The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-01-30
They All Want to Make Terms, But
No O1icial Willing to Assume
the Responsibility of Com
mencing Negotiations.
The Leaders Fearing tho Fate That Awaits
Them by An Enraged People.
Monroe Doctrine and Abandonment Of Confls-
cation the Basis Of Final Settlement,
&C., &C.. DC.
WASHINGTON, Jan. Is, 1855.

&C.. &C., DC.
WASHINGTON Jan. %, 1885.
The telegraph has announced that Blair senior has
again returned from Richmond The idea that has been
spread broadcast that the whole thing zze and that
the peace negotiations have all exploded is in the main
humbug II Is not nzzle to the full meaning Of that
word but simply delayed by the nexpcablo confusion,
jealousy intense wrangng and chickering's among the
officials Of the confcderacy at Richmond repeat 1t,
Bars peace negotiations have not exploded but only
delayed tho public viii very DO officially in
formed
As stated q few days ago Francis p. Blair, ST.,
sent for to return to Richmond and in obedience 70
that request his second visit to the capital Of the
Southern confedercy The message from there asking
Mr. Blair stated that he would be met at Varfna,
on the James river, by flag Of truce ooa ana mus
enable him 70 avoid spending p'shs In tho camp OF tho
army which he forced t. do on his former journey
to Richmond Blair rciarned and was met In accordance
with the promise lie arrived at Richmond and found 1t
in perfect nubbub each faction denounong the other
and charging eash other with trying 10 bcray the
federacy and sell out It's interests for their benefit
They WERE in fact in the midst Of alarm with their
Jealous feeling aroused to the highest PITCH and 70 all
appearances like set OF rogues quarrelng with each
other has already been shown by the extracts pub
lished from the Richmond papers, although those articles
give but faint idea OF the real extent Of this feeling
This was, doubt, In part owing 70 the fall OF Fort
Fisher
Blair was received there by officials Of all grades With
the most friendly feeling imaginable and he found
universal desire for settlement Of the difficulties Nor
Is this ALL Tho feeling almost universal among those
IN possession OF facts that enabled them Judge fully
and appreciate their position that they would be obliged
to submit 70 the United States and that the only quos
md Uho IN
initiate and the proceedings that would result
In that end. Hero where the shoe pinched Could
tho rebel leaders all have been brought together and
been induced 70 place confidence In zach other Blair
would have returned with such propositions az would
have been sanctioned by all government officials here,
except Il may DO the Ben Wood class OF radicals While
each prominent Official entertained the view In
gard the fate that awaited them, yet every Official
jealous and suspicious OF somo else fearing that such
such Official would bitterly oppose all negotiations
cept negotiations for independence and atthe
afraid that other official would inauguratc peace
negotiations looking towards submission and secure
favors for himself not accredited 70 other officials
Every Official In Short afraid that all others werc
opposed negotiation upon terms that would be conceded
by the United States and ut the time AFRAID that all
other officials had got the OF them by commencing
negotia Hero Is certainly Interesting state Of
Affairs, far government IL concerDod nothing
be encouraging 10 tho loyal North than the
stsnce Of this feeling n this the real result OF Bairs
visits 10 Richmond he has done tho country an I'm
mcnsc co. II nothing results from IT. But the
sequel shows that this IL not the only result
Mr. Blair had several interviews with jon Davis Dur
ing those interviews several suggestions made by
Davis by way Of inquiry 10 what tho UnItcd satls
government would do under such and such contingency
after the mannrr OF tho inquiry made by the member OF
A,,xi I'm
interviews the condition Of the Southern oonfederacy
and the dangers that existed the trials that he Davis
was compelled TO 60 through, all talked over, as
well as his desire take step 10 prevent further
sacrifice Of life and hsrdshps Of the peop At the very
time that these interviews being held the Rich
mond press and the rebel Congress were denouncing
Dayia assailing him In every way possible and, ~ he
said watching every opportunity 10 pounce upon him
and close his career the chief Of the oonfcdcracy
Tho interview resulted AFTER favorable inducements were
held out by Southern ocals, in Mr. Davis being afraid
TO take tho responsibility OF appointing commissioners 70
trca, upon INV other terms than recognition and indie
pcndencc at the present moment.
Davis feared that II no did his opponents In Congress
would soixe upon preoxt 10 dcposc him. and thus
place him whore he could not carry out what ho had In
atrd lie was therefore, unwilling 70 take tho rcspon
sbi,y Of entering upon negotiations upon any other basis
days was granted the start This Of course Mr. Blar
informed him would not DO aocsdod 70 by tho United
states government
Other officials entertained tho views "a 10 what
hoy should and ought 70 do BIZ afraid TO assume
the responsibility on the Same lground--fcaring JeG
Davs-and tried 70 shift this responsibility Of insugu
rating negotiations upon the shoulders Of others There
anxiety Tor settlement upon tho best possible
that would enable them all that was possible
from the wreck bat each afraid 70 publicly announce
fearing that they would be brought up on the charge Of
being traitors and while reality secretly favorins peace,
they keeping up ncessan csmor lest they should
be charged with being league with the government Al
Washington Those the most inclined TO an amicabic
settlement, the oudest In their denunctons Of thoee
whom they suspected OF entertaining similar views
Tho whole question, therefore, turns on the point Of
End ng any person bold enough TO the tide and
boldly announce his determination 10 take the conse
quenecs
The fact however must no, be overlooked that aree
number OF the prominent and influential men, boh "
and out Of Congress DESTROYS Of entering INTO nee,
ftatfn Eur utha