Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1864-09-02
The Late Peace Interview in Richmond -Cir-
cuIar from the State Department.

The Late Peace Interview in Richmond --Cir.
cular from the State Department.
The following circular from the State
Department will explain itself:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Richmond, Va, Aug. 25, 1864. !
SIR: Numerous publications which have
recently appeared in the journals of the
United States on the subject of informal
overtures for peace between two Fedora
tions of States now at war on this CONT
'nent, render. it desirable that you should
be fully advised of the views and policy
of this Government on. a matter Of such
paramount Importance. it's likewise pro-
per that you should be accurately inform
ed Of what has occurred on the several
occasions mentioned in the published state
ments.
You have heretofore been furnished
with copies of the manifesto issued by the
Congress of the Confederate States, with
the approval of the President, on the 14th
Jnne last, and have, doubtless, acted in
conformity with the resolution which re-
quested that copies of this manifesto should
be laid before foreign governments. "The
principles, sentiments, and purposes, by
which these States have been, and are still
actuated," are set forth in that paper with
all the authority due to the solemn declar-
atoms of the Legislative and Executive
Departments of this Government, and
with clearness which leaves no room for
comment or explanation. In few SEN
fences it is pointed out that all we ask is
immunity from interference with our inter
nal peace and prosperity sand to be left
in the undisturbed enjoyment of those in
alienabe rights of life, liberty, and the
pursuit of happiness, which our common
ancestors declared to be the eqHal heritage
of all parties to the social compact. Let
them torbear aggressions upon lis, and the
war is at an end. If there be questions
which require adjustment by negotiation,
we have been willing, and are still willing,
TO enter into communication with our ad-
Versaries III spirit of peace, Of equity,
and manly frankness." The manifesto
closed with the declaration that we COM
NIT our cause to the enlightened judgment
Of the world, to the sober reflections of orr
adversaries themselves, and to the solemn
and righteous arbitrament of Heaven"
Within a very few weeks after the pub
LEGATION Of this manifesto, it seemed to
have met with response from President
Lincoln. In the early part of last month
letter was received by General Lee
from ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Grant, in the fol-
lowing words:
"HEADQuAKrERs ARMIES OF TIE UNITED STATES
City Point, Va, July 8, 1864.
Gen. r. E. Lee, commanding the Con-
.tederate forces aaeqr Petersburg, Va. :
General: l would request that Colo
mel James F. jacques, Seventy third Illi-
nois volunteer infantry, and ]. R. Gilmore,
Esq, be allowed to meet Colonel Robert
Ould, Commissioner for the Exchange Of
Prisoners, at such place between the lines
of. the two armies as you may designate.
The object of the meeting is legitimate
with the duties of Colonel Ould as Com
missioner.
If not consistent for you to grant the
request here asked, would beg that this
be referred to President Davis for his &C.
ton.
Requesting as early an answer to this
communication as you may find it conVe-
nient to make, l subscribe myself,
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
q. S. GRANT,
ss.y Lieutenant-General, Q. S. A."
On the reference of this letter to the
President, he authorized Colonel Ould to
meet the persons named in Gen. Grants
letter; and Colonel Ould, after seeing
them, returned to Richmond and reported
to the President, in the presence Of the
SECRETARY of War, and myself, that Messrs.
jacques and Gilmore had not said any
thing to him about his duties as Commits
sioner for Exchange of Prisoners, but that
they asked permission to come to Rich
lpond for the purpose of seeing the Pres
ident; that they came with the knowledge
and approval of President Lincoln, and
under his pass; that they were informal
messengers, sent with a view of paving
the way for a meeting of formal commits
sloners authorized to negotiate for peace,
and desired to communicate to President
Davis the views of Mr. Lincoln, and to
obtain the Presidents views in return, 80
as to arrange for a meeting of commission
ersr S9ioRsl Guild stated that he had told