The Express.
London, England, 1865-04-24 00:00:00

It is estimated that the Confederate force liar-
rendered to General Grant by General Lee num-
bared between twenty and twenty-two thousand
men. The total number of general officers who
have become prisoners to General Grant sizes the
sth inst. is eighty-two, including General Lee
I himself.

°MUr, 0243? TO seonsrair [HAMM
lissfillortere, Armies of the Mesa shim,
Apra 8, 4.33 p.m.
flos. Nth& IL Sittatos, Secrotery of War.
Goma Lee surreudered this array of Northern Visa
sista this afternoon, upon the terms proposed by =yogi.
The scooroperlybto additional oonnapoodenro [the dispatches
siren above] will show the conditions billy.
U. S. Gaon, Liratenant General

SPEECH OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN.
The following speech was delivered at Washing-
ton on the evening of the 11th by President
Lincoln :
We meet this evening, not is sorrow, bet in gladness of
heart. The evaanatios of Petersburg and Richmond and
amends of the principal insurgent army give hopes of a
righteous peace, whose joyous expression cannot be re.
strained. Is the midst of this, however, He, from whom all
*ming flow, meet not be forgotten. A cell for
a national thanksgiving is being prepared, and
will be duly promulgated. Nor must those whose harder
part gives us the muse of rejoicing be overlooked ; their
honours must not be parceled out with others. I myself
was near the front, and had the high pleasure of transmitting
much of the good news to you; bat no part of the hamar
for the plan or execution is mine. To Gassed Grant, his
skilful °Boers, mad brave mss, it all belongs. The plieet
navy stood ready, bat wee nut in reach to take seen part.
By these recent socoseses the reinauguration of the national
authority, the reconstruction of which has had a large
share of thought from the first, is pressed much more
dandy upon oar attention. It is fraught with great diffi.
may. Unlike aan of war between independent nation.
then is so antherind organ for as to treat with ; no one
man has authority te give up the rebellion for any other man
TREATMENT OF THE CONFEDERATE We ••
CHIEFS. amply must begin with end mould from disorganised
and diseordant elements. Nor is it a small additional em.
The New York Tribune insists upon a conciliatory bansanneut that we, the loyal people, differ among our-
policy, and will not believe it wise or well to take seam eseetbesextei wwr, eedmeemmei remek„tt„.
the life of any man who shall have submitted to As a general rule, I abstain from reading the reports of
the national authority: attacks upon myself, wishing not to be provoked by that
The execution of even one such would be felt as a per. to which I cannot properly Morn an answer. In snits of
this precaution, however, it comes to my knowledge that I
seal stigma by everyone who bad ever aided the rebel
canes. Each would say to himself, " I am as culpable as am much smeared for some supposed agency in setting uP
be ;we differ only in that lam deemed of comparatively and "eking to "stale the new state government
of Louisiana. In this I here done just so much
little consequence." A single Confederate led out to
and no more than the public keows. In the annual mes-
execution would be evermore enshrined in a million
Sada as a conspicuous hero and martyr. We onset magi of December, 1863, and accompanying nroolselslies,
realise that it would be wholesome or ede—we I luseeerld a Alen at recoastructera. se the Pbroes
are sure it would not be magnanimous—to give goes, which I preen's/eh if adapted by say stets,
thew erpowered disloyalty of the South such a threat would be acceptable to and sustained by the Rue-
thins Government of the nation. I distiunly stated
Unquestionably, there are men in the South who have
that this was not the only plan which might possibly be
richly deserved condign punishment. Whoever is respon-
sible for the butchery of our black soldiers vanquished in accepted, aod I also d'etincely protested that the executive
claimed no right to say when or whither mambas should
fight, or the still mon atrocious murder of captives by sa-
me exposure and privation in rune amp, stash in this be stilled tenets in Conic., from such Mans. This plea
category. But the immediate issue swarm not the &a- was in lava"' submitted to the cabinet and
proved by every member of it. One of them suggested
pemation of justice to individuals but the pacification of a
vast Republic. He who
be that all the exhibitions that I should thins and i° that connexion, apply the
of cruelty or perfidy have beeu the work of rebels emancipation proclamation to the excepted parts of
Virginia
and Louisiana, that I should drop the suggestion about
has but a enperficial knowledge of our current
for freed people, and that I should omit the
history. Theme who invoke military execration for the van- apprenticeship-
qnisbed, or even for their leaders, we suspect will not protest against my own power in regard to the admis
sion of members to Conferees, but even he approved
generally be found among a few who have long been ex.
posed to unjust odium as haters of the South, because they every part and parcel of the plan wig* hie since been
employed or touched by the adios of Louisiana.
abhorred slavery. And, as to the long oppressed and de-
graded blacks, se lately the slaves, destined still to be the The new constitution of Loul'daos declaring emancipation
neighbours, and we trust at no distant day the fellow- of the whole State practically &POW the proclamation to
cities. of the Southern whites, we are sure their voice, the. whole part Inwieuell =Anted ;is dosouot adopt Wren-
could it be anthectically uttered, would ring out decidedly, Winship for freed people, sad is silent, as it could sot well
sonorously, on the aide of clemently-4 humanity. be otherwise, about the admissionef cumbers to Coupes
So that se it applied to Louisiana, every member of the
The New York Herald says : cabinet fully approved the plan. The message went to
No hers need be entertained that by giving the rebel
Congrem, and I received many commendations of Utopian,
leaders a chance for their lives they will remain in the
written and verbal, and not a single objection to it from any
South to trouble us hereafter. The fearful wrongs which
ve committed among their deluded followers will rfe e ernalnuent''' • C.M. to
my knowledge until otter
they ha
n 'shad reached Washington thatthe people of Louisiana
bring their own punishment in a fearful reactioe of Southern
had begun to move in aaoordaooe with it. From about July,
public opinies. That is the tribunal to which the leaden
1862, I hed correspooded with different persoes supposed to
of this mad reosilion may now be most wisely turned over
be interested in the reconstruction of the date government for
by President Lincoln. Louisiana. When the message of 1863, with the plan before
The Journal of Commerce also says in the same mentioned, retched New Orions, cieemei Beek.
wrote me
strain : that be was oontident the people, with his military co-
The doctrine of moderation in the hoar of triumph seems operation, would reconstruct „batimodir en that plea, I
to be inculcated by the most influential preens of both wrote to him and mime of them to try it. They tried
great parties, and the hopes of wise men are made brighter it and the result is known. Suck has bass my only agony
by this fact. The nation is about to pass into a time of is getting up the Louisiana government. As to eaetairdeg
warm debate, for it is impossible to avoid the discussion it my promise is out as before stated, but es bad promises
of those politiesl questions which are now to take the place ere better broken than kept, I shall treat this as a bad
of the military questions already decided, and opinions promise, and break it whenever I shall beconvissed that keep-
will differ. Nor will the differences of opinion be party in it is adverse to the public interest ; Dot I have not
differences. The questions arising will be new, and will yet been so convinced. I have been shown a letter on
operate to break up existing party lines, so that, the war this subject, supposed to be an able one, in which the
being ended, men will find themselves leaving the parties writer expresses regret that my mind has not seemed
with which they have acted for four years past, and taking to be definitely fixed on the question whether
their positions on the new lines. The present is, there- seceded States, so called, are in the Union or out
fore, an important crisis, and very mush of the filtare of it. It would, perhaps, add astonishment to his regret,
depends on the first step to be taken by the President. were he to learn that since I have found protested Unica
All eyes are turned toward him, and all men are anxious men endeavouring to mew*, that (minim, I have
for a display of wise statesmanship looking to the pens. purposely forborne any public expression upon it ;
nest peace of the American Union. as it appears to me that question has not been,
The New York Commercial Advertiser remarks nor yet is, a practically material COG, and that say
that it is of the supreniest importance that a dimension of it while it thus remains practiesily
mutual good feeling should spring up between all unnleteriel, could have no other effect than the
mischievous se of dividing our friends. As yet,
sections of the country, and that end cannot be whatever it may become, that qucetine is Cad as
secured if a brutal and bloody policy is to be e yids of controversy.. and good for nothing et em
carried out : We all agree that the seceded Stets, so called, ere out al
An executed rebel will be a rebel martyr, and will have their proper practical relation with the Union, and the sole
a shrine in the hearts of his fellow rebels and a reverence object of the government, civil and military, In regard to
more real sod tender than that devoted toward the dead these States is to again get them into that proper
victims of the war, dear as their memories will be. A practical relation. I believe it is sot only posid-
people as strong as we have shown ourselves to be, ble, but, in fact, easier to do this without
an afford to he magnanimous and generous. It deciding, or even considering whether those States has
will tell upon all the future and more speedily bring to the ever been out of the Union than with it. Finding their
protecting folds of the old flag the affections of those who selves safely at home, it would nudely immaterial whether
have wandered from it than a thousand acts of wellsaited they had been abroad. Let us all join in doing the eels
justice. It will, moreover, be an illustration to all the necessary to restore the proper practical relations between
world that thin nation has neither been vindictive nor these States aod the Union, and each for ever after inner-
wicked in the claim it has made to the allegiance of all its cently indulge his es opinion, whether in doing the acts he
citizens, that its war for " empire " has been for an empire brought the States from without bate the Union, or only
in the affections of its people end for it. ewe territorial in. gave them proper assistance, they never having been out cd
*thy, without thought of aggrandisement beyond its owe it. The amount of constituency, so to speak, on which the
limits. The task of conciliation is easy if undertakes in a Louisiana government rests, would be more satisfactory to all
clement, forgiving, and Christian spirit, and with an un- if it contained 50,0000 r 30,000 orevem2o,ooo, instead of 12,000
diminished resolve to have a united nation, all of whose as it does. It is also unsatisfactory to some that the elective
citizens are entitled to the blessings of liberty. franchise is not given to the coloured men. I would myself
A despatch from Washington says that the Presi- prefer that it were now conferred on the very internee:es
dent makes no secret of his disposition to waive sad on those who serve our muss as soldiers. Still the
everything but the Union and emancipation for the question is not whether the Louisiana government, as it
stands is quite all that is derirable. The question is
sake of restoring tranquillity. Mr. Lincoln, when in
will it'bs wiser to take it se it is and help to improve it, ee
Richmond, was brought into personal contact with to reject it? Can Louisiana be brought into the proper
the leading politicians in Virginia, and arranged an poetical relation with the Union sooner by sustaining or dim.
outline for the return of that State to the Union. media; her new state goveromeut ? Seen 12,000 voters is the
Delegations have gone from Richmond to confer heretofore slave Lorrileaus have sworn anginas to
with Governor Smith, and arrange the details. the Union, assumed to be the rightful political power of
the pate, held electiout organiseda state government,
"The terms of surrender between Grant and Lee
adopted a free State eoestitedieu giving the benefit of the
provoke the wrath of the extremists. They are public school. equally to white sod meet, aid empowering
regarded as conferring a full pardon and amnesty she legislature to wafer the elective franchise upon the
to the rebel officers and privates under the war coloured man. This legislators has already voted to ratify
power, which is dominant, and superior to act of the oonstitutiosial amendment recently passed by congress
Congress. The question may load to a split in the abolishing slavery thneualwet the ate"- These 12,000
are thus fully committed to the Union, sad
Republican party. General Butler appears to
tua to
to ;:pe freedom in the State, committed
have struck the key-note of opposition yesterday, to the Tory things and nearly all the things
against a liberal policy. It is known, however, the nation wants, and they ask the "ties.. recognition aid
that General Grant was in constant telegraphic is seism:roe to soaks good this committal. Now, if we
communication with the President, and it is in- eject and spare them we do our utmost to diner-
ferreil that the terms of surrender were sanctioned essise and disperse them. We in fact say to the
white man, "You are worthless or worse. We
by the latter." will neither help you nor be helped by you." To the
Virginia will be the first state to return to the blacks we say, Thie cup of liberty which these you
Union. old masters hold to your lips we will dish from you sad
The state department has grounds for believing leave you to the chances of gathering the spilled aid
that the British government will revoke the recog- ; scattered contents in some vague and undefined
nition of belligerent rights to the Confederacy im- when, where` or how*" If this cows discs:teeing
sod para/ging both whin sad black, hes say
med lately on receipt of the President's proclams- undone,/ se hems Lome". late proper
meeffel mt.
tion closing the ports, and declaring the blockade
thee with the Union, I have so far been unable to perceive
at an end. 4 it. If, on the contrary, we recognise and sustain the new
General Butler, in the speech referred to, says government of Loggias, the adverse of all this is ins
that new, vital, and controlling questions to be We (moonrise the hearts and nerve the arms of 12,000
settled in the immediate future arise and mingle to adhere to their work, and ergo& for it, sad
estions relate to proselyte for it and fight for it, and fad it and grow it,
perforce with their joy. These qu
and ripen it to a complete semen The coloured man,
the clemency to be extended to the defeated men. too. in ownnd salted fixhies,is implied with vigi.
After referring to each class of rebels, the general lanes and mazy and daring to vas am. sad.
concludes that the questions aforesaid must be Grant that be desires the riective fnachies, will be
settled as follows :—" Condign punishment to the not obtain it mss by saving the already ad.
military traitor who deserts his flag for rebellion, vanced steps toward it than by flan backwards
over them? Concede that the sew government of Lonieisaa
disfranchisement and safe keeping for the civilian _
to
what
should bo
es the is to the feel, we
using his perjured place to betray his country ; the len onlyeeoem have the fowl by hatching the egg than by
right hand of fellowship for the misguided and mesh*, it. (tmour.) Aga., if we reject Lammas
deceived victims of the rebellion, and equal rights we also reject sr vote is fovear a the proposed
for the black man under the law." amendment to the motional constitution. To meet

THANKS TO GRANT AND HIS ARMY.
Wu Department, Washington, D. 0.,
April 9, 9.30µm.
Lieutenant-G*l'oml Grant.
Thanks be to Almighty God for the groat victory with
which he has this day °reword yon and the pllsot armies
amber your command. The thanks of this department, sad
of the government, sad of the people of the United. MUM—
*air novenaee sad honor have hem denrvcd—will be rsia-
dared to you sad the brave and pliant oaken and soldiers
of your army for all time.
EDWIN IL Browns, Paeretary of War.

NATIONAL SALUTE.
War Department, Washington, D. 0., A.pril 9, 10 p.m. I
Ordered :—That a salute of 200 guns be fired at the heed.
quarters of every army and deportment, and at every peg
and arsenal in the United Stem, and at the Military
Academy at West Point, on the day of the receipt of We
order, in oommennooratios of the surrender of General
E. E. Lee and the army of Northern Virginia to aisle-
East-Goners' Grant and the army under his oommand ;
report of the receipt and execution of this order to be made
to the adjutant.genend. Washington.
EDWIN Y. STANTON, Secretes y of War.