Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-02-10
The Report Of the Confederate
Peace Comm issioners.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 9-The Richmond
Wing of the 7tII says the following were
Iaid before Congress this morning:
To the Senate and House Of Representatives Of
he Confederate States Of Anlerica:
Having recently received u written no.
tice, which satisfied me that the President
OF the United States was disposed to confer
informally with unofficial agents that might
be sent by me with view to restoration OF
peace, requested Hon. Alex. III. Stephens,
Hon. II. NJ. Il. Hunter and Hon. Jno. A.
Campbell, to proceed through our lines to
hold conference with Mr.. Lincoln. or such
persons as he might depute to represent
him. i herewith submit for the informa-
ton OF Congress the report OF the eminent
citizens above named, showing that the
enemy refuse to enter into negotiations
with the Confederate States or any one of
them separately, or to give our people any
other terms or guarantees than those which
a conqueror may grant, or to permit us to
have peace on any other basis than our un-
conditional submission to their rule, coupled
with the acceptance Of their recent legisla-
ton, including an amendment to the Con-
stitution for the emancipation of negro
slaves, and with the right, on the part of
the Federal Congress, TO legislatc on the
subject of relations between the white and
black population of each State. Such is, as
i understand, the effect of the amendment
to the Constitution, which has been adopted
by the Congress of the Uunited States.
[Signed] JEFFERSON DAVIS.
.t RICHMOND, February 9Th, 1865.
To the President Of the Confederate ,States:
SR-Under your letter of appointment
OF the 18th ult., we proceeded to seek an in
formal conference with Abraham Lincoln,
President of the United States, upon the
terence was granted, and took place on the
30th ult., OH board steamer anchored in
Hampton Roads, where we met President
Liucoln and Hon. Mr.. Seward, Secretary of
State of the United States. 1t continued
for several hours, and was both full aud eX-
plicit. We learned from them that the mes
sage of President Lincoln to the Congress
Of the United States in December last, eX-
plains clearly and distinctly his sentiments
as to the terms and method of proceeding
by which peace can be secured to our peo-
pie, and we were not informed that they
would be modified to obtain that end
We understood from him that no
terms or proposals of any treaty, or
agreement looking to an ultimate
settlement, would be entertained by him
with the authorities of the Confederate
States, because that would be recognition
of their existence as a separate power,
which, under no circumstances, would be
done, and for like reasons that no such terms
would be entertained by him from States
separately; that no extended truce or ar
mistice, as at present advised, would be
granted or allowed without satisfactory as
surances in advance of a complete restora-
ton of the authority of the Constitution
and laws of the United States over all places
within the States of the Confederacy; that
whatever consequences may follow from the
re-establishment of that authority, must be
accepted, but that individuals subject to
pains and penalties under the laws of the
United States, might rely upon very lib
eral use of the power cOnfided to him to
remit those pains and penalties. if peace be
restored. During the conference the pro-
posed amendment to the Constitution of the
United States adopted by Congress on the
3lst ult., was brought to our notice. This
amendment provides that neither slavery
nor involuntary servitude. except for crime,
should exist within the United States, and
that Congress should have power to enforce
this amendment by appropriate negotiation.
OF all the conference herein mentioned
and leading to the same, you have hereto
fore been informed.
Very respectfully, your ob't serv'ts,
ALEX. III. STEPHENS,
II. Nj. L. HUNTER,
.TNp A CAMpREII