The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-02-17
WAR DEPARTMENT,
WASHINGTON, 10 A. NJ, Jan, 80. 1866 {

WASHINGTON, 10 A. NJ, Jan. 80, 1866 :
MAJ. Gen. Ord, Headquarters Army James:
By direction of the President you are in
structed to inform the three gentlemen
Stephens, Hunter, and Campbell-that mes.
senger will be dispatched to them at or near
where they now are, without unnecessary de-
lay. E. NJ. STANTON,
.... Secretary of War.
afterwards prepared and put into the
the hands of Maj. Thos. Eckart the follow.
ing instructions and message:
EXECUTIVE MANSION /
WASHINGTON, January 30 1866
You will proceed with the documents
placed in your hands, and on reaching General
Ord will deliver him the letter addressed him
by the Secretary of War; then by Gen. Ords
assistance procure an interview with Stephens,
Hunter and Campbell, or any of them; deliver
him or them the papers on which your OWL
letter is written. Note on the copy which you
retain the time of delivery and to whom deliv-
cred receive their answer in writing after
waiting reasonable time for it, and which, il
it contain their decision to come through
without further conditions, will be your war
rant to ask Gen. Ord to pass them through az
directed in the letter of the Secretary of War
If in their answer they decline to come, or pro-
pose other terms, do not have them passed
through. This being your whole duty, return
and report to me.
(sigued) ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
CRY PoINT, Va, Feb. 1, 1865.
Messrs. A. IT. Stephens, R. 81. 7. Hunter and
j. A. Campbell:
GRNTLEMKN-I am instructed by the Presi.
dent of the United States to place this paper in
your hands with information that If you 90
through the United States military lines it will
be understood that you do so for the purpose
of an informal conference on the basis of that
letter. q copy of which is on the reverse side
of this sheet, and if you choose to pass on un-
der such understanding, and if so, notify me in
writing, and will procure of the CON-
handing general pass through the lines
and to Fortress Monroe, under such mill
tary precautions as he may deem prudent and
atSwhich place you be left in due time by some
person or persons for the purpose of such in
formal conference, and further that you shall
have protection, safe conduct, and safe return
at all events. THOMAS T. ECKERT,
Major and Aid-de-C Camp.
Afterwards but before Maj. Eckert had
departed, the following dispatch was re-
ceived from Gen. Grant
OFFICE OF THE U. 8. NIL. TRLEGRApH,l
WAR DEPARTMENT..
The following telegram was received at
Washington January 31st, from City Point,
Va, 1880 A. NJ, Jan. S1st, 1866.
HIS Erce1lency A. Lincoln. President u. 8:
The following communication was received
here last evening:
PETERSBURG, Va, Jan. 81, 1865.
Lieut.. Gen. U. s. Grant, Commanding Armies
United States:
SIR: We desire to pass your lines under safe
conduct, and to proceed to Washington to hold
q conference with President Lincoln upon the
subject of the existing war, and with view of
ascertaining upon what terms it MY be ter
minated in pursuance of the course indicated
by him in his letter to Mr. Blair of January
IL, 1865, ofwhich we presume you have copy,
and if not, We wish to see you in person, if
convenient. and confer with you on the sub
ject. Very respectfully yours.
ALEX. Fl. STEPHENS.
JNO. A. CAMPBELL,
r. NJ. 7. HUNTER.
have sent directions to receive these gentle.
men, and expect to have them at my head
quarters this evening awaiting your instruc-
tons. :
Z. S. GRANT
Lieutenant General,
Comd'g U. 8. Armies.
This it will be perceived, General Ord 8
agency in the matter to General Grant I
resolved, however, to send Major Eckert
forward with his message, and accordingly
telegraphed Gen. Grant as follows:
EXECUTIVE MANSION.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 81, 1866.
Lieut. General y. s. Grant, Commanding U.S.A ::
A messenger is coming to you on the bust.
ness contained in your dispatch. Detain the
in rfoh1 uno rfo ,nf;l 4
rives, and then act upon the message he brings
as far as applicable, it having been made up
to pass through Gen. Ords hands and when
lines.
(Signed) A. LINCOLN.
When Major Eckert departed he bore
= with him a letter from the Secretary of
War to Gen. Grant as follows:
WAR DEPARTMENT, /
WASHINGTON, January 80, 3P.M.5
Lt..Gen. Grant, Con,nsand;no: '.s
The President desires that YOU will please
procure for the bearer, Major 7. T. Eckert. an
interview with Messrs. Stephens, Hunter and
Campbell and if on his return In Won he re.
quests it, pass them through our lines to For
IreSs Monroe by such route and under such
military precautions as yeu may deem prudent
giving them protection and Comfortable nnar'
ters while there; and yet let none of this have
any effect upon your movements or plans
BY order of the President.
..-. E. n. STANTON,
Secretary of War.
supPosing the proper point reached. I
dispatched the Secretary of State with tho
following instructions, Mai. Eckert how
ever going ahead of him:
EXECUTIVE MANSION, Jan. 80. 1865.
Hon. WIN. H. Se~ard, Secrsta,y of State:
You win proceed to Fortress Monroe. there
to meet informally, to confer with Messrs.
Stephens, Hunter and Campbell on the basis
of my letter to Mr.. Blair, dated JANUARY rs.
1865, q copy of which you have.
You will make known to them that three
things are indispensable, to wit:
1. The restoration Of the National authority
throughout all the States.
2. Nerecedi~g By tie ,ErecEtise o. tie United
States on tie slavery question from the position