Arkansas true Democrat., 1862-02-20
An Interesting Declaration-The Presi-
 dent on Catching Negroes.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 19. At the ieave-taking of Gen. James H. Lane at the White House, on Friday, conversation occurred so remarkable and important in its scope, and so evident lv designed for the public eye, that feel at liberty to record 1t for the readers of the Tribune
 There were present at the time, President Lincoln, Gen. Lane, Senator Pomeroy, Commissioner Dole, few members of the House and group of officers and clerks from the different departments of govern ment.
 On turning to leave, General Lane said: l" We'll, Mir. Lincoln, you know my way; I shall pursue the policy with which l be- gan, and somebody will get hurt"
 To which the President replied:
 Yes, General understand you. And the only difference between you and me is, you are willing to surrender fugitives to loyal owners in case they are willing to re- turn; while / do mol bcltece Me United .States gorernmeut has oay right to gire Meus up in any cosc. And if it had, the people would net permit us to exercise 1t.
 Gen. Lane reioined:
 "That remark, Mr. President, makes me happier than anything that has transpired since the commencement of the war. And if von will announce that as the active poli- cv of the administration, and let us win one victory on 1t, you will be the most popular man ever on the continent.
 Mr. Lincoln returned nod of earnest ac- acknowledgement, and another prominent of fcer present, added:
 "I have been aching to ask you. Mir President. why you do not, without asking the consent of Congress, or any body else, acquire or set apart some territory some where in the South, and say to the negroes in the rebel States, Here! come out and go over there, and we will protect you in its possession and your own freedom"
 After some other general remarks the General and his friends withdrew.
 The General with his staff, leaves the city this afternoon for the field of his ser vice in Kansas, and having won the con- tested seat in the U. $. Senate, he now avows his intention to go before the Leg islaturo of the State which elected him, and return the honor to their hands.
 know the above narration of the con- versation of the chief magistrate will cause a thrill of gratitude and hopeful confidence in the breasts of thousands and hundreds of thousands whose solicitude and patriotic impatience have shaken their faith in the clearness of the executive head. and in the courage of the hand that is at the helm. May God speed the right
 W. X. CRoFFUT.
 The following reiteration by MT. Croffut of the Presidents conversation with Jim Lane appeared in subsequent number of the New York Tribune.
 WASHINGTON, Thursday, Jan g.
 I am authorizel by those who were present at the conversation at the White House between President Lincoln, General Lane and Senator Pomeroy, to assure you again that the idea which the President in tended to assert, and did assert, was dis tinctly this:
 '' That the rebel States, having by their own insane action abolished slavery in all its relations with our government, by repu- diating our protection, they can make no claim on us for fugityes, and that there fsre tue United States cannot return them, either with the military or civil arm, with out enslaving free men"
 To this conclusion the President said he had come after deliberate thought.
 w A. CROFFUT.