The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1865-02-22

dent LINCOLN, and having as our President
Supposed speRed the way fer another effort
at negotiations. il was promptly made. lie
Immediately sent delegation through the
lines Tor that purpose, consisting 81 Vice
President Stephens, Judge Campbell. late
o. the Supreme conrt Of the United States,
and The Hon. r. M. II. Hunter, Confrde.
rate States Senator, from the State Of vir-
gina. nen all eminent for their abilities,
psblic services, and the long continued
conhdesce and respect Of their country
men. The first tive are well known to have
opposed the beginning Of this war, and to
sympathize with the general desire ferns-
gotiatioas. They were met at Fortress
Monroe by President Lincoln, and Mr..
Seward. his Secretary Of State, ~ho. with.
oat allowing them to leave the beat en-
which they arrived. told them what appears
in the fslswins sfiicial rePsrt,
k,chmsnd. Feb S. 1865.
10 The President Of he Confederate States, SRA. !.
~ Under ysnr letter Of sppen,men, Of C0mnieson-
srs OF the asth, we proceeded to seek an informsl
conference with Abraham Lincoln. President Of the
United States. upon the subject mentioned ia your
letter. The conference was granted and took place
on the I'D instant. on board . steamer anchored Ia
Hsmpion Roads. where We mai Prssiien. Lincoln
snd Hon. Mr.. Seward, Secretary OF Stale fer the
United States. II continued for several hours and
vas both full snf explicit. We learned frem them
that the message OF President Lincoln 10 the Congress
Of the United States in December laal explains
clearly and distinctly bis sentiment as 10 the terms,
conditions and mode of proceeding BY which peace
could be secured 10 the people, and we were not in
formed that they would be modified or altered 10 at
tain that end. We understood frsm him thai no
terms OF proposals Of any treaty agreement locking
70 an ultimate settlement would bs entertained or
made BY him with the authorities OF the Confederate
States, hccause that would be recognition OF their
existence IS q separate pdeer which under no cir
eumstancss would be done, and for like reasons that
no su,h terms would be entertained BY him from
States separately that extended truce or armistice
a. al pieseni advised would he granted OF allowed
without satisfactory assurance in sdvance OF the
complete restoration ofihs authority Of the Consiiiu
ton and laws Of the United States over al places
within the Sisiss Of lhs Confederaey tha, whatever
circumstances nay follow iron The re-es,ablishmenl
II that autharIiy must be accepted out and out In.
dS'dusls. subject 10 pains and penalties under The
laws Of lie United States. might rely upon very
liberal sse Of the power confiJed to him. 70 remit
these P,ns and penalties, il peace be restored during
81 ch coniersnce.
The proposed amendments to the Constitution
sdapied BY Gosgres. on III. 3lsl MI. were brought
10 our notice. These amendments provide ha, nsher
slavery noe involuntary seyiiuie, except for crime
should exist within the United Slaes or ia any place
within lis jufsdicpn. and Congress should hsys the
Powrf TO enforce the amsndmepts by appfotrste le-
glslatien. q! all the correspondence that preceded
the conference herein mentioned and leading 10 the
same. you have heretofore been informed. @
Veiy respectfully, your abeJient servants
a. N. STEPHENS.
(Siensd) X. NJ. T. HUNTER.
j. A. CAMPBELL.
Thss ycu see that neither terms nor
csndluons were spakes Of in the interview,
but only subjagalien offered US, ths mere
details vt which they proposed 10 settle.
Az sne blow, all aur hopes in the hsmanity
and nsderatIon OF our ensniss were dash.
ed TO tbs grsund. No term. or proposals
OF treaty conins sither from the Couiri
srats States. or snv one oil the States,
would be entertained. but . csmprte, ab.
soluts and unconditional submission 10 the
Constitution and law. ef the United States,
is required as preliminary step TO any.
even the slightest cessstlsn Of hsstiIities.
Seeing then that We can treat with the en-
emy. neither by the authorities Of the Con-
i.derate States. nsr by separate State &C.
tien. what will be the result IL we submit.
as We are required to doi This ss can
partly judge BY examining that cssstitu-
ten asd those laws, 10 which We are re-
quired to yield obedience. That Csnsti-
tuition is not the one We left. Ia addition
TO the changes II has undergone by corrupt
and violent Interpretation by Black Re.
publican judges, its wording has bsen SO
changed as to decree Immediately and for
ever. the abolition Of slavery. Tue claws"
to whose tender nerciss we are referred.
provide nest ninutely and particularly for
the1punishment Of death by the halter, ef|
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