Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-09-01

vance Of regular negotiaons Tor u connssoners Were
appointed without such understanding they would
meet quarrel snd separate leaving the parties more Bit
ter against each other than before that they knew Mr.
Lncln views and would state them If pressed by the
Pred mt TO do So and desired TO learn his in return
again insisted on some evidence that they from
Mr. Lincoln; and in order to satisfy me, Mr.. Gilmore
referred to The fact that permission for their coming
through lines had been aked officially by Gen Grant
in latter 70 Gen Lee and that Grant in that letter
rad asked that this request should be referred to Pres
dent Davis Mr. Gilmore then showed me card written
and sgned by Mr. Lincoln, requesting Gen Grant TO sd
the Confederscy Col jacques then said that his name
put the card Tor the reason that it was e'r
nesty desired that their visit should De kept secret that
he had come into The Conederacy year ago, and had
visited Petersburg on similar errand and that
feared IL his should become known that some Of
those who bad formerly met him 10 Petersburg would con-
lecture the purpose for which he He said that
the terms of peace which they would offer to the Pres
dent would DO honorable to the Coniederacy that they
did not desire that the Confederacy should accept any
other terms. but would be glad to have my promise as
they gave theirs that their visit should be kepa profound
secret If it failed to result in peace hst would not be
inst that either should seek any advantage by dvugng the
fact Of their overture for peace. II unsuccessful
assented to this request and then rising, saidi do
understand you 10 distinctly that you come mes
seneers from Mr. Lincoln for the purpose OF agreeing with
the President the proper mode Of nauguratDg for
NAL negotiation for peace, charged by Mr. Lincoln with
authority for stating his views and receiving those OF
President Davs7" Both answered in the a rmstve, and
then said that the President would see them at my ooe
the came evening at nine NJ that at lesst, presumed
he would but If be objected after hearing my report
they should be informed. hey then recommtted to
the charge Of Col Ould with the understanding that they
to be reconducted to my ce at the appointed hour
unless otherwise directed .a
The interview, connected with the report previously
made BY Col Ould left my mind the decided mpres-
sion that Nj. Lincoln to sending formal COM
missoners to open negotiations lest he might thereby be
deemed to have recognised the Independence Of the Con-
ederacy, and that he anxious to learn whether the
conditions which alone be would be willing to take suoh
n tep be ldpd by
this view he had placed his messengers D condition to
satisfy us that they really from him, without commit
ting himself to any thing in the event Of disagreement to
conditions be considered to be indispensable On
informing the President therefore, Of my conclusions he
determined that question Of form etiquette should be
obstacle 10 his receiving any ovorturos that promised
ago which marked the continuance Of hostilities.
The President came to my Office at nine o'clock in the
evening and Col Oud came few minutes later, with
Msssrs, Jacques and Gilmore, The President said 70