The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-02-08
THE PEACE MISSION N.
The Forthcoming Report or
the President.
Return of the Rebel Commits
sioners to Richmond.
Particulars Of the Passage Of
Our Lines.
-~-.
The Rebels Evidently Not Expecting
Their Early Return.
The Results Of the Mission as An
ticipated by tho Rebels.
Mr.. Seward Accused Of Having q Design
on tho Peace Of Rebel Society and the
Morale Of the Rebel Armies.
He Invites Negotiation in Order to Sow
Distrust of the Rebel Officials.
The Government the Gamer by the
Transaction,
&c., &C., 60.
Mr.. Seward Accused Of Having q Design
on tho Peace Of Rebel Society and the
Morale Of the Rebel Armies.
He Invites Negotiation in Order to Soy
Distrust of the Rebel officials.
Our Special Washington Despatch.

WASHINGTON, Feb. I, 1855.
There appears to be an obstinate determination 10
insist that the peace conference miserable
failure in all respects except the Armness Of the Presi
dent In maintaining the integrity Of the Union az the
only basis of any settlement 1t will not be many hours
before the report Of the President in answer TO the reso
luton of the Senate will set at rest all doubts "a TO
which is the correct view Of the case
II is understood that the Secretary OF State has also
written to Mr. Adams, our Minister at London, full
statement Of what transred the conference and what
ia expected result therefrom The small ttle Of the
most scatterbraned and untrustwohy loungsfs In the
hotels and OF Washington all opposed 70 the
idea Of favorable result and agrees very sng0lary
with the tone Of the gold gamblers whose buh spccsa
lions are spoiled by the statement Of the real facts In the
case The latter have fairly stated in the HERALDs
despatch made up from the most authentic sources OF
information.
II is true that the rebel commissioners argued strongly
for armistice pending the negotiations; but during
the sixteen hours OF the conference all the collateral
issues considered and the commissioners returned
TO Richmond to consult further. The conferences H.
therefore, only adjourned, but not by any means con-
cuded and there arc facts known conndenally a. 70
the views and wishes Of prominent leaders Of the rebel
lion which warrant the belief that peace Ia attainabe
by these negotiations.
In the meantime the war is beng prosecuted with
greater vgor than the part Of tho federal
thortcs the best auxiliary TO Its speedy and success
ful termination. While willing, and anxious, TO
avoid further bloodshed and desolaon tho government
10 determined to abate In degree the earnest prosecu
ton Of the war during the pending Of peace negotiations
ME-. 8. Cadwallader's Despatch.
CrY Ponr Feb 8, 1896
RETURN or PEACE COMMISSIONERS 10 RICHMOND.
The rebel peace commissioners returned from their In
terview with President Lincoln and Secretary seward
Fortress Monroe night before Last and proceeded 70
Akens Landing carly the forenoon in charge Of Lieut.
COL Babcock, Of General Grants stan They then
turned over Lieut. Col Milford to be conveyed by
him through the lines by flag Of truce Thus endeth
the first lesson"
Very little is known concerning their reception by the
President what transpired during the interview.
Major Eckar in advance from Washington with the
information that the President and Secretary Seward
would meet them at Fortress Monroe They did 30
arrive during the night after Messrs Stephens Hunter
and Campbell reached there. tug took the party
aboard the Presidential boat about ten O'Clock NJ Mr.
Seward greeted the party cordially and introduced those
who unacquainted with the President Their reccp
tion courteous and kindly, and their stay the
boat protracted till late In the afternoon 80 far could
be ascertaned the meeting informal through
out conducted In ordinary conversational STYLE inter
larded with remnescences and entirely froc from
unpleasant aspertes Of every character whatever.
Their leave taking attended with the ordinary cvli
ties between gentlemen and tho whole affair appeared 10
pass or pleasantly, II not satisfactorily.
The commissioners expressed themselves surprised at
the unassumng department of General Grant, and fro
quently spoke of his courteous afabity.
mr.. william II. Mcrriam's Despatch.
GENERAL oRps H.ApouARrxRsl
Feb. 4-Evenng
Amer patient investigation enabled TO send you
some interesting particulars concerning the return
ments OF the peace commissioners In this vicinity, on
their way 10 report progress 10 Mr. Davis, at Richmond
Researches upon this point have been all tho more din
cult owing the inconuo character OF all their proceed
in far the outside world and the army are con-
cerned, compelling personal watchfulness In order TO
obtain the facts Everybody who would seem entitled,
by virtue OF high official position, TO know all about tho
time and the place relating TO thcm and their move
ments has felt constrained TO signify an especial rct
ccncc and TO look WISE very likely without knowing
himself any more than did previous 10 setting out
TO gather the following facts:-
After the close Of the interview between the President
or the United States Mr. Secretary Seward and the rebel
commissioners the latter 20 the headquarters
OF Lieutenant General Grant, at City Point in the flag
ship Molly Martin, accompanied by Lieutenant Colonel
Babcock, OF tho Generals stat OF the armies OF the
United states After a brief interview with the Lou
tenant General they forwarded by him varina
where they received and taken charge OF by Colonel
John Milford agent OF the United States exchange
who was charged with the duty Of transferring the
mssioners ON the Union 10 the rebel lines After ashort
conversation between Col milford and Col Robert ould,
rebel agent for exchange, the gentlemen received
on the United States flag Of truce New York. TO
await the arrival Of the rebel that ITO bear
them up the James under the customary flag for the
saton Of hostites. During their stay upon the New
York. where they occupied the apartments Of Colonel
milford, by whom hear they socially and sump
tuously treated tho commissioners received call from
Major General f. O. c. Ord commanding the Department
OF Virginia and the Army Of the James, who remained
aboard little than half hour and who prorered
them every facility and courtesy within his per.
sonal and Official reach After waiting several hours
for tho appearance Of Colonel Guilds truce boat,
Colonel milford determined TO escort them through
our lines by land Acting upon this determination no
proceeded with tho party under Gag Of truce, 70 Cha
pms farm. where In sssssaHssos q assaAs uossassd