The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1865-02-18

give them safe conduct to Fortress Mon
roe, where a person coming from the Pres
ident would meet them. 1t being thought
probable, from report Of their conversa-
ton with Lieutenant General Grant, that
the Richmond party would, in the manner
prescribed, accept the condition mention
ed, the Secretary Of State was charged by
the President with the duty OF represent
ing this Government in the expected IN
formal conference. The Secretary arrived
at Fortress Monroe on the night; of the 1st
day Of February. Major Eckert met him
on the morning of the I'd, with informa-
ton that the persons who came from Rich
m0nd had not accepted in writing the con-
dition upon which he was allowed to give
them conduct to Fortress Monroe. The
Major had given the same Information by
telegraph to the President at Washington.
On receiving this information, the Presi-
dent prepared telegram directing the
Secretary to return to Washington. The
Secretary was preparing at the same mo-
Eent to SO return; without waiting for in
formation from the President. but, at the
same juncture, Lieutenant General Grant
telegraphed to the Secretary Of War, as
well as to the Secretary of State, that the
Richmond party had reconsidered and ac-
cepted the condition rendered them thrO'
Major Eckert, and General Grant urgently
advised the President to confer in person
with the Richmond party. Under these
circumstances, the Secretary, by the Pres
ident's direction, remained at Fortress
Monroe, and the President joined him
there on the night of February I'd. The
Richmond party were brought down the
transport during the day, and the trans
port was anchored in Hampton Roads.
ION the morning Of the Sd, the President,
attended by the Secretary, received Messrs.
Stephens. Hunter and Campbell on board
the United States transport River Queen,
in Hampton Roads. The conference was
altogether informal. There was no attend
ses. Nothing was written or read. The
conversation, although earnest. and free,
was calm and courteous and kind on both
sides. The Richmond party approached
the discussion rather indirectly, and at no
time did they make categorical demands
or tender formal stipulations or absolute
refusals. Nevertheless, during the confer
ence. which lasted four hoars, the several
points at issue between the Government
and the insurgents were distinctly raised
and discussed fully, intelligentjy, and in
an amicable spirit. What the insurgent
party seemed chiefly 10 favor was post
ponement Of the question Of separation
upon which the war is waged, and q mutu-
al direction Of the efforts of the Govern
some extrinsic policy or scheme foAa sea-
son, during which passion might be expec-
ted to subside, and the armies be reduced
and trade and intercourse between the peo-
pie OF both sections be resumed. It was
suggested by them that, through such post
ponement, we might now have immediate
peace, with some not very certain pros
poets Of an ultimate satisfactory adjust
ment Of political relations between the Gov
eminent and the States, section, or people
now engaged in conflict with it. The sug-
gestion, though deliberately considered,
was nevertheless regarded by the President
as one Of armistice or truce, and he an.
nounced that we can agree to no cessation
or suspension OF host;lities except on the
forces and the restoration of the national au-
thority ythzoughoutal theS States in the U MON
Collaterally and in subordination to the
proposition which was thus announced,
the antii-slavery policy .sof the United
States was reviewed in all its bearings,
and the President announced that he must
not be expected to depart from'the position
alton OF emancipation and other docu.
men.s, as the positions were reiterated il
his annual message. 1t was further de.
clared by the President that the complete
restoration Of the national authority every
where was an Indispensable condition OF
any assent, on our part, to whatever form
Of peace might be proposed. The Presi.
dent assured the other party that, while ne
must adhere to these positions, he would
be prepared, SO far as power is lodged with
the Executive, to exercise liberality. Its
power, however, is limited by the Consti.
tuition, and, when peace should be made,
Congress must necessarily act in regard to
appropriations of money and to the admis.
sion Of Representatives from the insured
tionary States. The Richmond party were
then informed that Congress had, on the
3lst ultimo, adopted by . constitutional
majority, q joint resolution submitting t<
the several States the proposition to abol.
ish slavery throughout the Union, and
there is every reason to expect that It viii
be accepted by three. fourths Of the States
SO as to become part of the national or
genic law.
1.-THE conference came to an end, by mu'
tual acquiescence, without producing ar
agreement OF views upon the several mat
ters discussed, or any OF them. Neverthe
less, it is perhaps. of some importance tha
we have been able to submit our opinion,
and views directly to prominent insur
gents, and to hear them in answer in {
courteous and not unfriendly manner.
II am, sir, your obedient servant.
"WM. III. SEWARD"
American Einanco-Letter ffoM