The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1865-02-16
Peace Commission.

95aca Commission.
52sI9I5sIoNa, FEB. f6-The following was
isid beiore Congress this fornenoon:
EXECUTIVE OFFICE,
Richmond, Feb. 6, 1865
Tsastte Senate and House OF RepTeSe1efd-
{i,,ss of. The Confcasfat States: Having re
Gently received a written notification,
which satisfied me that the President ,of
She United States. was disposed to confer
informally with. unofficial agents that
might be Sent by me with o view to the
restoration of peace / requested Hon. "A; a; /
II. Stephens, Hon. r. NJ. 7. Hunter and
Hon, John:A Campbell proceed through
our liRos. and hold conference With Mr.
{ Jjincoln or such persons as he might ae-
.,z3TTe TO represent him. 1 herewith sub
{ initsforsthe Information of Congress. the
src71ol,t.o OF The eminent citizens above nam
ed. showing that the enemy refused to
enter into negotiations with the Confed-
crate States. or any of them separately,
or give 20 our people any otherfcrms OF
guatantee tfan thosc;which Congress may
rranf.sor to,perInit as TO have a vots on
any other basis ihnn our unconditional
snbnlission to their rule, coupled with-th
acceptance of thcirrrecent legislation, IN
Guiding an amendment to the constitution
for Che emancipation of all negro slaves,
2 s,fid with the right on the part Of the Fed
.eraI Congress to legislate on subjects rel
sltive between the white and black popu-
Iation eaeiE Such is, as Understand: the
effective amendment Of the constitution
whicla has been adopted by the Congress
ofsEhe United States
GS;onesl, JEFF. DAVIS.
RICHMOND, Feb G..
To he President Of the Confederate
SIR: Under. your letter of appointment
as Commissioners, on the 2Sth we proceed
ed 10 seek <ansinformaI conference with
: Abrahanl Lincoln. President of the Uni
ted States. upon the subject mentioned in
: the letter. 4 conference was granted
and took place on the 30th, on board .
steamer anchored in Hampton Roads,
where we met President Lincoln and the
Eon.s Mr.. Seward, Secretary OF Srate OF
the United States. 1t continued for sew
eral hours, and was both full and explicit.
& We learn from them that the message OF
President Lincoln to the Congress OF the
3 United States, in December last, explains
dearly his sentiments as to thetems, con-
aiitions. aadlsnrode of proceeding by which
yeaee5 can be secured TO the people. and
: we were not informed that they would be
edifeds or5altered to obtain that end.
We. understand from him that no terms
or proposals on any treaty engagements,
looking to an Ultimate settlement, would
Be entertained or made by. him with the
authorities of:the Confederate States, be
cause that wouldibe arecognition OF their
existence as q separate power. which, un-
delsao7 circumstance would be. done, and
iTo1 like reasons that no such terms would
be entertained by him separately-that
10 or arrnistice, .asat pres
ert- advised would be gr;rrrted or allowed,
nj r9ithpntssatisfacEory assurance in advance
.sof the compile te restoratfon OF. the author
constitution and laws of SSSg l5f.;;ssi
Stateszover all places within the Ss-atesso o.
tile Confedefa65r-@-- that iiswiateveF cor,s6-
10 low from ttle
ssasah .5i Sc eelaa.s authority must be accepted,
but that Individuals; subject to the pains
andpenalties 5unttor The laws Of the Uni
ted States. might rel.Y.upon a very liberal
use. of tho power conided to him to remit
those pains ard penalties ifpeace be re-
stored during the conference.
The proposed amendments to the Con
Sstifution of The United States, as adopted
by Congress on the 3Ist, were brought to
our notice. These. amendments provided
that neither slavery, III. voluntary servi-
tdde. except for crime, should exist with
in the United States or any place within
the jurisdiction4and Congress should have
power to enforce the amendment by ap-
propriate legislation.
Of l.the correspondence that preced-
cd The conference herein mentioned and
leading to the:sarle, you have heretofore
beenainfornled.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servants,
sfSigned). a. II. STEPHENS,
r. AZ. IT. HUNTER,
JOHN a. CAMPBELL. ,
SHERMAN S MovEslENTse-T Dispatch
es and ramops relative to the movements