Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1865-03-01

10 me was all that the Presldents iDstruc
tions contemplated to secure their safe
conduct, If they had used the same langu
age TO Major Eckert. U. s. GRANT.
Lieutenant Gene raj.
The President consents 10 the confer
enes.
This dispatch Of Gen. Grant char ycd
my purpose, and accordingly telegraph
ed 10 him and the Secretary of State re-
spsciive'y as follows:
War Department,
ashingotn d. G. Feb, ., 1865.
Lieutenant General Grant, City Point Va,
Say to the gentleman that | will nee.
them personally at Fortress Monroe as
scon as l can get their.
Sent in cipher ct 9 A. NJ
A. LINCOLN.
War Department,
Washington, ID. c Feb, 2. 1865.
Hon. WilGan Il Sspord. Fortress Monroe. Va:
Induced by dispatch from General
Grant. join you at Fortress Monroe as
soon rs can come.
Isent In cipher at 0 A. NJ
A. LINCOLN.
Before starting The following dispatch
was shown me. ] proceeded neverthe-
less
Office U. s. Military Telegraph,
War Department.
ICipher.)
The follow ing telegram was received at
Washington. February ., 1865, from City
Point. Va, Q A. NJ.
Hon. IVm. IL. SeOard, Secrstary Of STATE For
trfss Monroe (copy TO Hon Ed,0iH II, Sian
ton, Steretar5 Of Var, Washington. d. O.
The gentlemen here have accepted the
proposed terms, and will leave for For
tre,s Monroe at 9 30 A. NJ.
U. s. GRANT Lieutenant General.
On the night Of the I'd reached lamp
ton Roads, found the Secretary of State and
MAJOR Eckert on steamer anchored of
the shore, and learned of them that the
Richmond gentlemen we're on another
steamer also anchord off shore, in the
roads, and that the Secretary of State had
not yet seen or communicated with them.
I ascertained that Major Eckert had liter
ally complied with his instructions, and
] saw for the first time the answer of the
Riehmond gentlemen to him, which, in
his dispatch to me of the lst. he charac-
tarizes as not satisfactory. That answer
10 as follows 10 wit {:
City Point. Va, Feb. /. 1865.
Thomas T. Eekert, Major and A d. Z;
MAJOR: Your note, delivered by your
self this day, has been considered. For
reply We have to say that we were furn-
ished with copy of the letter of Prcsi-
dent Lincoln to Francis p. Blair, of the
18th OF January ult', another cop, of
which is expended TO your note. Our in
tentions are contained in letter OF which
the following is copy:
INSTRUCTIONS or JLrY DAVIS.
Richmond, Jan, %, 1865.
In conformity with the letter OF Mr..
Lin ,oln, Of which the foregoing is copy,
ycv are 10 proceed to Washington City
for informal conference with him upon
the issues invpIved in the existing war,
and for the purpose OF securing peace TO
the two countries. With great respect,
your obedient servant.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
The substantial object to be obtained by
the informal con Inference is to ascertain
upon what terms the existing war can be
terminated honorably. Our instructions
contemplate spersonal interview between
President Lincoln and ourselves at Wash
ington, but with this explanation we are
ready to meet any person or persons tha,
President Lincoln may appoint, at such
place as he may designate. Our earnest
desire is that just and honorable peace
may be agreed upon, and we are prepar-
ed to receive or to submit propositions
which may possibly lead to the attain
ment of that end.
Very respectfully, yours.
ALEX. II. STEPHENS,
r. NJ. +. HUNTER,
j. A. CAMPBELL.
A note of these gentlemen, subsequent
ly addressed to General Grant, has al
ready been given in Major Eckerts dis
patch Of the lss instant.
TnE REBEL BASIS or CONFERENCE.
also here saw, the first time, the fol
lowing note addressed by the Richmond
gentlemen TO Major Ectert:
City Point Va, Feb. 1865.
Thomo, T. Eckert, Major and A. d. C.:
MAJOR: In reply to your verbal state
ment that instructions did not allcw yot
TO alter the conditions upon which pass
port could be given to us, we say that W.
are willing to proceed to Fortress Monroe
and there 10 have an informal conference
with any person or persons that PIesiden
Lincoln may appoint, on the basis OF hi
letter to F. 2. Blair of the 18th of Janu
ary, ultimo. or upon any other terms o
conditions that he may hereafter propose
not inconsistent with the essential prime
pies ofself-government and popular rights
upon wEich our Constitutions are founded
ltx our earnest wish TO ascertain, after
free Interchange of ideas and informs,ior
upon wha. principles and terms. if any,
just and honorable peace can be establish
ed without the further efu,sion of b'ood
and to contribute cur utmost efforts I
accomplish such a result we think it be
ter to add that in accepting your pas
ports, we are not 10 be undersl lood as con
m'lting ourselves to anything but to cal
ry 70 this informal conference the view
and feelings above expressed
Very respectfully yoir,. &C..
ALEX. II. STEPHENS,
}. A. CAMPBELL,
Il, NJ. T. HUNTER,
Noxr IT, oLo-a