Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1863-09-09
THE PEACE QUESTION.
CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN PRESIDENT
LINCOLN AND HON. PREM ND0 WOOD.

LINCOLN AND HON FAkh ANDO WOOD.
The New York journals of Yesterday contain
the subjolned correspondence, which took place
in December last between President Lincoln
and Fernando Wood, Of New FORK, reiaaiyeto
an alleged disposition of the seeded States to
lay down their arms and resume their duties In
the Union, on the condition that general
amnesty should be granted by the President of
the United States.
MR. WOOD TO PRESIDENT LINCOLN. -
-fAsh- NEW YORK, December 8, 1862.
Hon. ABRAHAM LINCOLN, President of the
United States.
DEAR SIR: On the 25th of November last
was advised by an authority, which deemed
likely to be well informed as well as reliable
and truthful, that the Southern States would
send Representatives to the next Congress
provided that a ulland general amnesty should
permit them to do so. No guarantee or terms
were asked for other than the amnesty referred
to. Deeming this infor mation Of great value if
well founded, communicated it in substance
10 the Hon. George Opdyke, the Mayor OF this
city, whom know to hold confidential rela-
ions to members of your Administration, and
proposing through him, that If the Government
would permit the correspondence, under is
own inspection, would undertake to procu1 e
something definite and pos tive from persons
connected with the SO called Confederate
authorities. MIR. Opdyke stated in reply that
several Senators from New England States
Were ther in this city on their way to Wash
ington, to whom he would at once communi-
cate the proposition, and advise me Of the
answer. Knowing that these gentlemen " ere
your friends, and supposing that they would
Immediately confer with you on their arrival
at the capital, and supposing that should be
speedily informed OF the result, have delayed
until now making communication direct to
you. al. -. siI-s ..-.sa.t ID .s.gF o.. r
Inow learn, however, from MIR. Opdyke this
day, that he failed to see these Senators when
in New York, and 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 i'm
pressed with the great necessity OF restoring
the Union of these States, ask your immedi-
ate attention to this subject. The magnitude
OF the interests at stake warrant some execu-
If 1t be only to ascertain if it be grounded upon
even probable foun cation. If it shall prove
groundless no harm shall have been done pro-
vided the inquiry be made, as it can be, With
out compromising the Government. or injury
to the cause in which it is now engaged If
however, it shall prove we'll founded, there is
no estimate too high to place upon it's national
value.
Now, therefore, Mr.. President, suggest that
gentlemen whose former political and social
relations with the leaders Of the Southern re-
volt may be allowed to hold unofficial CORES
rondence with them on this subiect-the cor
respondence TO be submitted to YOU. 1t may
be thus ascertained what, if any, crpder,cp NAV
be given TO these statements, and also whether
q peaceful solution of the struggle may not be
attainable. l am sure nothing that can say
can add to your own wen known desire to pro.
duce this result. Your exalted position the
embarrassment and responsibilities which
surround you upon al sides, the bleeding con-
dition of the country, becoming exhausted, not
only ia the impOverishment of its best life
blood, of industrial prod but il the de-
terioration and consequent destruction of our
political institutions-all ca II upon you, as our
chief ruler, to take Onr 81 y non the road or
peacei III effort, by which l. its certain whet her
the tlIne has not arrived whoa Cth"r methods
than brute fighting may not accomplish what
mlltaI Y force he's u, lied & do.
In the origin OF this Stri,, gle. yoH foFssaW
that such a time would Come Your inaugural
address, delivered near U"o years ago. poiI ted
out with prophetic Wis on The cc1 taiu IiltS OF
The impending conflict of arm. I0uf Ian
guase then was, 50 suppose you 20 t. WAL, Eo;I
cannot tight always. ana WHEEL, :ttt-r cii los
lighting: the Identical questions As u teILiS OF
intercourse are a.aIn upon you" lou saw
that alter JlCoGy ~ q terrible stru ggle - the
still small voi.e ui reason" would intervene
and settle the controversy. You know that
since the establishment OF Christian civilization
nesotiatIch AID compromise have, sooner or
cannot be otherwise here. Has not the time
arrived when, to quote your own language, we
should "CeaSe lighting, at least long enough
to ascertain whether " the identical questions
about which we began the tight may not be
amlcabiy and hOnorably adjusted, and the
terms OF intercourse" be once more peaceably
established. 1t is to This end that now ad-
dress Jou-with confidence in your patriotism,
and with no desire to Interfere with your IegltI-
mate constitutional prerogatives. ~
am, with high respect, yours very truly,
tn FERNANDO WOOD.