New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-08-11
MIR. RAYMOND ON NIAGARA.

sJR. RAYMOND ON NIAGARA.
Iprnt on another page the account given III
Nh Henry J. Raymond's forthcoming History
of Mr.. Liucolns Administration of the abortye
attempt 10 institute negotiations for Peace, made
in JAY 1864, through correspondence at Mag.
ara Falls, emitting only the already printed let
tiers there irterchanged and the manifesto there
upon put forth by the Confcderates concerned.
Most of the documents herewith given arc new
to the pubic. And now for TIE requisite
explanatory comments:
July, 1864, was a gloomy period fcrthc Union
cause. Gold was selling at about $50. Gen.
Sherman was stopped before Atlanta. Gen.
Grant had failed in sundry bloody efforts to cz-
tend his left so rs to cut off the Southern COM
muncations ly railroad with Petersburg and
Richmond. The shockingly miSmanaged Nine
explosion had resulted in a great sand disocur-
aging disaster. The Rebels were again pouring
into Maryland, threatening both Baltimore and
Washington, and seeming TO encounter no Wig
orOus. mcthodical resistance. II was at TINS
hour of general dsmay that received repeated
and positive assurances from Niagara FAILS
that certain Confederaics. known to me as emil
nent and influential, were on the British side
of the Fan. authorized and ready to negotiate
a pactication Of our country.
Ny own Judgment that negotiations for Peace
on our part could not be much worse managed
than the War had usually been was not now
first formed. ielt that our Government had
needlcssly given its enemies creat advantage,
in seeming to repel OyortureS looking TO Peace,
made through ). II. Stephens and Others.
The leaders were constantly telling their dupes,
I'VE may rs well die lighting as otherwise: for
Lincoln will listen to no conditions, but insists
on unconditional surrender. TO be followed by
military execution and universal ConfSca'ion.'
felt that tho desperation thus excited was a
grave obstacle to our success, and ought some
how to be obviatCd. So i wrote privately to
the President, stating what had heard from
Niagara, inclosing missiyes, ana urging him TO
meet the advances Of our sdversaries IL con-
ciliatory spirit. / wished him first to listen To-
whatever the Rebels might see 1T 10 propose;
but, assuming that this would prove unacccpt-
able, proceeded 70 suggest a basis Of pacliica-
ton which thought he might wisely and adj
yantageously proHer to the Confederates
whether they should accept or reject it. The
facts that We were just about 70 attempt
another large levy Of men and that most inn
portant election WAS then pending in North
al f,~
evncng an earnest desire for Peace i merely
svggssttd ali offer on our part; but insisted
that any offer that the Rebels might Ssh to
make should at any rate be received and con-
sidered.
The President promptly responded, saying in
substance thai, if / could find any authorized
person or persons ready TO make, or behalf of
the Rebels, such proposition az L bad sug-
gested that he might make, when his turn came,
liz would gladly receive il.
replied in effect, that did not know nor
guess what the Rebels might propose, and did
not desire TO be taken into their confidence. nor
employed in any way in the business. What /
wished wa g. have it distinctly seen and known
that we did not repel Rebel overures looking
to Peaoe-at least, not without knowing what
they were.
This letter was not received for some days,
owing to the interruption of the mails through
Maryland, by the Rebel army IN that State and
Harry GilmOr's raid on the Philadelphia Rail
road Meantime, had received moro specific
and Trustworthy ad;.ces from Niagara, and l
wrote again (July l3th,) stating what had
heard. and reiterated:
"Yog win Of eonrse understand that know nothing
ard have proposed nothing TO terms and that nothing
conceded taken for granted by the meeting OF per
sons empowered 10 negotiate FOR Peace.
And ! again urged that ga frank, earnest,
anxious effort to terminate the war on honorable
terms" would immensely strengthen the Govern
ment in ease of its failure, and would be espe-
.ially helpful TO Holden and tho Peace party
then contesting NORTH Carolina.
This letter was answered by telegraph by the
liz dispatch July 18th, saying he
was disappointed by it. / A. L. was not
expecting you TO send me letter, but to bring
nc a man or men. Mr.. Hay goes to you with
ny answer to yours Oft the 18Th
Major Hay came accordingly; and IT appears
" Mr.. Raymond's hook that be brought me
etter which reads very strangely TO me.
must presume that he did bring it, though 1T
vas 10 reply at all to either of mine, and seems
,minently calculated to perpetuatc the bad I'M
preston I.was trying to dispel. The Rebels at
Niagara wished to make a proposition looking
to Peace; / wished the President to hear what
iho,. L. A.. o.. n.I &c a ohonh not nrnrc 90.