The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1865-02-14
REPORT OF THE PEACE COMMITS
SIONERS.

REPORT, OF THE PEACE COMMITS
SIONERS
The following message and correspondence was
laid before Congress on Monday morning the 9th
instant:
EXECUTIVE OFFICE, Richmond, Feb. 6.
t To the Senate and House Of Representatives Of
the Confederate States:
Having recently received written notification
which satisfied that the President of the United
States was disposed to confer informally with un-
official agents that might be sent by me, with a
view to the restoration of peace, requested the
Hon. A. f. Stephens, Hon. R. M. L. Hunter, and
Hon John A. Campbell to proceed through our
lines ard to hold conference with MIR Lincoln or
such persons as he might depute to represent him.
| herewith submit for the information Of Con-
eress the report of the eminent citizens above
named showing that the enemy refused to enter
into negotiations with the Confederate States, or
any one of them separately, or give to our people
any other terms guarantee than those which the
conqueror may grant, or permit US to have peace OF
any other basis than our unconditional SUBMISSION
to their rule, coupled with the acceptance OF their
recent legislation, including an amendment TO the
constitution for the emancipation OF all negro
slaves, and with the right on the part of the Fed
eral Congress to legisate the subject of the re-
lations between the white and black population
of each State Such is, understand, the effect
of the amendment to the Constitution which has
been adopted by the Congress of the United States
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
RICHMOND, Feb 5, 1865.
To the President of the Confederate States:
SIR: Under your letter of appointment of
the 2Sth u1timo, we proceeded to seek an lntor-
NAL conference" with Abraham Lincoln, Pre-
sident of the United States. upon the subject
IL
granted and took place on the 30th ult, on board
steamer anchored in Hampton Roads, where We
met President Lincoln and Hon. Mr.. Seward, Sec
rotary OF State Of the United States 1t continued
for several hours and was both full and explicit.
We learned from them that the message of Presi-
dent Lincoln to Congress in December last, ex-
plains clearly his sentiments to TERMS conditions,
and method of proceeding by which peace can be
secured to the people, and we were not Informed
that they would be modified or altered to obtain
that end. We understood from him that no terms
Or proposals Of any treaty, or agreement, looking
to an ultimate settlement would be entertained or
made by him with the authorities of the Confed-
crate States because that would be a recognition
of their existence separate power, which under
no circumstances would be done; and, for like
reasons, that no such terms would be entertained
by him from States separately that no extended
truce or arnistce, at present advised, would be
granted or allowed without satisfactory assurances
in advance Of the complete restoration OF the au-
thority Of the constitution and laws Of the United
States all places within the States of the Con-
federacy; that whatever consequences may follow
from the re-establishment, that authority must be
accepted; but that individuals subject to pains and
penalties under the laws of the United States
might rely upon very liberal use of the power
confded to him to remit those pains and penalties,
if peace be restored
During the conference the proposed amendments
to the Constitution of the United States, adopted
by Congress, lst ult., were brought to notice:
These amendments provide that neither slavery or
involuntary seryitude, except for crime, should
exist within the United States or any place within
their Jurisdiction, and that Congress should have
the power to enforce the amendment by appropriate
legislation.
OF all correspondence that preceded the con-
ference herein mentioned and leading to the same,
you have heretofore been informed.
Very respectfully, your obd't serv'ts,
A. Fl. STEPHENS,