Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1865-02-10

Message from the President and Report OF the
Peace ConlEnission.
RICHMOND, Feb. 6.-Ths following message was
laid before Congress this afternoon:
EXECUTIVE OFFICE, RICHMOND, Feb 6.
To the Senate and House Of RepresGntGtiues:
Recently | received written notification, which
satisfied me that the President of the United States
was disposed to- confer informally, with unofficial
agents, that might be sent by me, with a view of
restoring peace. requested Hon. A. II. Stepbeus
Hon. T. M I. Hunter and Hon. John A. Canpbeii
70 proceed through our lines to hold conferences
WIN Nj. Lincoln, or such persons as he might des-
lgnate, to represent him.
hereby submit for the information of Congress.
report OF the eminent citizens above named. show.
ing tnat the enemy refused to enter into negotia-
tions with tPe Confederate States, or any of them
separately, or give to our people any other terms
or guarantees than those which consequences may
grant, or permit US to have, nor an7 other basis
than our unconditional submission to their rule
coupled with an acceptance Of their recent legisla
ton, including the amendment to the Constitution
lor the emancipation of all negro slaves and with
the right on the part of the Federal Congress. to
eglsate on the subject of the relation between the
white and black population, each. Such is in sub.
stance, as understand, the effect of the amend
ment 70 the Constitution, which has been endorsed
by the Congress Of the United States.
JEFFERSON DAVIS
RICHMOND, Feb 5.
To the President Of the Confederate States:
SIR:-Under your letter of appointment as Com
mssoners on the 2Sth, we proceeded to seek an in
formal conference with Abraham Lincoln, Presi-
uehI OF the United States, upon the subject men
TONED In your letter. The conference was granted
and took place on the Both, on board the steamer
anchored IN Hampton Roads, where we met Prcsi-
dent Lincoln and Hon. Mr. Seward, Secretary of
State OF the United States Itcontinned for several
hours, and was both full and explicit We learned
from them that message of President Lincoln to
the congress OF the United States in December last
explains clearly and distinctly his sentiments as to
terms, conditions, and modes of proceeding by
which peace could be secured to the people and We
were not informed that they would be modified or
altered to obtain that end. We understood from
nun that no terms, or proposals of any agreement
looking to an ultimate settlement would be enter
tanned or made by him, with the Confederate States
because that would be a recognition of their exis.
tehce as separate power, which under no circum-.
stances would be done and for like results that no
Sucn terms would Oe entertained by him from States
separately. That no extended truce or armistice
as advised would be granted or allowed, without q
satisfactory assurance of the complete restoration
OF the authority of the constitution and laws of the
United States, over all places within the States Of
the Confederacy.
AH"S h"Se'eI Consequences may IOllOW from the
re,esta6shment of that authority, must be accept
ed, without regard to the rights of individuals who
may be subject to the pains and penalties, under
the laws of the United States. But that all such
might rely upon very liberal use of the power
conhded to the President, to remit these pains and
penalties, if peace were restored.
During the conference, the proposed amendments
to the constitution as adopted by Congress on the
5Ist, were brought to our mind. These amend
ments provided that neither slavery nor involunta-
ry servitude except for crime, should exist within
the United States any place within their jursdic.
ton, and Congress should have power to enforce
the amendments by appropriate legislation.
Of all the correspondence that preceded the con-
ference herein mentioned, and leading to the same
you have herewith been informed
Very respectfully,
Signed, A. H. STEPHENS,
R. NJ. T. HUNTER,
j. A. CAMPBELL.