The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-02-11

during the day, and the transport anchored in
Hampton Roads On the morning Of the Sd the President
attended BY the Secretary, received Messz stephens
Hunter and Campbell board the United States
steam transport River Queen In Hampton Roads
The conference altogether informal. There
attendance Of secretaries clerks or other Witnesses
Nothing was written or read The conversation although
earnest and froe calm and courteous and kind on
both Sides Tho Richmond party approached tho dis
cussion rather indirectly and At no time did they make
categorical demands tender formal spulations or alb
solute refusas Nevertheless during the conference,
which lasted four hours the several points ct
issue between the government and the insur-
gents distinctly raised and discussed fully,
inteigently and In IN amcable spirik WAos 0s kss~
osaa Party ssssed cAisey to Japor sas pospomemens
q 10 question u separation, upon UhicA he sOav .
sOdoed and ssntIai direction Of The a@s ef Gs GOO
v0rxca s0e1 = tAoss qf " issxpsmts to come a
ktssic policy scAens for sedsoH, during sAscA pas
noss ssgM BE- erpezed to su6side and 0e armies be
reduced and trade and t,t0covyse 6dpeer Ae people Of
botA sections b rcsussed II was suggested by them
that through such postponement We might now have
immediate peace, with some not very certain prospect
Of ultimate satisfactory adjustment OF political
relations between tho government and the States,
section or people, now engaged in conflict with It. The
suggestion, though deliberately considered was never
theess regarded by the President OF armstce
truce, and he announced that agree TO
ton suspension OF hostes except the basis OF
the disarmament OF tho nsurgent forces and the
ton Of the national authority throughout all the States
In the Union Coaterally and in subordnation TO the
proposition which thus announced the antslavcry
policy United States reviewed in all Its bearings
and the President announced that he must not be
~
sumed In his proclamation Of emancipation and other
documents, these positions reiterated In hts
nral message further declared by the President
that the complete restoration OF the national authority
everywhere indispensable condition OF any assent
our part to whatever form Of might DO proposed
The President assured the other party, that while he
must adhere to these positions he would be prepared
far power Is lodged with the Executive, TO exercise
liberay. Its power, however, is limited by the const
tuition and when peace should be made Congress must
necessarily act in regard TO appropriations OF money and
10 the admission Of representatives from the nsurrec
tonary States.
Tho Richmond party wcrc then informed that Con-
gress had, the 8lst ut adopted by constitutional
majority joint resolution submitting TO the several
States the proposition abolish slavery throughout the
Union and that there Is every TO expect that it
will be accepted by thrcofsurhs Of the States as TO
become part Of the national organic law
The conference camo to an end by mutual acquics-
cence without producing agreement OF views upon
the several matters discussed any of them Nevcrthe
less 1t perhaps Of importance that we have been
able TO submit opinions and viows directly 70 prom
nent insurgents and hear them In answer in .
teous and not unfriendly manner.
I am, sir your obcdient servant,
WILLIAM H. SEWARD.
Nc,
WASHINGTON, Feb. TO- 1885.
The expectation OF the reception Of the Presidents
message reference the recent peace negotiations
attracted good attendance in the galleries Of the House
today II received about twenty minutes past
O'clock and the House immediately postponed all othc
business hear II read During the reading there
occasional manifestations Of applause both tho aoo
and In tho galleries. particularly At the points where the
President speaks country and Expresses his
determination to enter into negotiations not based upon
tho idea Of united country. These promptly sup
pressed by the Speaker and with these exceptions tho
reading was listened TO In tho most profound silence.
AZ IL conclusion there general applause and cries
Of "good, good" Mr. Brooks, Of New York. alone at
tempted 70 the tide and In hours speech argued
the case tho side Of the rebels and avong and urg
ing the granting Of armstice He frequently In
terupted by questions and remarks from other Members
until he finally declined TO yield any further Tho feel
ing Of the House and Of nearly all present
tely In opposition TO the sentiment and tono Of his
marks that 1t hard work his part 70 keep up 10
tho requirements Of the part he had assumed Hon
Thadcus Stevens demolished him, In speech Of about
ten minutes length, 30 completely that Il
was generally felt that further discussion was
useless. Mr.. Brooks evidently appreciated the
severity Of the scoring which he received, Of which
report Of the language without the expressive
~k~~-
Stevens more serious oratoca demonstrations, gives
but faint idea
is evident from careful consideration OF the Pres
dents report that the position taken in this correspond
ence that when the parties separated in Hampton Roads
was.not considered that the affair then definitely
terminated that further negotiation unexpected
Ia fully sustained This also appears from the tenor OF
the message submitted by Mr. Davis to the rebel Con
gress Monday last The despatch OF General Grant to
| the President, which finally induced him to Hrst
send Mr. Seward and subsequently 60 himself 70
meet them, proves that with regard 70 two at
least OF the delegation there TO expect that
they prepared TO consider terms Of reunion II
DO noticed that neither the President the rebel
commissioners gvc any details Of tho hours Of
saon that passed. and which qualified and explain tho
more prominent features which reported. There
Is no doubt but that there both sides
for the belief that further conferences would probably
grow out Of this preliminary meeting
Tho tone Of public sentiment at Richmond, however,
appears for tho present TO have ovebornc any such IDEAS
and Mr. Davis has done with tho current and Mr.
Stephens does not feel strong enough 10 oppose any fur
thor resistance to until after the events Of the
shall have again subdued the afuy excited passions Of
the people 70 moro pacific level
REBEL ACCOUNTS.