Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1865-02-11

That NJ the time .as informed sha: Mr
Blair sought the card ~ means OF getting e
Richmond. but be vas given no authority Il
speak or act for the government, nor was il
formed of snything be would say or 90 on IN
own account.
Mr. Blair told me that be had been to Rich
nond aud seen Davis, and he Blair at the cam.
brough. manuscript letter as follows, viz
RICHMOND, Jan ~. 1865
+. z. Blair, Esq.
SRI have deemed it proper and probably
desirable to you. to give you in this form the
substance of the remarks msGe by me. to be re
peated BY you TO President Lincoln / have No
disposition to find obstacles in forms, and am
willing now, as heretofore, to enter into negota.
tons fer the restoration of peace / am ready
to send a commission whenever | have reason
to suppose il will be received or to receive a
mmission, if the United States government,
shall choose to send one, notwithstanding the re.
lection of our former offers | would if YOU
could promise that a commissioner, minister OF
other agent would be received, appoint one i'm
mediately, and renew the effort to enter into O
conference with a view to secure peace to the
two countries. n
Yours, &c. JEFFERSON DAVIS
Afterwards with view that il should be
shown to Davis, l wrote and delivered to Blair
a letter as follows:
WASHINGTON, January 18th, 1865
F. p Blair. ESQ.,.
SIR :-Yeu having shown me Mr. Davis let
ter to YOU on the 18th inst You NAV say TO
and shall continue ready to receive any agent
whom be or any other influential person resisting
the national authority. may informally send me
with a view of securing peace to the people of
our common country
A. LINCOLN
Afterwards Mr. Blair dictated for and author
lied me to make entry On the back of my retain
ed copy of the letter the last above recited which
is as follows: ~
January %, 1865.
To-day M. Blair tells me that on the 2lst he
delivered to Mr. Davis the original, of which the
within is copy, and left It with him; that at the
time of delivery Mr. Davis read it over twice in
Mr. Blairs presence, snd at the close of which
he tBlsir) remarked that the part about our one
common country related to the part of Mr. Da
Wis letter about the two countries 10 which Da-
Wis replied that he so understood it
A LINCOLN.
Here follows q number of teleerams relating
the admission of Stephens, Hunter and Camp
bell into our lines, there having been some delay
consequent on absence of Gen. Grant.
The president then says: Afterwards, by my
directions, the secretary of war telegraphed Gen.
Ord as follows
WAR DEPARTMENT,
WASHINGTON, January 800 A NIX
To Major General Ord, Headquarters Army OF
the James:
By direction Of the president l am instructed
to inform the three gentlemen-Stephens. Hun
ter and Campbell, that a message will be dis
patched TO them at or near where they now are,
without unnecessary delay
(Signed) E N. STANTON, -
Sec Of War
Afterwards prepared and put into the hands
structions and message:
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON, January 80, 1865.
To I. T Eckert:
Sir-You will proceed With the documents
placed in your hands ard on reaching General
Ord, will deliver him the letter addressed him by
the secretary OF war. Then, bv General Ords
assistance, procure an interview with Stephens
Hunter, and Campbell. any of them, deliver
to him them the papers which your Own
letter il written note on the copy which you re-
tain the time Of delivery aud to whom delivered
Receive heir answer in writing. Visiting a reas
enable time for il, ard which, il it contains their
decision Ia come through without further con
dltIons, viii be your warrant to ask General Ord
TO pass them through, "a directed in the letter of
the secretary of war If by their answer they de-
cline to come or propose other terms do not have
them passed through, and thus doing your whole
duls. return AID report to
Yours truly. A LINCOLN.
Mes-rs Alexander II Stephens, j. Campbell,
and X NJ T. Hunter: ~
Gentlemen--l am instructed by the president
Of the United States to place this paper in your
hands. with Information that if you 90 through
the United States military lines il will be under
stood that you do 50 for the purpose of an infor-
NAL conietesce, on the basis Of that letter, copy
OF which Is the reverse side Of this sheet, and
that il you choose to pass on such understand
ing, and notify me in writing. will procure the
the commanding general to pass you through
the lines and TO Fortress Monroe under such
military precautions he may deem prudent.
and st which place you will be met in due time
by some person or persons for the purpose of such
informal negotiation; and further that you shall
have protection aud safe conduct, and safe return
in all events.
Signed THos T. EcKERr.
Maj and A ID c..
CRY PoIxs, Va February Ist, 1865
Afterward. but before Major Ecker, had de-
parted, the following despatch was received from
General Grant:
OsrIcE or rHK L ;. MILITARY TxLEGRAPHl
WAR DEPARTMENT (
The following telegramwas received at Wash
ington, January 3lst. from City Point Va, Jan
uary 3lst lS65-IO-3O. a. NJ
To His EIcellency, Lincoln, President of
the United States
The following communication received
here last evening:
PETERSBURG, Va, January 30ih, 1865
To Lieutenant Gen. u S. Grant, Command
ing the armies of the L. s:
SIR:-We deS Re 81 pass your lines under safe
conduct and TO proceed to Washington to hold
a conference With President lincoln, upon the
subject of the existing war, and with a view OF
a'ssrtaining upon what terms it may be termin-
ated in pursuance of the couse indicated by bim
in his letter to hr Blair. Of January 18th, 1863
of which SO presume you have a copy, and il not
we wish to YOU in person If convenient ana
to confer With YOU on the Subject.
Very respectfully. YOURS.
A H STEVENS.
K. NJ. I. HUNTER.
J a CAMPBELL.
have sent directions to receive these gentle
men, aud expect TO have them at my quarters
this evening awaiting your instructions.
Signed, L. S GRANT.
Com q <. the armies of the U. 5.
This, It will be perceived. transferred General
Ord's agency in the matter to Gen. Grant. /
resolved, however, to send Major Eckert forward
with his message. and accordingly teegraphed TO
Gen. Grant s. follows: ~
EXECUTIVE MANSION.
WASHINGTON. January 81 1865
Lieut. Gen. Grant, City Point, Va:
A messenger is coming to you on the business
contained in your dispatch. Detain the gentle