The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1865-04-01

4 tDiU-EilllF AA~ EA"fh IT. FINA---H '-
have not publicly transpired. Other efforts hav.
occurred here, which are known only 70 the per
sons actually moving IN them and u the Govern
ment. IzaIn now - give for your information
an accOtht of an affair ol the same general
character which recently received much attention
here. and which doubtless VIII excite inquiry
abroad.
4 few DAYS ago Francis P. Blair, Esq, q:
MARYLAND. obtained from the President Il
simrIe leave 70 PISS through our lines without
definite views known u the Government. MIR.
Blair visited Richmond, and On his return be
showed 70 the President q letter which Jefferson
Davis had written to Mr.. Blair, IN which Davis
wrote that Mr.. Blair was at liberty u say TO
President Lincoln that Davis was now as he
ALWAYS had been. willing u send commissioners
il assured they would be received, or to receive
any that should be sent that he was not disposed
10 find obstacles in forms that he would send
Commissioners 10 confer with the President with
q view 10 a restoration Of peace between the TWO
countries, if he could be assured they would be
received.
The President, therefore, on the 18th day Of
January. addressed 2 note 70 Mr. Blair, IN which
the President, after acknowledging that he had
read the note Of Mr.. Davis. said that he was, Is,
and always should be willing 70 receive any
agents that Mr.. DAVIS, OF any other influential
man now actually resisting the authority Of the
Government, might send 70 confer informally
with the President. with i view 10 the restoration
OF peace to the people Of our common country.
Mr.. Blair visited Richmond with this letter,
and then again came back to Washington.
On the 29th nit we were advised from the
camp Of Lisut.-Gen. Grant that Alexander Ii.
Stevens. T.. VI. I. Hunter, and john y. Camp
bell wer applying for leave u pass through the
lines U WashingtOn as Peace Commissioners, To
confer with the President. They were permitted
the Lieutenant General u come To his head
quarters 10 await there the decision Of the PTesi-
dent. Mai Eckert was sent down 10 meet the
party from Richmond At Gen. Grants headqUar-
tiers. The Major was directed to deliver 10 them
= copy of the Presidents letter 70 Mr.. Blair,
with u note to be addressed 10 them, and signed
BY the Major, in which they were directly in
that should they be allowed TO pass our
lines. they would be understood rs coming for an
conference upon the basis Of the aiore-
letter OF the 18th January 70 Mr.. Blair.
Ii they should express their assent 70 this con
in writing, then Major Eckert was
directed 10 give them safe conduct to Fortress
Monroe. where a person coming from the Presi-
lent would meet them. 1t being thought pro-
Iable from a report Of their conversation with
Grant that the Richmond party
you'd in the manner prescribed accept the cOndi-
10y the President with the duty Of
eprescnting this Government in the expected
Informal conference. The Secretary arrived at
'~crtress Monroe oA the night of the lst day Of
february, Major Eckert met him on the morning
{ the 2d OF February, with the information that
4t EEAEbL- VIII nav Nyl4C IfA INlNAiIOllA4 litl'4
lot accepted in writing the conditions upon
which he was allowed to give them conduct to
fortress Monroe.
The Major had given the same information by
10 the President at Washington. On
eccivinS this information. the President prepared
telegram directing the Secretary to return TO
Washington. The Secretary was preparing at
he same moment TO 80 return, without waiting ;
Of information from the President but ut this
Incture Lieut.-Gen. Grant telegra phed to the
ecrctary OF War, IS well as 10 the Secretary Of
tate. that the party from Richmond had recon-
dered and accepted the condition rendered them
trough Major Eckert, and General Grant urgent
: advised the President 10 confer in person with
ne Richmond party Under these circumstances
ne Secretary, by the Presidents direction, re-
lained at Fortress Monroe. and the President
lined him there on the night Of the 2d of
The Richmond party was brought down the
lmes river in Il United States steam transport
Iring the day, and the transport was anchored
Hampton Roads. On the morning Of the Sd,
lie President, attended by the Secretary, received
Stephens, Hunter and Campbell on board
&c United States steam transport RiUcT Queen,
Hampton Roads. The conference was alto
ether informal. There was no attendance of
cretaTIes, clerks or other Witnesses. Nothing
as written or read. The conversation though
and free, was calm and courteous and kind
! both sides. The Richmond party approached
lie discussion rather indirectly. and Ut no time
i they make categorical demands or tender
rmal stipulations or absolute refusals.
Nevertheless, during the Conference-which
sted four hours-the several points at issue
tween the Government and the Insurgents were
raised and discussed fully, intelligently
Id in an amicable spirit. What the insurgent
seemed chiefly to favor was a postponement
the question OF separation upon which the war is
aged, and a mutual direction of the efforts of
IL Government as well as those of the insurgents
some extTinsic policy or scheme for u season
iring which passions might be expected TO sub
ie and the armies be reduced, and trade and
tercOurse between the people of both sections
resumed 1t was suggested by them that
rough such pOstpOnement we might now have
mediate peace, with some not very certain
aspect of an ultimate satisfactory adjustment
political relations between the Government
i the States. section or people now engaged in
nfict with ii.
The suggestion. though deliberately considered.
Is nevertheless regarded by the President is
= Of armistice or truce. and he announced that
can agree 10 no cessation or suspension Of
s%tilities except on the basis Of the disbandment !
the insurgent forces and the restoration Of
National authority throughout all the States
the Union. COllatcrally and in subOrdinatiOn
the proposition which was thus announced, !
, Anti-Slavery policy Of the United States was
7iewed in all Its bearings, and the President
nOunced that he must not be expected - depart
IN the positions he had heretofore assumed in
pEOcldLhdtIOu OF emancipation anu olHer uOC- !
tents, as these positions were reiterated in his
inual Message.
1t was further declared by the President that
complete restoration Of the national authori- ,
everywhere was an Indispensable condition of i
: assent on our part to whatever form of
ice might be proposed. The President assured
other party that while be must adhere 10
- positions. he would be prepared so far as
Yer Is lodged with the Executive, TO exercise T
.rality. Its power, however, is limited by l
lnusrirn tim and whom 1000 sh.nll 4. Ny