, 1864-07-31

some "ofu0 ON " AAu 1e&ces
(Ar. 0rcelc,'a article IN the independent July
Some time s!ncc, II was announced by tele.
grBph frcm Hal,fa1, that htcssrs. C. C. Clay.
of alabama, Jacob Thompson, Of Mississippi
tex.U. 8. senators,) rEof ]. r Uolcombe, oi
the University OF Virginia, and George N,
Sundere, Of Kentucky, had reached that city
from Dixie, ria Bermuda. on inportaut busi-
ness: sud ull Of these but Mr. Thompson,
(who Ia fn Tprouto,) were soon quartered at
the Chiffon, on the Canada eide Of Niagara
Falls. heard soon after Of confidential In.
terylewe between boUe or all Of these geD-
tlcmcn aud leading Democrats from our own
and the nelehborine -Stntcs, and there were
telegr:phic whispers Of 1vertures for tire
as those on which the Confeaerates wonId
consent to reunion. i cauuot say that aoy
Of these reports wire authcDtlc) At length.
after several less direct fnttmatious, re-
ceived private letter from Nr. Sanders.
stating that Mezsrs Clay, Ho1co mbc, llimsclC,
anu oihe1s, ,desised to visit Washington "upon
War." 'D' ''' ~~''f' o'
As saw no reason why the opposition
should be the sole recipients of these gentle
men's oveftures, II such they were land it is
Slated that biz. Clay afo1 1etatd Is preparing or
80 Cunvention), / wrote the President ur..iuc
lin to invite the rebel gentlemen aforesaid TO
Washington. there to open their budget /
stated expressly that knew not what they
would propose If 80 invited, hut could in
agine no offer that might be made By them
other, to restoration Of the integrity and
Just authority Of the Union.
TIE President ultimately acquieaced In this
view go far as tn consent that the rebel agents
should visit Washington, but directed that I
should proceed to Ni,gara, end accompany
t1s,ty, =, f- II r
ne It reluctantly undertook, feeling deeply,
hnd observing that almost any one else might
hetter have been sent on this erraud But
Started.
Arrived on this side Of the Falls, I wrote
across to Messrs. Clay q Co., stating that,
On the understanding that they had the need.
full powers from tie authorities at Rich
mond, was authorized mud ready to give
them eafa conduit to Washington. Tbey
responded that though in the conf.
deS,ial employ OF their Government,
and fully conyczsant with itsviews and
powers I required, hut would eet them.
If permitted, and desired-in order tn save
ttnt-to proceed at once to Washington and
be permitted thence to communicate with
Richmond Tor the purpuse. Not feeling At
11sI1y To- eoReeds fnr thl teesraphed to
was duly informed thut II .jor Hay, the Pres
ideDts private Secretary would soon be on
bis Way TO me- He reached the Falls on the
10th, and We soon crossed over to tue Clif-
ton, ~here MINOR Hay. after mutual intro.
ductiCns, hanued frot. Holcombe the follow
ing paper, In the handwriting OF the Presi-
dtnt:
EXECUTIVE NAxHou, |
n. .,,r, ,.r wAsa1SaToN, July 1s, 1861.
ANY proposition which embraces tho restoration
o. peace, the integrity Of the whole Union, and
ihs abandonment oE avery, ard which comes bY
row at war acaInsr ihe United States. vii be res
ctiTcd snd considered b5 the Executive Gofern
mens OF the United States. and win Dc met by ilb.
the pearer thereof shall have ea!c co1auct both
ways- AnnAuAx LIScDLN.
/ left the Falls By the next train, leaving
Major Hs5 to receive response to the
Presidents proficr, should any be made; but
there was none. Mefsrs. Clay aud Holcombe
addressed to NE letter Of sharp criticism
on the Presidents proHer above quoted.
which brat read in the columns of the daily
journals Of this city Aud here the matter
ctofed, despite oil rnmors of further or other
negotiations. afcssr1. Clay, Holcombe, aud
sunders remain at the Falls, or at tho at3]a-
are still In receipt Of many visits from Dem
purpose.
heartily approve the Presidents bosas Of
negotiation. and Mink them calculated to
exert ealutary influence at the South: md
yet think 1t would have been wiser to have
tnterposed no conditions, but asked the Con-
federated tn perfect and verify their Green.
ttalH, and then make their proposition. For,
thus brought to book, what could they hive
proflered that would not have strengthened
the npholaers OF the Union causer Il looks
to me ID though rare opportunity was lost
ior compelling either the Democracy Of the
loyal states fhe IRA eofa 1f Cnrroa -
ioseEo further manifestations OF symp,thF
with the rebels In the!r dcspcrutc struggle.
may he mistaken in this, hut caunot bc In
my conviction TINT every in.licasnn of dc.
sire Oh our part to nsrest bloolshea aud re-
etore aullty, tends to disabuse md coucjli.tc
LUG great perverted snnss Of those now fishs-
itg 10 divide and destroy their aud our