Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1864-07-27
Reported Peace Negotiations,

The country was somewhat startled durins
the past week, by the announcement tha
the Rebels, though their agents in Canada
had offered propositions of peace TO the U
nited States authorities. 1t appears tha
some two weeks since Geo. \. Sanders, e.
c. Clay of Alabama, Jacob Thompson O
Mississippi, and J. p Halcomb of Virginia
| Falls, on the Canada side. Information
having been sent TO the National authori
ties that these persons desired to have a
conference with view to negotiation OF
peace between the Rebel authorities anG
the authorities of the United States, Hor
ace Greeley, Esq, was requested to proceed
to Niagara and ascertain their wishes and by
what authority the came
| Some correspondence having passed be-
tween the parties named, which indicated
that the rebels really desired to enter into
negotiations of peace, President Lincoln
under date of July 18th, in view of the rep.
resentations made, telegrsphed to Mr.
Greeley the following
80 aciom 1t may concern Any propo.
sition which embraces the restoration OF
peace, the integrity of the whole Union,
| and the abandonment of Slavery and which
comes by and with an authority that can
control the armies now at war against the
United States, will be received and censid-
cred by the Executive Government of the
United States, and will be met by liberal
terms on other substantial and collateral
| points, and the bearer or bearers thereof
shall have safe conduct both ways.
This note being sent to these pretended
commissioners, they became quite indignant
and terminated all further conference on the
subject of peace-having had previously
asked permission to proceed to Washington,
and thence through our lines to Richmond,
as the accredited agents of the Rebel gov
ernment.
Now, it appears TO us that these rebels
merely adopted this course as a means to
safely reach Richmond, for they admit in
| their correspondence that they had no au-
thority to negotiate peace, but that they
presumed this concilliatory manifestation
on the part of the President of the United
States, would be met by them (the Rich
mond anthorities) in a temper of equal mag
nanimity, as tending to peaceful solu-
ton of this unhappy strife. And thus
ended this much talked of peace conference
Many stories have been circulated as to
what transpired on the subject One story
has it that the persons above referred to
had made several propositions as basis up
on which to found a permanent peace be-
tween the two sections, but we see nothing
of this kind in the published correspon-
dence. In reference to the various publish
ed accounts, as to what should have trans
pired between Mr.. Greely and these self
constituted rebel commissioners" the ~
T. Tribune of July 22d, says:
The telegraphic stories concerning Peace
conferences at Niagara Falls have a slender
foundation in fact, but most of the details
are very wide of truth. The Editor of this
paper has taken part in and been privy to
no further or other negotiations than were
| fully authorized and more than authorized;
but these related solely to bringing the an
| tagonists face to face in amicabe rather
| than belligerent attitude, with view to the
| initiation of an earnest effort for Peace, to
| NC piOSeCuCeu DIT w dsIllHgtOn. Hc move
ment has had no immediate success. Of
course, all reports that the writer has been
engaged in proposing, or receiving, or dis
cussing Hypothetical terms or bases of Peace,
whether with accredited agents OF the Rich
mond authorities or others, are utterly mis-
| taken. He has never had the slightest au-
thorization to do anything of the sort ; and
he is quite aware of those provisions of law
which relate to volunteer negotiations with
| public enemies. Those provisions he heart
| lily approves, and is in nowise inclined to
violate. More than this he does not as yet
feel at liberty to state, though he soon may
be. All that he can now add is his general
| try is neither so difficult nor so distant as
seems to be generally supposed.