Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 3.
Frank Moore, Ed.

General: Referring to an agreement purporting to have been made between Major-Generals Fremont and Price, respectively, commanding antagonistic forces in the State of Missouri, to the effect that, in future, arrests or forcible interference, by armed or unarmed parties of citizens within the limits of said State, for the mere entertainment or expression of political opinions, shall hereafter cease; that families now broken up for such causes may be reunited; and that the war now progressing shall be exclusively confined to armies in the field — I have to state:

That, as General commanding the forces of the United States in this Department, I can in no manner recognize the agreement aforesaid, or any of its provisions, whether implied or direct; and that I can neither issue, nor allow to be issued, the “joint proclamation” purporting to have been signed by yourself and Major-General [300] John C. Fremont, on the first day of November, A. D. 1861.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

General: Enclosed you will find copies of certain negotiations carried on between Major-General John C. Fremont, of the first part, and Major-General Sterling Price, of the second part, having for its objects:

First. To make arrangements for the exchange of prisoners.

Second. To prevent arrests or forcible interference in future “for the mere entertainment or expression of political opinions.”

Third. To insure that “the war now progressing shall be confined exclusively to armies in the field;” and,

Fourth. The immediate disbandment of “all bodies of armed men acting without the authority or recognition of the Major-Generals named, and not legitimately connected with the armies in the field.” ¹

You will also find enclosed a copy of my letter of this date, despatched under a flag of truce to General Price, stating that “I can in no manner recognize the agreement aforesaid, or any of its provisions, whether implied or direct, and that I can neither issue, nor allow to be issued, the” joint proclamation “purporting to have been signed by Generals Price and Fremont, on the 1st day of November, A. D. 1861.”

It would be, in my judgment, impolitic in the highest degree to have ratified General Fremont's negotiations, for the following, among many other, obvious reasons:

The second stipulation, if acceded to, would render the enforcement of martial law in Missori, or any part of it, impossible, and would give absolute liberty to the propagandists of treason throughout the length and breadth of the State.

The third stipulation, confining operations exclusively to “armies in the field,” would practically annul the confiscation act passed during the last session of Congress, and would furnish perfect immunity to those disbanded soldiers of Price's command who have now returned to their homes, but with the intention, and under a pledge, of rejoining the rebel forces whenever called upon; and lastly,

Because the fourth stipulation would blot out of existence the loyal men of the Missouri Home Guard, who have not, it is alleged, been recognized by act of Congress, and who, it would be claimed, are therefore “not legitimately connected with the armies in the field.”

There are many more objections quite as powerful and obvious, which might be urged against ratifying this agreement — its address “to all peaceably-disposed citizens of the State of Missouri,” fairly allowing the inference to be drawn, that citizens of the United States (the loyal and true men of Missouri) are not included in its benefits.

In fact, the agreement would seem to me, if ratified, a concession of all the principles for which the rebel leaders are contending, and a practical liberation, for use in other and more immediately important localities, of all their forces now kept employed in this portion of the State.

I have the honor to be, General, most respectfully, your most obedient servant,