Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1864-06-02
Executive OFFICE,
r chmond, January 9Th, 1864.

Executive OFFICE, |
Z chmond, January 9Th, 1864.
DEAR SIR: | have received your letter OF the goth
ultimo, containing Suggestions Of Il TO be
adopted for the puscse of removing the sources OF
discomfort" " in North C-:ona. The contents of the
letter ore substantially the same IS those Of the letter
addressed by you TO Senator Doftch extracts of which
we're by hin read to l remarked to Mr.. Dortch
that you probably not of tie obstacles to
the course you indicated, ard without expressing al
opinion on the merits of the proposed policy, desired
him in answering your letter to write sugg csons as to
the method of ope1iDg negotiations and the terms
which you thought should be offered to the enemy.
Ie persuaded you would appreciate the difficulties as
soon es your attention called to the necessy Of
considering the subject in detail. AS you have made
no suggestions touching the manner Of overcoming the
obstacles, infer that you we're not apprised by Mr.
Dortch of my remarks to him.
Apart from insuperable objections to the liDe OF
policy you propose, land to which will presently ad
vert cannot se how the more material obstacles are
to be surnounted. We have made three distinct eff
forts to communicate with the authorities at Washing
ton, and have been invariably unsuccessful. Commis
sioners sent before hGstities were begun and the
Washington government refused TO receive them or
hear what they had to say A second time I sent
military officer with communication addressed by my
self to President Lincoln. TIE letter received By
Gen. Scott who did not permit the officer to see Mr.
Lincoln, but promised that would be sent
No answer has ever been received. The third time,
few months ago, gentleman sent wlNse position
character and reputation such to ensure his
ceptiOn, if the enemy not determined receive
proposals whatever from the government. Vice Pr 81
dent Stephens made patriotic tender of his services 10
the hope of bng able TO promote the of humanity
aud although little belief entertained Of his ccess
cheerfuy yielded TO his suggestion that the expert
ment should be tried. The enemy refused to let h..
pass through their lines to hold any conference With
them. He stopped before he ever reached Fortress
Monroe his way to Washington. To attempt again
lin the sce Of these repeated reflections of ali conference
with ue) to send Commissioners Agents to propose
peace, to invite insult and c0numey, and to subject
ourselves to indigny without the slightest chance Ct
| being listened to.
No true citizen, no who has at heart
desire this and the good people of North Carolina
would be the last to approve OF such attempt, ii
aware of all the facts. So far from removing "sources
of discomfort" such o would receive It would
merit The condemnation of those true patriots WHO have
given their blood and their treasure TO maintain the
freedom, equality aud independence, which descended to
them from the immor tai heroes of Kings Mountain and
other battle fields of the revolution. II, then, these pro-
posas cannot be made through ENJOYS, because the
enemy would not receive them, how s it possible to
Communicate cur desire Tor peace Otherwise than by the
public announcements contained III almost every nes
| sage ever sent to Congress?
cannot recall at this time instance il which
have Jailed to that only desire peace,
aid the Only terms which formed quo non, were
precisely those That you suggested namy, "a d. mard
only be let alone" But suppose practicable
to obtain conference through commits si0ners with the
goyernmeut of President Lucoln is this moment
that WE are TO consider ii desirable, all ad
Missile Have not ~st been APP isei By ;hat des
| pot that only expect his gracious pardon By
| emancp ating all our slaves, swearing allegiance 6nd
obedience him and bis proclamation, and coming
in point of fact the slaves of Cur negroes Can
there be in North Carolina citizan fallen benea b
the dignity Of his to to enter into
conference the basis OF these terms That there
few traitors in the ate who would be willing be
traY their fellow citizens to such degraded condition
10 hope OF being rewarded fer treacay by an escapt
| from the common dom, may be true. But do 40;
believe that the vest wretch wCulI accept such terms
| for himself l cannot conceive how the peope OF your
| State than which none has sent nObltr more
gallant soldiers to the field Of battle Zone OF whom
it is your honor to be,) baVe been deceived b.
anything to which you refer in "the recent action
| of the Federal House of Representatives," hav,
| seen nc action of that House that does rot lndl
cate by very decided majority the purpose OF tie
envy to refuse all terms TO the South, except absolute
unconditional subugatlon Or extermnaElon Bat Il
we're otherwise we TO treat with the House o.
| REPRESENTATIVES? Il is with In c5ln alone that
ever could confer, ard his pariiaans at the north
avow unequvocay that his purpose in his message and
proclamation was shut out ali hope that he would
euer treat with us on any terms. If will break up
our government dissolve the Oonfederacy dlsband OUT
armies enancipate our salves, take an cath OF alte
glance binding ourselves to Obedience to him and 81
disloyaty to States, he proposes to pardon
and not to plumber of anything than the pro
party already stolen from Us, and such slaves still
remain 10 o1der to render his proposal so Insulting
as to secure their rejection be joins to them promise
to support with his army oneenth OF the people ct any
State who will attempt to set up government over
the other nine tenths thus seeking to dscord and
SUSPICION among the people of the several States and
to excite them to civil in iurherance OF lis ends
| know we'll it would be impossible to get your people
if they fssed full knowledge of these acs, to
sent that proposals should be made by to those
r who control the government at Washington. I our
own we'll known devotion to the great of liberty
and independence, to which We have all committed
whatever We have of earthly possessions, would ioduce
YOU to take the lead in repehng the bare thought oil
object submission to the enemy Yet peace on other
terms is now impossible TO obtain the sole terms t.
which you or could listen this struggle must continue
until the enemy is beaten out of his vain confidence
cnr snbiuyation Then and not till then, will it be
nossibIc to treat of peace Till then all tender of terms
to the enemy will be received proof that ready
for submission and will encourage him in the atrocious
, warfare which he is Wsglng.
1 fear much from the tenor of the news I receive
from North Carolina, that attempt will be made by
some bad to inaugurate movements which must be
considered as equivalent to aid and comfort to the
nv and which all patriots should combine to put down
at any cost. You may count on my aid in every eff
fort to spare your State the scenes of civil warfare
which will devastate its homes If The designs OF these
} traitors be suffered TO make head. know that you
will place yourself in your legitimate position in the
lead OF those who will suffer the of the OLD
E North State to be blackened BY such stain. viii
you pardon me tor suggesting that my only source