The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1864-09-07

fer the reason that il was earnestly desired
that their visit should be kept secret that
ne had come into the C0nfederacy year
ago, and had visited Petersburg on sim
liar ground; and that it was feared if his
name shauld become known that some .oi
those who had formerly met him in Peters.
burg would conjecture tho purpose for
which he row came. He said that the
terms Of peace which they would offer to
the President would be honorable to the
Confeleracy; that they did not desire that
the Contsderacy should accept any other
terms, but would be glad to have my pro.
mise. as they gave theirs, that their visit
should be kept profound secret If it fail.
ed to result IN peace; that il would not e
just that either party should seek any ad :
vantage by divulgiqg the fact ct their over
ture tor peace, il unsuccessful. Iassented
to this request. and then rising. said Do
| understand you to state distinctly that
you come as messengers from Mr.. Lincoln
Tor the purpose Of agreeing with the Pres
ldent as to the proper mode of inauguratins
formal negotiation for peace, charged by
Mr.. Lincoln with authority for stating his
own views and receiving those of Presi,
dent Dayis!" Both answered in The af-
frmatise, and then said that the Presi-
lent weud see them at my Office the same
evening at 9 p. NJ. that, at least, l pre-.
sumed he would; but if he objected, after
hearing my report, they should be inform
ed. They were then recon united to the
charge Of Col. 0uld, with the understand
ing that they were to be reconducted I,
my Office at the appointed hour unless
otherwise directed.
| This interview, connected with the re-
port previously made by Col. Ou,d, left OF
my mind the decided impression that Mr.
Lincoln was averse to sending formal com,
missioners to open negotiations, lest b,
might thereby be deemed to have recogniz.
ed the independence of the Confederacy
and that he was anxious TO learn whether
the conditions on which alone he would b,
willing TO take such step would be yield,
ed by the Confederacy; that with thi.
view he had placed his messengers in /;
condition to satisfy US that they reall,
came from him without committing him
self to any thing in the event OF disa
grsement as TO such conditions as he con.
sidered to be indispensable. 0ninformin,
the President, therefore, Of my conclu
siuns. be determined that no question o
form or etiquette should be an obstacle I,
his receiving any oyertures that promised
however remotely, 10 result in putting sr
emu 10 the carnage which marked The con
tinuance Of hosiillties.
The President came to my office at
o'clock in the evening, aRd Col. 0uld cam,
a few mnments later, with Messrs. Jacques
aud Gilmore. The President said 10 then
that he had heard, from me, that they cam,
as messengers Of peace from Nc. Lincoln
that as suci they were welcome; that tn,
Confederacy had never concealed its de
sire for peace, and that he was ready Z
hear whatever they had 70 offer on tha
subject.
MIR. Gilmore then addressed the Presi
dent, and in lew minutes had conyeye,
the information that these two gentiemel
had come to Richmond impressed with III
idea that this GosernMent would accept
peace OH The basis ot reconstruction d
the Union, tie abolition Of slavery, an,
the grant Of an amnesty to the people o
the States as repentant criminals. In or
der 10 accomplish the abolition Of slavery
i was proposed that there should be gen
eral sots Of all the people Of both fedora
tions, IN mass, aud the majority Of the vot
thus taken was TO determine that as wei
as all other disputed questions. Thes
were stated TO be MIR. Lincoln's views
The President answered, that as these pro
pcsals had been prelaced BY the remarl
that the people Of the North were major
ity, and that majority ough. to govern
, the offer was, in eject, a p oposai That til
Confederate ST tes should sirrender at dis
|, crction. admi, that the lad been wroo
from the Beginning rfst!s contest, submi
|, ! tf. ha 49, III ii