The Tiffin weekly tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1859-1868, 1864-07-28
]. 2. HOLCOMD,
C. c. CLAY, Jr.

EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON, July lS, 1864.
To Whom 10 Nay Concern;
Any proposition which embraces the
restoration of peace, the integrity of the
whole Union, and the abandonment OF
slavery, aud which comes by aud with
an authority that can control armies now
at war with the United States, will be
received by the Executive Government
of the United States, and will be met
by liberia, terms on substantial and col
lateral points, nnd tho bearer or bearers
thereof shall have safe conduct both ways.
[Signcd1 ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
Mjor Hay would respectfully inquire
whether Professor Holcomb, aud the
gentlemen associated with him, desire TO
SEND to Washington by Major Hay any
messages in reference TO the communi.
cation delivered to him on yesterday
and in that case, when no may expect to
be- favored with such messages?
INTERNATIONAL HOTEL, Thursday.
Mr., Holcomb presents his compliments
t. Major Hay, and greatly regrets IL his
return to Washington has been delayed
by any expectation Of an answer TO the
communication which Mr.. Ilalcomb re-
ceiycd from him yesterday, to be deliver
ed 10 the President of the United States.
This communication was accepted MS n
response TO The letter Of Messrs. Ilol-
comb and Clay to Hon, Horace Greeley,
and to that gentleman It has been trans
mitted.
The application 10 which we refer was
elicitcd by your letter of the 18th inst,
IN which you inform Mr.. Jacob Tbomp.
son and ourselves, that you were nuihori.
zed by the President of the United States
10 tender us his safe conduct, in the by
po.hesis that we were duly accredited
| from Richmond as bearers Of propositions
| looking to the rc-estDblishment Of peace,
and desired to visit Washington in the
fulfllment Of this mission This nsser.
tion. to which we then gave, and still do
entire credcncc, was accepted by us
as evidence Of an unexpected, but most
gratifying change in the policy of the
President, n change which VIC felt Ou-
thorized TO hope might terminate in the
| conclusion OF Il peace mutually just, hon.
orable and advantageous TO the North and
/ to the South, exncting no condition hut
that VIC should be duly accredited from
Richmond as bearers of propositions
looking to the establishment Of perce,
thus Offering basis foe conference as
comprehensive as we desire, 1t seemed to
us that the President opened u door
which had previously been closed against
the Confederate States for full interchange
of sentiments, FREQ discussion of conflict.
ing opinions and untrameled effort to
remove all caused of controversy, by
| liberal negotiation. We, indeed, could
moi claig the benefit Of safe conduc
which had been extended TO MS in 4
character we had no right TO ASSUME, , ant
he'd never affected to possess but ih'
uniform declaration OF our Executive ant
Congress, and their thrice repeated, nnt
as often repulsed, attempts to open ncgo
tiations furnished sufficient pledge lhl
this conciliatory manifestation on the par
Of the President Of the United States
would be met by them in temper o
equal magraniGity. We had, therefore n,
hesitation in declaring that II the cores
, pondence was communicated to the Presi
/ dent Of the Confederate Suites, he woul
I promptly embrace the opportunity pre-
I sented icf seeking peaceful solution O
+. this unhappy strife. We feel conhien
E that you JUN IN our profound fegret thn
! the spirt which dictated the first ST.
toward peace should not have continue
TO animate the eoupcils ofyour President