Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1864-08-10
Horace Greeley's History of the Niagara
Peace Commission.
HIS OPINION OF THE AFFAIR.

/ Ilie luoSt important statements.
THE INTRODUCTION
Last week was signalized by two efforts to
initiate negotiations with view to the pa
cifcation of our country. The more impor-
tant of these had Richmond for its arena.
| Mr. j. X. Gilmore-more widely known as
Edmund Kirke, author of Among the
accompanied by Rev. Col James f. Ja-
guess, of the 73d Illinois, and had familiar
interview with Jefferson Davis and several
of his lieutenants. They went with the full
knowledge of the President, intent on devils
ing or discovering some ground of accom-
| mediation and adjustment between the bel
| ligerents now devastating the Republic and
appear to have been treated with signal
| courtesy and even generous hospitality, but
had no success.
JEFF DAVIS PLATFORM VIEWED
Mr.. Davis, | believe, has not yet acknowl-
| edged the right of his black countrymen to
self government" or independent" eth
er. Nor. does he acknowledge the right of
North Carolina to secede from his confeder-
acy, and thus disconnect herself from re-
bellion into which she was precipitated by
the grossest frauds. The Unionists of the
South were conceded no right but apostacy
on peril Of determination by Davis and his
Il
for Independence for freedom to impose
claims on half the people Of the Slave
States and to reign as autocrat over the res
| idue. independence is to him power,
| state, luxury, Importance; but to the undis-
| tinguished many, even OF whites under his
sway, it is quite other than these We may
| safely assume that he will make no peace
that restores the Union, so long as there is
a possible alterr ative. Yet the Gilmore
Jaquess mission is no failure though it re-
suited but in demonstrating this.
So far Mr. Greeley has disposed of the
Richmond Peace effort. Now for Niagara
| Falls, in which he was more Immediately
| concerned.
THE ''oTHER EFFORT FOR PEACE.
Some time since, it was announced by tel
egraph from Halifax that Messrs. G.. c. Clay,
of Alabama, Jacob Thompson, of Mississip-
pi, (ex-U. S. Senators). Prof, j. z. Hol-
combe, of the University of Virginia, and
Geo. n. Sanders, of Kentucky, had reached
| that city from Dixie, Uia Bermuda, on i'm
portant business; and all of these but Mr..
| Thompson (who if in Toronto) were soon
quartered at the Clifton, on the Canada side
| of Niagara Falls l heard soon after of
| confidential interviews between some or all
of these gentlemen and leading Democrats
| from our own and the neighboring States,
| and there were telegraphic whispers Of over
| lures for reconstruction, and conditions
were set forth as those on which the Con-
| federates would consent to reunion. | can
not say that any of these reports were au-
| thentic. At length, after several less di-
rections, | received private letter from
Mr.. Sanders, stating that Messrs. Clay, Hol-
combe, himself, and another, desired to Wis
| it Washington, upon complete and unqual-
flied protection being given by the Presi-
dent or the Secretary of War.
THE PRELIMINARIES STATED.
As ] saw no reason why the Opposition
should be the sole recipients of these gen.
tlemen's overtures, if such there were land
it is stated that Mr.. Clay aforesaid is pre-
pairing or was to prepare an important letter
to the Chicago Convention Iwrote the Pre-
sident, urging him to invite the rebel gen.
| tlemen aforesaid to Washington, there to O.
I knew not what they would propose if so
invited but | could imagine no offer that
| might be made by them which would not
conduce, in one way or another, to a restor
alton of the integrity and just authority of
the Union. The President ultimately acqui-
esced in this view so far as to consent that
the rebel agents should visit Washington,
but directed that | should proceed to Mag
ara and accompany them thence to the Capt.
tai. This service L most reluctantly under
took, feeling deeply and observing that al
most any one else might better have been
sent on this errand. But time seemed pre-
cious, and [ Immediately started.
THE MANNER OF THE DIPLOMACY.
Arrived on this side of the Falls, | wrote
across to Messrs Clay & Co., stating that,
on the understanding that they had the need
full powers from the authorities at Richmond,
| was authorized and ready to give them a
Safe Conduct to Washington. They re-
sponded that, though in the confidential
employment of their government, and fully
conversant with its views and purposes, they
had not the specific powers | required, but
would get them, if permitted, and de
sired-in order to save time-to proceed
at once to Washington, and be permitted
thence to communicate with Richmond for
the purpose Not feeling at liberty to con-
cede this, telegraphed to Washington for
furher instructions and was duly informed
that Major Hay, the Presidents Private
Secretary, would soon be on his way to me.
He reached the Falls on the Goth, and we
soon crossed over to the Clifton, where Ma,
| ior Hay, after mutual introductions, handed
Professor Holcombe the following paper, In
| the handwriting of the President
Here follows the Presidents celebrated
| reply, s'To all whom it may concern, &c.
MIR. GREELEY LEAVES FOR HOME
I left the Falls by the next train, leaving
Major Hay to receive any response TO the
Presidents proffer, should any be made