Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-09-10
Vo----1o Wood,, peaos PrsposltIsns.

Prsssasut MusOln's Springfield lsttsr
has stirred up fho ''pesce party" They
have long asserted that the President has
rejected offered terms Of peace. Mr.. Lincoln |
in his Springfield letter asserts that no
proposition for peace has ever come to his |
knowledge from the rebel army, or from
any of the men controlling it."
Upon this, Fernando Wood has produced
correspondence, held by him with the
President in December last. Woods Ian
guags was the following;
On the 25th Of November last I was
advised by an authority. which I deemed
likely to be well informed SIS we'll Is re-
liable and trrthful, that the Southern
States would send representatives. 70 The
next Congress, provided that full and
general amnesty should permit them to do
ST. This was the vague and Indefinite
proposition submitted by Wood, on " an su-
thority which he dsem,d likely to be we'll in
formed, Sc"
Could the President seriously consider
such proposition as that, coming from
such 8 source, from man in some sort Of
correspondence with the rebels No su-
thOrity was given, but at the most the as
surance Of private citizen, that he had
been advised by an authority, which he
deemed reliable, SC, Mr.. Lincoln wssnot
to be caught by such chat, though the
whole thing was manifes -Iy a trick on the
part Of Fernando Wood to entraP him in
some indiseretion. -1aais
The following is Mr.. LincOln's reply;
PREs1DEHr LINCOLN TO Mr.. WOOD.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, wAsH1xaFoy,
December II, 1862. !
Hon. FtTnGndo Wood:
MY DEAR SIR: Your letter of the 9Th,
vita the accompanying note Of same date,
was received yesterday.
The most important paragraph in the
letter, as | consider, is in these words
aOn the 25th November last I was advised
by an authority which l deemed likely TO
be we'll informed as we'll as reliable and
truthful. that the Southern States would
send representatives to the next Congress
provided that full and general amnesty
should permit them to do so. No gusrsD'
tee or terms were added for other than the
amnesty ref, Fred to"
strongly suspect your information will
prove groundless; nevertheless, l thank
YOU for communicating it to me. Under
standing the phrase in the paragraph
above ouoted-Hthe Southern States would
send representatives to the next Congress
to be substantially the same as that Stht
people Of the Southern States would cess'
resistance, and would reinsugurate, sub
nit to and sustain the National suthoritJ
within the limits Of such State, under th'
Censtitution of the United States" l say
that in such case the war would cesss OF
the psrt Of the United States; and that
within q reasonable time "a full and gen
eraI amnesty " we're necessary to such end
it would not be withheld.
I do not think it would be proper now t
Communicate this, formally or informally
to the people Of the Southern States. M,
belief is that they alresdy know it; an
when they choose, if ever, they can com
municate with me unequiF0cally. Nor
think il proper now to suspend militsr
! operations TO try any experiment Of negO
tiation.
should nevertheless receive, with gres
pleasure, the exact information you no.
have, and also such other as you may I
IEIuEa arrst sr,-s------o -o.,sh ipfaEmafihn 3 HiFt
While there is nothing In this lette
which shall dread TO peein history, IL 4
perhaps, better for the present that its eI
, is'enoe should net become public. therC
fore have to request that you will regar
il as confidential Your ObediQnt servan
A. LINCOLN.
The wisdom and prOpriety Of this repi
canuot be gsinsaid.
Wood replied in tone Of dissatisfat
ton, and complained of the general polio
of the Administration, and claimed that
general amnesty should be proclaimed, .,
fore the rebels made formal overture fC
peace. This is the COpperhead doctrine
this is the Vallandigham dOctrine--i
"wi1 draw invading armies" and humbl
the Administration and the GOVernuel
at the feetOf armed, Bloody-hsndsd rebel
The President took no further notice {
Mr.. Fernando Wood. Thsa loyal viii 81
plaud Mr.. Lincoln for his sagacity, PR
dence and firmness. sa
!