Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 1.
Frank Moore, Ed.

Gentlemen: I receive with pleasure the assurance that the State of Maryland sympathizes with the people of the Confederate States in their determined vindication of the right of self-government, and that the people of Maryland are enlisted with their whole hearts on the side of reconciliation and peace.

The people of these Confederate States, not-withstanding their separation from their late sister, have not ceased to feel deep solicitude in her welfare, and to hope that at no distant day that State, whose people, habits, and institutions are so closely related and assimilated with theirs, will seek to unite her fate and fortunes with those of this Confederacy.

The government of the Confederate States receives with respect the suggestion of the State of Maryland, that there should be a cessation of the hostilities now impending until the meeting of Congress in July next, in order that said body may, if possible, arrange for an adjustment of the existing troubles by means of negotiations rather than the sword.

But it is at a loss how to reply without a repetition of the language it has used on every possible occasion that has presented itself since the establishment of its independence.

In deference to the State of Maryland, however, it again asserts, in the most emphatic terms, that its sincere and earnest desire is for peace, and 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.

If any further assurance of the desire of this government for peace were necessary, it would be sufficient to observe that being formed of a confederation of sovereign States, each acting and deciding for itself, the right of every other sovereign State to assume self action and self government is necessarily acknowledged.

Hence conquests of other States are wholly inconsistent with the fundamental principles and subversive of the very organization of this government. Its policy cannot but be peace — peace with all nations and people.

Very respectfully,