Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-06-24
THE FORT MONROE CONFERENCE.
Alexander Stephens Version Of the In.


The Augusta, Ga, Chronicle, OF the 7th inst
between the editor and Alex. H. Stephens on
the subject OF the Peace Conference at Fortress
Monroe, in which additional light is thrown
these Days avis, a sent tor
mond, stating that Mr.. Blair desired q confer
ence between the authorities of the United
States and he Southern states upon the sub.
iect of peace, and MIR. Stephens's advice was
asked. He promptly replied that If Mr.. Blair
spoke by authority OF President Lincoln, he
most earnestly advised the conference; but
that, as the terms Of peace, If favorable to the
South, would awaken angry debate from the
radical men of the North, and q failure to get
terms but disheartened their own people, he
recommended. first, that the strictest secrecy
be used; second, that the parties to the confer
ence be President Lincoln and Nr. Davis, an
that Generals Grant and Lee be the only ones
to even know Of the meeting.
The in iunctioR OF secrecy was totally dIsre-
garded, and the news Of the proposed peace
conference telegraphed to all parts OF the
Two days later Stephens received informa-
tion from Benjamin tnat committee OF three
gentlemen were to 60, consisting OF Stephens,
Hunter and Campbell Stephens saw that to
and that probably he would have the rsspon-
eibilIty OF failure to make peace thrown upon
his shoulders. so he went, merely remarklng
to Mr.. Campbell, 4"that the old story Of the
monkey that took the paw Of the cat to pull
his ehestnuts out OF the fire was not without
some modern ilustrattons,'' 70 which Mr..
Campbell said that "he thought so too, and
did not like it." rErE
Probably but from the endorsement OF the
peace wishes Of Stephens and Hunter by Gen.
Grant, the interview would not have been
granted. The reason why the General did not
include Mr.. Campbell in his endorsement was,
that Mr.. q. was perfectly satisfied that the
country was whipped then, and prepared to
take what he could get, and therefore did not
talk; while Mr.. Hunter, who was net much
for reconstruction, talked the most
The Commissioners met Mr.. Lincoln and
MIR. Seward, and Mr.. Stephens, aware that
one who asks much, may get more than he
who 1confesses to humble wishes at the outset,
urged the claims Of his section with that skill
have given him credit. Mr.. Lincoln. holding
the vantage ground OF conscious power, was,
however, perfectly frank, and submitted his
vie ws almost in the form Of an argument.
The Chronicle then gives the Official report OF
the rebel commissioners, with notes and ex.
plantations, as follows: ga
RICHMoND, February 6, 1865.
To the PresidenI of the Confederate States:
SIR: Under your letter Of appoin tmenL nL,ad az
Commits sioners, Of the 2Sth ult., we proosG"ovnn ~
to seek an informal conference with 40 nnnn
Lincoln, President Of the United S.a'eGT, Gon fsr-
the subject mentioned In the letse., On tha a0tn
ence was granted, and took piace. e.rchcreS al in
December, on board q steamer prasidsnt lin.
aS"p M = tna Han Mr. seward SECRETARY OF
@ com snc .ha c y,.s,.a States II Continued for
Seals SI aI sen1s md was full and explicit.
seTsaes ~ -. sement OF moment In THIS nrst
,:rasranS is that the conference was ootn fuA
ars g s1pl,s,sd 1pral.nsd nom them that ths Message Of
Prcsident Lincoln 70 the Congress o. tne UNI