Year: 1863

The people Of the Confederate States
Of America having, in the progress of the
pending war, most clearly demonstrated
their ability to maintain by arms the
claim TO separate independence, which
they have heretofore asserted before the
world. and being in1exibly resolved new
er TO relinquish the struggle in which
they are engaged until the great struggle
for which they have been contending
shall have been finally accomplished; in
view Of the fact that great political re-
action in opposition 10 the bloody and
unnatural war now in a course of prosecu-
ton, has displayed itself in several Of the
most populous and Influential States Of
what was once hOnorahly known as "The
United States of America;" and, in view
of the additional fact that, even among
the avowed opponents of despotisn, and
the recognized friends of peace in the
North, grave and deplorable misappre-
hension has of late arisen in regard TO
the true condition Of public sentiment in
the South touching the question of recon-
structing that political Union once ex-
isting under the protection Of what is
known as the Federal Constitution. Now,
in order that no further misunderstand-
| ing of the kind referred to may hereafter
prevail, and in order that the unchange-
able determination of our government
and people, in reference TO the terms up
on which alone they would bring the
sanguinary struggle TO a close, may be
made known, the Congress of the Con-
federate States of America do resolve as
follows:


1. "Therc is no plan of reconstructing
what was formerly known as the Fede-
raj Union, to which the people of the
Confederate States will ever consent.
Wrongs too grevious and multiplied have
been committed upon us and upon our
most cherished rights, by united
North, since this unprovoked and most
wicked war commenced; a majority Of
the people Of the Northern States have
too evidently shown themselves TO be
utterly incapable of self-government and
unmindlul of all the fundamental prin-
ciples upen which alone Republican in
stitutions can be maintained. They have
foo long submitted patiently to the iron
rule of tie basest and most degraded
despotism that the world has yet known;
for too long a period of time they have
openly and unblushingly sympathized
with the lawless and ferocious miscre-
ants who have been sent into the bosom
of the unoffending South to spill the pre-
cious blood of our most valued citizens
Ito pollute and desecrate all that we
hold in especial respect and yeneraiion


to rob us of our property-tO expel us
from our homes, and wantonly to devas-
tate our eountry-to allow even Of the
possibility of our ever again consenting
TO hold the least po itical connection
with those who have so cruelty outraged
our sensibilities and SO profoundly dis
honored themselves, and in association
with whom we feel that we could not
expect that freedom which we love, that
self respect which we are determined
ever to cultivate, and the esteem and SYM
pathy Of civilized and Christian nations


2. "While the Confederate States OF
America are not at all responsible for the
existing war, and have been at all times
ready to participate in such arrange
ments as would be best suited to bring
ii to a close, in a manner consistent with
their own safety and honor, they could
not yield their consent to an aimiStice of a
single day or hour so long as the incen-
diary proclamation of the atrocious
monster now bearing rule in Washington
City shall remain unrevoked nor could
the Government of said Confederate
States agree to negotiate at all in regard
to a suspension of hostilities, except upon
the basis of formal and unconditional
recognition of their Independence.


8. "Whenever the friends of peace in
the North shall grow strong enough tC
constrain Abraham Lincoln and his aagi.
tious Cabinet TO withdraw said Procla-
nation, and propose an armistice upor
the basis aforesaid, the Government oi
the Confederate States will be ready Il
accede 20 said proposition of armistic'
with aView TO the settlement of all eX
listing difficulties.


4. "Should peace be at any tim,
brought about, the Confederate States o


America would freely consent to the for


nation Of a just aud mutually advantage
Gus commercial treaty with all the Statel
now constituting the Uhited States, ex
cept New England-with whose people
, and ia whose ignoble love of gold ant


brutifying fanaticism this disgracefu
war has mainly originated; in considera
, ton Of which fact the people of the Con
federate States of America are firmly ant
, deliberately resolved to have no inter


course whatever hereafter, either direc


or indirect, political, CONNER cial, or 50


cial, under any circumstances whicl
d could be possibly imagined TO exist, wit
; said States of New England or the peo
i Pile therein resident


Q 8. "The Government of the Confederat
d States, in consideration of the change ii


public sentiment which has occurred i


several Of the Northern States, wherei
!, political elections have recently bee


held-sympathizing most kindly wit
u those by whose manly exertions tina


change has been brought about-woul
y be willing to conclude just and homer
. able peace with any one or more of sal


States who (renouncing all political con


nection with New England) may be foun


willing TO stipulate for desisting at ono
!, from the further prosecution of the wa
d. against the South, and in such case th
i Government Of the Confederate State
. would be willing 10 enter into leagu
: offensive and defensive, with the State


thus desisting, ofa permanent aud enduI


ing character


6, "The Government Of the Confed'
d Safes is now willing, as il has heretoiol
n repeatedly avowed itself TO be, wheney,
e the States bordering upon the Missii
% sippi river, or any of them, shall ha'
s declared their inclination TO withdra
a from the further prosecution Of the WI


upon the South (Which, could il bo su,