Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1865-02-10
Report of the Rebel Commissioners

WAsHINGroN, Feb. s.-The Richmond
Wing OF the Tth states that the following
document WAS laid before Congress that
| afternoon:
To the Senate and House of Representatives
cfthe Confederate States of AmcricG:-HaV-
log recently received written notification
that the President OF the Uuited States
was disposed to confer informally with un
official agents that might be sent by me
With view to the restoration OF peace, |
requested Hon. Alex. Stephens, Hon. R.
N. I. Hunter and Hon. john A. Campbell
TO proceed through our lines to hold con-
ference with Nj. Lincoln, or such persons
as he might depute to represent him. l
herewith submit for the information of
Congress the report OF the eminent citizens
above named, showing that the enemy re.
fuse to enter into negotiations with the
Confederate States, or any one of them,
separately, or tOgive our people any other
terms or guarantees than those which a
conqueror may grant, or to permit US to
have peace on any other basis than our
unconditional submission to their rule,
coupled with the acceptance of their re-
cent legislation, including an amendment
to the Constitution for the emancipation
of negro slaves, and with the right on the
part of the Federal Congress to legislate
w 6AO 0uOJ0Sb VI In6 EeihLlOuS between tue
white and black population of each State.
Such is, as l understand it, the effect of
the amendment to the Constitution which
has been adopted by the Congress of the
United States.
(SiguedH JEFT. DAVIS.
Richmond. Feb. 8, 1855.
To the President of the Confederate States:
SIR: Under your letter of appoiutmont
OF the 2sth ult., we proceeds to seek To-
formal conference with Abraham Lincoln,
President of the United States, upon the
subject mentioned in your letter. The
conference was granted, and took place on
the 3Oth ult., gu board steamer anchored
in Hampton Roads. where we met Presi.
dent Lincoln and the Hon. Mr.. Seward,
Secretary of State of the Uoited States.
It continued for several hours and was
both full and explicit. We learned from
them that the message of President Lincoln
to the Congress OF the United States in
December last explains clearly and dis
| tinotly bis sentiments as to terms, coudi-
tons and method of proceeding by which
peace can be secured to the people, and we
were not informed that they would be
modified or altered to obtain that end.
We understood from him that no terms
| or proposals Of any treaty Or agreement
looking to an ultimate settlement would
be entertained or made by him with tho
authorities ofthe Confederate States, be-
cause that would be recognition of their
existence as separate power, which, uu.
der no circumstances, would be done; and
likewise, that no such terms would be en-
tertained by him from States separated;
that no extended truce or Armistice. Ms
l ~ PTrouuG ADVISED, would be granted or
allowed without satisfactory assurances
IN advance, of complete restoration of
the authority of the constitution and Laws
OF the United States over all places within
the States of the Confederacy; that what
ever consequences may follow from the re.
establishment, that authority must be ac-
cepted, but that the individuals Cubi ect 10
the pains and penalties uudsr the laws of
the United States, might rely upon yery
liberal use of that power cou6ded in him
to remit these pains aud penalties if peace
be restored.
During the conferences, the proposed
amendment to the Constitution of the
United States, adopted by Congress on the
3lst ult.I was brought to our notice. The
amendment provides that neither slavery
norinVoluutRry servitude, except for crime
shall exist within their Jurisdiction, and
that Congress should have the power to
enforce this amendment by appropriate
legislation. or all the conference herein
mentioned, and leading to the same, You
have heretofore been informed.
Very Respectfully,
Your obedient servants,
ALEX. a. sTEPHEHs,
r. u. 7. HUSTER,