GREENSBOROUGH, April 19, 1865.

His Excellency Z. B. VANCE,

Governor of North Carolina:

SIR: I have just received the letter in which you say that "being totally uninformed of the condition of affairs in this State, and being unable to obtain from any one a statement of what is going on, or what the Government of the Confederate States intends to do," you request permission to send a letter to General Sherman by flag of truce. It was expected by the Secretary of War and myself that you would join us at Hillsborough last night, when we intended to show you the agreement entered into with General Sherman. Your letter informs me of your arrival in Greensborough-the bearer says, three hours ago. You cannot, therefore, I think, regard me as negligent in not having communicated with you on the subject. I need not remind you that I was not one of those to whom you applied for the information you desire. Had you done so, be assured that everything concerning North Carolina that I know would have been communicated to you. A basis of negotiations was agreed upon yesterday, as well as a suspension of hostilities, to give time for their conclusion. I have not a copy of the paper with me, but will be glad to show it to you and hear your opinion when it is returned to me.*

Most respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. E. JOHNSTON.

[47.]

CHARLOTTE, N. C., April 20, 1865.

General B. T. JOHNSON,

Salisbury, N. C.:

I am informed that a Mr. Sheperdson has sued out an attachment against the ordnance property at your post on some claim against the Bureau for rent. The proceeding is so extraodinary that I can hardly realize it. If it be true, you will not permit the property of the Government to be seized or its control by the proper officers to be thus interfered with.

JEFFERSON DAVIS.

[47.]

CHARLOTTE, N. C., April 21, 1865.

Honorable G. A. HENRY,

Charlotte, N. C.:

MY DEAR SIR: Yours of this date received. I regret that you should have thought it necessary to speak of the sacrifice of feeling on my part as involved in the employment of any one who could benefit the country if assigned to a command. Those who are controlled by personal feeling in such matters are below the occasion and unworthyto hold a public trust. I am sure I am not of that class, and deem it due to myself so to answer. My opinion of the military qualities of those who have exercised command in the army is mainly based upon official information, and of that you will probably admit that my position has given me more than yourself. The question is merely one of judgment, and any opinion heretofore formed by me on facts must be changed by other facts.

Appreciating your patrioticndly feeling, I am, as ever, very truly, yours,

JEFFERSON DAVIS.

[47.]

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*For reply, see VOL. XLVII, Part III, p. 811.

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