Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1865-02-16
THE PEACE FAILURE.
PRESIDENT LINCOLN'S REPORT.
The Re bel Commissioners Version.

The House of Representatives on the Sth
inst, passed a resolution requesting infor-
nation in relation to the so-called Peace
Conference lately held in Hampton Roads.
all the notes and dispatches relating to the
matter, without comment. The history of
the whole affair is contained in IA letter from
Secretary SEWARD to Mr.. ADAMs, sent to the
Senate. which is annexed:
MR.. SEWARD To MR.. ADAMS.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, WASHINGTON, Feb O.
SIR 1t is truism that in times of peace
there are always instigators of war; so
soon as a war begins, there are citizens
who emphatically demand negotiations of
peace The advocates of war, after an ag-
itation longer or shorter, generally gain
their fearful end, though the war declared
is not untrequently unnecessary and I'M
wise. SO peace agitators in time of war
ultimately bring about an abandonment of
of the conflict sometimes without securing
the advantages which were originally cx-
pectcd from the conflict The agitators for
war in time of peace, and for peace in time
of war, are not necessarily or perhaps or
dinarily unpatriotiC in their purposes or mo-
tives. Results alone determine whether
they are wise or unwisc The treaty of
peace concluded at Guadaloupe Hidalo, was
secured by an irregular negotiation under
the Don of the Government
Some of the efforts which have been
made to bring about negotiations with a
view to end our civil war are known TO the
yrhp lac,
foreign as well as domestic agents Others
with whom you have had to deal confden-
TALLY are known to yourself although they
have not publicly transpircd Other efforts
have occurred here, which are known only
to the persons actually moving in them and
to the Goverement. am now to give for
your information an account of an affair of
the same general character which recent
y received much attention here and which
doubtless will excite inquiry abroad
few days ago Francis p Blair, esq of
Maryland obtained from the President
simple leave to pass through our lines with
out definite views known to the Govern
ment. Mr.. Blair visited Richmond and on
his return showed to the President a letter
which Jefferson Davis had written to Mr..
Blair, Ill which Davis wrote that Mr.. Blair
was at liberty to say to President Lincoln
that Davis was now, as he always had been,
willing to send commissioners, if assured
they would be received, or to receive anv
that should be sent that he was not dis
posed to find obstacles in forms, that he
would send commissioners to confer with
the President with view to a restoration
OF peace between the two countries if he
could be assured they would be received.
The President, therefore, on the 18th dav
of January addressed note to Mr. Blair,
III which the President, after acknowledge
ing that he had read the note of Mr. Davis,
said that he was, is, and should be willing
to receive any agents that Mr.. Davis, or any
other influential man now actually resisting
the authority of the Government, might
send to confer informally with the Pres :
dent, with a view to the restoration of
peace to the people of our common country.
Mr. Blair visited Richmond with this let
ter, and then came back again to Washing
ton.
On the 29th ult. we were advised from the
camp of Lieut. Gen Grant that Alexander
Fl. Stevens, r. NJ Z. Hunter, and John A.
Campbell, were applying for leave to pass
through the lines to Washington as Peace
Commissioners, to confer with the Presi-
dent. They were permitted by the Lieut.-