New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-02-06
"Details Of the 'Conferenee-The Reb.
els Insist on Recognisisa = Nothing
Achieved after All.

Special Dispatch to The N. Y. Tribune
WASHINGTON Feb. So p. IN.
The Hampton Roads conference, as it will be
rknown in history held between Stevens, Hunter
snd Campbell on enc side and President Lincoln and
Secretary Seward the other with plenipotentiary
en Africa friendly both parties and serviceabe to
each. who came and went with things on salver.
The conference opened, intirnuted on Thursday
eat 1t would open. with "reminiscences of the od ash
lngton life and inquiries after common friends and
suaintanoes. Stephens worn. and had look OF
anxiety and wearness. This justly should be imputed
- the disease which increasingly saps and wastes the
vitality Of the abest and brayest Of Americans Hunter
vas in fine condition. and lofty and confident as Of
yore. Campbell, too, was his old self Al were
marked with strength, assurance Of the future and
consciousness OF power. There in one of Them
strace Of suppanoe; DO. or was in lock word car
-siage o sutton for peace.
The saver Of the Ple1potentia-y from Africa
hridged the passage topics of kindly and pleasant
tai TO significant inquiry Of Stephens low nearly the
extension Of the Capitol was completed. and the ex
preston Of desire to go to Washington TO Mr..
seward told him Of the condition Of the work and in
vited him and look at the Capitol Of reunited
Rspubic. The terms Of peace thus gradually ap.
psoached. When fully reached the Rebel side
Stephens took the parole ard surpassed 81 his old exhi
osions Of persuasiveless strewdness force tact and
courage in putting the demands and the rights Of the
Confederacy In the midst of them at the concu.
Olon Of Of his points Mr. Lincoln swung forward
q the lower hinge hs back and interrupted THAT
svninds me of a story OF out in Illipois% Ste
phens Hunter and Campbell instantly jumped up in
soar Of merriment.
The interruption caused by this characteristic out
areak and the apt story which followed being through
With the Rebel vice-PIesdent resumed. and pursued
Go the end Of his statement OF the rights of the Coned
crate States and the terms which he thought they
would be willing to stop the Recognition the
rst Of them The proposition 10, armisice was. of
course. Illogical sequence.
1t is very certain that Kr. Lncs!n and Mr. Seward
.xere surprised at striking this snag in the very
.Satset Of tie confere1ee. The preliminary cropping
and feeling around by pioneer Of peace.
and his assurances and convictions had led 10 The
belief the three ENJOYS bad entered lines talk
q Q restored Union and common country. They had
stayed for abog, two days al the army beaqusrters
n conversations there with Gems Grant Mead and one
~rswo other generals Ste hens professed TO love the old
Union. TO b. as mi ch In his feelings Ameri
Of the United States and 6epored the necessity
which politics placsj him and ali the leaders Of the
rebellion in to have something 10 give to the iocinated
II u understood THAI they declared at headqnarte-s
that we you'd recoaEize them for say weei or ary
suitable length Of time to satisfy the pride of their peo
sttsy would pledge their honor to bring about reunion
Whatever the preo4se character Of their admis
Sons or intmations, peace pTospsctors went to
FORTRESS Monroe what thsy felt a sure thing.
OF the whole character OF the whole interview the
country can judge from what Mr.. Lincoln said to .
general officer on Saturday ave could no, do any
ching with them whatever"
They stood recognition. Mr.. Seward considered
sAeir claims srgumentatively. lie kindly and courte
susly spoke Of larger and Of certain
" Of victory in the end They insisted recognition
The inter inadmissiblty Of this demand and OF their
stha and consequential denar Is was demonstrated
fhsy we're iumovable--they stood for recognition.
NJ Stephens. flexible and polite than his asso