"Mr. Davis refuses to listen to this proposal?"
"Only on the basis of the continued division of our country. Lincoln
naturally demands that we come back into the Union first, and march on
Mexico afterwards. Mr. Davis refuses to come back into the Union first.
And so we end where we began—unless we can get help from you, General
Lee—"
"Well?"
"The Confederate Congress has sent me as their spokesman to make a proposition to you."
He handed Lee the letter from the Congress.
"Will you issue as Commanding General an order for an armistice to arrange the joint invasion of Mexico?"
"You mean take it on myself to go over the head of Mr. Davis, and issue this order without his knowledge?"
"Exactly. We could not take him into our confidence."
"But Mr. Davis is my superior officer and he is faithfully executing the laws."
"You will not proclaim an armistice, then?"