Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-07-14

The correspondence relative TO Alex. ii. Stephens
mission to Old Point is published 1t constitutes an i'm
portant chapter in the history of this var We subon
the following letters
RlCHxosD, ID July, 1868.
Hon Alez. H. Stephens, Richmond, Va:
SIR: Having accepted your patriotic offer TO proceed
as O military commissioner under flag Of truce to Wash
ngton you will receive herewith your letter of authority
to the Commander-in-Chiel Of the Army and Navy Of
the United States.
This letter is signed by COMMANDMENT. Chief OF
the Confederate land ard naval forces.
You will perceive, from the terms of the letter, that
it is so worded to avoid any political icutes in its
reception Intended exclusively as one Of those COM
muucatons between belligerents which public law
coguizes as necessary aud proper between hostile forces
care has been taken to give no preteHt or refusing TO
receive il on the ground that il would involve taeit
recognition of the ndepe -dence of the OOnlederacy
Your mission is simply one of humanity, ard has no
political aspect
If objection is made TO receiving your letter the
ground that is addressed to Abraham Lincoln
President instead Of Commander inChie &c. then you
will present the duplicate letter. which is addressed to
him as President aud signcd by me as President To
this letter objection may be made the ground that
am not recognized to be President of the Confede.
racy In this event, you will decline any further at
tempt to confer the subccs Of your MISSION such
conference is admissible only footing OF perfect
equality.
NV recent interviews with you have put you so fully
In possession OF my views that II s scarcely necessary
to give you any detailed Instructions even were al this
moment well enough to attemptt
Nv whole purpose is in one word, TO place this
GU the footing Of such ss are Wsged by civilized people
in modern times and TO dvest of the savage charac-
ter wi ch has been impressed on IL by enemies in
spite of all our Efforts and protests. War is full enough
OF unavoidable horrors under all its aspects justify
and even to demand OF any Christian ruler who may be
unhspp engaged in carrying it on to seek to restrict
is caamites and to diVest OF all unnecessary seve.
rites You will endeavor to tablish the cartel for the
exchange of prisoners on such basis as TO avoid the
instant difficulties and complaints which arise and to
prevent for the future what deem the unfair c0ndl
of our enemies in evadng the delivery of prisoners who
al into their hands; in retardng by sending them
Circuit Is routes and by OBTAINING them sometimes for
mo1hs in camps and PRISONS and in persisDg in taking
captives non-combatants.
Your attention is also called to the unheard of con-
duct of Federal officers in driving from their homes en-
tire communities Of women and children well as Of
men whom they find in districts occupied by their
troops for no other than because these uuoru
mates are faithful to the allegiance due to their States
and refuse TO take oath OF fidelity to their enemies
The putting to death of unaTmed prisoners has been
n ground of lust complaint in moro than one instarce
and the recent execution OF officers Of our army in
Kentucky for the sole that they engaged ia
recruiting service in State which is claimed still
of the United Safes but is also claimed by us as one Of
the Confederate States must be repressed by retaliation
if not cond tionsly abandoned because it would JUS
THY toe like execution in every other State OF the Con-
ejeracy ard the practice is barbaro GUS useessy cruel
and can ouly lead the slaughter of prisoners both
sides result too horrible to contemplate without max
ing every effort to avoid it.
On these aud all kindred subjects you will consider
your authority fuland ample to make such arrangemc
as will temper the present cruel character OF the con-
test and full confidence is placed IN your judgment,
patriotism aud discretion that while carrying out the
obiecs of your mission, you will take care that the
eCus rights of the COnfederacy be always preserved
Very respectfully,
Signed JETFERsoN DAVIS.