The New York herald., 1865-02-03

An important and significant in the pending
peace negotiations made yesterday President
coin following Secretary Seward to Fortress Monroe for
the purpose Of meeting the rebel commissioners Messrs
Stephens, Hunter and Campbell The President left
Washington eleven o'clock In the forenoon and pro.
osedlng TO Annapolis there took for the fortress
where was expected he would arrive at o'clock
this morning One explanation givon for this sudden
and unexpected departurel is that Mr.. Blair
had promised In Richmond that II commits
soners from there they should have
view with tho President But as il not deemed best
TO have these gentlemen to Washington just now,
the only way fulfil tho promise Mr. Lincoln going
TO meet them. when Messrs Stephens, Hunter and
Campbell passed through General Grants lines last
Tuesday evening the national and rebel troops in the
vicinity simultaneously Joined in enthusiastic cheers;
and then again. while awaiting at General Grants mill
tary railroad for the train convey them City Point
the rebel peace agents were loudly cheered by the
Union soldiers They spent Tuesday night at General
Grants headquarters and on the next day left for
Fortress Monroe where doubt this they have met
the President Of the United States In the robeI House
Of Representatives last Monday resolution saying
that the may be far distant when with the in
dependence OF the Confederate states acknowledged
they will unite with the United for the yindcaon
or the Monroe doctrine, introduced and unanimously
referred 10 the Foreign Affairs Committee.
Tho constitutional amendment for the abolition and
prohibition OF slavery throughout, the country has been
received by tho people with enthusiasm and Is being
acted upon by the Legislatures Of Of the States with
promptness Already IL has been fully ratified by the
Legislatures Of Illinois, Michigan and Rhode Island, and
by one house in that Of Maryland while in those Of New
measures have been introduced 10 a speech
which President Lincoln made on Wednesday night in
response serenade in honor Of the success OF the
amendment In the House Of Representatives he said that
while some might entertain doubts about tho legal
Hdy Of the abolition OF slavery by his procamations,
aone could cav when decrsed by the
q ourths OF the states tho resolution adopted
By Congress- In Massachusetts, yesterday the people
maoifested their enthusiasm by the ringing Of bells and
airing Of salutss throughout the State In the West vr
abolish slavery in that state ordered 70 It's third
reading.
Tho steamship Rebecca Clyde Of tho vessels which
carried the contributions citizens to The sufferers Of
savannah returned this port yesterday, laden with
cargo Of the cotton captured by General Sherman She
brought M passengers from Savannah several prominent
New York msrchants Our dispatches by this arrival
rive most thrilling account OF the disastrous res In tho
city Of Savannah on the 9th and 2sh uit, by which
over ono hundred buildings destroyed twenty
persons killed and number wounded Among the houses
consumed was ono in which number Of shells were
stored the explosion OF which kept up bombordmcns
eor about two hours causing the widest alarm II
vet fully sscersined whether the nres the result Of
accident or rebel design, though the general belief was
that they were caused BY the latter
Tho la.es. accounts frof General shermans army rep
rcsen. tha. is different columns gradually but stead
y and resstessy working their way across the State Of
south Carolina in the direction Of Charleston, from which
ossy tbey are not very distant The rebels were
offering resistance a. every available point from eash
successive one Of which they being forced 10 fall
back, and il not thought THAI they will make any
decided stand I'LL sherman's army Is within few
mnA Of Charleston The Union troops have found
large supplies Of forage and subsistence on their
maroh.
Detroit letter states nss the alleged Lake Eric
CITRATE Huriar viii shortly Arnya In that city from