Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1861-09-05
March 28th, 1861.
From the Richmond Examiner.

We mentioned yesterday that Hon. Thomas Nelson, of
Tennessee who released by the President distinct
would submit the late action of Ten
nessee In Withdrawing from the Unon and aba don any
further opposition the Confederate Government had on
bis return home published address the people OF Fast
Tennessee affirming the pledge he had given to the Pres
iden and recommending his friends the propriey alb
staining from all further opposition the
tederate authorities to the action Of their State
We glad This honorable action of Mr. Nelson and
give below portion of his address, including the
respondence between himself and President Davis Mr..
Nelson SAYS:
felt that it due to you and M self that should
obtain my release as soon as possible on the best terms
propositions and consultations finally addressed
dent Davis the following letter:
RICHMOND, VA Aug. 18th 1861.
To has ETceAency JEFF DdUls, President Of the Confederate
States
SIR: have been arrested, and, learned my
rival this OF treason bUt
against the State Of Tennessee or the Confederate States
the State or the Confederacy that will support sustain
such an accusation.
am sincerely anxous to preserve the peace ard quiet Of
Eas Tennessee the section Of the State which reside
best promotve of the peace aud interest of the entire
State ask to be dis harged from yexatous prosecution
may home peacefully to follow my private in
terest and assuring EXceeDcy that will not
either directly or Indirectly by counsel advice or action
encourage aid or assist the United States
invade attain the present struggle with the
Confederate States nor will counsel or advise others to
thwart cripple the Confederate States in the pending
contest with the United States nor VII do so by my own
acts
view of the increased majority in the election which
has just taken pace in Tennessee shall feel duty
shall regiousy abstain from any further words acts of
condemnation opposition to her Government
The parties arrested with with the exception of my
son. who by my command guides and
ductors through the mountain passes on way to my
place Of destinations and whatever view be taken OF
my course, they innocent in responsible
legally morally, and have committed offence against
the laws of the or the State of
ask that they also be discharged from custody ty your
Very respectfully,
Your obt serv't,
THOMAS A. R. NELSON.
Te which the following returned
SIR Il have received your letter 18th inst. which
YOU ask to be discharged FROM and and
submit her late action and relgiOusy abstain from
further words acts OF condemnation Whatever opposite
to her Government -
The desire of this Government being to maintain
dependence it has asserted by the united feeling and
of all its citizens, has been it's policy to enter into
questions of differences of political opinion heretofore ex
isting.
am therefore, pleased be spared the necessity of in
qui ing whether the accusation against you be well founded
not vaxato9s or not and to rest content with your
mission loyal citizen of your State to her actor
adberng this Confederacy and adopting its peTmanen
Constitution by increased majority have ordered you
discharge and that OF your companions from custody
} am, &c, 80 - -
To THos. A. R. Nelson, Esq.
Since my return home, am thoroughly satisfied that m
friends would have risked the action dreaded and upo
the mature reflection content with my own cOurs
in the premises. But whether it was right or wrong Wis
unwe, feel bound as an honorable man, TO act up
the spirit and letter Of the obligation assumed. shall OF
ec plea of duress because neither the C0ned
eracy nor any other earthly power could have se
science did not approve in the situation ii which va
placed.
No conditions, express or implied, public or pr
vae attended my release thar those plainly
the two above quoted but have thought due to Ou
past relations and the painful sOcude many OF you haV
felt my behalf that should thus briefly address YOU
\ While did promise allegiance or active support
the Southern COntederacy, and will advise you to assun
any contrary your convictions OF duty les
perfectly say that the failure of the Government
the United for fou moths TO sustain US in cur pos
it's apparent inability to do since the battle OF MS
nassas within any reasonable the deliberate acto
in the August election the assurances OF put
lie that oaths drafting will be a0ol
Tequed the mutual hatred which has grown up b
tween the gonis of the Union and the recer
conscaon which have been either adopted propt
sed both Sides we'll other causes has painfully III
pressed mind with the beiet tt at, unless VOL
drous improbable change is effected beloved UDlo
is gone forever and it is policy and duty to submit to
result which, however we may deploe II, ees 10 De lie
. table
q Aware that my advice well my motives may be lii
BILE miSconstruction, would still most respectfully
commend my friends the proprey of a6stanlng from
further opposition resistance the Confederate author
ties, the action Of State; and should this
DONE although have authority to speak for them
satisfied that military power will be eXerted among
except such may be ndispeusaby to mi
ary possession of East Tennessee And to those OF
citizens who have gone hey Ond the limits of the Stat
either through the purpose of armng themselves
- letter think safely say without arrogance, that fro
the which adopted towards me, they would I'll
nothing by returning the State and submitting to rest
which they have in vain endeavor to preyeat
80 THOS. A. r. NELSON.