The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1865-02-07

'
burg. During Saturday and Saturday
night his railroad was kept running,
moving troops from City Point to his
left, and on Sunday morning . large
column drove in bur pickets on tho
Vaughan road and crossed Hatcher'sr run.
During the day there was some brisk
skirmishing, but no engagement Of con-
sequence. A fight was deemed imminent
Yesterday. At 8 o'clock last evening,
however, no official intelligence Of any
fighting had been received at the War
Office. The Petersburg Express thinks
this movement Of Grant Is against the
Weldon railroad, or, perhaps, Weldon
itself, and that no attack on the Peters
burg lines is intended. We think it quite
as likely that Grant is after the South
side as we'll as the Weldon road /; or, it
may be, he is after neither, but is demon.
strating on our right to cover some real
movement on the north side.
TIE PEACE MISSION MESSAGE FROM
PRESIDENT DAVIS TO CONGREss-oFFI-
GAL REPORT OF TIE CONFEDERATE
COMMISSIONERS.
The following important documents
were laid before Congress yesterday
morning:
=, .
the Confederate Mates qf america:
"Having recently received written notification
which saustied nu that the President Of the United
States was disposed to confer informally, with un-
oAclal agents that might be sent by ME, with
view 10 the restoration Of peace, l requested the
Hon Alexander II. Stephens, the Hon. r. NJ. T.
Hunter and the Hon. John A. Campbell to proceed
through our lines, and 70 hold conference with Mr.
Lincoln, or such persons ~ he might depute to
represent him.
IL herewith submit. for the information Of Con-
g.ess, the report of the eminent citizens above
named. showing that the enemy refused to enter
into negotiations with the Confederate States, or
any one OF them separately to give to our people
any other terms or guarantees than those which the
coniuefor may grant, or to permit US to have peace
Oh any other basis than our unconditional submis-
sloli to their 1ue, coupled with the acceptance OF
tier recent legislation, including amendment tc
the Constitution for the emancipation Of all Nhe
NegFo slaves, and with the right the part Of the
Federal Congress to egi>late the subject Of the
relations between the white and black population OF
each State. Such is, understand, the effect OF
the amendment to the Constitution which has beer
adopted san BY the Congress OF the United States
"ESEcvTIvE OFFICE, Richmond, 9th of February,
1865"
"RIcHMoND, Va, February 9Th, 1865.
*, P,1-idsat Of the Confederate States:
"sir: Under your letter Of appointment Of the
18th utimo. NC proceeded to GEEK informal con-
ference Will Abraham Lincoln, President Of the
AL ho INF he
letter. The Conference vas granted, and took place
on the 3oth instant, board OF steamer anchored
III Hampton Roads where We met President Lin
coin and the lion. MIR. Seward, Secretary Of State
Of the United States. 1t continued for several
hours and was both full aud explicit.
Eve learned from them that the message OF
President Lincoln to the Congress of the United
States, III December last, explains clearly and dis
hnctly his sentiments as 10 the terms, conditions,
and method OF proceeding, by which peace can be
secured to the people, and we were not informed
that end.
We understood from him that no terms or pro-
poeais OF any treaty or agreement looking to an
ultimate settlement, would be entertained or made
BY hlln with the authorities Of the Confederate
States, because that would be recognition Of their
existence AZ separate Power, which under no cir
euIasta1o's would be done; and, for like reasons,
that such terms would be entertained by him
from the States separately; that no extended truce
OF arlsce (as at present ddvised) would be grant,
{! or allowed, without satisfactory assurance, in
advance, OF complete restoration Of the authority
o' the constitution and laws Of the United State.
over all places within the States Of the Confedcracy
That whatever consequences may follow from
the establishment Of that authority must he &C.
ceptd. But that individuals, subject to pains and
penalties under the laws OF the United States might
rely upon very liberal use Of the power confided
70 nun to remit those pains and penalties il peace be
restored.
During the conference, the proposed amend
!nents TO the Constitution Of the United States,
afopsedby Congress on the 3lst ultmo, brought
10 cur notice.
These amendments provide that neither slavery
exist WITHIN the United States or any place within
shcir jurisdiction, and that Congress should have
power to enforce this amendment by appropriate
legislation.
"of all the correspondence that preceded the
conference herein mentioned, aud leading to the
SaAs' you have heretofore been informed.
"Vs1y respectfully,
Your oDedient servants,
"AIkxASDER II. STEPHENS
II N. T. HUNTER.
81. A. CAMPBELL"
GENERAL BRECKENRIDGE SECRETARY OF
WAR.
The appointment by the President of
General John G. Breckinridge,as Secre~
'ary Of War. was on yesterday confirmed
by the unanimous vote If the, Confede-
rate Senate. General Breckenridge en-
tiers upon the discharge Of the duties of
the office today.
GOLD.
There was brisk demand for gold
Yesterday 'Thamarket opened at fort, =
I'VE and closed stiff at forty-six.
FROM SOUTH CAROLINA
We have no official intelligence of i'm
portance from South Carolina. The re-
ports OF the fanking of our forces ut