Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1865-02-11

under safe corduct, aud TO proceed 10 Wash
ington, TO hold conference with President
Lincoln, upon the subject Of the existing war,
and with view Of ascertaiuing upon what
terms u may be terminated, in pursuance of
the course indicated by him in hls letter TO
Mr, Blair, OF January lSth 1868, Of which we
presume you have n copy and fnot we wish
TO see you in person, i convenient and to
confer with yon on the subject Very re.
speoitully you're, A II STEPHENS
j. A. CAMPBELL
r. NJ T HUNTER
have sent directions 10 receive these gen
tlemen, and expect 10 have them at my quar-.
ters this evening, awaiting your instructions.
ISignedl u 3 GRANT,
1t Genl Cong Army U. s.
This, IL will be perceived, transferred Gen.
0rd's agency Ia the matter 10 General Grant.
| resolved, however, to send Major Eckert
forward with his message, and accordingly
telegraphed General Grant as follows:
Executive MANSION,
WAsmEGroS, January 81, 'Gj
Lieut. Gen Grant, Cy Point Va:
A messenger is coming to you on the busi-
ness contained in your dispatch. Dclain the
aud then act upon tie message he bringe, ns
lar us praeGcnble,Iit having beensmade up to
pass through General Ord's hands, and when
the gentlemen were supposed to b. beyond
our lines.
[Signedl A. LlEcoiS.
When Major Ecksrt departed, be- bore with
him a letter from the Secretary of War to
General Grant, as follows:
WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON,
january 30, 1865.
Lieut. Gen Grant, Commanding &c:
GENERAL The President desues that you
will please procure for the bearer, Major T.
T. Eckert, an interview with MesSrs. Stephens,
Hunter aud Campbell aud it on his return
to you, he requests IT, pass them through our
lines to Fortress Monroe, by such route, and
under such military precautions AS you may
deem prudent giving them protection and
comfortable qaartors while there; aud that
you let none Of this have any effect upon your
movements or plans.
By order Of the President
[Signedl Il. NJ. STATION
Secretary OF War
Suppo9ing the point TO be then reached, |
dispatched the Secretary of State the follow
ing instructions, Major Eckert going ahead.
TAEbUIlFb hiANhlDN, AhulNbIOA, |
January 3lst, 1865,
Hon. Wm H. Separd, Secy of State:
You will proceed to Fortress Monroe there
to meet aud informally confer with Messrs
Stephens, Hunter and Campbell, on the basis
of my letter 10 f. Z. Blair, Esq of Jan 18th,
1865, copy Of which you have. You will
make known to them that three things are in.
dlspensable to wit: First, the restoration OF
the national authority throughout all the
States. Second, no recedng by the Execu
tive on the slavery question from the position
assumed thereon IN the late annual message
to congress, aud in the preceding document
Third no cessation OF hostiities short of an
end of the war; and dsbanding Of all the
forces hostile to the Government. You will
inform them that all propositions of theirs
not inconsistent with the above viii be con
sidered and passed upon, in spirit OF sincere
liberality. You will hear all they may choose
to say, and report it 10 me- You will not as
sumo 10 definitely consummate anything
Yours, &c, a LlSGoLY
On the day Of its date the following tele-
gram was sent TO General Grant:
WASHINGTON, February |, 1865.
Lieut. Gen. Grant CITY Point, Va:
Let nothing which is transpiring change
hands or delay military movements.
Signed A, LINCOLN
Afterwards the following was received from
General Grant:
OFFICE U. s MILITARY TELEGRArH.
The following was received at Washington
80 p NJ, Feb |, 1865:
CRY PorNT, Va, Fen /, 1865, l2;lO p NJ
His Ercei'encH a. Lincoln, President of
the United STATES:
Your dispatch is received There will be
no armislice in consequence OF the presence
of Mr.. Stephens and others within our lines
The troops are in readiness to move at the
shortest notice, il occasion should Justify it
[Signed IT,, S GRANT,
Lieut. Gen
To notify Major Eckert that the Secretary
of State would be Mt Fortress Monroe, aud
put them in communication, the following
dispatch was sent
WAR DEPARTMENT,
WAsnISGToS, February l. 'G5.
Major r. r. Eckert care General Grant,
Ciy Point Va:
Call at Fortress Monroe and put yourself
under direction OF Mr.. Seward whom you will
find there.
[Signed] A. LINCOLN
LieutenGn! General Grant, City Point:
Say to the gentlemen that will meet them
personally at City Point, as soon as can get
there.
[Sgnedl A. LINCOLN
Sent in cypher at 0 AMI
. WAR DEPARTMEST,
WAsnSGroS, February 2, 65.
To Hon Wm II SetOdrd, Fort Monroe.
Induced by n dispatch from General Grant
Join you at Fortress Monroe as soon as
can come.
[Signedl A. LINCOLN.
[Sent in cypher at 0 A. M,
Before starting, the following dispatch wal
shown me. proceeded, nevertheless;
OFFlcE u. s. MILITARY TELEGRAPH