North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1865-02-08
WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 Is
From our Special Correspondent

Tt is all over now. Abraham lincoln and
William II. Seward, commissioners appoint
ed by the President CT the United State, had
four hours interview with Alexander II.
Steph ems, r. NJ I Hunter and John A. Camp
bell, commissioners representing the Confed
crate States, and the result of it was both
parties agreed to disagree. Did any reason
able man expect anything else ? Was it not
foreg1ne conclusion that neither would
agree TO or accept the terms that the other
would ask or offer?
When General Singleton returned from
Richmond be informed those who had conf
Dental access to him, that the South would
not return to The Union. He saw the lead
ers OF the rebellion, President, Cabinet Off
GERS, members Of Congress, and generals in
the field, and from them he learned more
than Messrs Blair, Gilmore and Jacques
cleaned il all their visits 10 the Confederate
capital. He was told that the Southern
people entered the contest with their eyes
open and their senses alive 20 all that it in
volved; that they mean to be independent,
and would he independent if it cost them a
twenty years war oud all tGe resources of
their country that they would never volun
tarily return to the Union, and had 10 fears
Of being brought back invoIuntarily !;
that they would negotiate for
peace at any time, but without abat-
ing one iota of their claims; that they were
confident Of au early recognition from Europe
and that if we wonld anticipate the expected
recognition from abroad, they would give Us
the preference and compensate as by offering
an alliance that woaId assurcdly rcdounl to
the adyan tage OF both North ard South.
This is what Gsgeral Singleton learned
during his stay at Richmond and it merely
confirmed the convictions Of those Northern
men who know the spirit Of the Southern
people Mr. Blair was not taken into the
confidence the Confederate leaders. lie
was received courteously, hut with a certain
degree of .ormaily lie was told That the
South was willing to nagotiate--wiIling to
send or receive commissioners, but he was
not told that they would insist on separation.
This vas tie result Of bis first mission IIs
returned arG informed the President that. if
he woI!i consent to receive them, the South
would send commissioners to deliberate on
conditions Of peace. The President took
the matter INTO consideration, and determn
ed to cccPt tie proposition. Then Mr..
Blair returned to Richmond and communjca
ted the decision to the President, and the
result was that the commissioners were ap-
pointed and President Lincoln and Secretary
Seward went to meet them:
The meeting was Of the most cordial kind
The three Confederate Commissioners were
old and intimate associates Of our Secretary
of State, and were rot personally unknown
TO the President. After warm ana friendly
salptations, the Commissioners, two from the
north three from the South at once entered up
on the business which brought them together
The conference was opened by Mr, Seward
in the guarded method Of which he is SO
complete a master. He asked what the gen.
Richmond Government, and Was informed
that that Government was desirous to bring
the war TO q close, and would willingly ne,
gotiate for that purpose. Mr.. Seward next
inquired if they were authorized to negotiate
on the basis of the reunion of the States,
and received the reply that reunion was out
oftHe question that the South. was pledged
to independence and cou Id not accept any
thing else, and that if independence were
granted an alliance mutually advantageous
to both countries would be acceeded to by the
South. This point was argued with great
force by the Confederate Commissioners, and
the arguments were respectfully listened to
by the President and Mr.. Seward. but the
| proposition was not entertained.
The latter then Land down the ultmatum
of the North. If the Southern Government
would diSband its armies, dissolve itself,
abandon the idea of separate Confederacy.
| induce the people to return TO the Union and
| submit to the Constitution as amended. and
| resolve itself into its original clements. that
is, its members resume their status of private
citizenship, if the Southern Government
would DO this, then the war should cease. an
amnesty be proclaimed, and the Confscation
act be suspended and repealed. These con
ditons were laid down as forming the only
basis on which the North would consent TO
cessation of hostilitios, and it is hardly nee
essary to say that they were firmly, and with
| becoming dignity, rejected by the Confeder-
ate Commissioners.
The Conference lasted for four hours, and
when it closed the parties to it shook hands
and parted, each with sadder hearts and more
serious thoughts tha when they came to4
gether' 1t was conducted in the most friend.
y and cordial manner, and was free from
tormality Of any kiHd that no written prop