is at a loss how to reply
without repetition of the language 1t has
used on every possible occasion that has pre-
sputed itself since the establishment of its in
dependence.
In difference to the State of Maryland.
however il again asserts in the most emphat-
re terms that its sincere and earnest desire is
for peace; that whilst the government would
readily entertain any proposition from the
government of the United States, tending to
a peaceful solution Of the present difficulties,
the recent attempts of this government to
enter into negotiations with that of the United
States were attended with results which for
bid any renewal of proposals from 1t to that
government.
IF any further assurance of the desire of
this Government for peace were necessary, 1t
would be sufficient to observe that being
formed of a confederation of sovereign States,
each acting and deciding for itself, the right
of every other sovereign State to assume
self-actiOn and self government is necessarily
acknowledged.
Hence, conquest of other States is wholly
Inconsistent with the fundamental principles,
and subversive of the very organization OF
this Government. Its policy cannot but be
peace-peaee with all nations and people.
Very respectfully.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
To Messrs MCKAY, YELLOTT and HARDING.
Committee OF the Maryland Legislature.
Commenting on the above the Newark On.
j. Journal says ..
Jefferson Davis, in his letter to the Mary
land Commissioners. evinces a disposition
which Mr.. Lincoln might well adopt. II he
desires peace, let him at once accede to the
suggestion of Jefferson Davis, and open ne
EQUATIONS for peaceful settlement of pend
ing difficulties. Having once refused to re-
ceive the Southern Commissioners, the initia-
tive in any negotiations rests with the North.
Our Government, by speedy effort for
peace, may yet save itself from popular con-
tempt.
The Journal talks sensibly. If the Federal
government desires to escape popular con-
tempt" it should call off its mean spirited
ours, send them home to their kennels. and
make peace as speedily as possible. If the
Northern people would preserve for them.
selves even the semblanee of republican insti-
buttons, the sooner they rebuke the usurpa-
tions of the administration, and compel them
to treat with the Confederate States, the
better for them.