The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1865-02-21

President to confer in person with the Richmond
party. Under these circumstances the Secretary
by the Presidents direction. remained ut Fortress
Monroe, and the President joined him there on the
night of the I'd of February.
The Richmond party was brought down the James
River in United States steam transport during the
day; and the transport was anchored in Hampton
Roads. on the morning of the Sd. The President
attended by the Secretary. received Messrs Ste
phens, Hunter and Campbell on board the United
States steam transport River Queen, ia Hampton
Roads.
The conference was altogether informal. There
attendance of secretaries, clerks witnesses
Nothing was written read. The conversation,
although earnest and free, calm courteous and
kind on both sides. The Richmond party approach
ed the discussion rather indirectly. and at no time
did they make categorical demands. or tender
formal stipuatons or absolute refusals; neverthe-
less, during the conference which lasted four hours
the several points at issue between the Government
and the insurgents distinctly raised and dis
cussed fully igently, and in amicable spirit
What the insurgent party seemed chiefly to favor
was postponement of the question OF separation
upon which the was waged, and mutual direc-
ton of the efforts of the Government well those
of the insurgents, to extraneous policy or
scheme for season, during which passions might be
expected to subsde, and the armies be reduced and
trade and intercourse between the people OF both
sections be resumed.
1t suggested by them that through such post
ponement might have immediate peace,
with some. not very certain, prospects OF an uiti
mate satisfactory adjustment of political relations
between the Government and the States section or
people engaged in conflict with it. The sug-
gestion, though deliberately considered. never
theless regarded by the President of armis-
tice or truce, and he announced that can agree
to no cessation suspension of hostiities except
the basis of the disbandonment of the insurgent
forces and the restoration of the national authority
throughout all the States in the Union col!ateray
and in subordnaton to the proposition which was
thus announced.
The anti slavery policy of the United States was
reviewed in all:its bearings, and the President
nounced that he must not be expected to depart
from the positions he had heretofore assumed in his
proclamation of emancipation and other documents.
as these positions reiterated in his annual
1t further declared by the President that the
complete restoration of the national authority every
where an indispensable condition of any assent
our part to whatever form of peace might be pro-
posed. The President assured the other party that
while he must adhere to these positions he would
be prepared, SO far power was lodged with the
Executive, to exercise liberality. Its power how
ever, is limited by the Constitution and when peace
should be made Congress must necessarily act in
regard to- appropriations of money and to the adj
mission of representatives from the ctionary
States.
The Richmond party were then informed that
Congress had on the 31st ultime adopted by a con-
stitutona majority, joint resolution submitting to
the several States the proposition to abolish slavery
throughout the Union. and that there is every
son to expect that it will be accepted by three
fourths of the States, to become part of the
national organic law.
The conference came to end by mutual acqu-
escence, without producing agreement of views
upon the several matters discussed, any of then
Nevertheless, it is perhaps of Importance that
we have been able to submit our opinions and views
directly to prominent insurgents and to hear them in
answer. in courteous and not untriendly manner
| am, sir, your obedient servant
VIM. H. SEWARD.
Lincoln closes his communication to the Yankee
Congress with this statement:
'On the morning Of February 3, the three gen.
tlemen, Messrs Stephens, Hunter and Campbell,
came aboard our steamer and had interview
with the Secretary of State and myself of several
hours duration. No question of preliminaries to
the meeting was then and there made or men,
toned. No other person was present No papers
were exchanged or produced, aud it was in advance
agreed that the conversation was to be Informal
and verbal merely. On our part, the whole sub
stance of the instructions to the Secretary of State
hereinbetore recited was stated and insisted upon,
by the other party it not said that in any
or on any condition they ever would consent to
re union, and yet they equally omitted to declare
that they would not consent. They seemed to de-
sire postponement of that question and the adop-
ton of some other course first, which, as some of
them seemed to argue, might or might not lead to
reunion, but which course We thought would
amount to an indefinite postponement. The con-
ference ended without result"