The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-06-09
Important Rebel Correspondence
JEFF. Davis Views on Peace.
STATE or y. c. Executive DEPr.
RALEIGH, Dec. so, 1869.

STATE or y. G. Executive DEPT,
RALEIGH Dec so, 1863 !
His Excellency President Davis -
Ny DEAR SR-After a careful consid-
Grafton of all the sources Of discomfort
in North Carolina, ] have concluded
that it will be impossible to remove it,
except by making some effort at nego-
tiation with the enemy. The recent ac-
tiOn Of the Federal House Of Represen-
tatives, though meaning very little, has
greatly excited the public hope that the
Northern mind is looking toward peace
am promised by all men who adYo-
cate this course, that if fair terms Gre
rejected it will tend greatly tostrength-
en- and intensity the war feeling, and
will rally all classes to g cordial support
of the government And, although
our position is well known as demand
ing only to be let alone, yet it gseema
to me that for the sake Of humanity,
without having any weak or improper
motives attributed to us, we might with
prOpriety, constantly tender negO-
tiations. In so doing We would keep
cOnspicuously before the world a dis
claimer Of our responsibility for the
great slaughter Of our race, and con
vince the humblest of our citizens,
who sometimes forget the actual stu
alton, that the Government is tender Of
their lives and happiness, and would
not prolong their sUfferings unneces-
sarily one moment. Though statesmen
might regard this as useless, the people
will not, and think our cause win be
strengthened thereby. / have not sug-
gested the method Of those negoti-
ations or their terms. The effort to OBJ
tain peace is the principal matter
Allow me 70 beg your earnest consid-
Grafton Of this suggestion
Very respectfully yours,
T. B. VANCE
ExEcCTryE OFFICE, RICHMOND,
January s, 1864
DEAR SIR. i have received your letter
Of the Both ult., containing suggestions
Of the measures to be adopted for the
purpose Of removing 'the source Of dis
content in North Carolina
Apart from insuperable objections TO
the line Of policy you propose, land 10
which ] will presently ayert,) cannot
see how the more material obstacles
are 10 be surmounted. We have made
three distinct efforts 10 communicate
with the authorities at Washington,
and have been invariably unsuccessful.
Commissioners were sent before hostil-
ities were begun, and the Washington
Government refused 70 receive them or
hear what they had to say. A second
time / sent a military officer witha
communication addressed by myself to
President Lincoln. The letter was re-
ceived By Gen. Scott, who did not per
NIT the officer 10 see Mr. Lincoln, but
promised that an answer would be sent
No answer has been received The
third time, few months ago a gentle
man was sent, whose position, character
and reputation were such as 70 insure
his reception, If the enemy were not
determined 70 receive no proposition
whatever from the Government Vice
President Stephens made a patriotic
tender Of his services in the hope Of be-
ing able 20 promote the cause Of hu-
manity, and although little belief was
entertained OF his success, I cheerfully
yielded 10 his suggestion, that the ex-
pertinent should be tried The enemy
refused 10 let him pass through his
lines, or 70 hold any conference with
him. He was stopped before he ever
reached Fortress Monroe, on his way
TO Washington. TO attempt again On
the face Of these repeated reJections OF