The Portland daily press., 1865-11-11
BY TELEGRAPH,
From UtasMi2,aton.
TO THE DAILY PRESS.


NJ
''-'''- From Washington.
...- ,.-r.. WASHINGTON, Nov. 10.
It is ascertained from an official source that
the army of the United States has not been
reduced so low as seems to have been suppos-
ed. Its full and available strength exceeds
10000 men, of which half are on each side of
the Mississippi river.
To-day the members of the late North Car
DINA convention and other gentlemen of that
State, visited the President, when Hon. ME-
Reade, on behalfof the convention over which
he had the honor to preside, presented for his
favorable consideration certain of its proceed
ings in lengthy address. -,
The President responded as follows: -....
Hon. Mr.. Reade:-I receive from YOU with
pleasure q copy of the proceedings of the con-
vention of North Carolina. / reSiprocate cor
daily the concillatory spirit in which you have
addressed me. The convention of North Car
DINA has done much and well towards restor-
ing that State to her proper national relations;
but something yet remains to be done to rem
der that restoration Immediately practicable,
AN acceptatlon of the constitutional amend
ment aboiishing slavery throughout the Unit
ed States by the legislature of the State of
North Carolina, is, in my judgement, practi-
which Is so much desired by all. Without
answering specifically the questions you have
proposed to me, twill be sufficient to say that
my action must depend upon events, and that
MI. Holden will be again instructed to con-
tlnue the exercise of his instructions as Pro-
visional Governor, until he shall have been
expressly relieved by orders to that effect.
Inc following is copy of a telegram ad-
dressed to his EXcellency B. F. Perry, Provis-
ional Governor of South Carolina: srs-
Your letter Of the 4th is just now received.
While much has been done in South Carolina
that is conducive of peace and restoration, the
President still thinks it is impossible to antici-
pate events. he expects, therefore, you will
continue to exercise the duties heretofore de-
volved upon you as Provisional Governor of
South Carolina until you shall be relieved by
his orders. He observes with regret, that
neither the State convention nor the legisla-
ture has pronounced the debt and obligations
contracted in the name of the State, for un-
constitutional and even rebellious purposes to
be void; he equally regrets that the State seems
to decline the congressional amendment of the
constitution of the United States abolishing
slavery" telegraphel to you yesterday as
follows: "The President directs me to write
to you that an early adoption of the congress
sional amendment to the constitution of the
United States abolishing slavery by the South
Carolina convention, is deemed peculiarly i'm
portant and especially desirable with reference
to the general situation of the Union. have
now only to say, that the Presidents opinion
before expressed, remains unchanged
(Signed, VIM. Fl. SEWARD
7 Mr.. Schade again called on the President this
forenoon to make final effort to save Captain
Wirz from the death penalty, but at that time
unknown to him, the prisoner had been exc
cuted. -
The President, however, could see no rea-
son for changing the sentence, and stated that
Mr. Schade was the only one who had made
an earnest appeal in behalf of the prisoner.
When between and this forenoon Mr..
Schade took leave of Wirz, the latter express
ed his thanks for what he had done for him,
and regretted it was not in his power to Ie-
ward him. Mr.. Schade said he trusted he
would die like man, to which Wirz replied:
ut Is hardly necessary to tell you that I in
tend to die like man." .lg
Mr.. Schade said he was called upon by seye-
raj persons last night, as was also Father BOYLE,
who communicated the information purport-
ing to come from member of the Cabinet,
to the effect that if Wirz would acknowledge
that JEFF Davis was connected with the afro
cities at Andersonville, his sentence would be
committed. Although Mr.. Schade did not
place full confidence in the report, he consid-
cred it his duty to relate it to the prisoner at
his last conference with him.
Capt. WirZ in reply said: "Mr. Schade, you
know always told you did not know any
thing about JEFF Davis. He had no connec-
ton with me as to what was done at Ander-
sonville, and II knew he had would not be-
come traitor against him or any one else to
save my life" Among his last acts, Wirz ad-
dressed letter to o. S. Baker, one of his coun-
sci, in which he remarked that he had not said
a word that be construed into a reflection upon
him. He merely remarked that he had not
solicited him as his counsel at first, but accept
ed his services cheerfully. He concluded as
follows: II will say again, as said before, that
believe you have done all you could for me,
and, therefore, accept my thanks, The thanks
of dying man."
The following was written by Wirz before
mounting the gallOws:
"OId Capitol Prison, Nov. 10, 1865. r.
Mr. ScHADE-Dear Sir:-It is no doubt the
last time shall address myself to you. What
/ have said to you often, and often repeated,
accept my thanks, my sincere, heartfelt thanks,
for all you have done for me. May God re-
ward you, cannot. Still have something
more to ask of you, and am confident that
you will not refuse my dying request. Please
help my poor family, my dear wife and chill
dren. War, cruel war, has swept everything
from me, and to-day my wife and children are
DeggarS. MY lie Is demanded as an atone
ment. Lam willing to give it; and hope that
after while will be judged differently from
what l am now. If any one ought to come to
the relief Of my family, it Is the people of the
South, for whose sake / have sacrificed all. I
know you will excuse me for troubling you
again. Farewell, dear sir. May God bless
you. Yours thankfully,
(Signed) Fl. WIRz"
From kilograms and other official communi-
cations received by the Secretary of the Inte-
rior, from Maj. Gen. Curtis and the other
Commissioners appointed by the President to
negotiate treaties with the Indians of the Up
per Missouri River, it appears that their exer-
tons have been eminently successful Trea-
ties have been concluded with nine powerful
tribes. The latest kilograms from Maj. Gen.
Curtis state that information has been receiy-
ed from other powerful tribes, desiring to meet
the Commissioners and treat for peace.
The negotiations with the tribes of the Up
per Arkansas have not been less successful
The department is advised by Gems. Kearney
and Sanborn and their associates, of the con-
clusion by them of treaties with the Chey-
ennes, Arapahoes and Kiowas, numbering
some 10000 to $4,000 souls.
The prosecution in the case of Commodore