Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-02-11
proposed terms and will leave for Fortress
Monroe at $50 A. M. fs6.tE'b

| L. 5. GRANT, Lieut.. Gen.
On the night Of the I'd reached Hamp-
ton Roads and found the Secretary of State
ana Major Eckest on steamer anchored
on the shore, and learned of them that the
Richmond gents were on another steamer,
also achorcd off the shore of the Roads, and
that the Secretary of State had not yet seen
or communicated with them. ascertained
that Maj. Eckerthad literally complied with
his instructions, and saw for the first time
the answer of the Richmond gents to him,
which, in his despatch to me of the 1st, he
characterizes as not satisfactorily. That
answer is as follows, to wit:
CITY POINT, February 1st, 1865
10 Thomas T. Eckert, Major and A. d. c.:
MAJoR-Your note, delivered by your
self this day, has been considered. In re-
ply we have to say that we we're furnished
with copy of the letter of President Lin
coin to F. Z. Blair of the 18th of January,
ult, another copy OF which is appended to
your note. Our intentions are contained in
letter OF which the following is copy:
RICHMOND, January 2Sth, 1866.
In conformity with the letter of Mr.. Lin
coin, OF which the foregoing is copy, you
are 10 proceed to Washington City for in
formal conference with him upon the issues
involved in the existing war, and for the
purpose of securing peace to tie two coun-
tries.
With great respect, your ob't servant.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
The substantial object to be obtained by
the Informal conference is to ascertain upon
what terms the existing war can be termi-
nated favorably. Our instructions contem-
plate personal interview between Pres't
Lincoln and ourselves at Washington. but
with this explanation we are ready to meet
any person or persons that President Lin
coin may appoint, at such place as he NAV
designate. Our earnest desire is that lust
ana honorable peace may be agreed upon,
and wo arc prepared To receive Or TO submit
attainment of that end.
Respectfully yours,
ALEX. II. STEPHENS,
II. M. L. HUNTER,
j. A. CAMPBELL.
A note of these gents, subsequently adj
dressed to Gen. Grant, has already been
given in Major Eckerts despatch of the lst
inst. | also saw here for the first time the
following note, addressed by the Richmond
gentlemen to Maj. Eckert:
CITY POINT, Va, Feb. 3D. 1865.
L. T.Bckert, Major and Aid-de- Camp:
MAJoR-ln reply to your verbal state
ment that your instructions did not allow
you to alter the condition upon which a
passport could be given to us, we say that
we are willing to proceed to Fortress Monroe
and there to have an informal conference
with any person or persons that President
Lincoln may appoint, on the basis of his
letter to +. L. Blair of the 18th of January
ult. or upon any other terms or conditions
that he may hereafter propose, not incon-
sistent with the essential principles of self
governments popular rights, npon which
our institutions are founded. 1t is our earn
est wish to ascertain, after free inter-
change of ideas and information, upon what
principles anu terms, if any, Just and
peace can be established, without
the further effusion of blood, and to con-
tribute our utmost efforts to accomplish
such an end.
We think it better to add, that in accepting
your passport we are not to be understood
as committing ourselves to anything, but
to carry to this informal conference the
views and feeling above expressed.
Very respectfully yours, ETC.,
A. Ill. STEPHENS,
r. NJ. L. HUNTER.
j. A. CAMPBELL.
NoTE.-The above communication was
delivered to me at Fortress Monroe at 4:30
4h" Eou. ~, Wy LlcuI. Sol' DaDcOck, Ol
Grants staff.
L. I. EcKERT, Maj. and A. DC.
On the morning of tee 30th three gentle
man Stephens, Hunter and Campbell, came
aboard our steamer and had an interview
with the Secretary of State and myself of
several hours duration. No question of
preliminaries to the meeting was then or
there made, and in the meantime no other
person was present. No paper were ex-
changed or produced. 1t was agreed
that the conversation was to be in
formal and verbal merely. On onr
part, the whole substance cf the in
structions to the Secretary of State,
hereinbefore received, was stated and in
sisted upon, and nothing was said inconsist-
ent Herewith. While, by the other party,
it was not said that in any event or any con-
dition they ever would consent to reunion,
and yet they equally omitted to declare that
they would not so consent. They seemed
to desrea pOstponement of that question
and the adoption of som other course first,
which, as some Of them seemed to argue,
must or might not lead to reunion, but
which course we thought would amount to
an indelinited postponment. The confer
ence ended without result.
The foregoing containing, as is believed,
all the information sought, is respectfully
submitted.
tSignedl A.LINCoLN.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, Feb. 10, 1865.
UenI.aI Aann,,,,rv