The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1865-02-10
NEGOTIATION.
Communication from Davis
The Rebel official Report.
Stephens, Hunter and Campbell COM
mAnicate the Result of the Confer
ence 90 JEFF. Davis-LincOin'sB Basis
of Peace Explained in his Last
Press Dispatch.l

lfIcSs DlSPdtSh.I
WASHINGTON, Feb. 9.-The Richmond
Whig of the 4th states that the follow
ing documents, this morning. were land
before Congress:
To the Senate and House Of Representatives
of the Confederate States Of Aaerica:
Having recently received written
notification, which satisfied me that the
President OF the United States was dis
posed to confer informally with unofficial
agents that migut be sent by me, with
view to the restoration of peace, | re-
ouested Hon Alexander Stephens, Hon.
+. NJ. T. Hunter, and Hon. Jas. A, Camp
bell to proceed through our lines to hold
conference with MI. Lincoln, or such
persons he might dispatch to represent
him | herewith submit for the infor-
nation of Congress the report the emi'
nent citizens above made, showing that
the enemy refuse to enter into negotia-
tions with the Confederate States, or any
one of them separately, or TO give our
people any other terms or guarantees
than those which conquerer may grant,
or to permit us to have peace on any
other basis than our unconditional sub
mission to their rule, coupled with the
acceptance of their recent legislation, in
Guiding an amendment to the Constr
tuition for the emancipation OF negro
slaves, and with the right Oh the part OF
the Federal Congress to legislate OH the
subject of the relations between the
white and black populations of each
State Such is, as | understand 1t, the
effect of the amendment to the Constl-
tuition which has been adopted by the
Congress of the United States.
fSigned1 JEFF. DAVIS
RICHMOND, VA, Feb 8, 1865.
10 the President of the Confederate States;
SIR: Under your letter of appoint
ment of the Goth ult., we proceeded to
seek all informal conference with Abra-
ham Lincoln, President of the United
States, upon the subject mentioned in your
letter. The conference was granted and
took place on the 30th ult., on board
steamer anchored in Hampton Roads,
where we met President Lincoln and the
Hon. Mr. Seward, Secretary of State OF
the United States. 1t continued for sew
eral hours, and was both full and explicit.
We learned from them that the mes
sage of President Lincoln to the Con
press of the United States i'll December
last, explains clearly and distinctly ms
sentiments as to the terms, condition
and method Of proceeding by which
peace can be secured to the people, and
we were not informed that they would
be modified or altered to obtain that end.
We understood from him that no terms
or proposals of any treaty OF agreement
looking to an ultimate settlement would
be entertained or made by him with the
authorities of the Confederate States,
because that would be a recognition of
their existence as seperate power,
which under no circumstances would be
done; and for like reasons that no such
terms would be entertained by him from
States separately; that no extended time
or armistice as at present advised would
be granted or allowed, without satisfac
tory assurances i'll advance Of complete
restoration of the authority of the Con-
stitution and laws of the United States
over all places within the States OF the
Copfederacy; that whatever consequent
ces NAV follow from the re-establishment
of that authority must be accepted, but
that the individuals subject to pains
and penalties under the laws of the Uni.
ted States might rely upon very liberal
use of the power confided in him to re-
init these pains and penalties, if peace
be restored during the conference.
The proposed amendment to the Con,
stitution of the United States, adopted
by Congress on the 3lst ult., was brought
to our notice. The amendment provides
pa.+b.r NOR inVnl luDtarN
servitude, except for crime, should exist
within their jurisdiction, and that Con
gress sh juld have the power to enforce
this amendment by appropriate legisla-
ton.
Very respectfully your obedient SER
wants. ALEX II. STEPHENS,
K. NJ T. HUNTER,
JOHN 4. CAMPBELL