New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-02-11

through lines without definite views known to the
Government. Mr. Blair visited Richmond. and on his
he showed To the President letter which Jerer
son Davis had written TO Mr.. Blair. In which DAVIS
wrote that Mr. Blair was at liberty 10 say 70 President
Lincoln that Davis wos now, Gs 40 always had Deen'
wiling TO send commissioners, ifassDred they wouiu DC
received receive any that should be sent that be
not disposed TO find obstacles In forms, that he
would send commissioners to confer with the President
with view TO restoration OF peace between the Two
countries IL he could be esslred they would be received
The President therefore. On the 18th day OF January
addressed note to Mr. Blair In which the Presidcnf'
after acknowledging that he had read the note OF MT
ing 10 receive any agents that Mr. Davis or any other
influential actually resisting the authority OF
the Government might send to confer informally with
the President with view 10 the restoration OF peace
10 the people Of our common country.
Mr.. Blair visited Richmond with this letter. and then
again came back to Washington.
On the 10Th ult. were advised from the camp OF
Lent -Gen. Grant that Alexander III. Stephens X. NJ.
T. IInnter, and John A. Campbell were applying for
leave 10 pass through the lines Washington AS Peace
Com mis soncrs to confer with the President. They
were permitted By the LeutennDtGeneral tn come 70
bis headquarters to await there the decision OF the
President. Maj. Eekcrt was sent down to meet the
paI II from Richmond at Gen. Grants Headquarters.
he Major was directed to deliver 10 them copy OF
the Presidents letter 20 Mr.. Blnr. with note 10 DC
addressed u them and signed by the Major In which
tey were directly informed thai should they be allowed
10 pass our lines they would be understood as coming
for an Informal conference upon the basis OF the afore
said letter of the leth Of January to MT BAIT ~,
In writing then Major Eckert was directed to give
them STE conduct TO Fortress Monroe, where person
coming from the President would meet them IL oeihg
thought probable from report Of their conversation
with Lieut. Gen. Grant that the Richmond party would
H. tie manner prescribed accept the eondtion men
toned the Secretary OF state was charged ny tne Ies
dcnt with tho duty Of representing this GOvernmenlh
The expected informal conference. The Secretary ar
rived at Fortress Monroe the night OF the let day OF
February. Major Ecker met him on the morning OF
tl. III of February with the Information that the per.
sons who had come from Richmond had not accepted
in writing the conditions upon which be was allowed 70
give them conduct TO Fortress Monroe.
Tie Major had given the same Information ny tee
crauh 10 the President at Washington. On receiving
ths Information the President prepared telegram
directing the Secretary to return TO W"shr gton lhe
Secretary preparing at the same moment 10 so re
turn without waiting for information from the resident
but AZ this luLciure Lieut. Gen. Grant elegraphed TO
the Secretary OF War as wei as to mo seeret%ry o.,
and accepted the condition tended them through Major
Eckeft and Gen. Grant urgently ADJ Used the President
10 confer In person with the Richmond party. Under
these circumstances the Secretary by the PRESIDENTS
direoten remained Fortress Monroe and tie PTe,i
dent joined him there on the night Of the 2d OF
Tie Richmond party was brought down the james
River IN United States steam transport during the
day. ard the transport was anchored IN hampton
Roads. On the morning OF tie 3d the president
attended by the Secretary received Messrs stephens
Hunter aud Campbell on board The United States steam
transport River Queen. In Hampon Roads. The con
ference altogether Informal There was no attend
ance Of secrctares clerks other witnesses Nothing
rs
and rec was caly and courteous and kind on both
sides The Richmond party approached the discussion
rather Indirectly. and NJ no time did they make categor
cal demands tender formal stpuatons or absolute
refus,ia
Neyertheless during the Conference-vhich lasted
four hoars-the several points at ssue between the
Government and the insurgents were distinctly raised
and iseussed fully intcgenily, and ia On nmlcable
spirit What the insurgent patty seemed cheny 10
favor postpOnement of the question OF separation
upon which the war Is waged, nhd mutual diiectioh
. al. A. Ina hpae of IN
insprr, is TO some eInns.c policy or scheme Tor
season dnsing which passions might be expected 10
sSSs s~ssn ,he pecrr o. both SECTIONS be rssams
IL was sueges,ed by them that through such postpone
meut We might have immediate peace, with some
not very certain prospect Of an ultimate satisaetoTy
ndIustmcpt of political relations between the Govern
and tho States section or people now engaged IN
Tie ,aggestion though deliberately considered was
nevertheless adod by the President one u arm
isrce truce and he announced that We can agree 10
% cessation or suspension OF hosti'es except ON the
bass Of the dsbanduient OF the insurgent forces and
the restoration Of the national authority taouf bout ai
the States in the Union Collstera!y and IN suDordI
nation 10 the proposition which was thus announced
the Anti slavery policy Of tho United States was re-.
viewed IN oil its bearings AID the lresident Announced
that he must not be expected 10 depart rom the por
ons he hid heretofore assumed In lis proclamation OF
emancipation and other documents. as these positions
were reiterated in bis Annual Message.
II was IN thrr declared by the President that the
complete restoration vi the national authority every
where was Nm ind spcnsabc condition OF any assent on
our part whatever form II pence might b. proposed
The President assured the other party that while he
must adhere these positions. he would he prepared 20
far as power is lodged With tie Executive. to exercise
hberiliy Its power. however. Is limited by the Con
stution. and. when peace should be mode, Congress
must necessarily act In regard 10 appropriations Of
money and tie admission VI repGcs from the
insurrectiogary States.
The Richmond party were thon informed that Con.
crcss had ON the 3st ult., adopted by constitutional
majority q Joint resolution submitting to the several
states the proposition 10 abolish slavery throughout
the Mon and that there every to expect that
will he accepted by three fourths othe States 80 a. to
become part Of the national organic law.
The conference came - an end by mutual acquics
cepcc without producing agreement Of views upon
the several matters discussed. any II them. Never
theless 1t is perhaps Of importance HAT We have
been able 10 submit opinions aud ycHs directly to
prominent insuI gents and 10 hear them ~ answer IN
courteous and not unf icndly manner.
/ am, sir, your obedelt servant Wa ii. SEWARD