Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-07-27
The stephens Mission.

The following letter from Jar. DAVIS to
ALEXANDER h. STEPHENS explains the objects
which the latter had in view in soliciting a per-
sonal interview with Mr.. LINCOLN:
RIcHNoSD, July 9, 1863.
Hon. A. n. Stephens, Richmond. Va
Sir: Having accepted YOUR patriotic offer 20
proceed, as a military commissioner, under a flag
of truce, to Washington. you will receive here
with YOUR authority TO the Commander-in - Chief
OF the Army and Navy Of the United States.
This letter is signed by me as Commander in
Chief of the Confederate land and naval forces
You will perceive. from the terms Of the letter,
that il is so worded as 10 avoid any political diff
~culties in its reception. Intended exclusively as
one of those communication between belliger-
ents which public law recognizes as necessary and
proper between hostile forces. care has been ia
ken to give no pretext for refusing TO receive il
on the ground thatit would involve a tacit recog-
milton of the independence of the Confederacy.
Your mission is simply one of humanity, and has
no political aspect.
Ifobjection is made to receiving your letter on
the ground that it is not addressed to Abraham
Lincoln, as President, instead Of Commander in
Chief, &c, then you will present the duplicate
letter, which is addressed to him as President,
and signed by me as President. To this letter
objection may be made on the ground that / am
not recognized to be President of the Confeder-
Z ia Nttc < lOu W uCCAllC II lutAuCA
attempt tn confer on the subject Of your mission.
as such conference is admissible only on the
footing of perfect equality.
Nv recent interviews with YOU have put YOU so
fully in possession of my views, that il is scarcely
necessary TO give you any detailed instructions,
even were /. at this moment, well enough TO at
tempt it.
Nv whole process is, in one word, to place this
war on the same footing of such as are waged by
civilized people in modern times, aud to divest it
of the savage character which has been impressed
on it by our enemies, in spite of all our efforts
and protests. War is full enough Of unavoidable
horrors, under all its aspects, 10 justify, and even
to demand, of any Christian ruler who may be
unhappily engaged IN carrying it on, to seek TO
restrict its calamities, and to divest it of all un-
necessary seventies. You will endeavor to
establish the cartel for the exchange of prisoners
on such a basis as to avoid the constant difficult
ties and complaints which arise, and to prevent,
for the future, what we deem the unfair conduct
of our enemies in evading the delivery Of the
prisoners who fall into their hands; in r~etarding
it by seRding them on circuitous routes; and by
OBTAINING them. sometimes for months, in camps
and prisons. and in p~ersisting in taking captive
non combatants.
Your attention is also called to the unheard of
conduct of Federal officers in driving from their
homes entire communities Of women and child
rem, rs well as of men. whom they find in dis
ulCbS OCCupicu Ol bucF iTuOISs Ut nO OtncT Tca-
son than that these unfOrtunates are faithful TO
their allegiance due to their States, and refuse to
take an oath Of fidelity to their enemies.
The putting to death of unsrmed prisoners
has been a ground OF just complaint in more than
one instance, and the recent execution of off,
GERS of our army in Kentucky. for the sole cause
that they were engaged in recruiting in a State
which is still claimed as one of the United States,
but is also claimed by us as one of the COnfeder-
ate States, must be redressed by retaliation IN
less Internationally abandoned, because it would
justify the execution in every other State of the
Confederaey, and the practice is barbarous, USE
lessly cruel. and can only lead to the slaughter of
prisoners on both sides, a result too horrible to
contemplate without making every effort to
avoid it.
On these and kindred subjects you will consider
your authority full and ample to make such ar
engagements as will temper the present cruel char
acter of the contest. and full confidence is placed
in your judgment, patriotism and discretion that,
while carrying out the objects Of your mission,
you will take care that the equal rights Of the
CoRfederacv be ALWAYS preserved.
Very respectfully,
(Signed:) JEFFERSON DAVIS.