The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-02-17

tary, by the Presidents direction, remained at
FORTRESS Monroe, and the President Joined
nun mere on The night Of February I'd. The
Rlcnmond party we're brought down the James
klVer ID UniteQ States steam transport dur.
Ing the day, ana the transport was anchored in
Hampton Roads. @--T, ~
On the morning of the Sd, the President, at
phens, Hunter and Campbell on board the
United States transport Rive, Queen, in Hamp.
ton roads. The conference was altogether in
formal. There was no attendance Of aecreta
ries, clerks or other witnesses. Nothing was
written or read. The conversation, although
earnest and free, was calm and courteous and
kind on both sides. The Richmond party ap-
preached the discussion rather indirectly, and
at no time did they make categorical demands
or tender formal stipulations or absolute refusals
Nevertheless, during the conference, which
lasted four hours the several points at issue be-
tween the government and the insurgents were
distinctly raised and discussed fully Intelligent
ly, and in an amicable spirit. What the in
surgent party seemed chiefly to favor was q
postponement of the question of separation
upon which the war is waged and q
mutual direction of the efforts of the
government, as well as those of the insur.
gents, to some extrinsic policy or scheme for
season, during which passion might be expect.
ed to subeide, and the armies be reduced, and
trade and intercourse between the people of
both sections be resumed. It was suggested
by them that. through such postponement, we
might now have immediate peace, with some
not very certain prospect of an ultimate salts
factory adjustment of political reltions be-
tween the government and the States, section,
or people now engaged in conflict with 1t. The
suggestion, though deliberately considered. was
nevertheless regarded by the President as one
OF armistice or truce, and he announced that
we can agree to no cessation or suspension of
hostilities except on the basis of the disband-
ment of the insurgent forces and the restora.
ton of the national authority throughout all
the States in the Union. Collaterally and in
subordinatlon to the proposition which was
thus announced, the anti-slavery policy of the
United States was reviewed in all its bearings,
and the President announced that he must not
be expected to depart from the position he had
heretofore assumed in his proclamation of
emancipation and other documents, as the po-
sltions were reiterated in his annual message.
It was further declared by the President that
the complete restoration of the national au-
thority everywhere was an indispensable con-
d1tion of any assent, on our part, to whatever
form of peace might be proposed. The Presi-
dent assured the other party that, while he
must adhere to these positions, he would be
prepared, 80 far as power is lodged with the ex-
ecutive, to exercise iberality. It's power,
| N"S'SAf ~ AAAAAsS0 W tA4C CO4oSAsutAVA, ssou,
when peace should be made, Congress must
necessarily act in regard to appropriations of
money and to the admission Of Representatives
from the insurrectionary States. The Rich
mond party were then informed that Congress
bad, on the 31st ult., adopted, by q constitu-
tional majority, joint resolution submitting
to the several States the proposition to abol-
ish slavery throughout the Union, and there
is every reason to expect that it viii be accept.
ed by three -fourths Of the States, so as to be-
come part of the national organic law.
The conference came to an end by mutual
acquiescence, without producing an agreement
OF views upon the several matters discussed,
or any of them. Nevertheless it is perhaps of
some importance that we have been able to
submit our opinions and views directly to
prominent insurgents, and to hear them in
answer in courteous and not unfriendly man.
ner. ssss
am, sir, your obedient servant,
VIM H. SEWARD.