Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1863-1866, 1865-02-13
at Washington at ASS g. m, Feb 2d,
iron City Poiat Feb. LIST:

Z
Messrs Stephens and Hunter that their
intentions are good, and their desire
sincere TO restore peace and union.
have not felt myself at liberty to ex-
press even views of my own, or to &C
count for my reticence. This has
placed me in an awkward position
which / could have avoided By not see
ing them in the FIRST instance | fear
now that their going back without any
expression to sny one in authority will
have a bad influence. At the same
time recognize the difficulties IN the
way Of receiving informal commission
era at this time, and do not know
what 10 recommend. | am sorry how
ever, that Mr.. Linicolns cannot have
an interview with the two gentle
men named in this dispatch, if not all
three new within our lines This letter
to me was all that the Presidents in
siructions contemplated, 70 secure their
safe conduct il they had used the same
language TO Major Eekert.
o. S.GEAsT, 1t Gen.
This dispatch of Gen Grant changed
my purpose, and accordingly | tele-
graphed to him and Secretary Of State
as follows
WAR DEPAKrEEST, WAsHIxGroS,
February ID, 1868
1t Gen. Grant, CSfg Point
Say to the gentlemen that | will meet
them personally at Fort Monroe, as soon
as can get there. A. LIEeoLN.
Sent in cipher at 2 a. m
WAR DEr'T WASHINGTON,
Feb. I'd, 1865
Hon. W. IL Sespayd, Fort Monroe.
Induced by dispatch from General
Grant, | will join yoa At Fort Monroe
as soon as | can. A. LIscoLS
Sent in cipher at ? m.
Before starting the following dispatch
was shown me. | proceeded, neverths-
less
OFrrcE L. S. MILITARY TELEGAArH, !
WAR DEPARTMENT,
The follow telegram was received at
Washington, Feb. I'd, 1865
CTrY PolSr, Feb ., 1859 an.
10 Hon W. II SetcGrd, Secretary of
State, Fortress Monroe (copy to Hon.
+. NJ. Stanton, Secretary OF War,
Washington):
The gentlemen here have accepted
/ the proposed terms, and will leave for
Fortress Monroe at am.
U. S. GRASr, Lieut. Gen.
% the night Of the I'd reached
/ Hampton Roads, and found the Secre-
/ tary Of State and Major Eckers on a
steamer, anchored OF the shore, and
/ learned Of them that the Richmend
/ gentlemen we're on another steamer,
I also anchored OF the shore In the Roads,
and that the Secretary Of State had not
/ yet seea OF communicated with them.
I ascertained that Mai. Eckert had lit
orally complied with his instructions,
and / nov saw for the 6rst, the answer
| of the gentlemen from Richmond to him,
which in his dispatch Of the lst, be char
acterizes as not satisfactory.
That answer il as follows, viz
CTTY PoIxT, Feb. /, 1865.
Thomas J. Eekers, Major and Aide-de-
Camp.
/ MAsoR-Your note, delivered by your
self this day, has been considered, and
in reply We have 70 say that we we're
Furnished with copies Of letters from
/ President Lincoln aud F. p. Blair, Of
the 18th Of January, another copy Of
which IS appended to your note. Our
intentions are contained IA q letter Of
which the following is a copy;
RICHMOND, Jan. %, lS65-Iu con
formiiy with the letters Of Mr.. Lincoln,
Of which the foregoing Is copy, you are
to proceed to Washington City for in-
formal conference With him upon the is-
sues involved in the existing war, aud
for the purpose Of securing peace TO the
two countries
With great spsct, your obt serv't,
JEFFERsoS DAVIS
The substantial object to be obtained
By he informal conference, is to aseer.
tain upon what terms the existing war
cap be terminated honorably Our in
structions contemplate q personal inter
view between President Lincoln and
ourselves, at Washington, bat with the
explanation, We are ready TO meet any
person or persons that President Lin
coin may appoint, at such place as he
may designate. Our earnest desire is
that a Just and honorable peace may be
agreed upon, and we are prepared 10
receive or submit propositions which
may possibly lead TO the attainment OF
that very desirable end
Very respectfully, yours, &c,
A. n SrEFHRSs.
M I. HUxTER,
J. A. CAMPBELI..
A note Of these gentlemen subse
auently addressed to General Grant has
already been given in Major Eckert'
dispatch Of the lst inst / also sav
here for the 6rst time the following note
addressed by the Richmond gentle meE
to Major Eekert;
CRY PoIST, Feb ., 1855.
T. G. Eekert, MAJOR, Dc,
MAJoR in reply to your verbal state
meut that your instructions did not allow
you to alter the conditions upon which
{ passports could be given to us, We ars
willing to accept aud proceed 70 Fortress
: Monroe, and there to have an informs
conference with any person or persons
+ that President Lincoln may appoint, OF
the basis OF bis letter 10 +. 2. Blair o
the 18th day of January, 1865, or on an
other terms or conditions that he MAJ
hereafter propose, not inconsistent viii
the principles Of selfgovernmsnt anC
q popular rights, on which our institution
l. are founded. Il is our earnest wish 4
: ascertain, after q free interchange 0
Z ideas and information, upon what terms
It if any, just and honorable peace car
: be established without the further efu
e sion of blood, aud to contribute on
II - u