The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-02-17
THE PEACE MOVEMENT.
Message of Jeff. Davis... Report OF
Messrs. stephens, Hunter and
Campbell.

=
Campbell.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 9.-The Richmond
Wing of the 9Th says the following docu-
ments we're laid before Congress this
morning:
MESSAGE FROM JEFF. DAVIS
To the Senate and House of Representatives of
the Confederate States of Americd:
Having recently received written notifica.
ton which satisfied me that the President of
the United States was disposed to confer infor
mally with unofficial agents that might be sent
by me with the view to the restoration of
peace, requested Hon. Alex. II. Stephens,
Hon X. NJ. T. Hunter, and Hon. John A.
Campbell to proceed through our lines to hold
conference with Mr.. Lincoln or such persons
as he might depute to represent him.
l herewith submit for the information of
Congress the report of the eminent citizens
above named, showing that the enemy refuse
to enter into negotiations with the COnfeder-
ate States, or any one of them separately, or
give our people any other terms or guarantees
than those which ccnquerOr may grant, or
permit us to have peace on any other basis
than of unconditional submission to their rule
coupled with the acceptance OF the recent leg
islation including an amendment to the Con-
stitution for the emancipation of negro slaves
and with the right on the part of the Federal
Congress to legislate on the subject of the re-
lation between the white and black population
of each State. Such is, as understand, the
effect Of the amendment to the Constitution
which las been adopted by the Congress of the
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
RICHMOND. Feb. S. 1865.
To the President Of the nfederate States:
SIR:-Cnder your letter of appointment of
the 2Sth nit. we proceeded to seek an informal
conference with ABRAHAM LINCOLN, President
of the United States, upon the subject men,
toned in your letter. The conference was
granted and took place on the 3Oth ult. on
Board steamer anchored in Hampton Roads
where President Lincoln. Hon. Mr. Seward
Secretary of State OF the United States, con
! tiuued tor several hours, and was both full and
explicit
( We learned from them that the message of
President Lincoln to the Congress of the United
States in December last explains clearly and
distinctly his sentiments ~ to terms and con-
ditions and method Of proceeding by which
peace can &c secured to the people, and we were
not informed that they would be modified, OF
altered to obtain that end.
We understood from him that no terms o.
proposals of any treaty or agreement looking
20 an ultimate settlement would be entertained
or made by him with the authorities of the
Confederate States, because that would be
recognition of their existence as . separat,
power. which, under no circumstances, would
be done and like reasons that no such term
would be entertained by him from States sep
srately.
That no intended truce or armistice as a
present advised would be granted or allowe<
without satisfactory assurances in advance of {
complete restoration of the authority of tn
constitution and the laws Of the United State
over all places within the States of the Con
federacy.
That Whatever consequences may follow
from the re-establishment of that authorit,
must be accepted, but the individual subject o
Mains and penalties under the laws Of th'
limited States might rely upon every liberia
nse of the power conided to him to remi
those pains and penalties if peace be restored
during the conference.
THE proposed amendment to the coustitu
ton IF the United States adopted by Congress
an the s1st ultimo, was brought TO our notice
This amendment provides that neither slavery
nor inyoluntary servitude except for crime
shouid exist within the jurisdiction, and Con
oress should have power to enforce thi:
amendment by appropriate legislation.
M ali the conference therein mentioned
IA leading to the same, you have heretofore
been informed. ,s,, sarv,,s
~ way ALEX. II. STEPHENS,
r. M. T. HUNTER,
JOHN A. CAMPBELL.