Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 14.djvu/418

 412 Southern Historical Society Papers.

Executive Office, Richmond, January 8, 1864.

His Excellency, Z. B. Vance,

Governor of North Carolina, Raleigh, N. C:

Dear Sir, — I have received your letter of the 30th ult. contain- ing suggestions of the measures to be adopted for the purpose of removing " the sources of discontent " in North Carolina. The con- tents of the letter are substantially the same as those of the letter addressed by you to Senator Dortch, extracts of which were by him read to me. * *

Apart from insuperable objection to the line of policy you pro- pose (and to which I will presendy advert), I cannot see how the mere material obstacles are to be surmounted. We have made three distinct efforts to communicate with the authorities at Wash- ington, and have been, invariably, unsuccessful. Commissioners were sent before hostilities were begun, and the Washington govern- ment refused to see them or hear what they had to say. A second time I sent a military officer with a communication addressed by myself to President Lincoln. The letter was received by General Scott, who did not permit the officer to see Mr. Lincoln, but who promised that an answer would be sent. No answer has ever been received. The third time, a iew months ago, a gentleman was sent whose position, character, and reputation were such as to insure his reception, if the enemy were not determined to receive no proposal whatever from this government. Vice-President Stephens made a patriotic tender of his services in the hope of being able to promote the cause of humanity, and although little belief was entertained of his success, I ch'^erfully yielded to his suggestion, that the experi- ment should be tried. The enemy refused to let him pass through their lines or to hold any conference with them. He was stopped before he even reached Fortress Monroe on his way to Washington, To attempt again (in the face of these repeated rejections of all con- ference with us), to send commissioners or agents to propose peace, is to invite insult and contumely, and to subject ourselves to indig- nity, without the slightest chance of being listened to. No true citizen, no man who has our cause at heart can desire this, and the good people of North Carolina would be the last to approve of such an attempt, if aware of all the facts. So far from removing "sources of discontent," such a course would receive as it would merit the condemnation of those true patriots who have given their blood and treasure to maintain the freedom, equality and independence which