Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1865-02-21
THE CONFERENCE AT, HAMPTON ROADS.

n1tseS0T6D pef6 utkLlnQ 20 restore the. OAt0f, 6c
We publish below from the Richmond papers,
copied from the Northern papers, all that We can
ind Of Mr.. Linc0ln's message with the accompany
ing documents in relation to the recent peace con-
ference at Hampton Roads 80, ~. -, ... ..-
70 The Honorable The House of Representatives:
In response to your resolutions Of the 9Th instant
requesting information in relation to . conference
recently held in Hampton Roads, l. hare the honor
to state that on the day of the dats gave Francis
P. Blair, Sr., card, written as follows: ALLOW
the bearer, +. p. Blair, ST., to pass our lines go
South and return. A. LINCOLN.
December %, 1851 --.e. psi. i
That at the time was informed that Mr.. Blair
Virgins, Sut be was given authority to speak or
act for the government, nor was Informed Of any
thing he would say or do on his own account or
otherwise. Afterwards, Mr.. Blair told me that he
had been to Richmond, and had seen Mr.. Jefferson
Davis, and he (Mr. Blair,l at the same time left
- -l.,-l.,s,g- RcHHoND, Jan. II, 1865.
F. P. Blair, Esq.: ~ ----s - i.-.
SIR:-l hAye deemed it proper, and probably de-
sirable to you, to give you in this form the sub
stance of the remarks mAda. by me, to be repeated
by you to President Lincoln, &c.
have no disposition to find obstacles in forms,
and am willing now, heretofore to enter into me-
gotiations for the restoration of peace. lam ready
to send commission whenever have reason to
suppose it will be received, or TO receive commits
sion if the United States government shall choose
to send one; that notwithstanding the rejection Of
our former Offers would. if you could promise that
commissioner minister or other agent would be
received, appoint one Immediately, and renew the
effort to enter into conferences, with view to So
cure peace 10 the two countries
Yours, &c,
[Signedl So. JEFFERSON DAVIS.
Afterwards, and with a view that it should be
shown to Mr.. Davis, WROTE and delivered to Mr..
Blair, letter as follows, to wit .-.
...-. WASHINGTON, Jan. 10, 1855.
f. p. Blair, Esq:
SIR:-You having shown me Mr. Davis'S letter to
you Of the 18th instant, you may say to him that
have constantly been, am now, and shall continue
ready to receive any agent whom he or any other
influential person now resisting the national AL.
thority may informally send me, with the view OF
securing peace to the people of our common coun-
try, Yours. &c, 80. A. LINCOLN.
Afterwards Mr.. Blair dictated for and authorized
me to make an entry on the back of my retained
copy of the letter last above rected, which entry is
as follows: ~
JANUARY %, 1s65.-To-day Mr. Blair tells me
that the 2lst instant ne delivered to Mr.. Davis
the original of which the within is copy, and left
it with him; that at the time >of delivering 1t Mr..
Davis read it over twice in Mr.. Blairs presence at
the close of which he mr. BlGir) remarked that the
part about our one common country related to the
part of Mr. Dsvis's letter about the two countries
to which Mr.. Davis replied that he so understood
it A. LINCOLN"
Then follows a telegram from General Ord an
nouncing that the Confederate commissioners have
arrived in front Of the Yankee lines and that they
would like to go, through by 10 o'clock the next
morning
1t appears that about the time of placing the
foregoing telegram in my hands the Secretary of
War dispatched Gen. Ord, as follows, to wit:
WAR DEPT, WAsHISGToN CRY,
Jan, 90 1866 10, D. m.
Major. General Ord
This department has no knowledge Of any under
standins bYs Gsaeral Grant to allow any person to
come within his Ice rs commissioners of any sort.
You viii, therefore, allow no one to come into your
lines under such character profession until you
receive the Presidents instructions, to whom your
telegram will be sent for his directions.
EDWIN NJ. STANTON,
Secretary of War.
Sent in cipher at q. m, 9oth.
Afterwards, by my directions, the Secretary of
War telegraphed Gen. Ord as follows:
WAR DEP'T. WASHINGTON D. c.,
Jan. 80 1865, 10 q. m,
Major General E. D. o. Ord, Htadquartsrs Army
Of the James: .-.
By direction Of the President you are instructed
to inform the three gentlsmen-Messrs. Stephens,
Hunter and Campbell-that messenger will be
dispatched to them at or near where they now are,
without unnecessary delay.
....H EDWIN N, STANTON,
Secretary of War.
Afterwards prepared and put into the hands of
Major Thomas I. Eckert, the following instructions
and message:
49, EXECUTIVE MANSION
WAsHIEGToN, Jan. 80, 1866.
Major 7. T. Eeksrt:
SIR:-You will proceed with the documents plH-
ced in your hands, and on reaching Gen. Ord will
deliver him the letter addressed to him by the Soc
rotary Of War. Then, by Generals 0rd's assist
Hunter aud Campbell, or any of them, deliver to
him or them the paper which your own letter is
written. Note on the copy which you retain the
time of its delivery and to whom delivered. Receive
their answer in writing, waiting reasonable time
for it. and which, if it contains their decision to
through without further condition will be your
warrant to ask General Ord to pass them through,
as directed in the letter of the Secretary of War to
him. II by their answer they decline to come or
propose other terms, do not have them passed
through. And this being your whole duty, return
Yours, truly, A. LINCOLN. r.
Aes,rs Alexander r. Stephens, j. a. Campbell and
r. m T. Hunter =. 80. ...-
GENrLRMEN:-Ia am instructed by the President of
the United States to place this paper in your hands
. with the information that if you pass through the
United States military lines it viii be understood
thar you do for the purpose of an informal con-
ference on the basis of that letter. copy OF which
is on the reverse side of this sheet and that if you
choose to pass such understanding, and so notify
me in writing, l will procure the Commanding
General to pass you through the lines and to For
tress Monroe, under such military precautions As
he may deem prudent, and at which place you will
be met in due time by some person or perso IS for
the purpose of such Informal conference, and turh
or that you shall have protection, safe conduct and
safe return in all events.
THOS. T. ECKERT,
Major and A.. D. @.
City Point Va, Feb. /, 1866.
Afterwards, but before Major Eckert had de part
ed, the following dispatch received from Gen,
Grant:
OTFIcE UNITED STATES MIIdrARY TELBeEAPH,t
. WAR DEPARTMENT.
The following telegram. received at Washin ston.
January 81, 1855, from City Point, Virginia. 1880
A. NJ. :..s- -
--. .... JANUARY 81, 1853.
His Escellency abraham LineoLR, Presidest Of the
United State - .--.E'
The following communication was received here
last egsDing; --s.- =--. -.....