inspire our people with hope, or even to secure better terms in case all should be lost. Besides, the tenor of my advices from Richmond of late is to the effect that President Davis is inclined to make earnest efforts for peace on a basis as modest as I suppose you or I could willingly agree to. I am anxious, therefore, to see this, the legitimate and proper channel, fairly tried and thoroughly exhausted before we take matters in our own hands and inaugurate revolutionary measures. I earnestly hope, therefore, that Georgia will not set an example which I fear would be fatal to North Carolina. The latter was greatly influenced by the former in the beginning of this revolution, and the secession of the Empire State of Georgia, after mature deliberation, had more influence in determining the fate of North Carolina than any other State in the Confederation, except, perhaps, our great northern neighbor, Virginia. both these latter were exceedingly loath to quit the old Union and embark their sober and cautious people upon the bloody waves of war int the face of such tremendous odds. They hesitated no longer when our Southern sisters plunged in and cried for help. How they have helped, how they have bled and suffered, none will more cheerfully acknowledge than the people of Georgia, by the side of whose gallant sons their blood has been spilled and their sufferings endured. I appeal to you, then, Governor, in all candor and honor, to ask if Georgia should not in this great matter show due deference to the opinions and wishes of her northern sisters, who moved mainly out of sympathy for those who got first into trouble? I believe she will; hope she will, not only for the sake for the sake of the cause, but for the sake of humanity, and that our action to the last may be harmonious, cordial, sympathetic. Please let me hear your opinions as soon as your convenience may serve, and believe me to be,

Very respectfully and sincerely, yours,

Z. B. VANCE.

[47.]

PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL.]

AUGUSTA, January 20, 1865.

Honorable JEFFERSON DAVIS,

President, &c., Richmond, Va.:

DEAR SIR: It gives me no pleasure to write this lette, but it is my duty, both to you and our cause, to say what I am about to say. In a former letter I expressed the opinion that the prevailing sentiment in this State would in the end become true and loyal. I regret to say that the feeling becomes worse and more disloyal every day. I am unwilling even now to write the extent of dissatisfaction which exists and is spreading every hour. It could not be worse. I meet every day the men whom I regarded as the last to yield, who come to me to represent their hopelessness and despair. I meet those whom I know to have been the warm and earnest supporters of your Adminstration, and find them, not in open hostility, but deeply disaffected and under the cloud which our reverses have brought upon us. Let me say to you in all candor and frankness that the opposition to your Administration has become so general that you know not whom to look upon as a friend and supporter. I tell you unpleasant truths, but you should know them, for the crisis demands that you should be honestly informed of the true state of things. Many of the causes which have produced this state of things are beyond your present contro, such as the conduct of Quartermaster's and Commissary Departments in the failure to