The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1865-02-15
Southern Account of the Peace Conference
MESSAGE OF JEFFERSON DAVIS.

Washington, Feb 9-The Richmond
Wkig oil Feb. 7ih publishes the following
OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE CONFED-
ERATE COMMISSIONERS.
The following important documents were
laid before Congress this afternoon
To The Senate and House of Representatives.
OF The Confederate States Of America
Having recently received written noti
hcation which satisfied me that the Presi-
dentof the United States was disposed 10
confer informally with unofficial agents that
might Be sent by me with a view TO the
restoration OF peace. Requested the Hon.
Alex. H. Stephens, Hon. r. M. T. Hunter
and Hon. J. A Campbell to proceed thro'
our lines ard TO hold conference with Mr.
Lincoln such persons as he might depute
10 represent him.
herewith submit for the information OF
Congress, the report of the eminent citi-
zens above named, showing that The enemy
refused TO eEter into negotiations with the
Confederate States, or any of them separ
ately, or to give to our people any other
terms or guarantees than those which
conqueror may grant, or 10 permit Us 10
have peace on any other basis than our un-
conditional submission to their rule, coup
led with the acceptance of their recent
legislation, including an amendment to the
Constitution for the emancipation oil all ne
gro slaves, and with the right on the parl
OF the Federal Congress to legslate on the
0F
and black population of each State:
Such is. as understand. the effect of the
amendment TO the Constitution which has
been adopted by the Congress of the u S.
Signed, JEFFERSON DAVIS
Executive Office, Richmond, Feb. 8. 90.
Richmond, Feb. SO The President of
the Confederate States Sir-Uader your let
ter Of appointment of the 2sth ul., we pro-
ceeded 20 seek an informal conference with
Abraham Lincoln, President of the United
States, upon the subject mentioned in your
letter.
The conference was granted, and took
place on the SOth ull on board a steamer
anchored in Hampton Roads, where we met
President Lincoln and VIM. H. Seward,
Secretary of State OF the United States.
1t continued for several hours, and was
both full and explicit. We learned from
them that the message of President Lincoln
10 the United States Congress, in December
last, explains clearly and disticty his sem
iimenis as TO the terms, conditions and
method OF proceeding by which peace can
be secured to tte people, and we lwere not
informed that they would be modified or
altered 10 obtain that end.
We understand from him thai no terms
or proposals Of any treaty or agreement,
looking TO an ultimate settlement. would be
entertained or made by him with the au-
thorties OF the Confederate States, because
that would be recognition of their exist
ence as separate power, which, under no
circumstances, would be done, and, for
like reasons, that no such terms would be
entertained by him from States separately
that no extended ir1ce or armistice, as al
present advocated, would be granted or al
lowed without satisfactory assurance in ad- >.
vance of the complete restoration of the
Constitution and laws of The United States
over all places within the States OF the ]
Confedera"y...
That whatever consequences may follow
from the re-estabIishmen: of that authority
must be accepted, but that individuals,
subject 10 pains and penalties under The
laws OF the United States, might rely on
very liberal use OF The power confded TO
him 10 remit :her pains and penalties, if
peace be restored.
During the conference, the proposed
amendments 20 The Constitution OF the Uni
ted States adopted b5 Congress on The ais.
ult, were brought TO our notice.
These amendments provide that neither
slavery or involuntary servilude, exeepi for
crimes, should exist within the United
States, or any place within their jurisdic-
ton, and that Congress sh ould have power
to enforce this amendment by appropriate
Legislation.
OF all the correspondence that preceded
the conference herein. mentioned aud lead
ing to The same, you have hereIofore beer
informed
Very respectfully, your obedient servants
ALEX r. STEPHENS,
r. NJ. T HUNTER,
J. A. CAMPBELL. j