, 1864-08-08

PEACE OVERTURES.
New York, July 2l.-A dispatch from
Niagara Falls says an interview has taken
place between Messrs. Clay, Thompson and
fIolcOmb who claim to be commissioners
from the rebel government TO seek terms Of
peace, with Mr. Greeley, who is authorized
by Mr.. Lincoln to act in the matter. The
commissioners propose the restoration OF
the Union upon this basis:
Ist. All negroes which have been actu.
ally freed by war to be secured in such
freedom.
I'd. All negroes who are at present held
as slaves to remain SO.
3. The war debt of both sides to be paid
by the United States.
4th. State rights to be recognized in the
reconstruction of the Union.
These propositions were laid before Mr..
Lincoln by Mr.. Greeley. The President
at once telegraphed to Mr.. Greeley the
terms upon which he would propose set
tlement and reconstruction, to wit:
A full and complete restoration Of the
Union in all its territorial integrity and the
abandonment of slavery in all the seeded
States, under conditions which should,
while respecting the property and rights Of
all loyal men, afford ample security against
another war in the interest Of slavery.
After considerable correspondence be-
tween the parties, it was concluded to refer
the whole matter back to the two Govern
ments for consideration.
The HeralFs Niagara Falls dispatch says
that Greeley, accompanied by Mr.. Hay,
private Secretary to Mr.. Lincoln, had an
interview with George Sanders and Others
claiming to be commissioners from the re-
bel government, who wanted an interview
with the authorities at Washington. After
receiving the terms upon which such visit
might be made, they were accepted.
A Washington special says: Col. JAG
quez, of the 30th Illinois Volunteers, and
Edmund Kirk, by permission Of the Presi-
dent, recently visited jeff Davis at Rich
mond, aud had an interview with him on
the state of the country. The dispatch
says they were kindly treated, but Of course
nothing of the results Of the interview has
been divulged.
The Philadelphia Inquirer says Jacques
and Edmund Kirk visited Richmond and
say that it is materially understood that
the object was the restoration Of peace.
Col. Jacques proposed year ago to go to
Richmond, and gained permission to pass
our lines, but got no further than Peters,
burg. He reports that our prisoners are
now comfortably cared for.
Buffalo, July 21.-A correspondence be-
tween Holcomb and Greeley, at Niagara
Falls, has been furnished for publication.
The first letter from them to Greeley asked
for protection from the President or Secre-
tary Of War, in order that they may visit
Washington. Greeley replied under date
Of 18th, as follows:
GENFLEMEN-I am informed that you
are duly accredited from Richmond as bear
ers Of propositions looking to the re-estab-
lishment Of peace, and that you desire to
visit Washington in fulillment Of your
mission. If my information be substan-
tally correct, am authorized by the Pres
ident to tender you his safe conduct on the
journey proposed, and will accompany you
at your earliest convenience.
These facts being materially different
from that understood to exist, Greeley
thought il advisable to refer 70 the Presi-
dent, soliciting fresh instructions, which
were furnished from the Executive Man.
sion July Is, 1854, as follows:
"Any proposition embracing restoration
Of peace, the integrity Of the whole Union
and the abandonment Of slavery, which
comes by and with the authority that con-
troll the army now at war against the United
States, will Be received by the Executive
Government Of the United States, and will
bc met by liberal terms on substantial aud
collateral points, and bearers thereof shall
have safe conduct both ways.
(Signed) A. LINCOLN.
They reply as follows, under date Of the
18th Of July:
although the safe conduct Of the Presi-
dent has been rendered US, we regret to say
that, under misapprehension Of facts, we
have not been accredited to him from Rich
mond as bearers Of propositions looking to
the establishment Of peace.
We are, however. in the continental em-
ploy Of our Government, and are entirely
familiar with lie wishes and opinions on the
subject, and VIC need to be authorized to
declare that If the circumstances disclosed
in this correspondence were Communicated
to Richmond, VIC would be at once invested
with the authority to which your letter re-
fers, or other gentlemen clothed with full
powers would Immediately be sent to WASH
ington with view Of Fastening the con-
summation so much desired, and termina-
ton at tho earliest possible moment Of the
calamities Of war"
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