New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-12-05
yRrylyDo WOOD PRINCIPAL NRCOTIATOR.
Republican Opinion in Washington on the
Project
Correspondence Of The N. Y. Tribune.

last They have actually, in an informal way
asked for an amnesty from President Lincoln. The
movement OF our vast armies, the near approach Of
the ist of January and the panic and WEAKNESS of
the Southern people have fairly compelled the fore
most Rebel leaders to offer to come back TO the
Union, grorided The Government piH allo's them 10
do 50 aud resume their old mastery in Tie cOHHsels Of
The seg1iled nation.
have il from the most undoubted authority that
this matter has not only been brought to tie atten-
ton Of the Government but has been canvassed for
upward of two weeks past by the leading Secession
sympathizers and Democratic politicians at the
North. Fernando Wood, in bis speech in your city
last Saturday evening, stated whatwas really true
that he had received communications from Richmond
and bad transmitted them 10 the Government here
have Just learned through what sources he received
bis communications, and what the precise state OF
the case is between the Confederate and Union au-
thorities.
Dr. Barney, q citizen Of Baltimore, WIS recently
taken by tie Rebel piekets near Centreville, and
forvsried 10 Richmond. He has since stated that
be went in the way for the express purpose Of being
ccptlred. While in Richmond, where lie has nu.
neIous acquaintance, he had frequent interviews
With the members of the Confederate Cabinet, and
was admitted into many Of the secrets Of the Rebel
programme. When tie time arrived for his I
par,ure North, he was sent Tor by Judah p. Benja
mir who handed him let'es addressed 10 Gov. Sey-
mour of New.York, Fernando and Ben. Wood, Val.
lsndighsm, and Cox OF Ohio, Senator Bayard Of
Delaware, Reverdy johnson OF Maryland and
number Of other noted Democratic leaders in the
North and 10 the Border States. IN the verba in
s,ruttions given TO DIR. Barney no terms asked
tcr The SOu;herners told him they would consent
70 % terms, that if not admitted into the Union
agaa as equals, they would not come in at al. What
the ssk IL the granting Of amnesty 10 all the mill
Tar, and civil leaders Of the Rebellion, that an cleo
tos for Members Of Congress can be made during
he coming Winter, and that body be called together
at last as early as April. With the heavy Dem
ocrtie gains in the late elections the Southerners
zee that they could control both the Senate and
Hose and they offer 10 Jet the terms Of settlement
between the two sections be made by that Congress-
Thy say they viii never consent to any terms that
the Republican party now in power can eifer.
settlement, however, in which tney VIII have con-
trolling voice. in the Congress, they are willing
tosoide by.
D.. Barney had an interview with both Secretary
Seward and President Lincoln "a he returned
10 Washington, and, according 70 his own story,
thee officials declined 10 consider the matter IN the
.hspe in which be preseuted il TO them. lie has
since that time visited NewYork for the purpose Of
seeing and converting with John Van Buren,,
the Woods, and Gov. Seymour. Tie plan now is to
bring the matter before the country at az early Il
period as possible, 20 az to create public opinion in
favor of tie smne.ty asked for by tue Rebel leaders
l. is lglp ter ag
been engineered from Richmond, aud there is reason
for believing that the recent proposal for an ar1ns'
,ice by the Emperor NAPOLEON has relation 10 this
Rebel scheme, and timed to act with 1t 70 as to
affect Northern sentiment, aud force the President
into the policy laid out beforehand by Jei. Davis
and biz advisers.
THIS matter has been laid before the various repre-
seuiatiyes OF the foreign powers at Washington, and
,hsy siate-so DR.. Barney says-that the refusal 10
grant an amnesty, 30 as to bring about an eventual
restoration Of the Union, would set the whole world
Against Mr.. Lincoln, and lead almost Immediately to
some action on the part Of France, either to recog-
pize the South or break the blockade, or both. DR..
Barney makes no secret Of what the Rebels propose
70 DO in the event of their being permitted again to
control tie majority in Congress. They propose TO
consolidate the Northern and Southern debts; TO
give France peremptoTy notice TO quit MeXicoi to
seze that country, making Slave States, and TO
adopt the line OF 80 80, below @hch they say all
future acquisitions must come in Slave States.
The recent remarkable articles in The RlchHond
EzamiHer Of the Sth and 2lst Of November, with
regard 10 the Northern elections and the military
power OF tie North and South united, were inspired
BY the same pcrsons in authority who gave Dr..
Bsmey and doubtless others, messages to leading
Democrats ia the North.
This mater has come to the knowledge Of lead
Ing Republicans in Washington, who, Of course,
ror, at it Us being entirely impracticable. They
have no nOlion, after all the blood and treasure
asstei in tie present war, Of allowing the Rebels
pgain victory by diplomacy which they have
been unable TO do in the field. reunion in tie
manner they Indicate they contend, would mean not
'ny tue petuation Of Slavery in this country bat
would practically place the Free North at the mercy
u tho SlavehOdlng South. The best Republican
aGborities agroe in believing that the Rebels have
really no wish TO come back that their object IN this
'hrewd msneuver is 10 divide the sentiment Of the
North, and embarrass the action Of the Admnistra-
ncD. They think it would be plausible story 10
some before the country that the South really wishes
come back, and merely asks foI a suspension OF
sssulilies, and an amnesty to allow 1t TO hold an
Section for members Of Congress, the real effect
which would be 10 save them from the Emalci-
patton Proclamation, and the havoc our armies will
''ee ssa,s IN .hs slsysh0lding States,