Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1865-02-10
FoRTREss MONROE, Feb. 2. /
via haltimore. Feb. 8. (

Judge Campbell and other rebel peace COM
missioners arrived here this afternoon from
City Point, in Gen. Grants special dispatch
steamer. Secretary Seward was on board tho
steamer River Qeen, waiting to receive them.
Immediately upon the arrival Of the commits
sioners both steamers proceeded to anchorage
in the stream eide by aide. At this writing.
l Ia o'clock, the steamers are still out in
the stream.
WARRINGTON, Feb. 3.
The only indication Of the Presidents pur-
pose in goug down TO confer with the rebel
commissioners is in a cons picuously display
ed leading article in Forneys Chronicle Of
this morning. 1t oracularly suggests that
the President has gone in his sovereign capa-
city, for the purpose Of concluding peace with
the rebels, and goes on to say: " We hope
these effort, whether coming from private in
dividuals or public persons, may succeed.--
For our own part, slavery being practically
and tonsututionally abolished, are ready
to concede everything else to recall our er-
ring brethren. On the subject Of con6scs-
ton, who does not know that many OF the
leading Republicans in Congress objected to
the law, which has been partially and inef-
fectually enforced--who does not know that
those who have purchased under this law, il
the city Of Washington and elsewhere, admit
that they have the fraiest of titles Why
not, then, a once give up a law for the sake
Of perpetual peace, which all nations 10 times
Of war have regarded as temporary
Next comes tine amnesty proclamation,
with all its exceptions as 10 great ofen-
ders. Why not make this general, with
out exception; Are we afraid Of themi
Do we fear their temperance at the Fede-
al of tAa
every State OF which is committed and sworn
,gaiust slavery, with West Virginia. Mary
and, Nevada and the incoming free Terrific
des--are we afraid to admit any Of our coun-
trymen submitting to the Consultation and
obeying the laws, to all the privileges OF the
American Union If we are, we are unwor-
thy Of the destiny which has been transmit
ted to US by our fathers and theirs. Or,
shall we send the rapidly demorahzing rebel
army into Mexicoa Shall we allow It to re-
iniorce the minion Of Louis Napoleon-Maxi-
milan; Shall we hold the position Of France
after the revolution, when her expatriated no.
bility pl1tted the great conspraces which
undermined the First Consul and contributed
to bis terrible aud final overthrow! Shall
we allow the desperate men may be ex-
PEELED from the United States IN the event Of
a sudden peace, to intrigue against the coun-
| try they once dearly loved, shall we take
them back to meet the free people Of the free
States Of America
Whatever Mr. Lincoln's policy is, whether
he is at Fortress Monroe or IN the city Of
Washington, we believe he possesses the
sublime attribute Of rewsrding the friends Of
the Union and forgiving all the enemies Of
the Union who are ready to return 70 the old
flag"
The above semi-official declaration is not
satisfactory to the leading Republicans 10
Congress. who are not disposed to abrogstc
their legislation for the punishment Of rebels
Just at the time when military and naval
matters wear such favorable aspect. They
regard Grant and Sherman and Porter and
| Sheridan as the best peace commissioners,
feel confident that their swords will soon cut
the gordiau knot Of rebellion, while negotis-
tions can but get matters into a snerl. Be
sides, no one conversaut with the rebels be-
lieves that they will relinquish slavery on
any terms Gen. Singleton told prominent
Democratic friend this morning, who is my
informant, that he is confident that had ths
news of the passage Of the constitutional
amendment reached Richmond before the
Commissioners left. they never would have
started. Singleton bad long interviews with
the rebel leaders only last week, and he 10
certain that even the liberal terms published
in the Chronicle will not be accepted.
NKw YORK, Feb. A.
The Times Washington dispatch says the
Peace Conference at Fortress Monroe has
come to close. The President and Mr.
Seward are now on their way back. Stephens.
Hunter and Campbell have returned to Rich
mond. What transpired remains secret
with the parties. IL is ton much TO believe
that it will result in auy immediate cessation
Of hostilities. and it would be understandable
to predict that it will prove entirely fruitless.
The Tribune's City Point dispatch Of the
LIST inst says il is UNDERWOOD there that JEFF.
Davis and his cabinet instructed Stephens to
make peace on the best terms he can. but 20
make PEAcE.
1t was also thought that Stephens would
not return to the confederacy if he did not
succeed in his mission.
It is stated that Beaurogard is TO command
Hoods late army.
BALTIMORE, Feb. 4.
A special dispatch to the Baltimore Amer
tea from Annapolis his Saturday morning.
after announcing the arrival there OF Prssi-
dent, and Secretary Seward on board OF Cen
Grants flag Of truce boat says: The pros
poets OF an early settlement Of our national
difficulties brighter, 1t was rumored on
board the steamer that an srmstic OF so days
would take place, but this of course is only
more rumor.
ST. LoUTs, Feb. 8.
The Psducah correspondent of the Demo-
crat says Gen. Chalmers in speech at Cor
inth in the early part Of January accused
Gen. Hood Of selling him out and expressed
the opinion that the Confederacy had gone
under. He told his men they could do as
they pleased, he shoad have nothing further
to do with them, but should quit and try to
save the remainder OF his property.
IL is slsu stated that the rebel Gen. Nor
row sent message to personal friend in the
Union army stating that be had lost all faith
in the rebel leaders and wished to surrender
himself to the federal commander lie Is
now waiting near Corinth to ascertain whss
terms can be granted to an officer OF his rank,
voluntarily returning to his allegiance
| Gen. Rhoddy is also said to have applied
I A.