The Columbia daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1865, 1865-07-20
Alex. 81. Stephens Account of the
Hampton Roads Conference.

Inc Augusta ChT0nacLe publishes a
detailed statement of what passed at
the celebrated peace conference in
Hampton Roads. The materials for
this statement were furnished by Alex.
Il. Stephens. They consisted in part
OF oral communications made by Mr..
Stephens to the writer, and in part of
the occidental written report (never
before. pub'ished) furnished by the
rebel commissioners to- the rebel presi-
dent. From tue report, which was
signed by all three of the commissions
els, we copy the following significant
extract as being more illustrative than
anything else in it of the liberal
temper manifested on that occasion by
Mr.. Lincoln:
Mr.. Seward then remarked: Mr..
President, it is as well to inform these
gentlemen that yesterday Congress
acted upon the amendment % the
Constitution aboiishiny slavery.
Mr.. Lincoln stated that was true.
and suggested that there was a ques>
ton as to the right o! the insurgent
States to return at once and claim 8
right to vote upon the amendment, to
which the concurrence Of two thirds of
the States was required. He stated
that it would be desirable 10 hayc the
1nstitosIon OF slavery abolished by the
consent Of the people as soon as pos
slble-he hoped within six years. He
also stated that four hundred millions
of dollars mi sht be offered as compen-
sa'lon to the owners; and remarked:
You would be surprised were 1 to
give you the names OF those who favor
that.
The Chronicle also makes, on the
authority OF Mr.. Stephens, the follow
ing statement:
Mr.. Stephens came home with a
new cause Of sorrow: aud those who
said he talked of coming home to
make war-speeches and denounce the
terms offered, simply lied. Before
Mr.. Lincoln's death, he thought he
was doing favor to him not to include
that offer Of four hundred millions in
gold for the Southern slaves, in the
published report, for it would 1t used
to the injury Of Mr. Lincoln bv those
Of his enemies who talk about taxation
and the debt.
These remarkable statements, which,
If true, are important materials of
history, raise two questions to which
public Curiosity will seek an answer:
|. Is it probable that the main
statement-that relating to the offer
by President Lincoln of the four hun
dred .nillons-is true2
2. Supposing it true, who are the
parties referred to by Mr.. Lincoln
whose approval of the offer would
have surprised the rebel commission
ers?
G'he Fact that the statement was
made III confidential repor. prepared
by the commissioners for the intor-
nation of Mr.. Davis, and signed by
ali their names, creates a strong pre-
sumption Of its truth, which can be
rebutted only BY evidence of its in
trlnslc improbabi!i:y. If there be
such insprobability it certainly does
not lie in any conflict between the
o{far aod the tenor Of Mr.. Lincoln's
an.eeeden. views. In his second an
nnal message, Mr.. Lincoln said: III is
none the less true for having been
often said, that the people Of the South
ave not more responsible for the intro.
duction of this property than the
people Of the North; and when it is
remepbered how unhesitatingly we all