The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-04-24

WASHINGTON, April %.
AS reports have been in circulation of cor
respondence between Gems. Johnston and
Sherman, the memorandum between these two
generals, and the result are as follows:
Memorandum or basis of an agreement
made this 18th day of April, 1865, near Dur
hams Station, in the State of North Carolina,
by and between Joseph Johnston, Command
ing Confederate Army, and Maj. Gen. VIM.
L. Sherman, Commanding the Army of the
United States in North Carolina, both present:
1st.-The contending Armies now in the
field to maintain their statu quo until notice
is given by the Commanding General of either
one to its opponent, and a reasonable time,
say 48 hours allowed.
tence to be dsbanded and conducted to their
several State capitols, there to deposit their
arms and public property in the State arsenals,
and each officer and man to execute and file
an agreement to cease from acts of war, and to
abide the action Of both the State and FEEDER
al authority. The number of arms and mu.
nitions are to be reported to the Chief of Ord
nance at Washington City, subject to the flu
ture action of the Congress OF the United
States, and in the mean time to be used solely
to maintain peace and order within the Dor
ders of the States respectively.
3d.-The recognition by the Executive OF
the United States of the several State govern.
ments on their officers and Legislatures taking
the oath prescribed by the Constitution of the
United States; and where conflicting State
governments have resulted from war, the legiti
macy of all shall be submitted to the Supreme
Court of the United States.
4th.-The re-establishment of all Federal
courts in the several States, with power as de
fined by the Constitution and laws of Con-
gress.
5th.-The people and inhabitants OF all the
States to be guaranteed, so far as the Execu-
tive can, their political rights and franchise,
as well as their rights of person and property
as defined by the Constitution of the United
States and the States respectively. si
6th.-The Executive authority of the gov
eminent of the United States not to disturb
any OF the people by reason of the late war, so
long as they live in peace and quiet, abstain
from acts of armed hostility and obey the laws
in existence, at any place of their residence.
7th.-In general terms, war TO cease and q
general amnesty so far as the Executive power
of the United States can command on condi-
ton of the disbandment of the Confederate
armies, and distribution of arms and resump-
tion OF peaceful pursuits by the officers and
men hitherto composing said armies.
Not being fully empowered by our respective
principals to fulfl these terms we individually
and officially pledge ourselves to promptly OBJ
taIu JIG hOcocsoiy oH'uoatJ ouu W eoify oub
the above programme. sa
(Signed) W. T. SHERMAN,
Major General.
j. E. JOHNSTON,
Commanding Confederate States army in
North Carolina. Fh
This proceeding Of Gen. Sherman was an
approved for the following reasonsi
1st.-Itw was an exercise OF authority not vest
ed in Gen. Sherman, and on its face shows that
both he and Johnston knew that he (Sher-
mani had no authority to enter into any such
arrangement.
2d-It was a practical acknowledgment Of
the rebel government.
3d-It is understood to re-establish the rebel
State government that had been overthrown
at sacrifice of many thousand lives and i'm
mense treasure, and to place arms and NUM-
tions of war la the hands of rebels at their re.
spective capitals, which might be used as soon
as the armies of the United States were dis
banded and employed to conquer and subdue
| loyal States.
abby the restoration OF rebel authority
In their respective States, they would be en-
abled to establish slavery.
| 5th.--It might furnish ground OF RESPONSE
bility by the Federal government to pay the
rebel debt, and certainly subjects loyal citi-
zens of the rebel States to pay the debt con-
summated 0y reDels IN the name OF the state.
6th.-It puts in dispute the existence of the
| loyal State governments and the new State oil
| Western Virginia, which has been recognized
by every department Of the United States
| Government
7th-It practically aboiishes the confsca-
ton laws, and relieved rebels Of every degree
who had slaughtered our people, from ali
| pains and penalties for their crimes.
Shit gave terms that had been deIiber-
ately. repeatedly and solemnly rejected by
President Lincoln, and better terms than the
rebels ever asked in their most prosperous
/ condition.
9th-It formed no basis Of true and lasting
peace, but relieved re'sels from the pressure Of
| our victories, and left them in condition ia
renew their efforts to overflow the United
States Government, and subdue loyal States
whenever their strength was recruited and
any opportunity should offer. II