Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1865-02-17
WASHINGTON. Feb. Q.

w ASHINGTONs L Gu. y.
The Richmond Wing of the 9TH says:
The following documents were laid be-
fore Congress this morning:
10 the Senate and House ofE Representa-
tives of the Confclerates States OF
America:
Having recently received written nOtifi-
cation which satisfied me that the Prcsi-
dent of the United States was disposed to
confer informally, with unofficial agents
that might be sent by me. with view to
the restoration of peace, / requested Hon.
Alexander II. Stephens, Hon. r. NJ. T..
Hunter, and Hon. John A. Campbell to
proceed through our lines to hold confer
ence with Mr.. Lincoln, or such person as
he might depute to represent him.
herewith submit for the information of
Congress, the report Of the eminent
citizens above named, showing that the
enemy refuse to enter into negotiation with
the Confederate States, or any one OF them
separately. or to give our people any other
terms or guarantees than those which
conqueror may grant, or to permit us to
have peace on any other basis than our
unconditional submission to their rules,
coupled with the acceptance Of their re-
cent legislation, including an amendment
to the constitution for the emancipation of
negro slaves. and with the right on the part
of the Federal Congress to legislate on the
subject of the relations between the white
and black population of each State. Such
is, as | understand the effect of the amcnd-
ment to the constitution which has been
adopted by the Congress of the United
States.
(SignedD JEFFERSON DAVIS.
Richmond, Feb. 5.
To the President Of and Confederate
States:
Sir-Under your letter and appoint
mcnt of the 2Sth, we proceeded to seek an
informal conference with Abraham Lin
coin, President of the United States, upon
the subject mentioned in your letter. The
conference was granted, and took place on
the Both, on board a steamer anchored in
Ham pton Roads, where we met President
Lincoln and Hon. Mr.. Seward, Secretary
of State of the United States. Itcontinu-
ed for several hours, and was both full and
explicit. We learned from them that the
message of President Lincoln to the Con-
last, explains clearly and distinctly his
sentiments as to the terms, conditions and
method of proceeding by which peace can
he secured to the people. and We were not
| informed that they would be modified or
altered to obtain that end
We understood from him that no terms
or proposals of any treaty or agreement,
looking to any ultimate settlement, would
he entertained or made by him with the
authorities Of the Confederate States, be
cause that would be recognition of their
existence as a 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 truce or armisticc. as at
present advised, would be granted or al
lowed without satisfactory assurances in
advance of a complete restoration of the
i authority of the constitution and laws OF
/ the United States over all places within
the States of the Confcderacy: that what
ever consequences may follow from the re
establishment of that authority must be
accepted, but that the individuals subject
to pains and penalties under the laws OF
the United States might rely on very
liberal use Of the power coniiled to him
to remit those pains and penalties if peace
be restored.
During the conference, the proposed
amendment to the Constitution of the
United States. accepted by Congress on
the 3l,t ult.. were brought 10 our notice.
These amendments provide that neither
slavery or involuntary servitude, except
for crime should exist within the United
States Of amy place within their .iurisdic.
t on, and Congress should have power to
enforce this amendment by appropriate
/ legislation.
Very respectfully,
Your ohedient servants,
ALIEN. II. STEPHENS,
II. VI. L. HUNTER,