Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1865-02-16
From IsichUtOud.

WASHINGTON, Feb. g.-Thc Richmond
Wing of the 7th, says the following docu
mcnts were laid before the rebel Congress
ON the 7th:
To the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the Confederate States of America:
Having recently received written notifca-
tion, which satisfied me that the President
of the United States was disposed to confer
informally with unofficial agents that might
be sent by me with view to the restoration
Of peace, | requested Hon. Alexander II.
Stevens, Hon, X: IL. 7. Hunter, and Hon.
John A. Cambell to proceed through our
lines to hold Il conference with Mr.. Lincoln
or such persons rs he might depute to rep
resent him. herewith submit, for the in
formation of Congress, the report of the
eminent citizens above named showing that
the enemy refuse to enter into negotiations
with the Confederate States, or any one of
them separately, or to give our people any
other terms or guarantees than those which
u conquorer may grant, or permitus to have
peace on any other basis than that of our
unconditional submission to their rule, cou-
pied with the acceptance of their recent leg
iSlation, including an amendment to the
Constitution for the emancipation of negro
slaves, and with the right Oh the part Of the
Federal Congress to legislate on the subject
of the relations between the white and the
black population of each State Such is. |
understand the effect of the amendment of
the Constitution which has been adopted by
the Congress of the United States
(Signedl JEFFERSON DAVIS.
RIClmoND, Feb. 5. 1865
TO the President of the Confederate States:
SIR: Under your letter of appointment
of the. 2sth ult., we proceeded to seek an in
formal conference with Abraham Lincoln,
subject mentioned in your letter The con-
30th ult., on board a steamer anchored in
Hampton Roads, where we met President
Lincoln and the Hon. Mr.. Seward, Secre-
tary of State of the United States. 1t con-
tinued for several hours, and was both full
and explicit
We learned from them that the Message
Of President Lincoln to the Congress of the
United States, in December last, explains
clearly and distinctly his sentiments as to
the terms, conditions and mode of proceed
ing by which peace can be secured to the
people, and we were not informed that they
would be modified or altered to obtain that
end.
We understood from him that no terms
or proposals of any treaty or agreement
looking to an ultimate settlement would he
entertained or made by him with the au-
thoritics of the Confederate States, because
| that would be a recognition Of their exis-
tence as separate power, which under no
circumstances would be DONE and like
reasons, that no such terms would be enter
tanned by him from States separately.
That no extended truce or armistice as at
present advised, would be granted orallowcd
without satisfactory assurances in advance
! of complete restoration of the authority of
the Constitution and laws of the United
States over all places within the States OF
the Confedcracy
| That whatever consequences may follow
from the establishment Of that authority
must be accepted, but that the individuals
subject to pains and penalties under the laws
Of the United States might rely upon very
! liberal use of the power confdcd to him to
remit those pains and penalties, if restored.
During the conference, the proposed
amendment to the Constitution fthe United
States was brought to our notice. This
amendment provides that neither slavery
nor involuntary scryitude except for crime
should exist within their Jurisdictions and
that Congress should have the power to en-
force this amendment by appropriate legis
ation.
OF all the conference herein mentioned
and leading to the same, you have heretofore
been informed. Very respectfully,
Your obedient servants,
ALEX II. STEPHENS,
X. Nj. Il. HUNTER,
JNO. A. CAMPBELL.