Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1865-05-06

eminent.
The following despatch from Secretary
Stanton announces the action of the govern
ment in the premises:
WAR DEPARTMENT,
WASHINGTON, April %.
Yesterday evening a bearer Of dispatches arrived
from Gen. sherman. An agreement for suspen'
.iou Of hostihties, aud memorandum OF what is
called bssis for peace, had been entered into, on
the 18th inst, by Gen. Sherman with the rebel
Gen. Johnston. The rebel Gen. Breckenridge va
present at the conference.
Cabinet meeting was held at O'Clock in the
evening, at which the action Of Gen. Sherman was
disapproved by the President, BY the secretary Of
war. by Gen. Grant, and by every member OF tbs
Cabinet.
Gen sherman was ordered TO resume hostilities
,,,rnaiiately and was directed that the instruc-
ions siven by the late President in the follo~ing
TELEGRAM, which was penned by Mr.. Lincoln him
self at The capitol, the night Of the 81 Of
March. were approved ~ President johnson, and
were returned to govern lie aetion Of military com
manders. On the night OF the Sd Of March, while
President Lincoln and his cabinet we're at the CAPT
col a telegram from Gen. Grant was brought "a
the secretary Of war informing him that Gen. Lee
-, reouest.d an Interview, or conference, to
ms
Ie.tsr of Gen. Lee uas published in letter OF
DAVIS TO the rebel congress. Gen. Grants tele-
cram vas submitted TO Dir. Lincoln, who, after
vondering few minutes, took mp his pen and
wrote with bis own hand the following reply, which
he submitted 10 the secretary Of state and secre-
tary Of war. 1t was then dated, addressed, and
sigaed by the secretary Of war ard telegrsphed to
Gen. Grant.
WASHINGTON, March 3, ls65-l2 P. NJ.
SLUT On. Grant:
The President directs me to say to you that he
wis ; YOU have no conference with Gen. Lee,
unless il be for the eapitulston Il Gen Lees ar
nv or on some minor and purely military matter.
he instructs 10 say that you are not 20 decide,
diseuss confer upon any political questions =
hands, aud will submit them to no military confer-
ruee~ or CONVENTIONS Meantime you are to press
the utmost Jour military advantage
fSicueul 9 EDWIN NJ STANTON,
"Sseretary II War -
The order Of Gen. sherman TO Gen. stoneman 70
withdraw from salisbury and join him, will proba-
by open she way for Davis 90 cape to Mexico or
Eurof e with bis plunder, which is reported to be
very large. including net only the plumber CT the
Richmond banks, I a. previous sccumulations. A
dispatch received By this Department; from Rich
.uCnd says
cit is stated here by respectable parties tha.
he unit Of specie taken south by JEFF Davis
he plumber Of the Richmond banks bat previous
tccumulagiODs- Thy hope, il is said, to make
terms with Gen sherman or some OthTr southern
commander, by which they will be permitted, wi b
heir Eject, including this gold plumber 20 20 30
Mexico or Europe"
Johuston's negotiations look to this end.
After the Cabinet meeting last night. Gen. Grant
started for North Carolina to direct operations
against JOhnstOn's army.
=. NJ. STANTON.
Secretary of War.
A Washington dispatch gives the following
a. the memorandum or basis of what was
agreed upon between the two Generals, aud
lie reasons why their action was disappr. we'd
81 the United States Government:
Memorandum or bos,s o. agreer,nt m -ds his 18th
ddy gf AP.I, 1867. Hsdr DIrhGm's Station. a"
tae state of North Cdr0lin BY and bettUe.7 Gen.
J T. Johnston, commenting The Confederate
army. and M0J GEN HB 4. sherman, c. M
nl,adiHg the AImy q t5e In ted States us North
Ffrst the eonssnding armies ow in the field 70
u,aintaiu the- sfdtu quo until notice is given by
the commsu ding General Of either to il po-
mem, ~ a reasonable time, say IS hours, allowed
S, e0nd. The Con ederate armies now existence
20 be disbaBded ana eOnduci ed 70 then several
Stafecspitais, there to deposit their arms and
lie property ~ the State Arsenal, ana each icer
and man 10 execute ana fls an agree eLt to cease
al acts f aud abide bv the action OF both
state ard Federal authf rites. The number OF
srms aud munitions Of var TO be reported 70 the
Chief Of Ordnance az Washington city and subject
70 further action Of tn Congress Of the U"ited
States, and ia the mean TIM TO be used solely to
MAINTAIN peace and order within the borders OF the
-tates respectively.
TLsrd The recognition by the Executive Of the
Unlsed states of the several state Governments on
the officers and Legislatures taking the oath pre-
scribsd by the Constitution Of the Uuited states,
and where conflicting state Governments have re-
suited from the the legitimacy Of all 81 all be
submitted to the Supreme Court of the United
Fourth. The re-establishment Of all Federal
courts the several statts with powers defined
BIZ the Constitution and laws cf Congress.
Fifth The people and inhabitants OF all States
to he guaranteed, 20 far as the Executive can, in
their political nights aud franehi well
rights Of person and property, defined by the
Constitution Of the United States, and the states
-espe stiveiy.
S.rth The Executive authority of the United
States not to disturb any Of the people by rea on
OF he late war, long they i've in peace aud
quiet abs ala from acts Of armed hostility aud
Otey he laws in existence at any place OF their
Seuenfh.-In general terms war 30 cease, gen
eral amnesty, Tar as the Executive OF the Unit
baudment Of the Confederate armies, the distri-
button Of arms and the resumption OF peaceful
pursuits by the officers aud men hitherto CON-
prising said armies.
Not being fully empowered by or respective
principals TO fulfill these terms, we indiv Qua Iy
aud officially pledg- ourselves to promptly obtain
5hs authority 20 Grs the above
!. Maj. Gen. Oomd'g U. s. Army 10 North Carolina.
j. Z. JOHNSTON,
Gen. COmd'g Confederate Army IN North Carolina
This proceeding of Gen. Sherman was un-
approved tor the following among other rea-
sons:
Ffrst.-It vas an exercise OF authority not vest
ed in Gen. Sherman, and its face shows that both
Ii and Johnston knew he, Gen. sherman, had no
suthori TO enter into sny such arrangement.
Sec0Hd.-lt was practical acknowledgment Of
the rebel government
Thlrd.-It undertook to re-establish rebel state
Gov-Tnments that bad been overthrown at the
sacrifice OF many thousand loyal lives and i'm
neuse treasure, places arms aud munitions of
var in the hands OF Teosls st their respective can
itals, which might be of use soon as the armies
OF the United states were disbanded, and used TO
conquer aud sUbdue the loyal States.
FOIrth by the restoration of the rebel author
hIes IN the respective States, they would be en-
ablei TO establish slavery.
Eifth.-It might furnish a ground of RESPONSE
bill by the Federal Governments to pay the rebel
debt, aud certainly subjects loyal ctizens of the
rebel states fhe debt incurred by the rebels in
the name Of the State.
.Ststh 1t puts IN dispute the existence Of Ioyal
STATE governments, and tue State of West Virginia.
which had BEEN recognized BY every department. of
the United states Government.
SeusHth 1t practically abo ishes the conhsca.
had slaughtered our people, from all pains and
penalties Ter their crimes.
Eighth.-It gave terms that had been deliberate
y, re- eatedly aad soiemnly rel ed BY President
Lincoln, and better terms than the rebels had
asked ia their most prosperous times
EiHh 1t forms basis Of true and tasting
peace but reieF ed the rebels from the pressure II
our victories. and ieit them IN condition renew