... The interview
terminated with the distinct assurance, on the part of the
President, that no more troops would be sent through Baltimore,
unless obstructed in their transit in other directions, and with
the understanding that the city authorities should do their best
to restrain their own people.
"The Mayor and his companions availed themselves of the
President's full discussion of the questions of the day to urge
upon him respectfully, but in the most earnest manner, a course
of policy which would give peace to the country, and especially
the withdrawal of all orders contemplating the passage of troops
through any part of Maryland."
The Legislature of the State of Maryland appointed commissioners to the
Confederate Government to suggest to it the cessation of impending
hostilities until the meeting of Congress at Washington in July.
Commissioners with like instructions were also sent to Washington. In my
reply to the Commissioners, dated 25th of May, 1861, I referred to the
uniform expression of desire for peace on the part of the Confederate
Government, and added:
"In deference to the State of Maryland, it again asserts in the
most emphatic terms that its sincere and earnest desire is for
peace; but that, while the Government would readily entertain
any proposition from the Government of the United States tending
to a peaceful solution of the present difficulties, the recent
attempts of this Government to enter into negotiations with that
of the United States were attended with results which forbid any
renewal of proposals from it to that Government.
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