The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1865-12-05
LETTER FROM HON. E. q. READE.
WASHINGTON CRY, Nov. 18th, 1855.

w ASHlNtIUN ANOf. A4Ga, AcOO.
His Ercel1ency W. ~ Holden, Provisional
Governor of North Carolina:
| On the 10th instant had an interview with
His ExceileDcy, the President, for the purpose
of presenting to him such of the proceedings of
our State Convention as the Convention direct
ed me to present to him. I addressed him as
follows:
Mr. PREs1DENT:-In behalf'of the Conven-
ton of North Carolina, lately in session, over
which had the honor to preside, present for
your favorable consideration certain Of its pro-
eeedipgs.
In the late war there were two issues:
First, the existence of the Union, and second,
the existence Of slavery The result was favor
able to the Union; and adverse to slavery.
North Carolina submits not 10 deg radiation,
but in the moral grandeur Of resignation to
rightful authority.
The first thing done by the Convention was
to declare her uninterrupted connection with
| the Union; and that the ordinance of May,
1861, by which she was attempted to be sever
ed, was null and void. This was done by vote
very nearly approaching unanimity-and thus
the hrst issue was yielded.
The next thing done was to prohibit slavery;
and this was done by unanimous VOTE And
| d SOHulttSo VI dUIo ldHJe ndS pEOfluSN ~
prepare wholesome laws for the consideration of
the Legislature, and thus the second issue was
yielded.
The excellent temper and disposition Of our
people induced the Convention to ask your Ex-
cellency for universal pardon for them. This
vas done, not in any spirit of complaint, for we
concede that the action of your ExcelleEcy has
been prudent, and was designed to be magma
nimous and conciliating; but cur people are so
we'll affected to the Government and are so lit
tie sensible of any sentiment of alienation, that
they feel some modification at being kept in a
condition, implying that they are nct-what
they so well know themselves to be-entirely
reconciled to the Union.
The Convention having yielded what was in
volved in the war and being of the opinion that
the State was and always had been 10 the Union,
and that our relations had only been disturbed
and not destroyed, respectfully asks your Ex-
celleney to declare on the part Of the authori-
ties of the United States, as the State has done
on her part, that our governmental relations
| have been reconcled.
Not only are our people we'll disposed towards
the United States, but their appreciation of the
administration of the Government by your Ex-
cellency has been so marked and universal, that
the Convention thought it due to their consti-
tueney, and eminently due to your Excellency
to vote resolution of thanks for the ability aad
impartiaty with which you have discharged
your duties to every portion of the country
We have heard that notwithstanding the
State might yield, and, as she understands it,
has yielded oil that was involved in the war;
and notwithstanding our people are submissive
we'll disposed and anxious for fraternal relations,
her delegation to Congress would not be admit
ted unless they had qualifications not prescribed
by the Constitution; that they would be requir-
cd to take an oath, which few men in the State
can take, affirming not merely that they are
right now, but they have never been wrong.
The exclusion of her delegation upon any such
test as is suggested would be felt by our people
universally as such deep wrong that it would
put their strong devotion to the Government
and their lively hope of perfect reconstruction
to the sevsrest trial. They can understand the
bitterness of strife and the aversion to treason.
But they will be COMPOUNDED at the repulsion of
offered friendship and aroused loyalty. The
Convention therefore respectfully asks Congress
to repeal the "Test Oath" | have thought it
respectful both to you and to Congressional
this request of the Convention should pass
through your hands, with the hope that your
Excellency's magnanlmity would add to it some
reflection which would avail with that body.
The Convention instructed the Legislature to
provide for the payment Of the debts Of the
State, and declared all debts contracted in aid
of the rebellion to be illegal and prohibited the
payment Of the same.
To what has been done by the Convention |
can add nothing of my own except to assure
your Excelency that my own sentiments are in
accordance with the best deeds of the Conven-
ton, and with the best sentiments of our people.
[ have the honor to lay before your Exeellen-
ov n IF Gopokifrtio0 Mi armand
ment, aud the ordinances of the Convention.
The President replied as follows:
HON. Mr.. READE:-I received from you
with pleasure, copy of the proceedings of the
Convention of North Carolina. / reciprocate
cordially the conciliatory spirit in which you
have addressed ME.
The Convention of North Carolina has done
much and we'll toward restoring the State to
her proper natural relations, but something yet
remains to be done to render her restoration i'm
mediately practicable An acception of the
Constitutional amendment abolishing slavery
throughout the United States by the Legisla-
ture of North Caroina, is in my judgment prac-
tically important to the successful restoration
which is SO much desired by all
| Without answering specifically the questions
you have proposed to me, it will be sufficient. to
| say that my action must depend upon events,
and that Mr. Holden will be again Instructed to
continue the exercise of his functions as Pro-
visional Governor until he shall have been ex-
pressly relieved by orders to that effect"
The President was frank and cordial, as was
also Mr. Seward, who was present.
| My mission was limited to the business indi-
Gated and 1 had no further interviews.
am sir, very truly, your obedient servant,
E. G.. READE.