The New York herald., 1863-07-18
THE REBEL MISSION.
Interesting Correspondence Between Jeff.
Davis and Alexander III. stephens.
TFrom the Richmond Enuuror. July H.

i
/ ~--~~~>~--~-:-~~~~>
| Interesting Correspondence Between JeT.
/ Davis and Alexander II. stephens.
lFrom the Richmond Enquirer, July 1871
| A. II. STEPHENS ON MISSION TO wAsHINGTON-HE
rs NOT ALLOWED TO PROCEED FURTHER THAN
! NEwPoRT's sNEws-His MISSION REJECTED-THE
FEDERAL AUTHORITIES CONSIDER "THE AUTHOR
lied CHANNELS SUFFICIENT.
JEFF DAVIS TO A. u. srEpHRNs.
RICHMOND, July 2, 1853
SR-Havng accepted your patriotic offer TO proceed as
military commissioner under flag OF truce, to Washing
ton you will receive herewith your letter of authority to
the Commander inChief of the army and navy Of the
United States.
This letter is signed by mo- as Commanderi Chief OF
the Confederate land and naval forces
You win perceive the terms Of the letter that It is
so worded as to avoid any political difficulties in Its
ception. Intended exclusively one Of those communi
cations between begerents which public law recognizes
necessary and proper between hostile forces
been taken TO give pretext for refusing to receive
the ground that would involve tacit recognition or the
independence Of the confederacy.
Your mission Is simply one Of humanity, and has
If objection is made to receiving your letter, on the
ground that il Is not addressed to Abraham Lincoln
President, instead Of commander nchief SC then you
will present the duplicate letter, which Is addressed
him as President and sgoed by President To this
latter objection may be made, the ground that am
not recognized to be President OF the ederacy
this event you win decline further attempt confer
the subject Of your MISSION such liz
missible only on the footing of perfect equality.
My recent interviews with you have you fully
possession Of my views that 1t is scarcely necessary
give you any detailed instructions, even were at this
moment well enough attempt It.
My whole purpose is, In one word TO place this
the footing OF such as are waged by civilized people In
modern times and to dvest Of the savage character
which has been Impressed upon IL by our enemies in
spite of all and protests War is full enough OF
unavoidable horrors under all its aspects to justify
even to demand. Of any Christian rulers who may be
unhappy engaged in carrying on to seek to restrict
Its caamtes, and 70 dvest II OF all unnecessary
| rites.
| You win endeavor to establish tho cartel for the OK
change Of prisoners such basis avoid the con-
stant difficulties and complaints which ase and to pre-
hat Vp fha etNf
enemies in evadng the delivery Of the prisoners who
fall into their hands In rearding II by sending them
circutous routes and by OBTAINING them sometimes for
months In camps and In prisons, and In persisng in
taking captves non combatants
You attention also called TO the unheard Of conduct
OF federal officers in driving from their homes entire
munities Of women and children, well Of men,
no other reason than because these unfortunates are
faithful 10 the allegiance due 70 their States and refuse 70
take an oath OF fidelity 70 their enemies.
The putting death OF unarmed prisoners has been
ground OF just complaint than instance and
for the sole that they engaged in recruiting
service in State which is claimed as still Of the
United States, but is also claimed by Of the
Confederate states, must be repressed by retaliation
not Internationally abandoned because II would justify
the like execution IN every other State Of the conede
racy and the practice H barbarous usecesy cruel and
only lead TO the slaughter of prisoners both sides
result too horrible TO contemplate without making every
on these and oil kindred subjects you will consider
your authority full and ample TO make such arrangements
as will temper tho present cruel character OF the contest
and full confidence placed In your Judgment
and discretion that while carrying out the objects OF
your mission, Will take that the equal rights Of
the confederacy be always Very respectfully
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
Mr.. STEPHENS REPLY.
HIS Excelency JEFFERSON DAVIS 'N' = '''''
SR-Under the authority and instructions OF your let.
tor TO me on the % instant proceeded on the mission
therein assigned without delay Tho steamer Torpedo,
commanded by Lieutenant Hunter Davidson, of the
navy put in readiness as soon possible by order
OF the secretary OF the Navy, and rendered for the
vice.
a, noon, the Sd, she started down James river,
hosting and bearing flag Of truce after passing city
Point The next day (the sth), at about O'Clock r
NJ, when within few miles of Newpors News We were
met by small boat OF the enemy carrying two guns
which also raised white flag before approaching us The
oincer IN command informed Lieutenant Davdso that be
flagship Minnesota, lying below, and then in view not 10
allow any beat or vessel TO the point which he
i was stationed without his permission.
BY this oficor sent TO Admiral Ice note stating my
objects and wishes, copy OF which bcreunto
marked A. also sent TO the Admiral TO be forwarded
another In the language addressed the officer in
command of the United states Fortress Monroe
The gubSai proceeded Immediately TO the Minnesota
with these dispatches, while the Torpedo remained at
anchor Between three TOUR O'Clock In the afternoon
smother boat came up TO US, bearing the Admiras
| swer, which Ia hereunto annexed, marked Il.
We remained at or about this point tu the river until
the 9th instant, when, having heard nothing further
from the Admiral at twelve O'Clock NJ on that day, 1
directed Lieutenant Iavids N again TO speak the gun.
boat on guard and 10 hand 10 the officer In command
another note 70 this Admiral. THIS wss done copy
o'clock p NJ, two boats approached from bepw one
bearing an answer from the Admiral 10 10 him
| or the 9Th Thls answer s annexed marked u. The
other boat bore the " Lieutenant Colonel W
Ludlow 10 my note OF the 9Th, addressed the oocr In
command al Fortress Muroc A copy Of this II annexed
marked r. Lieutenant colonel Ludlow also c,me m IN
person the boat that brought his answer 10 me and
conferred with Colonsl oud, board the Torpcio
upon matters he desired to him about ia con.
noctiun with the exchange of prisoners
From the papers appended, embracing the CORES
roudencc referred TO- will be seen that the mission
failed from the OF the enemy receive or enter
Tain ~ holding the proposition for such conference
admissible"
The influence aud views that led 10 this
aor SO long consider alton Of the subject lust hc e
Conjecture The assigned for the refusal OF the
Uuted states Secretary OF war--to that tbe eus
~ necdful military "oommnncations and conferences
10 acquainted with the facts only uns.tis
factory, but very singular and unaccountabe fr N s
certainly known 10 him that these very agen 10 whom
he evidently aludes heretofore agreed upon In former
coooreuce tho exchange OF prisoners Zone
OF the sub embraced Ia your letter 10 mel are now
and have for time distinctly 1t sse on
important points The existing cartel owing 10 the "A
dsazrccments, ylrtraly suspended far the ex
change o officers on clher side u concerned Notces d,
retaliation have been gwen on both sides
The cf,rt, therefore f1r the very many and coyent
reasons forth In letter Of instructions 10 me o
SEQ il thcse differences could not be removed and n
clearer understanding between the parties the
extreme measure should be resor,cd to by either party
was 40 oss In accordance With the dictates of human
than in strct conformity with the usaees q becTents
N modefu times.
Deeply impressed as was with these views and fesl.
IA Undertaking IN ,akng the ON.