O R 8 3 8 ^31 (a Duke University Libraries Message of the Conf Pam #31 6 DT1DE73S7:i SENATE, Nov. 21, 1861.— Read and referred to Committee on Foreign Relations. November 22, 1864. — Injunction of secrecy re- moved and ordered to be printed. MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT, In response fo a resolution of the Senate inquiring whether any State of tht Lnited States has, dinctly or indirectly, inthuafiid a. dr>i!.re or vnlling- mss to make overtures for peace^ Sfc. Richmond, Va , Nov. 21, 1H64. To thjc Senate of the Confederate States : In response to your resolution of the 17th instant, I herewith tranfimit a communication from the Secretary of State, which conveys the information requested. JEFFERSON DAVIS. COMMUNICATION FROM SECRETARY OF STATE. Department of Statk, Richmond, November 18, 18G4. To the President Sfh : I have the lienor to ackno\^]cclge receipt ^.f the resolution of the Senate, of the 17th instant, referred to ino lor an answer to the inquiry whether "any State of the United States has, through anj of her recognized authorities, directly or indirectly, expressed a will- ingness to go into convention with the States of this Confederacy for the purpose of negotiating a peace or consulting on the best method of cfffCtiiig a cessation of hostilities," and respectfully report, that no intimation, direct or indirect, has been received by this Govern- ment of a ■willingness on the part of any State of the United State* to go into convention with the States of this Confederacy for the purpose of negotiating a peace, or consulting on the best method of effecting a cessation of hoi-tilities, or for any pin pose whatever. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. P. BENJAMIN, Secretary of State. P6RmaliP6« pH8.5