Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1865-02-17
A. H. STEPHENS,
r. NJ. T. HUNTER,
lac AAEDDE ETT

At $3.50 p. NJ, notified them that they could
not proceed further unless they complied with
the terms expressed in my letter.
The point of meeting designated in the above
note, would not, in my opinion be insisted up
on | think Fortress Monroe would be accept
able. Having complied with my instructions
| will return to Washington tomorrow unless
otherwise ordered.
THOS. 7. ECKERr. Major and A. d. G..
On reading this dispatch of Major Eckert,
was about TO recall him and the Secretary of
State, when the following telegram Of General
Grant to the Secretary OF War was shown me:
OFFICE o. s. MILITARY TELEGRAPH,
(WaF Department.
The following telegram was received at Wash
ingtOn 4:35 A. NJ. on Feb. ID from City Point
Feb. Ist 1890 P. NJ:
Hon. Z. M. Stanton, Secretary of War. Now
that the interview between Major Eckert under
his written instructions and Mr.. Stephens and
party has ended confidentialy, but not officially
to become a matter of record, that | am convinc-
ed upon conversation with Messrs Stephens
and Hunter, that their intentions are good and
their desire sincere to restore peace and uniou
have not felt myself at liberty 10 express even
views of my own, or to account for my reticence
This has placed me IN an awkward position
which could have avoided by not seeing them
in the first instance. ! fear now their going
back without any expression 10 any one in au-
thority will have bad influence, at the same
time | recognize the diiiiculties IN the way of
receiving the informal Commissioners at this
time, and l do not know what to recommend
arn sorry however that Mr. Lincoln cannot
have an interview with the two named in this
dispatch, if not with all three, within our lines
Their letter to me was all that the President s
instructions contemplated, To secure their safe
conduct, if they had used the same language to
Major Eckert
L. S. GRANT, Lieut. Gen.
THIS dispatch of Gen Grant changed my pur-
pose, and accordingly telegrarhed him and the
Secretary of State as follows:
WAR DEPARTMENT, WAsHINGToY }
February I'd, 1865
Lieut.. Gen. Grant City Point: Say to the
gentlemen that | will meet them personally at
Fortress Monroe as soon as [ can get there
4. LINCOLN
On the morning of the I'd, the three gentle
men, Stephens, Hunter and Campbell, came on
board of our steamer and had an interview with
the Secretary of State and myself, of several
hours duration. No other person was present.
No papers were exchanged or produced, and it
was in advance agree that the Convention was
TO be informal aud verbal merely.
On our part the whole substance of the in
structiOns 10 the Secretary of State, herein be-
fore recited, was stated and insisted upon and
nothing was said inconsistent Herewith. While
by the other party it was not said that in any
eventor on any conditions that they ever would
consent to reunion, and yet they equally omit
tedto declare that they would not so consent.
They seemed to desire pOstponement of that
question, and the adoption of some other course
first, which, some OF them seemed to argue,
might and might not lead to reunion, but which
course we thought would amount to an indefinite
postponement. The conference ended without
result The foregoing, containing as is belev-
ed, all the information sought is respectfully
submitted.
A. LINCOLN.
Executive Mansion, Feb. 10, 1865.