Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-02-10

Official Report Of the Confederate Com.
missieners.
"To the Senate and House Of Representatives. Of the
Confederate States:
"Haying received q written notification
which satisfied me that the President of the
United States was disposed to confer informal
me, with a view to the restoration OF peace,
l requested the Hon. Alex. H. Stephens, the
Hon. r. M. T. Hunter, and the Hon. John A.
Sampnea can 70 proceed edit tnrSnsh Gnr lines, and 70
persons as he might depute to represent him.
ea"l herewith submit, for the information of
Congress, the report Of the eminent citizens
above named, showing that the enemy refused
to enter into negotiations with the Confederate
States, or any OF them separately, or to give to
our people any other terms or guarantees than
nit us to have peace upon any other basis th an
an unconditional submission to their rule, cou.
pied with the acceptance OF their recent legis-
Iation, including an amendment to the Con-
ttitution for the emancipation OF all negro
slaves, ana with the right on the part Of the
Federal Congress to legislate on the subject Of
the relations between the white and black pop
ulatiOn OF each state Such Is, as l under
stand, the effect of the amendment to the Con-
stitution, which he's been adopted by the Oen-
gress OF the Uni States.
"EXECUTIvE OFFICE, RICHMOND, Feb. 6.''
"RIcHMoND, February S, 1866.
= To the President of the Confede! ate States:
'SIR: Under your letter Of appointment of
the 2sth ultimo, we proceeded to seek an sim
formal conference" with Abraham Lincoln,
President OF the United States, upon the sub.
Ject mentioned in the letter.
"Tne conference was granted, and took
place, on the Both ult., on board of a steamer
anchored in Hampton Roads, where we met
President Lincoln and the Hon. Mr.. Seward,
Secretary of State of the United States. 1t
continued for several hours, and was full and
explicit.
We learn from them that the message of
President Lincoln to the Congress of the Uni
ted States, in December last, explains clearly
and distinctly his sentiments As to the terms,
conditions, and methods OF proceeding by
which peace can be secured to the people, and
we were not informed that they would be mod.
if1ed or altered to obtain that end.
1--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
Confederate States, because that would be q
recognition of ftheir existence as separate pow
er, which under no circumstances would be
done; and, for like reasons, that no sach terms
would be entertained by him from the States
separately; that no extended truce or armistice
as at present advised) could be granted or al
lowed, without satisfactory assurance in ad-
vance Of complete restoration Of the author
ity Of the Constitution and laws Of the United
States over all places within the States of the
Confederacy: that whatever conseq uences may
follow from the re re-establishment of that au-
thority m ust be accepted. But that individ-
uals subject to pains and penalties under the
laws Of the United States might rely upon a
very iDPT6 III use Ol the power COEnQeu 70 nlm
to remit those pains and penalties, If peace be
restored.
"Dpring the conference the proposed amend
ment to the Constitution of the United States,
adopted on the 3lst ult, was brought to our
notice.
THE amendment provides neither
hop,d hor is, the nited sates
or any place within their jurisdiction; and that
| Congress should have power TO enforce this
amendment Dy appropriate legislation.
cOrrSSDOnCeNcG Drece0e1
the conference herein mentioned, and leading
| to the came, You have heretofore been informed.
"Fery respectfully, your obedient servants,
"ALRX. II. STEPHENS.
"R. M. I. HUNTER,
y. A. OAPMBELL"
TELRGRAPHIC.1
From Petersburg.
"PETERsBURG, Feb. 6.-The enemy yester-
day advanced heavy force down the Vaughn
road, and seized the crossing at Hatchers Run,
driving back our pickets at that point. They
also occupied Armstrong; mill, the crossing
above, holding both points with infantry, while
| their cavalry swept round our forces, and ad-
vaReed ON Dinwiddie Court house. General
". II. +. Lee met their advance there, check.
| ing, and after a short engagement, driving
them back. At the same time the enemy made
| demonstrations at other points On our right, bIl
| have retired beyond Hatchers Run There
was no heavy infantry fighting. The enemy
extended, but did not Advance their line with
| the object Of taking in more woodland.
"They captured few and lost some pris.
oners. They also lost several forage wagons -
The News.
"Our latest Mobile dates state that there are
| from four to six thousand OF the enemy at Pas.
cagoula with strong entrenc chments. We SUD.
| pose that it is pleasanter to be there than a,
| Snip or Dauphin Islands or Mobile Point and
perhaps it is considered we'll to take them
| Pway from New Orleans. The entrenchnnnnts r.
| are to secure them from movements from this
! side, or it may be to form camp, gather sup.
| plies and be ready Tor operation on the open.
| ing OF spring.
From Wilmington.
"The Carolinian says the enemy seem con,
| tent with shelling occasionally our lines from
his gunb boats, which are in the sound and in
| and are not at all discouraged by the enemy's
| naval demonstrations on Ell her flank.
"a deserter came into our lines yesterday,
| who reports that Admiral Porter and General
| Terry are awaiting orders from Washington
| Having accomplished the objactof the expedI-
! tion, by the capture OF Fort Fisher, the enemy
| further orders
"It is reported that the enemy are raiding
| through the county of Brunswick
"NO news was received at the War De.
partment last night from South Carolina
"It was currently reported, however, on
the street, that Shermans army had made a
lodgementon ON the railroad between Branch.
VILE and Augusta. The only fact confirma-
tory Of this report is the interruption OF tele.
graphic communication with Augusta yester-
day morning.
made speech to the people.
"General Beauregard also made a speech
after Hood He reviewed briefly his military
career from the firing OF the first gun at sumter
to the present time, and wanted them to kno "
that he Intended to fight to the bitter end, and
if he failed he could beg passage to some
foreign country
OF Tuesdays papers, the Dispatch is the
only one which gives any detailed report of
the raeeting. 1t says the church was densely
packed two hours before the time for the meet
ing. and fears were at one time entertained
that the walls would give way. The paper
adds that the war spirit never burned SO fierce
ly and steadily as at that neeting and that the
firm resolve to resist to the death the demands
of the Northern tyrant was plainly visible in
ever y face
The report then continues:
About O'Clock Governor Smith, attended
by President Davis, came upon the stand. The
Governor addressed the multitude in q pa.
triotic and soul-stirring speech during which
he was frequently interrupted by thunders of
applause