Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-02-10
SECOND edition.
S O'CLOCK p. M.

- O'CLOCK M.
The Presidents Message Concerning the
Peace Conference. @
The folio wing message was received by the
House to day. in answer 10 the call Of that
body upon tae Presiden. for information con.
corning the late peace conference at Fortress
Monroe:
To the Honorable the House of Representatives.
In response 10 your resolutions Of the eth inst,
requesting Information in relation to 8 confer.
ence recently held in Hampton Roads, have
the honor to state that On the day OF that date,
i gave Francis P. Blair, senior, a card, writ
ten as follows, to wit:
"Allow the bearer, F. p. Blair, senior, to pass
our lines, 90 South and return.
UDecember %, 1861. A LINCOLN"
That at the time was informed that Mr.
Blair sought the card as means of getting to
Richmond, Virginia, but he was given NO an
thority to act or speak for the Government
nor was informed of anything he would saw
or do on his own account or other WISE After
wards Mr.. Blair told me that he had been to
Richmond, and had seen Mr.. Jefferson Davis:
aud he (Mr. b. at the same time left with me
man uscript letter, as follows, to-wit:
RICHMOND, Va, Jan IL, 1867. Il. Blair,
Eso.-Sir: have deemed it proper, aud prob
ably desirable to You, to give you, in this FORM
the substance of remarks made by me to be re-
peated by you to President Lincoln. &c.
l have no disposition to find obstacles in
forms, and am willing. now as heretofore, to
enter into negotiations tor the restoration OF
peace; am ready to send commission when
ever | have reason to suppose 1t will be re-
ceived, or to receive commission il the United
States Government shall chose to send one.
That, Notwithstanding the rejection of our
former offers, would, il you could premise
that a commissioner, minister or other agent
would be received, appoint one Immediately,
and renew the effort to enter into conference,
with a view 10 secure peace to the two coun.
(Signed) JEFFERSON DAVIS
Afterwards, and with the view that 1t
should be shown to MI. Davis, wrote and de-
livered to Mr.. Blair letter, as follows, to wit
WASHINGTON, Jan. Is, 1965-F p. Blair,
Esq:-Sir: Your having shown me Mr.. Davis
letter to you of the 18th inst, you may say to
him that that have constantly been, am now,
and shall continue, ready to receive any agent
whom he, or any other influential person now
resisting the n9 uonal authority may Informally
send me, with the view OF securing peace TO the
people Of our one common country.
Yours, &c, A. LINCOLN
Afterwards Mr.. Blair dictated for, and au.
thorized me, to make an entry on the back Of
my retained copy of the letter last above re-.
ceived, which entry is as follows:
sTIFDoRsEMENT. January 25, ls65-To- day
Mr.. Blair tells me that on the 2lst inst he de.
livered to Mr. Davis the original of which the
Is
the time OF delivering it Mr. Davis read it over
twice in MIR. Biair's presence, at the close of
which he (Mr. Blair remarked that the part
about sour one common country related to
the part of Mr. rs letter about "the two coun.
tries" to which MIR. ID. replied that he so
understood II. a. LINCOLN
Afterwards the Secretary Of War placed in
my hands the following telegram endorsed by
him, as appears:
OFFICE U. S. MILITARY TELEGRAPH, War
Deportment.-[Cipher.l- The following tele.
from Headquarters Army of James, 6 30 D. m
January 90, 1865
Hon Ed,c,n W. Stanton Secretary of Var The
General Parks, who refers 1t to me for my &C.
ton. l refer it 10 you In Lieutenant General
Grants absence EO. 9. ORD,
Major General Commanding.
"HEADQUARTRRs ARMY OF PoToMAC,4 D.
m , Jan. %, 1S65-Aojor General +. o. e. ORD,
Headquarters Army Of James: The following
dispatch is forwarded to you for your action
Since have no knowledge of Gen Grants
having had any understanding OF this kind, I
refer the matter to you as the ranking officer
"JoHN G. PARKE,
s.Maj or General COMMANDING"
Prom Headquarters NTH Army Corps goth.
Major General JOHN G.. Parke, Headquarters A mn
Potomac. Alex. H. Stephens, X 81 T. Hunter.
and A. .a M as5sa t. Claimed
to to Exist with Lieut.. Gen. Grant on their way
they be admitted! They desire an early an.
swer to come through Immediately. Would
like to reach City Point Tonight If they can.
If they cannot do that, they would like TO come
through at 10 a. m. Tomorrow morning.
SO Is. WILSON,
"Major General Come dig Ninth Corps"
RespectfuIiy referred to the President for
such Instructions as he may be pleased to give.
EDWIN NJ STANTON, Secretary OF War.
sop M January %. 1SG5.
1t appeaTs that about the time Of placing tn
foregoing telegram In my hands, the Secretary
OF War dispatcs ed General Ord as follows, to
wit
Jan. %, lS65-l0P M-H1jor Gsnerat Ofd: This
Department has no knowledge OF any under
standing by General Grant to allow any person
to come within his lines as commissioners OF
any sort. You will therefore allow no one to
come into your lines under such character or
professions until you receive the Presidents
Instructions, to whom your telegram will be
submitted for his directions.
"EDwIN NJ. STANTON, Secretary OF War
(Sent in cipher at a. M, Both
Afterwards, by my directions, the Secretary
Of War telegraphed General Ord as follows, to
wit:
"WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, ID. G.,
10 A. M, Jan. 80, 1SG5.-Agjor General E. o. Z.
Ord, Headquarters Army James By direction
OF the President you are instructed to inform
the three gentlemen, Messrs Stephens, Hunter,
and Campbell, that messenger will be dis
patched to them at or near where they now are
without unnecessary delay
EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary Of War"
Afterwards l prepared and put into the
hands Of Major Thomas f. Eckert, the follow
ing instructions and message:
"ExKCUTIvE MANSION, Washington. Jan. 80,
1e65-Mojor 7. F. Eckert.-Sr: You will pro-
coed with the documents placed in your hands,
and on reaching Gen. Ord, will deliver him
the letter addressed to him by the Secretary of
War, then by Gen. Ord's assistance procure an
interview with Messrs Stephens, Hunter and
Campbell or any OF them, deliver to him or
them the paper on which your own letter is
written, note on the copy which you retain
the time of delivery and to whom delivered
receive their answer in writing, waiting
reasonable time for it. and which, IL it contain
their decision to come through without further
condition, Will be your warrant to ask Gen.
their answer, they decline TO come, or propose
other terms, do not ha We them passed through