The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1864-08-17
Editorial correspondence.
WILLrAMspoRT, July 20, 1864.

ueicJ W ~. Oldyy o. , Ilol.onp auu ia
cob Thompson, appeared at the Falls, on
the Canada side, and shortly after it was
discovered that Horace Greeley was on
this side and that correspondence was
going on between the parties. Curiosity
was on tip,t toe to learn the nature OF the
correspondence, and surmises were rife as
to what was to grow out of it. Mr.. Gree
ley has gratifed the public by revealing
the correspondence. The first letter is
from Sanders to Greeley saying that they
are "ready and willing to 60 at once to
Washington, upon complete and unqual-
iied protection being given, either by the
President or Secretary of War" Mr..
Greeley then very naturally inquiries:
am informed that you are duly accredited
from Richmond as the bearers of propositions
looking to the establishment of peace, that
you desire to visit Washington in the fulfil
ment of your mission, and that you further
desire that Mr.. George n. Sanders shall ac-
company you. If my information be thus far
substantially correct, | am authorized by the
President of the United States to tender you
his safe conduct on the journey proposed,
and to accompany you at the earliest time
that will be agreeable to you.
Mr.. Greeley then received letter cor
recting the impression that they had been
accredited from Richmond, but stating
that they were in the confidential en-
p.ovment of 'their Government" and
consequently knew its wishes. This
changing from Commissioners to individ-
uals, of course involved change of pro,
cedure on the part of Mr.. Greeley. Mr..
Greeley then informs the Rebels that he
has teegraphed 20 Washington for in
structions, and shortly after receives the
following instructions, which we copy in
full j:
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON,
July Is, 1864.
| TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN.
Any proposition which embraces the res
toration of Peace the integrity of the whole
Union, and the abandonment of Slavery, and
which comes by and with an authority that
can control the armies now at war against the
United States, will be received and consd-
cred by the Executive Government of the
United States, and will be net by liberal
terms on other substantial and collateral
points, and the bearer or bearers Of it shall
have Safe Conduct both ways.
| ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
The letter which terminates the cor
respondence is long letter from Clay and
Holcomb, which they transmit through
Col. Jewett to Mr.. Greeley stating that
the document of the President addressed
"whom it may concern" precludes nego-
tiation, and proceed to argue in behalf of
their cause. This correspondence has
given the "Cops" an opportunity to howl
about "rejection of peace propositions"
and assert that President Lincoln "desires
to continue the war;" To thinking men
this cannot but be ridiculous, but with
the masses, who many times take asser-
ton for argument, this will not seem so
foolish, and knowing that the rebels in
the North are attempting to create the
impression "that if the Government would
they could have peace" How foolish !!
These men acknowledge that they are
acting in an individual capacity; that
they are not accredited from Richmond,
and that if terms of peace were agreed
upon between them and our Government
they would then have to procure the con-
sent of "their Government" (which
might and might not be done. 1t looks
to me like an "electioneering dodge" of
the Copperheads, the best way it can be
seen. Some weeks ago this Geo. n.
Sanders, northern renegade, telegraphed
: to the editor of the Herald that he was
at the Clifton House and wanted to see
him. Did he or did he not see him and
plan this trap by which Mr.. Greeley, in
: his earnest desire for the public good,
should be made the means for an attack
upon the Administration. Ifhe did not,
it must be a curious expression that
james Gordon Bennett, wears upon his
face TO- day.
: For long time North Carolina has
{ been surging to and fro upon the waves
of the Old Union, the Copfederacy, and
an Independent Sovereignty, In which
the old North State should constitute a
separate Government. This wrigglng
and squirming has cost her much trouble
Hor last proposition is 'indlvidual SOW
ereignty" in which she shall De neutral,
neither for the North Or the South. The
Richmond papers advise her of the very
important propositions which it will be
necessary for her to practically demon
strate in such an event. The removal of
all Federal troops from her soil and also
the removal of the civic and military
forces of the Rekels. No Federal or
Rebels troops must then be allowed to
cross her border, or her neutrality would
be defeated. She would stand between