The Portland daily press., 1876-11-02
A Significant Letter.

Pending the negotiations between Generals
Sherman and Johnston for the surrender of the
Isbel army commanded by the last named Off
Ger, the terms of surrender were presented to
Jefferson Davis, who was at the time, with the
members of his cabinet flying by rail from
Richmond Davis convened bis cabinet in a
freight car at Charlotte, N. c., and in submit
ting Sherman's terms requested each member
of his cabinet to state his views on the subject
in writing. The several papers thus submitted
by these gentlemen were among the property
captured by the federal army, and are now on
file in the War Department. among the rebel
archives. John FL. Reagan. member of the
present Congress from Texas. was at that time
Confederate postmaster general, and submitted
his views at great length to his chief. The con-
clusion of Mr.. Reagan's letter on the terms of
surrender was devoted to the payment of the
rebel war debt by the United States govern
ment, and will be read with peculiar interest at
this time. This letter, like those of his col
league IN Davis's cabinet, was dated Char.
lotte, N. c., April 22d. 1865, and concludes as
follws:
Nothing is said in the agreement about the
public debt, and the disposition of our public
property beyond the turning over of the arms
to the state arsenal. In the final adjustment
we must eudeavor to secure provisions for the
auditing of the debt of The Confederacy, and for
its payment in common with the war debt of
the United States. We may ask this on the
ground that we did not seek this war, but only
sought peaceful separation to secure our people
and state from the effects of unconstitutional
encroachmeDts by the other states, and because
on tae principles of equality, allowing that
both parties had acted in good faith and gone
to war on misunderstanding which admitted
of no other solution, and now agree to a recon-
ciliation and burial of the past, it would be
unjust TO compel our people to assist in the
payment OF the war debt of the United States
and for them to refuse to allow such of the
revenues as we might contribute to be applied
to the payment of our creditors. Ii it should be
said that this is liberalty never extended by
the conqueTor to the conquered the answer is
that the object of the paciticatio1 is to restore
the Union in good faith and to reconcile the
people to each other, to restore cou fidence aud
faith and prosperity and homogeneity.
Then it is OF the first importance that the terms
of reconciliation should be based on entire
equity, and that no just ground of grief or COM
plaint should be left to either party or TO both
parties. Looking not ODly to the present but
to the interest OF future generations, the amount
of money which would be involved though
large, would be as nothing when compared with
a reconciliation entirely equitable, which should
leave no sting to honor and no sense Of wrong
to rankie in the memories Of the people and
lay the foundation for new difficulties and for
future war. 1t is to this future, it seems to
me, the greatest attention should be given By
both sides. 1t will be of the highest import
ance to all, for the present as well as for the
future, that the frankness, sincerity and justice
of both parties shall be as conspicuous IN the
adjustment of past difficulties as their courage
and endurance have been during the war, if we
would make peace on basis which would be
satisfactory, and which might be rendered per-
petual. In any event, provision should be
made which will authorize the Coufederate au-
thorites to sell the public property remaining
on hand and to apply the proceeds, as far as
they will go, to the payment of our public liza
blities, or for such other disposition as may be
found advisable But If the terms of this
agreement should be rejected, or so modified
by the government of the United States as to
rrfuse recognition of the rights of local self
government and of our political rights and
rights of person and property. so as to refuse
amnesty for past participation in this war. then
it will be our duty to continue the struggle as
we can, however unequal it may be. as it would
be better and more honorable TO waste our lives
and substance in such a contest than to yield
both to the mercy of a remorseless couquercr.
am, with great respect your Exceilency's S
obedient servant,
JOHN ii. REAGAN, p. VI. General:
To the President G.. S. A.