The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1864-07-06
EXECUTIVE OFFICE,
RICHMOND, Jan. 8, 1864.

DEAR SIR:-I have received your let
ter of the 30th ult., containing sugges-
tions of the measures to be adopted for
the purpose of removing "the sources of
discomfort in North Carolina. The con-
tents OF Observation-Disclosures the
same as those of the letter addressed by
you to Senator Dortch extracts of
which were by him read to me. I re-
marked to MIR. Dortch that you were pro-
baby not aware of the obstacles to the
course you indicated, and, without ex
pressing an opinion on the merits of the
proposed policy, I desired him in answer
ing your letter to write suggestions as to
the terms which you thought should be
offered to the enemy. 1 felt persuaded
you would appreciate the d faculties as
soon as your attention was called to the
necessity of considering the subject in
detail. AS you have made no sugges-
tions touching che name of overcoming
the obstacles, I infer that you were not
appraised by Mr.. Dortch of my remarks to
| him.
Apart from %insuperable objections to
the line of policy you propose (and to
which 1 will presently advert,) I can not
see how the more material objects are to
be s~urmounted, We nave made three
distinct efforts to communicate with the
authorities at Washington and have been
invariably unsuccessful. Commissioners
were sent, before hostilities were begun.
and the Washington Government refused
to receive them or hear what they had to
say. A second time 1 sent a military Off
Ger with a communication addressed by
r,-ea1f 70 Droo1Aonf 1inao1n Tha 1offor
was received by Gen. Scott, who did not
permit the officer to see Mr.. Lincoln, but
promised that an answer would be sent.
No answer has ever been received. The
third time, a few months ago, a gentleman
was sen whose position, character and
reputation were such as to insure his re-
ception, if the enemy were not determin-
ed to receive no proposals whatever from
the government.
Vice President Stephens made a patri-
otic tender of his services In the hope of
being able to promote the cause of hu-
mainly, and although little belief was en-
tertained of his success, 1 cheerfully
yielded to his suggestions, that the ex-
pertinent should be tried. The enemy
refused to let him pass through their
lines or to hold any conference with
them. He was stopped before he ever
reached Fortress Monroe on his way to
Washington. To attempt again Gin the
face of these repeated reflections of all
conference with us) to send commission
ers or agents to propose peace, is to in
vite insult and contumely, and to subject
ourselves to indignity without the slight
est chance of being listened TO.
No true citizen, no man who has our
cause at heart can desire this, and the
good people of North Carolina would be
the last to approve of such an attempt, if
aware of all the facts. So far from re-
moving sources of discomfort, such a
course would receive as it would mort,
the condemnation of those true patriots
who have given their blood and their
treasure to maintain the freedom, equali-
ty and independence which descended
to them from the immortal heroes of
Kings mountain and other battle fields
of the Revolution. IF, then, these pro-
posals can no: be made through ENJOYS,
because the enemy would not receive
them how is it possible to communicate
our desir, for peace otherwise than by
the public announcements contained in
every message 1 ever sent to Con
CREST
I can not recall at this time n in