The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1865-04-05
Message from JeG Davis.

The Richmond Enquirer Of tho 18th
inst, contains message from JEFF Davis,
sent by him into the rebel Congress on
the 18th, He lectures Congress for its
dllitoriness in passing certain measures
considered necessary informs the public
that Richmond is in greater danger thap
ever, and suggests certain measures for
determined resistance. Tie message docs
not indicate a purpose to abandon the
contest. This fact on the subject Of
Peace Negotiations, is giveni
| It has not, however, been hitherto sta
ted to you thar, in the course Of The cen
ference At Fortress Monroe, a suggestion
was made by one Ct our commissioners,
that tho objection entertained by Mr.
Lincoln to treating with the Government
of the Confederacy, or with any separate
State, might bs avoided by substituting
for the usual mode Of negotiating throas b
commissioners or other diplomatic agents,
the method sometimes employed Of 4
military convention, to be entered into BY
the Commanding Generals Of the armies
of the two bclligerents. This, he admit
ted, was a power possessed BY him,
though it was not thought commepsurute
with all tho questions involved As he
did not accept the suggestion when made,
he was afterward requested to reconsider
his conclusion upon the subject Of the
suspension Of hoslilities, which he agreed
to do, but said that he had maturely con.
sidered Of tho plan, and had determined
that it could not be done.
Subsequently, however, an interview
with General Longstrest was asked for by
General Ord, commanding the enemy's
Army of the james, during which Gen.
eral Longstrcst was informed BY him that
there was possibility Of arriving at q
satisfactory adjustment Of the present
unhappy difficulties by means Of mill
tary convention, and that if General Lee
desired an interview On the subject il
would not be declined, provided General
Lee had authority to act. This commu,
nication was supposed to be the conse.
qucnce of the suggestion above referred
to, and General Lee, according to iustrac.
tions, wfote to General Grant on the I'd
Of this month, proposing 10 meet him for
conference on the subject, and SITTING
that he was vested with the requisite 'au
thority. General Grants reply stated
that he had no authority 10 accede to the
proposed conference that his powers ex.
tended only to making convention on
subjects purely Of military character
and that General Ord could only have
meant that an interview would not be re
fused on any subject op which be (Gen
eraD Grant, had the right to act. Of,
It thus appears that neither with tb,
Confederate authorities Of any State, pol
through the commanding Generals, gill
the Government Of the United State,
treat or make any terms Of agreement
whatever for the cessation Of hostiIities
There remains, then, for US no choice bu
to continue this contest to final issue
for the people Of the Confederacy can b,
but little kEown to him who supposes il
possible they would ever consent to pur
chase, at tha cost Of degradation and
slavery, permission to live in county
garrisoned by their own negros, and gov
erncd by officers sent BY the conqueror tt
rule over them.