Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1864-08-06

fighting for independence freedom
to impose chains on half the people OF the
Slave States and to reign as autocrat over
the residue. Independence Is to him
power, state. luxury, Importance; but to
the uudktinguished many, even of whites.
under bis 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 g possible alternative. Yet the
GilmoreJ Jaques mission is no failure, though
1t resulted but 10 demonstrating this.
10 the other effort for Peace, was a
participant as follows: aess
Some time since, it was announced by
telegraph from Halifax that Messrs. G. O..
Clay, of Alabama, Jacob Thompson. of
Mississippi, Tex U. S. Senators, y Prof ].
P. lIolcombe, of the University OF Virginia,
and Geo. N. Sanders, of Kentucky, had
reached that city from Dixie, via Bermuda,
on important business; and all of these bu.
Mr.. Thompson (wbo is in Toronto) were
soon quartered at Clifton, on the. Canada
side of Niagara Falls. heard soon after
of confidential interviews between some or
all of these gentlemen and leading Demo
Gratis, from our own and the neiphborinQ
States, and there were telegrapic whishers
of overtures for reconstruction" and con-
ditions were set forth as those on which the
Confederaies wonld consent to reunion.
Il cannot say that any Of these reports
were aushentic.) Al length after several
less direct intimations, received private
letter from Mr.. Sanders, stating that Messrs
Clay, Holcomhe, himself, and another, de
sired TO visit Washington, npon compel and
unqualified protection being given by the
President or the Secretary of War.
AS p saw no reason why the Opposition
should be the sole recipients Of these gentle
mems overtures, if such there we're, (and it
is stated that Mr.. Clay aforesaid is prepar.
ing or to prepare an important letter to The
Chicago Convention,) / wrote to tae Pre-.
sdent, urging him TO invite the rebel gentle
men aforesaid to Washington, there to open
their budget. stated expressly that /
knew not what they would propose if so in
vited, but | could imagine no offer that
might be made by them which would not
conduce, in Que way or another, to restora.
tion Of the integrity and just authority of
the Union.
The President ultimately acquiesced in
this view SO far as to consent that the rebel
agents should visit Washington, but direct
ed that should proceed to Niagara and
accompany them lhepce to the Capitol.
This service most reluctantly undertook,
feeling deeply aud observing that almost
any one else might better have been sent on
this errand. But time seemed precious,
and | Immediately started. a-a
Arrived on this side of the Falls, wrote
across to Messrs. Clay & Co., stating that,
on the understanding that they bad the
needful powers from the authorities at Rich.
mond, l was authorized and ready 10 give
them safe conduct to w ashington. They
responded that, though in the confidential
employment OF their government, aud fully
conversant with its views and purpose, they
had not the specific powers 1 required, but
would get them, permitted, and desired
10 order 10 save time--to proceed at once
10 Washington, and be permitted thence to
commun cate with Richmond for the pur-
pose. Not feeling at liberty to concede
this, / ielegrapbed TO Washington for furth
er instructions, and was duly informed that
Major Hay, the Presideat's Private Secret
airy, would soon be on bis way to me. He
reached the Falls on the Goth, and we soon
crossed over TO the Clifton House, where
Major Hay after mutual introductions,
handed Prof Holcombe the following pa
per, iu the handwriting Of the President:
ExEcuTIvE MANSION
WAsHIYGToN, July 18th, 1864. (
To aAom ii may concern;
Any proposition which embraces the restora
ton OF peace, the integrity of the whole Union
and the abandonment of slavery, which comes
by and with an authority that can control The
armies now at war against the United States
will be received and considered by the Execu,
tive Government of the United States. and
will be met by liberal terms on substantial and
collateral points; and the bearer thereof shall
have safe conduct both ways. ~.
Sigued, i ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
left the Falls by the next train, leaving
Major Hay to receive any response to the
Presidents proffer. should any be made;
but there was none. Messrs Clay and
Holcombe addressed to me o letter OF sharp
criticism on the Presidents proffer above
quoted, which l first read in the columns
Of the daily journals of this city. And here
the matter closed, despite all rsmors of
further or other negotiations, Messrs
Clay, Holcombe, and Sanders remain at the
Falls, or at the adjacent watering places Of
st. GATHERINGS, and are still u the receipt
OF many visits from Democratic politicians,
who cross the border on purpose.
l heartily approve the Presidents basis
Of negotiation, aud think them calculated
to exert salutary Influence at The South;
and yet ! think it would have been wiser
to Lave interposed no conditions. but asked
the Confederates to perfect aud verify their
credentials, aud then make their propos j
ton. For, thus brought to book, what
could they have proffered that would not
have strengthened the upholders Of the
Union cause? 1t looks to me as though
a rare opportunity was loss for compelling
either tie Democracy OF the Loyal States
or-the despots Of Europe to forgo further
manifestations of sympathy with the rebels
in their desperate struggle. may be mis-
taken 10 this, but cannot be in my con-
viction that every indication OF desire on
our part to arrest bloodshed and restore
amity tends to disabuse and eoHeilate the
great perverted mass Of these now fighting