The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-02-14
PEACE NEGOTIATIONS FAILED
Atlanta Constitution.

Atlanta Constitution.
In the Constitution last Monday morning
there appeared n reply to letter Of inquiry
from !, correspondent in which II was stated
that the only ambassadors ever sent by the
Confederate to the Federal government during
the war were Messrs Crawford. Rowan aud
Forsyth. whose credentials, handed them by
President Jefferson Davis In 1861, were printed
In order to show the wide scope of the author
fly with which they were clothed. Another
correspondent now writes to say that there
were other peace commissioners sent to
washington after tho failure of the mission
of Messrs Crawford Rowan and Forsyth,
and he refers TO the fact that one Of these
was Vice President Alexander stephens What
the Constitution said was in answer to "A dl-
rect question as to what commissioners hau
ever been sent TO Washington. and no men
ton was made OF the stephens matter, be-
cause that distinguished gentleman never got
anywhere near TO Washington on his errnnd.
The subject however is one when ~ wen
worth following to the end, and the Consti-
tuition is able to give an exact account OIL
what the Confederate government tried to do
ia this matter in the language OF Prcsident
Davis himself. This account is In the form
OF a letter which Mr.. Davis sent carly. In
1864 to Governor Vance of North Carolina,
replying TO n somewhat vigorous oommunioa-
ton from that nervous statesman on the sub
ject OF the riots In Raleigh. II viii be.
remembered that there was much discomfort
IN North Carolina toward the close OF lsbS;
and that violent mob outbreaks threatened
TO make IL necessary for the recall OF the
state troops from the field TO protect iiYes
and property at home There was always
strong Union sentiment In North Carolina,
and before the war had been wagad for two
years there was rapid development Of the
feeling that IL could be settled moro satisfac-
toriy by arbitration than by force OF arms.
fo1au fny a
ppondence by mail and telegraph relative to
This condition of unrest throughout his State,
Governor Vance sent the following letter to
President Davis;
state of North Carolina. Executive Depart
mont. Raleigh. ". C.. December 80. ls63.-fIis
p,cej,eney President Davis. My Dear Sir;
After n careful consideration OF all tho
sources of discomfort In North Carolina.
have concluded that II VIII perhaps DE I'M
possible 10 remove II except py nlah,ns sg The
recent action OF the Federal house OF repre-
senta,iyes though meaning very liite' nas
greatly excited the public hope tAat tne
Northern mind IL looking toward peace am
nroruised BY all men who advocate TINS course
that IL fair terms are rejected u wni tenu
greatly TO strengthen and Intensity the war
feeling, and viii rally I'll classes 70 h'oie
rnrdial support OF the government; ana hi-
though our position Is well known as de-
handing only to be lei alone, YET y seems 20
me that, Tor tue saRe OF Huth3-Ai'J, "Ae''.'
having any weak or improper motives az :.
tributed TO u.s. wo might with propriety con
stantly tender negotiations.
I'm doing so we would Keep ronspieuousiy
| before the world disclaimer Of our respon-
ribiljty for the great slaughter OF our rare'
aud nopyipce tie hiinblsst OF our citizehsf
who sometimes forget the actual situation.
mat the government Is tender OF their lives
and happiness and would not prolong their
suiferings unnecessarily one moment Though
sfntentnep might regard thia as useless. thy
neopIe viii not and think our cause VIII
be strengthened thereby. have not suggest
I'd the method of these negotiations or their
terms; the effort 10 obtain peace IL the prin.
cipal matter. Allow me to beg your earnest
Confederation Of this suggestion Very r.
speetfully yours q. %. vance
II vas this letter that called out one OF the
most notable official documents 10 which the
presidcnt Of the Confederate States ever put
bfs name. In reply 70 !; Mr.. Davis wrote;
.fJis ExcelIency, z. u Vance. Governor Of
North Carolina. Raieisb. N r
Executive Oftice, liirhmond, january -
1sst r-Dcar sir: | have received yoiir lttte,,
N The seth uitimo. containing suggestions OF
Ina measures 10 be adopted for the purposo
M removing the sources OF discomfort ~
xortb7 Carolina The contents OF the lctirr
srr Substantially the same as those .pf ~
isiter addrsssed by you 70 senator noitgh'
~ ,rarts of which were rrsd by him to me
/ remarked 10 Mr.. Dortch that you were NOT