Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-06-16
EXECUTIVE OFFICE,

North Carolina The contents of the letter are substan
TALLY tt same those Of the letter addressed by you to
Senator DOrtch extracts of which by him read TO
me remarked to Mr.. Dortch that you we're probably
not aware of the obstacle the yen Indicated and
without expressing opinion the merits of the pros
posed policy desired him in answering your letter to
write suggestions the method of opening negotiations
and to the terms which you thought should be offered
to the enemy felt persuaded you would appreciate the
difficulties your attention called to the
cessity of considering the subject in detail As you
made suggestions touching the of overcoming
the obstacles infer that you not appriEed by Mr.
Dortch of my remarks to him. M.a.
Apart from iDsuperabe objections to the line of policy
you propose (and to which will presently advert)
not see how the more material obstacles to be
mouated. We have made three distinct efforts to commu
nicate with the authorities at Washington and have been
invariably unsuccessful Commissioners before
hostibtes begun, and the Washington Government
refused to receive them hear what they had say
c0nd time sent military officer with communication
addressed by myself to President Lincoln. The letter was
received by General Scott who did not permit the officer
to see Mr. Lincoln but proms that would be
sent. No answer has been received. The third
time few months ego, gentleman sent whose po
son character and repu alton were u;h to insure his
reception il the enemy not determined receive no
proposals. whatever from the Government Vice President
Stephens made patriotic tender Of his services in the
hope of being able to promote the of humanity and
although little belief entertained Of his
cheerfuy yielded to his suggestion that the experiment
should be tried. The enemy refused to let him pass
through their lines to hold any conference with them
He stopped before he reached Fortress Munroe
on his wsy to Washington.
To attempt again Tin the face of these repeated rejec
lions OF all conference with us) to send commissioners or
agents to propose is to invite insult and contumey
and tn subject ourselves to ndgnty without
chance of being listened to. No true citizen no man who
has at heart desire this and the good people
of North Carolina would be the last to approve of such
atrmpt, II OF all the facts SO far from removing
Of discomfort such course would receive As il
would merit the conde nation OF those true patriots who
have given their blood and their treasure to maintain the
freedom, equality and independence which nded to
them from the immortal heroes of Kings Mountain and
other bstte6elds of the Revolution IT, them these pro-
cannot be made through ENJOYS because the enemy
would not them how it possible communicate
desire for peace otherwise than the public announce
eDt contained in almost ever sent TO Con-
greesi cannot recall at this time one instance in which
have failed to that only desire peace
and III ory terms which Turned qua pre-
cisey those that you suggested namely demand only
to be let alone"
But suppose it practicable to obtain conference
through with the Government of President
ucoln is IT at this moment that to consider it
desirable or even at all admssibef Have we not lust
been apprized by that despot that only expect his
gracious pardon by emancipatng all yes, swearing
allegiance and obedience to him and his proclamation and
becoming in point Of fact the slaves IF own negroes2
Can there be in North Carolina one citizen so fallen be
meath the dignity Of his accept enter
into conference the basis of these That there
few traitors in the State who would be willing betray
their felowctzens to such degraded condition hope
of being rewarded for teachey by escape from the
mon doom may be true. But do not believe that the
vlest wretch would accept such terms for himself can
not conceive how the people of your than which none
has sent nober gallant soldiers the field Of battle
Zone OF whom your honor to be,) have been de
caived by any thing to which you refer in the recent
action of the Federal House of Representatives. /
have acton Of that House that does Indicate
by very decided msjoy the purpose Of the enemy
refuse all terms of the South except absolute unconditional
subjugation determination But If il were otherwise
how to treat with the House of Representatives
1t with Lincoln alone that could confer and his
parsans at the North avow unequivocay that his
purpose his message and proclamation TO shut out
all hope that be could treat with any terms II
we will break Government dissolve the Conederacy
disband our armies, emancpae saves take oath If
allegiance binding ourselves to obedience to him and Of dis
loyalty to States he proposes pardon and
to Puoder US Of any thing than the property already
stolen from and such slaves still remsin In order
to render his proposals nsu ing to their re-
lection he to them promise OF support with his army
OF the people to any State WHO will attempt to
set the other nine tenths thus seek
ing to dscord and suspicion among the people Of the
several States, aud to excite them to civil further
enca Of his ends. -.f. .n....
knew well would be impossible to get your people,
they possessed full knowledge of these facts consent
that proposals. should be made by US to those who
control the Government at Washington Your own we'll
known devotion to the great Of liberty and ndepen
dence to which have oil committed whatever We have
of earthly possessions would induce you TO take the ID
in repehpg the bare thought Of affect submission to the
enemy Yet peace on other terms is impossibls To
obtain the sole terms 10 which you could listen this
struggle must continue until the enemy beaten out Of
his vain condolences 10 our suhaeation. Then. and till
then, will 1t be possible to treat af peace Til then all
tender OF terms to the enemy will be received proof
that ready for submission and will encourage him
10 the atrocious warfare which is wagiDg
fear much, from the of the news receive from
North Carolina that attempt will be made by some bad
men to naugurate movements which must be considered
equivalent to aid and comfort TO enemy and which
all patriots should combine put down at any coat Yen
may count my aid every effort to spare your state
the Of civil warfare which win devastste it's homes
il the agns Of these traitors be suffered to make head
way, know that you will place yourself in your egii
mate psion IN the lead Of thoto who will not suffer the
name Of the Old North State to be backened by suca
STAIN Will you pardon for suggesting that my only
source OF dsquieude the subj arises from the fear
that you will delay too long the action which appears
inevitable, aud that by over desire TO reclaim
by coDcaton whom you believe 10 DO souod at heart
but whose loyalty than suspected elsewhere
will permit them to gather such strength as to REQUIRE
violent than needed1 With your
influence and position, the promoters Of the unounded
discomfort prevalent your State would be put down
without the OF physical force il you would abandon
policy Of Cancellation and set them NJ defiance In this
course, frankly ADD firmly pursued you would rally around
you all that 10 beet and nobest your State and vour
triumph would be bloodess II the contrary policy be
adopted much fear you will be driven 10 the use az force
TO repress treason In either event. however he
that will have cordial concurrence and
maintaining with you the honor dignity and fair name
OF your State and in your efforts TO crush trea.on he
Their ncipen ~ believe II now TO be- or mora matnred
as believe, If not firmly met will ia our future neyta
bly, become.
have the honor to be, very respectfully. yours,
JEFFERSON DAVIS