Year: 1865




ridges Favor,


&C., &C., &c.
Letter from Jen. Davis ON the Plans for


RECOMMENDATION.


RICHMOND Va, Nov II, 1854.
To nH HoSe. SENATOR'S OF GEORGIA, MEssRs A. r. WIGur


PRxMDENT OF THk sESArE,'J L. GUEREY, J. NJ. CHAN


BERs, THOMAS E. LLOYD FREDEa,cx X. WEST, ROBERT B.


NSsmr;-


GESrIEsnN-I answered by telegraph this morning your
letter OF the 11th inst requested and respectfully
comply with your dcsirc that should express my views
on the subject to which you invite my attention


In forwarding to the resolutions introduced into tho
House OF Representatives Of Georgia by Mr. Stephens Of
Hancock you state that you not inclined TO favor the
passage Of these any similar resolutions believing them
have tendency create divisions among ourselves
and 70 unite and strengthen enemies but that II Is
asserted in Medgcvile that favor such action the
part Of the Sates and would bo pleased to see Georgia
cast her influence in that way. You arc kind enough TO
say that IL this be true and the passage Of these
similar resolutions would in the slightest degree aid
assist me In bringing the TO successful and speedy
close you viii give them your earnest and hearty sup
port return you my cordial thanks for this expression
Of confidence, but you that there IS truth in The
assertons which you mention and presume that you
will already have scon by the closing part Of my annual
message which have reached you the date Of
your letter. that have not contemplated the of any
other agency in treating for peace than that established
by tho constitution Of the Confederate States That
agency to to DO we'll adapted to Its purpose
FREQ from tho injurious consequences that would follow
any other that have been suggested The objec-
ton TO separate State action which you present in your
letter appears 20 be conclusive admit OF rcpy
The immediate and inevitable tendency Of such distinct
hy anrbG tafa 10 M tueta ~
united counses to suggest 10 enemies the possi
blity Of dissolution Of the confcdeacy, and 70
age them by the spectacle OF divisions % de-
termined and united action against They would
readily adopt tho false idea that some Of tho
States OF the ccnfcdoracy disposed TO abandon their
sister States and make separate terms OF peace for them
selves and II such q suspicion, however unfounded
once engendered among people, II would DO
destructive OF that spirit Of mutual confidence and sup
port which forms chof reliance for in the
maintenance OF our


When tho proposal Of separate State action first
mooed 1t appeared to me impractcable, so void Of
any promise Of good, that gave heed to the pro-
posa but upon It's adoption by citizens whose position
and ability gave weight 70 the expression OF their
opinions, led TO serious consideration Of the sub
jcct Ny nrst impressions have not been changed by
reflection If o the States OF the hostile federaons
TO meet in convention II Is plain that such meeting
can only take place after agre ment to time pacs
and terms on which they are to meet Now without
discussing the minor although not tridng difficulties Of
agreeing 10 time aud place, II is certain that tho
States would to O convention without
previous agreement terms which they were to
meet The proposed convention must on Tho basis
either that State should against It's own will bo
bound by the decision OF the convention or that il
should bc SO bound But It IL plain that agreement
the basis that stse should be bound, without It's
consent by the result OF the deberatons would be
abandonment the part of the North OF pretended
right Of coercion-woud he absolute recognition Of
the independence of the several States Of tho confede
rscy-woud be, in a word SO complete concession OF
the rghtulness Of that the visionary
cannot hope for such agreement.
In advance Of the meeting or convention tho only
other possible basis OF meeting that oach State should
agree beforehand TO be bound By the decision Of the
conventions and such agreement s but another form Of
Submission, Of Northern dominion well know that
ln such convention wc should be ounumbcred nearly
two to one on the very threshold Of tho scheme
proposed Therefore We met by an obstacle which
Cannot be removed IL not the npractcabls character
OF tho project apparenn
You will observe that leave entirely out Of view the
sugseaon that a convention Of all the States Of both
fcderaIions should bo held by consent without
any previous understanding 70 tho effect Of It's de-
cisionsRhoud meet merely 10 debate and pass resolu
tions that are TO bind II s not supposed that
this really be tho meaning attached 70 the proposal
BY those who active in Its support although the
utons to which you invite my attention declare the
function OF such convention would BE- simply 70 pro-
pose plan Of peace with the Of the beger
ronisor In other words TO act negotators In treating
for peace This part Of the scheme 10 not ineligible
70 me. II tho convention ia only TO DO hold with
the consent OF tho two begerente that
bo obtained without negotiation The plan, then, would
resolve Itself into scheme that tho two governments
should negotiate agreement for the appointment Of
negotiaors TO make proposals for treaty. II seems
much more prompt and simple To negotiate for peace
once, than to negotiate for the appointment Of nego,a
tors who are TO meet without power do anything but
mako proposas the government Of tho United States
s Wiling 70 make peace IL will treat for peace directly
n unwilling II viii refuse 70 consent 10 conventloa
or States


The author OF these resolutions and those who concur
In bis views appear TO TO commit tho radical
Of supposng that the obstacle TO obtaining tho peace
which We all desire consists Ia tho difficulty of finding
proper agencies for negotiating so that the whole
scope Of tho resolutions ends in nothing bu. suggesting
that, u tho enemy will treat the bost agency would bo
State delegates TO convonton whereas tho whole and
only obstacle fs aas As enemy viii not treat AZ an
tertan any other proposition than tha, should submit
TO their yoke, acknowodg, Tint arc cIinlnals aud
appeal to their mercy for pardon.


After this statement OF objections II may appear super
nnous 70 add others OF Ices gravity but rs you invite
fal eyIgcsslon Of fy yioya l aad thai hillary IA ra.