New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-02-06
= W
ESnTerences i'm RichDsond-Gen. Single
toms Impressions.

To the Editor Of The N. y. Tribune.
SIR: As marked leader for an honorable peace
between the conflicting sections Of ournow distract
ed country, position emitting you to as prominent
page in history your consistent advocacy Tor the
freedom of the Slave, deem IT but justice 10
you, Gen. Singleton and the great cause OF Peace,
to furnish for publication the result of my inter
view with General Singleton upon the subject OF
his independent mission to Richmond, under the
sanction of the President of the United States.
deem the interview have had the pleasure to
have with General Singleton as an honor and Of
vast importance, from his fraDkness, in view OF his
having been very silent and reticent since his re-
turn to Washington, but few of his old friends
having as vet seen him, and but little known of his
mission. | have, however, CLEANED the following
from the interview:
|. The Southern people are all anxious for peace
not because they exhausted, or doubt their
ability to continue the war successfully, but TO
snare non-combatants women and children, the
privations and sufferings its continuance must
multiply.
Q. lie thinks it in the power Of the North to re-
construct by an offer Of liberal terms-to be con-
sdered and acted upon during an armistice OF sixty
days.
3. The South will not consent TO reconstruction
upon any other basis than the cleares: E;t6gntion
of the rights of the States respectfully to determine
each for itself all questions Of local and domestic
government, Slavery included.
4. They will not permit Slavery to stand in the
way of Independcnce--to that it would be promptly
surrendered, but TO nothing else-uniess sho"fd
be a fair compensation coupled with other liberal
terms of reconstruction secured By Constitutional
Amendments.
| 5. lie thinks they can prosecute the war indeil-
aitcly but not without great suffering and sacrifice,
which they are prepared to make, rather than sub
init to any terms that do not recognize their perfect
eouality and are alike honorable 20 both sections.
6. He saws no never lived better than he did in
Richmond so far as the substantias are concerned;
that he found everything necessary for state DIN
ner except wine that he was treated with marked
attention and liberality by everybody. When he
inquired for his hotel bill he was informed 1T had
been settled. He thinks even the women OF the
South would fight sooner than see their husbands,
sons and brothers submit to dshonorabe relations,
or disgaceful and unequal terms of reconciliation
! z He had an interview with President DAVIS and
all the members of his Cabinet, also with Gen.
Lee that he never heard word Of defiance or re-
proach or elimination from any one Of them, or any
other person in Richmond.
g. That Gen. Lee impressed him at once with
the idea that he was i'll the presence Of man whose
soul was filed with every sentiment Of honor, re-
gon, and patriotism. The subject Of the war was
barely alluded TO, and in connection with which
the old man with great earnestness and feeling re-
marked that he did not wish to leave 30 cruel q
legacy as the war 10 his children, and while bis
affections for his old comrades and friends had not
abated in any degree, he had but plain duty under
the providence of God TO perform, and would be
glad to be spared such a necessity by permanent
peace, not only between the sections but with all
mankind.
/ His appointment as Generassmo has united the
people, and inspired new confidence and life among
the army and people; and that he really believes
tht such is the devotion Of the people TO Lee that
eylU man, woman and child in the Contederacy