The Placer herald., 1865-03-25
The Message of jeff. Davis to the Rebel
Congress OH the Peace Negotiations
Report Of the Commissioners.

Congress OH the Peace Negotiations
Report Of the Commissioners.
EXECUTIVE OFFICE, Richmond, Feb. 6, 1865.
10 the Senate and House of Representa-
ta0es of the ConJederate' States of America: -
Having recently received written notification
which satisfied me that the Presiden. Of the
United States was disposed to confer, inform
ally, with unofficial agents that might be
sent by me, With view to the restoration OF
peace, requested Alexander II. Stephens,
Il. NJ. I. Hunter and John A. Campbell to
proceed through our lines, and to hold con-
ference with Lincoln or such person as he
might depute to represent him.
herewith submit for the information OF
Congress, the report Of the eminent citizens
above named, showing that the enemy re'
fused to enter into negotiations with the
Confederate States, or any of them sepal al e.
ly, or to give to our people any other terms
or guarantees than those which the conquer
or may grant, or to permit US to have peace
on any other basis than our unconditional
submission to their rule, coupled with the
acceptance of their recent Legislation, in
cluding an amendment to the Constitution
for the emancipation of all the negro slaves,
eral Congress to legislate on the subject of
the relations between the white and black
population of each State Such is, as un-
derstand, the effect of the amendment to the
Constitution which has been adopted by the
Congress of the United States
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
RICHMOND, (Va.,) Feb. 5, 1865.
To the President of the Confederate States:
-sIR-Under your letter of appointment of
the 2Sth ultimo, we proceeded to seek an
"informal conference" with Abraham Lncoln n
President of the United States, upon the
subject mentioned in the letter. The confer.
euce was granted, and took place on the 30th
instant, on board steamer anchored in
Hampton Roads, where we met President
Lincoln and the Hon. Mr.. Seward, Secretary
Of State Of the United States 1t continued
for several hours, and was both full and ex'
plicit.
We learned from them that the message
of President Lincoln to the Congress of the
United States, in December last, explains
clearly and distinctly bis sentiments as to
the TERMS conditions and method of pro
ceeding by which peace can be secured to
they would be mod fled or altered to obtain
that end. We understand from him that no
terms or proposals of any treaty or agree,
ment looking to 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 a separate Power, which under
no circumstances would be done; and, for
like reasons, that no such terms would be
entertained by him from the States separate
"; that no extended truce or armslice les
at present advised) would be granted or al
lowed, without a satisfactory assurance n
advance, of a complete restoration of the
authority of the Constitution and laws of
the United States over all places within the
States of the Confederacy whatever
consequences may follow from the re.establ
lshment of that authority must be accepted
But that Individuals subject to pains and
penalties under the laws of the United States,
might rely upon a very liberal use of the
power con6ded to him to remit those pains
and penalties if peace be restored.
During the conference the proposed amend
ments to the Constitution of the United
States, adopted by Congress on the 3lst ul-
timo, were brought to our notice. These
amendments provide that neither slavery nor
involuntary servitude, except for crime,
should exist within the United States or any
place within their jurisdiction, and that
Congress should have power to enforce this
amendment by appropriate legislation.
Of all the correspondence that preceded
the conference herein mentioned, and lead
ing to the same, you have heretofore been
informed.
Very respectfully, your ob'dt servants,
ALEXANDER II. STEPHENS,
R. M. I. HUNTER,
J. A. CAMPBELL.