The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1865-02-16
down the James river ia a United State.

down the James river 10 q United Stat
. steam transpor, during the day, and II
,, transport was anchored in .Hampto
Roads. On the morning of the Sd til
President, attended by the Secre,ar,
!. received Messrs. Stephens. Hunter 40
Campbell on board the United State
steam transport River Queen, in Hamr
ton Roads.
The conference was altogether inform
al. There was no attendance of secrets
ries, clerks or other witnesses. Nothin
was written or read. The conversation
although earnest aud free, was calm, an
courteous, and kind on both sides.
The Richmond party approached th
discussion rather indirectly, and at o.
time did they make categorical demands
or tender formal stipulations or absolut,
refussls. Nevertheless during the con
ference, which lasted four hours, the
several points at issue between the Gov.
ernment and the insurgents were dis
tincsly raised, and discussed fully, intel.
ligen,Iy and in an amicable spirit, What
the issurgent party seemed chiefly to
favor was postpOnemcDt of the question
of separation upon which the war is
waged, and mutual direction of the
! efforts Of the Government, as we'll as
those Of the insurgents, to some extrinsic
policy or scheme, for a season, during
which passion might be expected to sub
side, and the armies be reduced, and
trade and intercourse between the people
of both sections be resumed.
1t was suggested by them, that through
such postponement we might now have
immediate peace, with some not very
certain prospect of an ultimate satisfac-
tory adjustment of the present political
relations between the Government and
the States, section or people, now engae.
ed in conflict with it The suggestion.
though deliberately considered, was new.
ertheless regarded by the President as
one OF armstice or truce, and be annoup.
ced that we can agree to no cessation or
suspension of hostilities, except on the
oassls of the bisbandnent of the ipsur-
gent forces, and the restoration of the
National authority throughout all the .
States In the Union. CoIateralIy, and
subordlnation to the proposition which
vas thus announced, the anti slavery
policy Of the United States was reviewed
o all It's bearings, and the President
nnounced that he must not be expected
depart from the positions he had as
umed in his proclamation of emanc ipa-
lon and other documents, as the posi-.
ons were reiterated in his annual mes
'se. 1t was further declared by the
resident that the complete restoration
the national authority everywhere was
indispensable condition of apy assent
our part to whatever form of peace
light be proposed The President az.
,red the other party that while he mus.
dhcre to these positions, he would be
repaired, so far as power is lodged with
1s Executive, to exercise it literally.
is power however, is limited by the
ade Congress must necessarily act in
gard to the approximations of money
ID to the admission OF representative
ON the insurrectionary States. G
The Richmond party were then in I
rmed that Congress had, on the 3lst n
b., adopted, by a constitutional MAORI. q
a joint resolution submitting to the c
Veral States the proposition to abolish
very throughout the Union, and there a
every reason to expect tina. it will be c
cepted by three fourths of the States, e
as to become part of the national or.
mic law. The conference came to an
d by mutual acquiescence, without :
an agreement Of views upon ,
e several matters discussed, or any Of =
EN-. Nevertheless, i. is, perhaps, of .
me importance that we have been able -
submit our opinions and views direct =
to the prominent insurgents, and to ,
EAR their answer 10 courteous and not !
,frien4ly manner =,
am, your obedient servant,
VIM. H. SEWARD.