The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1865-02-17
THE LATE PEACE MOVE
MENT!
Jefferson Davis Message to
the Confederate Congress!
Letter from Stephens, Hunter and
Campbell!
" ashington. Feb 9.

! 4He i.itHHoHd nag OF tHe IlG Inst
says the following documents were laid be
fore congress this morning:
10 the Seuate and House Of Rrepresea-
tatives Of the Confederate States of Am.
erica: Having recehtly received a writ
ten notification which satisfied me- that
The President OF the United States was
disposed 10 &C nfer informally with unofii-
clal agents that might be sen, by me,
vita view to the restoration of pea.e.
requested Hon. Alexander L. Stephens
| Hon. X. NJ. t. Hunter, and Hon. John
y. Campbell, to proceed through cur lilies
to hold a conference with Mr.. Lincoln or
such persons as be might depute to renre,
sent him. herewith submit for info,
nation of congress the report Of the emf
nent ciIizens above named, showing ,ha,
the enemy refuse 10 enter into negotiations
with the confederate states or anv one OF
them separately, to give our people any
other terms or guarantees than those
which a conqueror may grant, or permi,
US to have peace on any other basis than
our unconditional submission to their rule,
coupled with the acceptance of their re
cent legislation, including an amendment
to the constitution for emancipation Of
negro slaves, and with the right on the
part OF the federal congress to legisla.e on
The subject Of the relation between the
white aud black population Of each state,
such Is as | understand, the effect Of the
amendment 10 the constitution which has
been adopted by the Congress Of the Uni
! ted States Il
Signed, JEFFrRsos laws.
Richmond, Feb. 5, lS65-To the
President cf the Confederate States:
SIR:-tnder your letter of appoint
menl OF the 26;h, va proceeded TO seek an
informal conference with Abraham Lin
coin, President of the United States, upon
The SUBJECT mentioned in your letter The
conference was granted, and took place on
the 3Oih uIt, on board a steamer anchored
in Hampton Roads, with President lin
coin and Mr. Sewsld. secretary of state Ct
the United States. 1t continued for sew
era! hours, and was both full and explicit
we learned from them that the message
Of President Lincoln to the congress Of
the United States, in December last, es
plains clearly and distinctly his sentiments
as to terms and conditions and method of
proceeding by which peace can b. secured
to the people, and We were not informed
that they would be modified or altered to
obtain that end. We understand from
INN that no terms or proposals Of any
treaty or agreement looking 10 an ultimate
settlement would be entertained or made
By him with the authorities Of the Cons
federate States, because that would be a
recognition Of their existence as a sepa-
rate power, which under 10 circumstances
would be done, and for like reasons, that
no such terms could be entertained By him
from states separately; that no extended
truce or atmistice, as at present advised,
would he granted or allowed without sat
Isfaciorv assurances in advance Of cons
pete restoration Of The authority Of the
constitution and laws Of tie United States
over all places within tie states Of the
contederacy that whatever consequences
may follow tro,D The re-estab!ishmpnt q
that authority mus, be- accepted, bat that
the individuals suffice; 10 pains ard pen
alt;es under The laws Of the United States,
might rely upon very liberal use of the
power contided to him 10 remit those pains
and penalties, il peace be restored. Dur
Ing the conference the proposed amend :
ment 10 tie constitution Of the United
States, adopted 10y congress on the 3l,I
ut, was brought TO our notice. This
| amendment provides tina. neither slavery
nor involuntary servitude, except for
crime, should exist within its jurisdiction
and congress should have the power to
enforce this amendment, by appropriate
Legislation. OF all the conference therein
mentioned, and leading to the same, you
have heretofore been informed.
Very respectfully,
\ our obedieLt servants,
ALEX II. STEPHENS,
Il. NJ T. Hunter,
JoHN A. CAMrBELL.