The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1865-02-17

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urgently advised the President to confar
with the Richmond party. Under thess
circumstances the Secretary, BY the Pres.
ldents direction, remained at Fortress
Monroe, and the President joined him
there on the night of February ed. Tbs
Richmond party were brought down the
James river in United States steam
transport during the day, and the trans
port was anchored in Hampton Roads.
On the morning of the Sd, the Preei-
dent. attended by the Secretary. received
Messrs. Stephens, Hunter and Campbell
on board the United States transport
River Queen. in Hampton Roads. The
conference was altogether informal. There
was no attendance OF secretaries, clerks, or
other witnesses. Nothing was written or
read. The conversation, althoug earnesk
and free, was calm and courteous and
kind on both sides The Richmond party
approached the discussion rather iudi.
rectiy, and At no time did they make cat
egorical demands or tender formal stipu-
iations or absolute refusals. Neverthe-
less, during the conference, which lasted
tour hours, the several points at issue be- |
tween the Government and the insurgents |
we're distinctly raised and discussed fully.
inteliigently, and in an an amicable spirit.
What the insurgen nt party seemed chiefly
to favor was pos stponement of the qucs-
tion OF separation upon which the quesl
ton OF war is waged, and a mutual direc-
ton OF the efforts of the Government, as
we'll as those of the insurgents. to some
sxtrinsic policy OF, scheme for q season,
turing which passion might be expected
20 subside, and the armies be reduced,
and trade and intercourse between the
people OF both sections be resumed.
Ii was suggested BY them that, through
nch a course weamlght now have imme.
late peace with some not very certain
prospects of an ultimate satisfactory ad-
ustmeut of political relations between the
Government and the States, section or
,eople now engaged in conflict with it.
| ne suggestion though deliberately con-
idered, was nevertheless regarded By the
resident as one of armistice or truce. /,
nd he annouced that we can agree to no
cessation or suspension of hostiIities ex-
ept on the basis Of the disbandment Of
the insurgent forces and the restoration
the national authority throughout all
hs States in tie Union collaterally and
n subordlnation to the proposi,ien which
'as thus announced, the anti-slavery pol. i,
~ of the United States was reviewed in
II Its bearings, and the President an
ounced that he must not be expected to |.
epart from the position he had hereto
're assumed in his proclamation of
and other documents, as the
ositions were reiterated in his animal
'essage. 1t was declared by the Presi-
ent that the complete restoration of tho
ailonal authority everywhere was an in
lspensable condition OF any assent. on '
ur part. TO whatever form of peace :
light be proposed. The President as
ared the other party, that, while he must
dhere tosthese positions, he would be.pre-
AIRED, so far as power is lodged with the
xecutive, to exercise liberaity. It's pow o
?, however, limited by the Constitution, q
I'd, when peace should be made, Con- |
ress should necessarily act in regard to q
preparations of money and to the admis-
on of Representative from the insurrecl
onary States The Richmond party
ere then informed that Congress had, on
ne 3lst ultimo, adopted by a constitu- 1
onal majority, a joint resolution submit g
ng to the several States the proposition
} abolish slavery throughout the Union, Y
nd there is every reason to expect that it G
i'll be accepted by three -fourths of the q
tates so as to become part of the nal
onal organic law, e
The conference came to an end, by l
,utual acquiescence. without producing 1
n agreement of views upon the several
latters discussed, or any of them. New
rtheless, it is perhaps of some import
nee that We have been able to submit our
pinions and views directly to promine pt
lsurgeDts, aud 10 hear them answer
i courteous and not unfriendly man
er.
am, sir, your obedient servant,
"WA. H. SEWARD"