, 1863-07-14
THE REBEL VICE PlsESL-
DENTS VISIT.
Proportions for an Arualstfce.

A Aepeclal to the N. 7, 4erazd, dated Fort.
ress Monroe, sth, aays:
+ Even the glorious news Of the rout Of the
rebel army was overtoPped By the announce
1nent that Alexander E. Stephens, Vice Presi.
ed at Newport's News with dag Of truce.
The excitement was intense, and everybody,
os matter Of course, assigned reason f0r
this unexpected visit. Ths advent was NOT
Intended to b. made public nntil the full par
ttculars could be ascertained; but lnasmuch
as Jon published q portion Of the proceed
iDgs, have followed up the subject closely
and obtained the following facts:
EEssRs. STEPHENS AND oULD CANE DOWN
the James River on the Torpedo and
not the Dragon. and were hailed by our pick
ct boat near White shnnl lighthouse, about
fourteen miles from Newport News, Mr.
Stephens stated that he had i'm.
portant dispatches tor the President
II the United States, and wished to 60 down
officer commanding tho feet. The officer In
charge Of the picket boat informed Atr. Ste.
phens that any communication he might have
would be delivered to Admiral Lee, but the
Torpedo could not proceed further inside our
lines. Mr. Stephens hereupon haEded the Cap
tain Of the picket.boat two packages ad-
dressed to Admiral Lee and the Commanding
officer Of the forces at Fortress Monroe. Ii
the absence Of General DIX from this post.
Col. Ludlow telegraphed the substance Of the
communication to Warrington, as also did
Admiral Lee. Mr. Stephens was accredited
d military Commissioner OF Jefferson
Davis, Commander.in,C Chief Of the Army and
Eavy of the Confederate States, to President
L. LINCOLN, Commander-in- Chiaf Of the Army
aid Navy Of the United States, aud requested
Permission from the military authorities to
proceed directly to Washington for the pur-
f1f Ia ottA ~
ing with Ar. Lincoln In person upon matters
connected Herewith.
Tm ANSWER.
After delay Of forty. eight hours IN answer
was received BY Colonel Ludlow, that LIZ.
Stephens request was inadmissable- the
usual military agencies furnished an ample
ut dium for au communications On military
bueiness.
Colonel Ludlow communicated the answer
OF the government IN person to Mr. Stephens
on Monday, and spent some time On board Of
the rebel tug on busineea concerning ex-
changes with LII. Onld. ;,
SUPPOSED OBJECT OF sTEpuExs' v1s1r,
Il is surmised {snd have every confidence
IN Its truth, J that Mr. Stephens was the bearer
Of propositions for an aralisuce, and that this
time was selected because Of the panic caused
BY the invasion Of ftnnsy lvana By Lee, md
before any oeclsive battle had been fought to
make said request.
DISAPPOINTMENT OF STEPHENS At Hs ANSWER.
There is no doubt but that A1r. Stephens
was greatly disappointed with the result Of
his mission. The answer Of our Government
was emincutly proper. To have received him
would have been yirtual acknowledgement
Of what the Confederacy claimed to be; and
T he had been permitted to go to Washing
ton, it would hare serfously embarrassed our
GoEernment, By making propositions that
would hive called for Cabinet discussions.
Tour Washington dispatch says: tsAdmiFa1
Lee was instructed to ascertain, Ii possible.
the object Of their mission" This i q mis-
take: On the contrary, Admiral Lee was ad-
morished under no circumstances to hold any
Communication with Mesars. Stephens and
Ould:I.An intercourse with the rebels wns
Prompted until advices from the President
could be received, and when these came. Col.
Ludlow at once proceeded on the Henry Bur
den TO the place where the Torpedo was at
anchor, and there conferred with them. The
rebel boat did not leare without ssany parting
sa'utation or explanation, !" but while awai Ing
the answer from Washington merely cruised
about the james river, beyond our lines. Col. >
Ludlow parted with Mess1s. Stephens aud
Ould On nmicatle terme.-