Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1865-02-13

sforcnsmed letter of the 18th January to Mr.
Bsir.. II they should express their assem- 10
this Ordiuon IN writing. then Major Eekert wss
directed 70 e:ve them safe conduct to Fortress
Monroe, .here person coming from the presi-
deDt YOU'D meet them. .
IL being though; probable from The report Of
their conversation with Lieut. General Grant.
that the Richmond party would. 10 the manner
prescribed, accept the condition mentioned, The
secretary OF state was charged by the president
with the duty of representing this government in
the expected Informal conference. The secretary
arrived az Fortress Monroe on the night Of the
= day OF February. M-jor Eckert me, him on
tho morning OF the 3D. with Information that tie
persons vino came iron Richmond had nos sc
cep'ed in writing the condition upon which he
was allowed 20 give them conduct to Fortress
Monroe The Major had given the same infor-
nation ny telegraph 20 the President at ashing-
ton. On receiving this information, the pre-i-
Gent prepared telegram. directing the secretary
20 return 10 Washington. The secretary was
preparing az the same moment 10 so return, With
out waiting for information from the presdep,.
eut as this jnnctare Lieut.. Gen. Grant telegraph
et 10 the secretary OF we'll as 90 the secre-
tary OF state, that the Richmond party had re-
considered and accepted the condition rendered
them through M-jor Exert aud Gen Grant Ut
gently advised the president TO confer in person
with the Richmond party ~
/ Uoder these circumstances the secretary, nv
the presidents direction, remained at Fortress
Monroe. and the president joined him there on the
night OF Febtuary2 ts w.
The Richmond party was brought down the
} tmes river IN United States steam transport
during the dsv, and the transport was anchored
/ IN Hampton Roads
On the morning of the Sd, the president, at
teuded by the secretary, received Messrs Sc
phens. Hunter and Campbell on board the United
States steam transport River Queen, in Hampton
Roads. The conference was altogether Informal
There was 10 attendance of secretaries, clerks,
or other witnesses Nothing was written or read
| The conversation, although earnest aud free as
calm, courteous aud kind on both sides. The
Richmond party approached the discussion rather
indirectly. and al 10 time did they make catego-
| rcal demands tender formal stipulations or
absolute refCsas
Nevertheless. during the conference which
lasted four hours, the several points at issue be
tween the government and insurgents were dis
inctly raised ami discussed fully, inteligently
and IN an amcable spirit What the insurgt nj
party seemed chiefly to favor, Was q postpone
I meat OF the question of separation upon which
the war Is waged. and mutual direction of eff
forts the government. as well as those Of the
/ insurgents 10 some ex;rinsic policy or scheme
tor season, during which the passions might
be expected 20 subside. and tue armies be re-
duced. and trade. and intercourse between the
people of both sections be resumed
II was suggested by them that through such
postpoHement we might have an immediate
peace, with some not very certain prospect of an
ultimate satisfactory adjustment of the political
relations between the government and states,
sections and people now engaged ia conflict with
| it The suggestion though deliberately consid-
! cred. was nevertheless regarded BY the president
as one OF sfnistice or truce and he announced
that We can agree 10 cessation or suspension
OF hostilities except on the basis OF the cisband
ment OF the iusurgent forces and the restoration
OF the national authority throughou. all the states
In the union.
Colaterally, and in subordination to the prop
osition which was there announced, the anti sla-
very policy of the United States was review ed
IN all lts bearings. and the president announced
that he must not be expected to depart from the
positions he had heretofore assumed in his proc
lAmation of emancipation and other documents
as these positions were reiterated in his annual
message.
Il vas further declared BIZ the presiden, ,ha,
the complete restoration of the national suthOri
~ every where was an indispensable CONDITION OF
any assent on part to whatever form of peace
might be proposed The president assured the
other party that while he must adhere to these
positions, he would be prepared so far as the
power is lodged with the executive to exercise
liberalitv. Its power. however, il limited by the
constitution, and when peace should re ma le
Congress must necessarily act in regard to the
J. appropriations Of money and TO admissions OF
: representatives from the iDsurrectionary states
I he Richmond party were informed that con
gress had on the 3lSt. adopted by the constitu-
'ional majority. joint resolution submitting 10
the several states the proposition TO abolish
slavery throughout The Union. and that there is
every reason TO expect that it will be accepted by
three fourths of the states so as 20 become part
of the national organic law The conference
came TO All end by mutual scquesence, witbou,
producing an agrecultut of views upoh the sew
eral matters discussed. or any of them Never
theless u i perhaps OF some importance that We
have submitted opinions aud views directly
to prominent insurgents, and TO hear them ia an
swer in courteous ard not unfriendly manner
am, sir, your obedient servant.
WM H SEWARD