Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1865-01-14
REBEL PEACE PRoPosITION.

tfTff sSSSffSs We We "SS 1LOPOSHt0n 20 AppoIpt
COn1sissiOnsrs in the Rebel -Housss of Rep
rsssntativss.
Among the proceedings in therebsl House
Of Representatives, on Saturday, Dec, II,
were the following:
The question recurring upon the resolu-
tions offered by Mr.. Barksdale as a suLsti
tute for those offered by Mr.. Turner, Mr..
Mch Mullen, who was entitled to the floor,
offered the following resolution as a substi.
tuts for those offered by Mr.. Barksdale:
WhersGs, According to the Declaration of
Independence of the United States and the
Constitution of the Confederate States: the
people Of each of said States, in their lhiphl
IssG sovereign ChPaVtS - -.+.La -
Ilter, amend or abolish the Government
under which they live, and establish such
other as they may deem expedient; and
RheTeGS, The people of the several Con-
tederate States have thought proper to
sever their political connection with the
people aud Government ofthe United States
for reasons which it is not needful here to
state and 10
Whereas, The people of the Confederate
States have organized and established q
distinct Government for themselves; and
Whereas, because the people OF the Con-
tederate States have thus exercised their
uudoubted rights In this respect, the peo-
pie and Government of the United States
have thought proper to make war upon !;
and
Whereas, There seems to be difference
of opinion on the part of the respective
Governments and people as to which of
the contending parties is responsible for
the commencement of the present war;
therefore,
ResOlved, That while it is not expedi.
ent, and would be incompatible with the
dignity of the Confederate States; to send
Commissioners to Washington City, for
the purpose of securing cessation Of
hostilities, yet it would be, in the jude.
ment of this body, eminently proper that
the House of Representatives of the Con-
federate States should dispatch, without
delay, to some convenient point, a body of
Commissioners, thirteen in number, com.
posed of one representative from each of
said States, to meet and confer with such
individuals as may. be appointed by the
Government Of the United States, in re-
gard to all outstanding questions of differ
ence between the two Governments, and
to agree, if possible, upon the terms of q
lasting and honorable peace, subject to the
ratification of the respective Governments
and of the sovereign States respectively
represented therein.
Mr.. McMulleu proceeded to address the
House at considerable length, urging the
policy and the propriety of the Government
proposing some terms of peace to the
United States Government. he believed
this to be an unholy, unciVilized, barbar-
us war, aud thought that the Govern
ment should exhaust all means consistent
with its honor for the attainment of q
lspeedy peace.
Mr.. Atkins, of Tennessee, said he would
like to know if the gentleman from VIr.
ginia, Mr.. McMullen, J if he or any other
member of the House had one iota of in.
formation or intimation that propositions
i for peace would be entertained or even re.
ceived by the United States Government
Mr.. McMullen said that he did have in.
formation of a very important character.
He had information from Bishop Lay that
! Gen. Grant had sigui6ed to him that any
Commissioners appointed by the Confed-
crate Government would be received by
the United States authorities at any point
they might designate. And that an equal
number of Commissioners or persons would
be appointed on the part of the South to
meet them, to have free and full inter-
change of views upon the subject of peace
Mr.. McMulleu proceeded to urge that our
Government should take some initial steps
looking to bringing the war to a, terminR.
ton. Governor Brown aud Vice. President
Stephens had said that we were unwilling
to open negotiations with the enemy for
securing peace. Let the Government open
negotiations for peace. Let Congress dis
1 patch it's Commissioners into the enemy's
lines; let us show to the world that we are
willing to accept an honorable peace, and
the mouths. of Gov. Brown and his friends
will be stopped. -
{ Without Mr.. McMullen concluding his re.
marks, the morning hour expired, and the
consideration of ths subject was postponed.
I..