Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1865-02-15
of the Peace Commissioners.

Report of the Peace Commissioners.
RICHMOND, February 6.-The following
was laid before Congress this forenoon:
ExLcurIvE OFFICE, R1cHaoND, Feb. 6.
To the Senate and House Of Representatives
ofMe Confederate STATES:
Recently, received written notification,
which satisfied me that the President of the
United States was disposed to confer infor-
mally with unofficial agents that might be
sent by me with a view to the restoration of
peace. l requested Hon. a. H. Stephens,
Hon. r. NJ. i. Hunter aud Hon. John A.
Campbell to proceed through our lines to
hold conference With Mr.. Lincoln, or such
persons as he might dcpute to represent him.
/ herewith submit, for the information OF
Congress, report of the eminent citizens
above m. .ntioned, showing tnat the enemy
refused to enter into negotistiors with the
Confederate States, or any Of them separate
", or give to our people any otter terms or
guarantees than those which Congress msy
grant, or TO permit US to have vote on any
other basis than our unconditional submission
to their rule; coupled With tie acceptance oil
their receut legislation, including Cd amend
ment to he Constitution for the Emancipation
of all negro slaves; and with the right, on the
part of the Federal Congress, tolegislate on
the subject relatiYe between the white and
black population each. Such is, as Iunder-
stand, the effective amendment of TIE Con-
stitution which has been adopted by, the Con,
gress ofthe United States.
(SiEned,) JEFFERSON DAVIS.
RiCHMoND, February 6.
To The President Of the Con atsdercae States.
SIR: Under your letter Of appointment oi
Commissioners, of the 9Th, We. proceeded tc
sesk an Informal conference With AbrahaRl
Lincoln, President cfthe United Statcs, upor
the subisct ,nclticard in the letter. 4 c3n.
.,s.ss-rt-.I, ,-.,-tf toehPi-re tht
seth, -on Board the sioar,er anchored IL
Hampton Roads. where NE mot President
Lincoln and .lor. Sir. Seward, Secretary o.
State cf the United States. 1t continued foI
several hours, anu va. both t'iiiand explicit
We learned from them that die m. sSagc o.
President Lincoln to the Congress of the
United States, in December last, explains
clearly his sentiments IS to the terms, con-
ditions and mode of proceeding BY which
peace can be secured to the people; aid we
were not informed thSt they would be mcdi-
fled or sl;ered to obtain that end. We un-
derstood from him that no terms or p.opo-
sails of any treaty or agree neats looking to
an ultimate settlement would be entertained
or made by him With the authorities Of the
Confederate States, because that would be re-
coguit;on Of their existence ~ q separa'e e
power, which, under no circumstances, would
be done; and for like reasons, that no such
terms wouid be entertained by him from the
States separately; that 60 extended ruce or
aruistice, as at present. advised, would be
granted, or allowed, without the satisfaction
or assurance in advance, OF the complete re-
storntion Of the authority Of the Constitution
and laws Of the United St.tes, ever ell places
within the States of the CoEta!eracy; that
whatever consequence may follow from the
re-estah!i>hment Of that authority, it must
be accepted: lnt all indi IDEALS subject TO
the pail's and penalties under the laws of the
United Sfstes. might rely upon worry libe-
raj use OF the power confided TO him to re-
init those pains and penalties if peace be re-
stored. During the conference, the proposed
amendments TO tba Constitution of the United
States, adopted BY Congress on the 3lst, was
brousst toour notice. These amendments
provide that naithor slavery nor involuntary
servitnde. except for crime, should exist with
in The United States or any place within its
jurisdiction, and Congress should have pow
er 10 enforce the amendment by appropriate
legislation. OF all the eorrcF poadence that
preceded the conference herein mentioned,
andlcading to the same, you have hereto
fore been Informed. Very respectfully, your
obedlent servants.
A. II. STEPHENS,
Il. NJ. 7. HUNTER,