The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1865-03-02
Mr.. Seward Explains the Peace Nego-
tiations to Minister Adams.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WASHINnTnN Enh @ 1854 [

DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WASHINGTON, Feb. 9, 1865.
SIR: 1t is a truism that in times Of
peace thcre are always instigators Of
war. SO as soon as war begins, there
are citizens who emphatically demand
negotiations of peace. The advocates
of war, after an agitation, longer or
shorter, generally gain their fearful end,
though the war declared is not unfre-
gently unnecessary aud unwise. So
peace agitators in time of war ultimate
ly bring about an abandonment Of tho
conflict, sometimes without securing
the advantages which were originally
expected from the con dict. The agita-
tors for war in q time of peace, and for
peace in time of war, are not necessari-
ly, or perhaps ordinarily, uupatriotic in
their purposes or motives. Results
alone determine whether they are wis
or unwise. The treaty of peace con-
cluded at Guadaloupe Hidalgo, was Sc
cured by an irregular negotiation under
the direction of the Government
Some of the efforts which have been
made to bring about negotiations with
view to end our civil war, are known
to the whole world, because they have
cmployed foreign as well as domestic
agents. Others, with whom you have
had to deal confdentially, are known to
yourself, although they have not pub
licly transpired. Other efforts have oc-
Cured here, which are known only to
the persons actually moving in them,
and to this Government. l am now to
give you for your information an &C
count of an affair of the same general
character, which recently received much
attention here, and which doubtless
will excite inquiry abroad.
Mr.. Seward then gives Mr. Adams
au account of the circumstances which
led TO the conference, and with which
our readers are already acquainted
The conclusion of his letter is as fol
lows, and is interesting, as giving moro
particulars Of what transpired during
the conference, than are contained il
the Presidents special message:
On the morning of the Sd, the Prcsi
dent, attended by the Secretary, re
, ceivod Mcssrs. Stephens, Hunter ant
Campbell, on board the United State
c steam transport River Queen, in Hamp
e ton Roads. The Conference was alto
gether informal. There was no at
tendance of Secretaries, Clerks, or othe
witnesses. Nothing was written O.
read. The conversation, although earn
est and free, was calm, courteous ant
kin on both sides. The Richmon,
party approached the discussion rathe
indirectly, and sat no time did the
!, make categorical demands or tende
formal stipulations or absolute refusal'
Nevertheless, during the conferenc
which lasted four hours, the severa
> points at issue between the Government
. and insurgents were distinctly raise
. and discussed fully, intelligently and i
" an amicable spirit. What the iusurgen
>, party seemed chiefly to favor, was pos
ponement of the question of separatio
upon which the war is waged, and mt
tual direction of efforts Of the Govern
ment, as we'll as those Of the insurgen
to some extrinsic policy or scheme ft
: season, during which the passion
might be expected to subsde, and Il
armies be reduced, and trade and il
tercourso between the people of bot
sections be resumed.
1t was suggested by them that tthroug
such a postponement we might have a
i'm mmediate peace, with some not vel
certain prospect of an ultimate satisfa
tory adjustment of the political rel
tons between the Government al
States, sections and people now engag,
in conflict with it. The suggestio
though deliberately considered, was ne
ertheless regarded by the President
one of armistice or truce, and he a
nounced that we can agree to no cess
tion or suspension of hostilitios exec
on the basis of the disbandment of t
insurgent forces and the restoration
the national authority throughout I
the States in the Union.
COllaterally, and in subordination
the proposition which was there a
nOunced, the anti-slavery policy of t
United States was reviewed in all
|" bearings, and the President announc
that he must not be expected to dep'
-, - from the positions he had heretofore
" sumed in his proclamation of eman
patton and other documents, as tn,
are positions were reiterated in his ANN
maaaape. IL was further declared