HEADQUARTERS RESERVES, NORTH CAROLINA, November 3, 1864

Raleigh, November 3, 1864.

Respectfully forwarded to Bureau of Conscription. TH. H. HOLMES, Tneutenant-General, Commanding.

BUREAU OF CONSCRIPTION, Richmond, November 8, 1864. Respectfully referred to the Secretary of War for his information. JNO. 8. PRESTON, Brigadier-General and Superintendent.

NOVEMBER 9, 1864. ASSISTANT SECRETARY:

Have you seen or heard of the decision referred to? It would involve an awkward relation to these employés. I am bound, am I not, to act upon the conscript law without reference to these State decisions? and yet the result would be conflict. ey oe yen advise?

I have not seen the decision referred to, but it corresponds with one made by Chief Justice Pearson last spring, in the case of one Russell (I think that is the name), who was conscribed by General Whiting. Governor Vance presses the decision beyond its limits when he claims all the employés and agents, &c. The decision, in my opinion, is erroneous, as militating against that supremacy which the Constitution ordains in respect to the legislation of the Confederate States in the subjects committed to them.

Respectfully, J. A. CAMPBELL, Assistant Secretary of War.