Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-11-19
Important Correspondence.
GENERAL HuNTER no GENERAL pRIcE.

GENERAL HUNTER TO GENERAL PRICE.
HEADQUARTERS, WESTERN DEPARTMENT. |
SPRINGFIELD, Mo-, November 7, 1861. !
general Sterling Price, Commanding forces at Oassvie,
Missouri
GENERALS: Referring to an agreement, pur-
porting to have been made "between Major
General Fremont and Price, respectively, COM
msnding antagonistc forces in the State Of
Missouri, to the effect that in future arrests or
forcibie interference, by armed or unarmed
parties, of citizens within the limits Of said
State, for the mere entertainment or expression
Of political opinions, shall hereafter cease; that
families now broken up for such causes may be
reunited, and that the war now progressing
tball be exclusively confined to armies in the
field, have to state:
That, as General commanding the forces of
the United States in this Department, can in
no manner recognize the agreement aforesaid,
or any of its provisions, whether implied or
direct; and that I can neither issue, nor al
low to be issued, the 'joint proclamation"
purportiDg to have been signed by yourself
and MejOr- General John G. Fremont, on the
1st day Of November, A. D. 1861.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
D. HUN TER, Maj. Gen. Com.
GEN. HUNTER TO ADJUTANT. GENERAL THOMAS.
Bri0adier- General Thomas, Adjut. Gen. U. s. A.:
GENERAL: Tnclosed you will find copies Of
certain negotiations carried on Between Major
General j. @. Fremont of the first part, and
Major General Sterling Price, ,ofthe secOndpa
having for its objects:
First-To make arrangements for the ex.
change of prisoners;
Second TO prevent arrests or forcibe in
terferencein future "for the mere entertainment
or expression of political opinions;
Third-To insure that "the war now pro.
crossing shall!be confined exclusively to armies
in the field" and,
Fourth-The immediate disbapdmeut of "aIl
hndf onfa thna thOu
ity or recognition ofthe Major Generals named,
and legitimately connected with the armtes in
the field"
You will also find inclosed copy of my let
ter of this date, dispatched under a flag of
truce to General Price, stating that "I can in
no manner recognize the agreement aforesaid,
or any of its provisions, whether implied OF
direct, and that can neither issue or allow to
be issued, the joint proclamation purporting
| to have been signed by Generals Price and
Fremont, on the first day of November, 1861"
1t would be, in my Judgment, impolitic in
the highest degree to have ratified General Ere
monts negotiations, for the following, among
many other obvious reasons:
The second stipulation, if acceded to, would
render the enforcement of martial law in Mis-
souri,, or any part of it, impossible, and would
give absolute liberty to the propagandists oi
treason throughout the length and breadth Of
the State.
The third stipulation, combining operations
exclusively to ''armies in the field" would
practically annul the Confscation Act passed
during the last session of Congress, and would
furnish perfect immunity q those disbanded
soldiers Of Prices command who have now re-
turned to their homes, but with the intention
and under a pledge, of rejoining the rebe
forces whenever called upon; and lastly,
Because. the fourth stipulation would blot Out
of existence the loyal men Of the Missouri
Home Guard, who have not, it is alleged, beer
recognized by act of Congress, and who, II
would be claimed, are therefore "not legit
mately connected with the armies in the field.
There are many more objections quite a.
powerful and obvious, which might be urget
against ratifying this agreement-its address
40 all peaceably disposed citizens of the Stat
of Missouri" fairly allowing the inference tt
be drawn that citizens of the United State
(tbe loyal and true men of Missouri) are no
included in its benefits.
In fact the agreement would seem to me,
ratified, a concession of all the principles TO
which the rebel leaders are oontending, and {
practical liberation, for use in other and NOR
Immediately important localities, Of all thei
forces now kept employed in this portion of tn
State.
I have the honor to be, General, most re
spectfully, your most obedient servant,
D. HUNTER,
Major General Commanding.