Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1865-03-18
Foote'S Address TO the People Of Tennessee.

From the n Y Tribune, March II
We have received pam phlet just published
in London, by Mr.. Fcote, recently member
from Tennessee in the Confederate Congress at
Richmond, and containing an account Of bis
efforts to bring about peace.
He gives an account Of his entrance into the
Federal lines There, one Of Gen. Sher dan s
staff called on him, and received from MIN
letter to Secretary Seward, dated January 80,
1865. In this letter, Mr. Foote, after having
referred to his former opposition to secession
movements, proceeds to denounce Mr. Davis
as an obstacle in the way Of peace, to assert that
the conservatives of the South wish to enter
again into fraternal union with their bretheren
Of the North" and advises Mr. Lincoln to
issue formal proclamation, addressed to the
people of the Confederate States, offering to
them complete amnesty for the past, and a
full res toration OF the constitutional rights
which they formerly enjoyed, and pred letting
that if he does so, they would restore the
Union.
Mr.. Foote thought that Kentucky, Mary
land, Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina,
and Arkansas would be sure to follow the ex-
ample of Maryland and Missouri and abolish
slavery, and therefore it would be safe to leave
slavery where the Federal constitution left it;
but If circumstances should exist which would
render such plan impossible, he was prepared
to say in behalf Of those whom he represented,
that they will agree to such change ct the
Federal Constitution as will secure the entire
extinction of slavery on the first day Of Jan
uary, 1900, and which will provide also FIR the
freedom of all persons Of African blood who
shall be born after the first day OF January,
1890
Mr.. Foote also declares that he stood ready
to make such further revelations, both as TO
facts and persons, as will leave no doubt upon
the minds Of President Lincoln and his con
stitutonal advisers, that ample facilities exist
for the bringing about, in tie short period OF
fortv DAYS. too, such counter revolution as is
above referred to. All that | desire is to re-
cei7e assurance that the information which /
deem it proper tor reasons alike OF prudence
and of honor, to hold tor the present in re serve
if impaired will conduce to the rest Grafton OF
peace and the re establishment Of the Federal
Union, in manner and upon terms consistent
with the present honor and future safety or
the South, and will at oace proceed to make
full disclosures,
Mr.. Seward acknowledged he receipto this
communication, and stated that any further
communication which Mr.. toote m ght thluk
it proper to inpart to the Government n.!ghc
be communicated in the same manner as the
first. General Sheridan was directed either TO
PASS Mr.. Foote back within the lines, Il he so
chose, or to send him to Major General Dix,
who would be instructed TO allow him to pass
beyond the jurisd Of the United States.
Mr.. Foote chose the latter course From
New York he addressed second letter to Mr..
Seward dated February 6, 1865, rc1terallng
hisfor1ner sentiments and statements, and
especially EN- phassiug his readiness to estabe
lish the fact by testimony of the most trust.
worthy s'charaeter, taat large majority or the
,,.ora anl;nh.anea citizens of the South have at