supply them with money, and the conduct of inefficient subordinates, who have too often taken more pains to trample upon the feelings and rights of citizens than to do their duty. All this is past immediate remedy; but, Mr. President, there are things which you can do, and which I again urge and press you to do. First, respond to the urgent and overwhelming public feeling in favor of the resoration of General Johnston. I assure you that your refusal to do this is doing you more harm and producing more opposition to your Adminstration than you dream of. Better tha command, admitting him to be as deficient in the qualities of a general as you or any one else may suppose, than to resist a public sentiment which is weakening your strength and destroying your powers of usefulness. Second, rest assured that the conscript law has done its work and you cannot maintain your army if you look to that law to furnish recruits. The law is odious and cannot be enforced in the present state of public feeling. I will not repeat what I have heretofore urged as the proper remedy, but will only say that the time is fast passing when anything can be done by volunteering.

This brings me to the main object I have in writting you at this time. By accident I have become possessed of the facts in reference to the proposed action of the Governors of certain States. You have doubtless heard something of it in connection with proposed State conventions. There is such a project under discussion. Some who started this movement are urging State conventions, that steps may be taken to take the control of affairs out of your hands. Others favor the movement because they believe it will lead to peace, and they are willing and, I believe, anxious for peace, even upon the terms of reconstruction, and in the present state of feeling, if a convention should be called in Georgia, it would be an unconditional submission concern. Whilst these opinions and views are entertained by some, perhaps many, who favor these State conventions, the movement will not be sustained to that extent, as far as I know or believe, by any State Executive. At present the Governor of this State is opposed to the call of a convention, and will continue opposed to it as long as it is his interest to be so, and no longer. Of other Governors I cannot speak, but I have no idea that any of them will now favor a convention. My opinion is that they will do this, and I communicate it that you may fully appreciate its importance. If it turns out as I expect, they will address you an earnest appeal for a change of policy on thefederate Government on the subject of the conscript laws, impressments, &c. If I have been correctly informed, their efort will be mainly directed to the point of recruiting the army, and will look to the volunteering system and the State machinery for that purpose. Whilst I have no sympathy, as you well know, with those who have made war upon your Administration, I do not hesitate to say to you that the safety of the country and success of our cause requires concession from you on these subjects. The time has come when we must do, not what we prefer, but what is best for the country, and you underestimate the danger by which we are surrounded if you attribute this perhaps unwelcome communication to any other motive than a sincere desire to advance the cause more dear to me than life itself.

I am, with sentiments of sincere regard, very truly, yours, &c.,

HOWELL COBB.

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