Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-09-10
THE PEACE QUESTION.
CORES PoNDENCE BETWEEN PRESIDENT
LINCOLN AND Hon. FERNANDO WOOD.


CORRESPONDENTS BETWEEN PRESIDENT
LINCOLN AND Hon. FERNANDO WOOD.
The New York journals of yesterday contain
the subjoined correspondence, which took place In
December last between President LINCOLN and
the Hon. FERNANDO WooD, of New York, relative
to an alleged disposition of the Seeded States to
lay down their arms aud resume their duties IN the
Union, on the condition that general amnesty
should be granted by the President of the United
States. AS this proposition has, within the past
seven or eight months, been repeatedly alluded to
in the public prints, and also we believe in the
debates of Congress- place the entire correspon-
dence before our readers, in order that they may
be enabled to understand the true nature of pro-
position which has been variously described, ac'
cordng to the political predictions the party
bias Of those who have had occasion to refer to
it. The Presidents letter, it appears to US, was
under the circumstances altogether proper.
Mr. Wood to President Lincoln.
New YORK, DECEMBER 8, 1862.
Hon ABRAHAM LINCOLN, President of the United States
DEAR SIR: On the 25th of November last was ad-
vsed by an authority, which deemed likely to be well
informed as we'll reliable and truthful that the South
States would send to the next Congress
provided that full and general amnesty should permit
them to do So No guarantee or terms asked for
other than the amnesty referred to- Deemng this infor
nation of great value if we'll founded communicated It
in substance to the Hon George Opdyke, the Mayor OF
this city whom knew to hold confidential relations to
members of your Administration and proposing through
him. that if the Government would permit the correspon-
dence under own inspection would undertake TO pro-
cure something definite and positive from persons connect
ed with the socaed Confederate authorities Mr. Opdyke
stated in reply that several Senators from New England
States then in this city their way TO washington
whom he would at communicate the proposltion
and advise me the Knowing that these gentle
your friends and surprising that they would I'M
medately confer with you their arrival al the capital
and snpposng that should be speedily informed OF the re-
suit, have delayed until making communication
direct to you.
Inow learn however from Mr. Opdyke this day, that he
failed to these Senators when IN New ork ana that
he had not made the proposition and that therefore you
are not in possession Of it as coming from myself
As an humble but loyal citizen deeply Impressed with
the great necessity of restoring the Union OF taess states
ask your immediate attention to this subject The mag
nde of the interests at stake warrant some executive
action predicated upon this Information II 1t DO only to
ascertain if be grounded upon even probable oundaon
If it shall prove groundess harm shall have been done
provided thu inquiry be made 1t can be- without com
promising the Government injury to the cause IN which
1t ia now engaged II, however, IT shall prove we'll
founded there is esmats too high TO place upon lis
national value.
Now, therefore, Mr. President suggest that gentle
men whose former political and social relations with the
leaders Of the Southern revolt may be allowed to hod I'M
official correspondence with them this suhJectthe
correspondence be submitted to you 1t may be thus
what if any credence may be given to these
statements and also whether peaceful solution OF the
present struggle may not be attanable am sure nothing
that can say add your well known desire to
produce this result Your exalted position, the embar
easements and responsibilities which surround you upon
all sides the bleedI condition of the country becoming
exhausted not only 10 the mpovershment OF It's best lie
blood of industrial production but IN the deterioration
and consequent destruction of political institutions
all call upon you chief ruler to take step
the road of peaceful effort by which to ascertain whether
the time has arrived when other methods than brute
lighting may not psh what military force has failed
to do.
In the origin Of this struggle, you foressw that such
time would come. Your inaugural address, delivered
years ago. pointed ont with prophetic vision the
certain results of the impending conflict of Your
language then Suppose you 60 to war you cannot
fight always and when after much toss on both sides and
gain either you lighting, the Identical CUES
tons To terms of again upon you lou
saw that after bloody and terrible struggle the stil
small of reason" would intervene ami settle the
troversy You know that since the establishment Of
Christian civilization negotiation and compromise have
later determined every military contest 1t
be otherwise here. Has not the time arrived when
to quote your language, should cease fgh'ing,
least long enough to ascertain whether the identical
questions" about which began the fight may not be
amcaby and honorsby adjusted and the terms of inter-
course be psaceaby established? 1t to this
end that address you-with confidence IN you pa
riotsm aud with desire to interfere with your legt
mate constitutional prerogatives.
/ am, with high respect, yours very truy,
FERNANDO WOOD.