Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1865-02-09
Return OF President Lincoin and
Secretary seward,
WAsHIHaTON, Feb. 4.


President Lincoln aud Secretary Sew
ard returned here this morning, at 10
O'Clock, from Fort Monroe They had
an informal conference with Mr.. Ste
phens and his associates, Messrs Hunter
and Campbell, on board the River Queen
IN Hampton Reads The conference
occupied four hours, and il positively
known TO have resulted in no change of
attitude either Of the Government or OF
the rebels In other words, II was n
failure
WASHINGTON, Feb. 4
The Star has the following particu
lars Of the return OF President Lincoln
and Secretary Seward President Lin
coin and Secretary Seward arrived in
Washington at $40 this morning, by
special train from Annapolis, on their
return from Fort Monroe,
The President, who left here on
Thursday morning arrived at Annapo-
lis al ll.l5 p. NJ, and proceeded to the
Naval Academy, and going on board
the steamer Collier left immediately,
and arrived at Fort Monroe at an early
hour yesterday morning,
Two boats, the Mary Martin, bearing
the rebel deputation to Fort Monroe,
and the River Queen, on which Secre.
tary Seward went down, were dashed
side by side during the time the Presi-
dent and Secretary Seward and the
rebel deputation had a protracted in
terview.
The boats separated about dark, and
the River Queen started Immediately
for Annapolis where she arrived early
this morning
Major Eckert, Superintendent of the
United States military telegraph, and
Charles Forbes, an attache OF the
White House, accompanied the Pres
dent.
NEW YORK, Feb. 8.
Morning papers throw no new light
on the late peace conference. The in
terview lasted Is hours.
Accord ng to the Herald correspond
ence President Lincoln proposed to the
rebels that if they were prepared to
promise TO return TO the UniOs, he was
ready TO waive all minor questions, but
that ne could take into consideration
no terms involving q division Of the
Union. This the rebels confessed they
did not feel authorized to promise and
so negotiations ended,
The conference was conducted in a
most cordial and frank manner on
both sides.
Great anxiety is now felt to hear from
Richmond.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 5.
1t is difficult to procure details con-
corning the recent conference between
President Lincoln and Secretary Seward
and the rebel commissioners, but it is
asserted that the President throughout
the CONVERSATION insisted that he should
continue the prosecution of the war on
the principle he has heretofore declared,
viz of compelling obedience to the
Constitution, and on the basis of Union
and admitting peace only on these
terms.
With him there was to be no devia-
ton from this course.
DO tne COtnnlsssASs4.S-s- .,~a,., loe. l., -,
doubt whatever on this material point
The conversation was conducted in
the most courteous and respectful man.
ner, and the commissioners returned to
Richmond thoroughly understanding
the views expressed by the President.
Therefore if anything further is to be
saidon this subject it must come from
the Confederates themselves, as hereto
fore it has been stated there was no
agreement upon any points at issue. 1t
is confidently asserted by intimate
friends of the President that no con-
cession or promise was made by him in
the least degree yielding position as
above stated, and which he has in pub
lie and private conversation maintained.
Whatever may be the speculations as to
the peace movements in future, it is GER
tain that there will be no abatement
meanwhile in our military operations,
but that efforts will be made to prose
cute the war with additional vigor so
that our success may produce an early
peace,