, 1864-08-01


lMr. Greeley's article In the Independent, July aJ
| Some time since, it was announced BY tele-
graph from Halifax, that Messrs. G. G.. Clay,
! Of Alabama, Jacob Thompson, OF Mississippi,
| (ex.U: 8. senatora,) Prof J. P, Holcombe, Of
the University OF Virginia, and George n.
| Sanders, Of Kentucky, nnd reached that city
| from Dixie, rio Bermuda, on important busi-
| ncas; and all Of these but Mr.. Thompson,
| (Who ls In Toronto,) were soon qnartered ut
| the Clifton, on the Canada side OF Ni,gara
Falls. heard soon after Of confidential in
tervieWs between some or al1 OF these gen.
tlemen and leading Democrats from our own
and the neighborinE States, and there were
telegraphlc whispers Of oVertures for tire
construction" and conditions were set forth
as. those on which the Confederates would
consent to reunion. II cannot say that any
after several less direct intimations,. re-.
! cetved q private letter from Mr. Sanders,
| stating that Messrs. Clay, Ho1combe, himself,
and others, desired to visit Washington "upon
complete and unqualified protection being
given By the President or the Secretary oil
War"
As eaw: no reason whT the oppos,t,on
should be the sole recipients Of these gentle
| mems overtures, such they were {and it Is
stated that Mr. Clay aforesaid il preparing OF
is to prepare an:lmportant letter to the Chlca-
60 Conyention), wrote the President urging
lin to insite the rebel gentlemen aforesaid to
l
'atated expressly that I knew not what they
would propose If SO Invited, but could In
agine no offer that might be made By them
which would not conduce, In ono way or the
other, to a restoration Of the integrity and
| just authority OF the Union.
The President ultimately acquIcsced In this
view 20 far as to consent that the rebel agents
should visit Washington, but directed that
should proceed to Ntagara, and accompany
them thence to tue capital. This service I
most reluctantly undertook, feeling deeply,
better have been sent On this errand Bnt
started.
Arrived on this side of the Falls, wrote
across to Mesers. Clay 4 Co., stating that,
tm powers from the authorities at Rich
mond, was authorized and ready to give
them safe. conduit to Washington. They
responded that, though in ths CONT
DENTAL employ Of their Government,
paq icy had wn NOT tie ssvsps spsced aed
powers required, but would get them,
# permitted, and desfred-in order to save
time-to proceed at once to Washington aud
be permitted thence to communicate with
Richmond for the purpose; Not feeling at
Washington for further Instructions, and
was duly informed that Major Hay, the Pres
ident's private Secretary would soon be on
bis way to me. he reached the Falls On the
20th, and We soon crosBed over to the CliE-
ton, where Major Hay, after mutual intro
ing paper, in the handwriting Of the Prsi-
dent:
EXECUTIVE MANSION, J..
WAsn1soroS, July 1S, 1861.
Any proposition Which embraces the restoration
Of peace. the integrity Of the whole, Uniou, and
me aDa5donment o. slavery. and which conacs By
" hNf 1tT4rt
now at war aeuinst The United States, wil Be r.
eeiVed and considered by the Executive Govern
era1 terms on substantial snd colaterai points. and
ways.L =, - 49,. ABnAnAA LINCOLN. :.
Major Hhy to receive q response to the
Pres1dent's pro1er, should any be mada; bat
there was none. Messrs. Clay and Holcombe
addressed to, me letter of sharp criticism
on the Presidents pToffer above quoted,
which ! first read In the columns of tue daily
closed, despite all fumors Of further OF other
negotiations. Messrs. Clay, Holcombe, and
Sanders remain at the Falls, or ut the ada
cent watering place Of St.: Catharine's. and
are still in receipt Of many visits from DEM
ccratic politicians, who cross the border on
purpose. -.
=, l heartily approve fbe Presidents bases Of
negotiation, and think them calculated to
exert eal4tary influence at the South; and
yet think 1t would have been ;WIser to have
fnterposed mo conditions, but asked tue Con-
tials, and then mike their proposition. For,
thus brought to book, what could they have
profeted tnat would not haye strengthened
the upholders Of the Union cause. 1t looks
to me- as though rare opportunity was lost
for compelling either the Democracy Of the
f01ego further manifestations OF SYMPATHY
with the rebels in their desperate struggle.
mag be mistaken In this, but cannot be in |
my conviction that every indication Of de-
sire on our part to arrest b1oodshed and re-
store amity, tends to disabuse aud conclliate,
the great perverted mas Of those now fight |
ing to divide and destroy their md onr
country. |