The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1864-07-01
EXECUTIVE OFFICE,

L1c.t"0Rd, Je,n"ctiy 8, 1861 !
DEAR SIR: nave received your letter OF the
3Jth uh,, containing suggestions Of the m.a-
>ureS to be adopted Tor the purpose If removing
''ihe sources OF discomfort in North CaroIin1.
Tie contents ot the letter are substantially the
>aie those OF the letter addressed l,y Won 10
oe:Iattor Dorlch, extracts of which were by him
read 10 me. l remarked to Mr.. DJr,rh that
you were probably not aware Of the obstacle Ia
me COURSE on Indicated and, willout evnres-
sing au opilIun ou the merits of the pran.,s,,l
polcr, / ;icsired him i'll answering your letter
10 wrlie suggestions as 10 the method of on.n-
M negotiations, and as to the terms which YOU
thought should be offered 10 The enemy | felt
persuaded you would appreciate the difficulties
as soon as your attention was called TO the ne
ce,sl;y OF considering The subject in detail. As
yoI lave inadc no suggestions touching the man
Mer ot overcoming tie obstacles | infer that
on weIc not appIized by Mr.. Dortch OF my re-
marks 70 him.
Apart from insuperabIe objections to the line
OF poilcy you propose (tmd to which will pres
eu,y adSItil Cannot see how the more mate
rai Obstacles are To be surmuuuted We have
m"dc tiree distinct efforts to communicate with
tn authorities at Washington. and have been
Invariably unsuccessful. Commissioners were
sent before ho>I.ities were begun, and the Wash
lH5tou Goveramcnt refused to receive them or
hear what they had to say A second time
sent military oiiicer with communication adj
dressed by myself To President Lincoln The
letter was received by Gen. Scott, who did not
permit the officer to see Mr.. Lincoln but prom
Ioed mat al answer would he sent. No answer
has ever been received. The third time, a few
months ago, gentleman was sent, whose posi-
tiOn, character and reputation were such as to
insure his reception, if the enemy were not de-
terlnlned TO receive no proposals whatever from
the Government. Vice President Stephens made
Il psttIIOu tender Of his services in the hope of
1enG able 10 promote the cause of humanity,
aud allLos sh little be.irf was entertained of his
success, L cheeriully yielded to his suggestion
that Tie experiment should be tried. The enc
my refused to let him pass through their lines
Or TO hold any conference with them He was
stopped before he ever reached Fortress Monroe
OH his way 10 Washington
10 attempt again in the face Of these repeat
ed rel ctiJns of all conference with usl to send
commissioners or agents to propose peace is to
lnvIie lasult and contumey and to subject our
s1h c, to ludignIiy without the slightest chance
Ot bong list, nt,i 10. No true citizen, no man
WHO has cause at heart can desire his, and
the good people of North Carolina would be
the last 10 approve of such an attempt, if aware
Of all the facts. 30 far from removing sources
of discomfort, such course would rl ceive, as it
would merit, the Condemnation of those trle
patriots who have gwen their blood and their
treasure 20 maintain the freedom, equality and
indrpend, nee which descended 10 them from the
immortal leroes Of Kings Mountain and other
battle-ieIds of the Revolution. If, then, these
proposals caEuot be made through ENJOYS be-
cause the enemy would not receive them, how
Is il pussible 10 communicate our desire for peace
9th, r"ls than by the public announcement con-
taIned in almost every message ever sent TO
Congress! | cannot recall at this time one in
stance in which | have failed 10 announce that
our only desire was peace, and the only terms
which formed Sl"e qua aOa were precisely those
thai you suggested, namely, "a demand only to
be let alone"
But suppose it were practicable TO obtain
conference through commissioners with the Gov
ernment OF President Lincoln. is it at this mo-
ment that we are To consider it desirable or even
4 all admissiblel Have we not just been ap-
Di 'ized by that despot that we can only expect
his gracious pardeo by emaDcipating al onr