The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1865-02-07
News from Richmond
Papers.
MUBHE EVAcUA7ED.
The Rebel CONSUMPTION.
Total Failure Of Peace Negotiation
Full Particulars Of the Interview at
Fort Monroe-TAs War e bs Cont n.
ued with Renewed vigor.
New York. Feb. e.

The Times Washington special sa-
Mr.. Seward reached Fort Monroe In
advance OF Die srs. Stephens, Campbell
and Hunter Upon the arrival of there
gentlemeo, they were at once invited 10
an interview, and informed Mr.. Seward d
of their desire to proceed to Washinetd n
for the purpose OF discussing the questio on
| OF peace with the President.
Mr.. Seward Informed them that it W 8
the Presidents wish that thu discussion
should take place at For, Monroe, ard
tha: be had been sent TO meet them Il.
that pint upon that subject.
The commissioners pressed, with con
| siderable earnestness. for leave to visit
Washington, and fnally alleged that their
Government had consented to send then
only in consequence of Mr. Blairs asst :
rance that they should have a persons sl
interview with Mr.. Lincoln.
MIR. Seward answered them that this
pledge should be fulfilled, and at once tel
egvaphed to the President that his pres
ence was necessary.
After Mr Lineoln's arrival the confe r.
euce lasted four hours. aud was perfectly
friendly and good tempered throughout
Ga our side the conversation was mainly
conducted by the President, on theirs, Nv
Mr. Hunter, Mr. Stephens occasionally y
taking part.
The rebel commissioners said nothiu Q
whatever of their personal views or wisheF,
but spoke solely and exclusively for their
Government. and at the outset and
throughout The cpnferepLe, declared their
entire lack of authority to MAKE, receive
or consider any proposition whsteeer
| looking toward close of the war exec pi
on the basis of the recognition of the III
dependence of the Confederate States as
preliminary coRdiiIon.
Tne President presented the subject to
them In every conceivable form, suggest
ing the most liberal and considerate mod
l6caiions of whatever in the tie existing
legislationafd aelio9 Of the United States
Government might be regarded as special
iy hostile to the rights and interests, or
wonnding 70 the pride Of the Southern
people, but in no siogie particular could
be induce them to swerve for moment
from their demand for recognition. They
did not present this conspicaously as rest
ing on their own convictions or wishes,
but as the condition which their Govern
ment had made absolutely indispensable
TO any negotiations or discussion whatev-
or concerning peace.
President Lincoln, on the other hand
informed them at every point that such
RECOGNITION was utterly and totally out OF
the question that the United States
! could stop the war and arrest even ten
porarily the movements OF its armies. only
on tie cocditicn precedent that tho au
thofity of the National Government
should be recognized and obeyed over the
whole territory of the United States -
This point conceded. he assured them
that upon every other point Of difference
they. would be treated with the usmos,
| lioerality but without that recognition
the var must and would 60 on.
/ All the conversation which took place
between the respective parties came back
10, and turned upon h $ radical and irrec
oncil.bls difference. Neither side ccuc
be swsrved ahair's brendth from its posi-
| ,ion, and therefore the attempt at neeo
tiatioH Was an utter failure.
Upon separating it was distinctly IN
derstood, and explicitly stated, that lh'
attitude Of each Goyernment was to b,
precisely what it would have been ii thil
interview bad never taken place.
The Cabinet received these explana
| tons 40 complete and satisfactory, and ID,
feeling was unapimous aud esrnest tha
the country must nov arouse itselk to rc
nsssd ,ettasts. and prepare 10 make fresl
sacrifisss IL detense Of the integrity Of til
psise fsd the preservation of the Gov
AsIyea kaev ths sosrse 4 IL IL