Year: 1864

The following paper was adopted by the House OF
Representatives in the night session of Friday AS
calm and elevated but vigorous presentation Of the
facts which explain our connection with the pending
War-as frank but manly declaration of our desire


for peace, and readiness to conclude t-as valiant
but unboasfu declaration of ability to maintain
the war, if the enemy shall prove unwilling for peace
and expression Of our resoute determination to
die rather than be conquered, and Cf humble rel
ance the continued favor OF Heaven-thls manltes
to of Congress cannot be without marked effect
Inspired by decent respect for the opinions OF man
kind and acknowledging responsibility to the senti
ment of humanity and justice, and obligation to
pay due regard to the peace of the world and the in
terests of commerce, the declaration of Congress will
everywhere appeal to kindred ideas and, 1t is to be
hoped, will tend to secare q becoming response. AT
least the world shall know, and history shall record
that if other nations delinquent in their duties to
US, we have done no harm to them and that If bn
maniy is outraged and the peace of the world broken


in the very blaze of civilization and in the presence of
timd or stess Eations the people of the Confederate
States are innocent. 1t is not improper to add that
the manifesto is the production of the Hon. VIM 9.
Rves, Of Virginia. AS the unamended utterance OF
one OF bis reputation, position and distinguished pub


lie service it will possess additional weight and value
from the authority of his name:


resolution declaring the dispositions principles


and purposes Of the Confederate States in relation


to the existing war with the United States.


Whereas it due to the great cause OF humanity
and civilization and especially to the heroic sacrifices
of their gallant army in the field, that means,
sistent with proper selfrespect aud the approved
usages of nations should be omitted by the Confederate
States to enlighten the public opinion of the world
with regard to the true character of the struggle In
which they engaged and the dispositions, principles
and purposes by which they actuated therefore,


Resolved by the Congress Of the Confederate States
OF America, That the following manifesto be issued ln
their name and by their authority, and that the Presl-
de1 be requested to copies thereof to be trans
mtted to commissioners abroad to the end that the
same may be laid before foreign Governments


MANIFEsTo CT THE CONGRESS OF THE CONFEDERATE
STATES OF AMERICA RELATIVE EXISTING
WAR WITH THE UNITED STATES.


The Congress OF the Confederate States of Americe,
acknowledging their responsibility to the opinion
the civilized world to the great law of Christian phi
anthropy, and TO the Supreme Ruler of the universe
for the part they have been compelled to bear in the
sad spectacle of and carnage which this continent
hos for the last three years. exhibited to the eyes of
afflicted humanity deems the present fitting occasion
to declare the principles the sentiments and the Pupo
ses by which they have been and are still actuated


They have deeply deplOred the necessity which
constrained them take up arms in defence of their
rights and OF the free institutions derived fom their
ancestors and there is nothing they more arCeny de-
sire than peace whensoever their enemy, by ceaslny
from the unhal!owed waged upon them, shall per-
NIT them enjoy in peace the shelterng protection OF
those hereditary rights and of those cherished nsitu


ons The series of successes with which it has pleased
Almighty God, in so signal manner, to bless our
arms on almost every point OF our invaded borders
since the opening of the present campaign enables rs
to profess this desire of peace in the interests of civ
zaton and humanity, without danger of having our
motives misrepresented, or of the declaration being
aseribed to any unmany sentiment or any dlstrust OF
our ability fully to maintain our cause ihe repeated
and disastrous checks, foreshadowing ultimate dscom-


ue, which their gigantic army directed against the
capital OF the Conederacy, has already net Wltn are
but continuation of the same provfdentla success
for Us. We do not refer to these successes in any sp