Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-03-31
THE NIAGARA FALLS PEACE NEGO.
TIATIONS.
A Curious Letter from Mr.. Horace Greeley.
Correspondence Manchester Examiner and

Correspondence Manchester Examiner and
Times
WASHINGTON, Wednesday, Feb. -, 1861
have just come into possession OF a very curious
document, and one, too, which am confident
because it sheds SO much light upon the con-
nection which Mr.. Horace Greeley, editor OF
the New York Tribune, had with the famous
Niagara calls peace negotiations, of last uly,
in which he figured SO prominently, together
with Cornell Jewett and Messrs. Sanders,
Clay and Holcombe. Apparently this letter,
which need not cay has never been published
here, was the initial movement In the negotia-
tions referred to. Here 1t is:
NEW YORK, July Z, 1S6i-My Dear Sir: i
venture to inclose you letter and teIegraphic
dispatch that received yesterday from our
irrepressible friend Colorado Jewett, at Niagara
Falls. think they deserve attention. or
course de not indorse Jewett's positive aver
ment that his friends at the Falls have ofull
powers" from ]. D., though do not doubt that
he thinks they have. let that statement stand
as simply evidencing the anxiety Of the Con-
federates everywhere for peace. So much is
beyond doubt.
And, therefore, venture to remind you that
our bleeding, bankrupt almost dying country
also longs for peace-shudders at the prospect
o1 fresh conscriptions, of further wholesale
evastations, and OF new rivers of human
blood: and wide spread conviction that the
Government and its prominent supporters are
not anxious for peace, and do not improve
prohered opportunities to achieve ii is doing
great harm now, and is morally certain, unless
removed, TO do far greater in the approaching
elections.
1t is not enough that we anxiously desire q
true and lasting peace; we ought TO demon
strate and establish the truth beyond cavil
The fact that A. H. Stephens was not permit
ted year ago to visit and confer with the an.
thorties at Washington has done harm, which
the tone at the late National Con vention at Bal
timore Is not calculated to counteract.
entreat you, in your own time and manner,
10 submit overtures for pacification to the
Southern Insurgents, which the impartial must
pronounce frank and generous. II only with
q m n ok aafin
in North Carolina, and of the draft to be en-
forced in the free States, this should be done az
once 1 would give the safe conduct required
by the Re5e! ENJOYS at Niagara upon their
parole to avoid observation and to refrain from
all communication with their syruyathIzers in
the loyal States; but you may see reasons for
declining it. But whether through them or
otherwise, do not, l entreat you fail to make
the Southern people comprehend that you, and
all OF US, are anxious for peace. and prepared
to grant liberal terms. venture to suggest she
following
PLAN OF ADJUSTMENT.
/. Inc Union is restored and declared per-
2. Slavery is utterly and forever abolished
throughout the same.
3. A complete amnesty for all political Of
fences, with a restoration Of all the inhabitants
Of each State to all the privileges of citizens Of
the United States.
4. The Union to pay four hundred million
dollars in five per cent United States stock to
the late slave states, loyal and secession alike,
to be apportiones pro rata, according to their
slave population respechs ely, by the census of
1860, in compensation tor the losses Of their
loyal citizens by the abolition Of slavery
Each State to be entitled to its quota upon the
ratin cation by its Legislature of this adjust
ment. The bonds to be at the absolute disposal
OF the Legislature aforesaid.
5. The said slave States to be entitled hence.
forth TO representation in the House on the
basis OF their total, instead Of their Federal
population, the whole now being free.
6. A National Convention, to be assembled so
soon as may be, to ratify this adjustment, and
make such changes in the Constitution as may
be deemed advisable. ~. -s.----- s
Mr.. President fear you do not realize how
intently the people desire any peace consistent
with the national integrity and honor, and
now Joyoasly they would hail its chievement,
and bless its authors. With Unired states
stocks worth but 40 cents in gold per dollar,
and drafting about to commence on tne tnlrd
million OF Union soldiers, can this be wondered
at!
do not say that just peace is now attain
able, though believe IL TO be So but 90
say that q frank offer by you 70 the insurgents
of terms which the impartial say ought to be
accepted will, at the worst, prove an immense
and soreiy needed ayvantage TO the national
cause. 1tmay save as from q northern In
surrectIon. ho"i y, -,.u.
Hon A Lincoln, President, Washington, DO
pS Even though 1t should be deemed unad-
visable TO m axe an offer Of terms to the rebels
I insist that in any posaible case, 1t is desira-
BILE they may be disposed TO make should be
received, and either accepted or rejected. I
beg you to invite those now at Niagara to ex.
hi6it their credentials and submit their ultima.
INN ! .isfnIl a