James A. Seddon to Thomas Bragg, March 19, 1864

Hon. THOMAS BRAGG, Raleigh, N. C.:

Sir: Your acceptance of the office of commissioner under the law suspending the writ of habeas corpus is gratefully appreciated by the Department. It was not presumed the position was desirable, but I was not mistaken in relying on your patriotic zeal to accept it. It is important that the duty should be fulfilled by a citizen of your State enjoying the confidence and influence you so justly command. ‘There will be no incompatibility whatever in your attention to the private or professional matters to which you refer. You can employ the clerks you require to aid you, and the quartermaster at Raleigh will be instructed to furnish the stationery, &c., you may need. Judge Pearson is still, I fear, bent on mischief. It will be hard, however, for him to prevent by construction the plain terms of the law, or to stem alone the changing current of public sentiment and the adverse opinions of his brethren on the bench. He will probably find discretion the better policy, and for a time at least, and, I trust, permanently, cloak his factious purposes.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,