New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-06-26
THE FORTRESS MONROE CONFER.
ENCE.
s...emeu, by Alexander n. stephens.

presidept Of the States engaged In the Rebellion had
not communicated TO the people who had elected him.
and trusted him. the truth in regard to the famed Fort
ress Monroe Conference.
Now that the aforesaid Davis has no longer power to
arrest ana copne persons without the oenet OF haoea
corpus or his organs instgate mobs of soldiers ana
irresponsible men to threaten destruction to lie ana
private property officials to arrest perssns ana sup
press papers for publication, without his sanction, 1t
nav be as well TO let people know the truth.
We will now give the history Of the convention as
nearly ss we can remember it from the statement Of
Mr. Stephens to ms directly after his return.
APRIvATE CONFERENCE DECLARED IMPERATIVE By
STEPHENS.
Mr. Davis sent for him to communicate the informa-
tion that Mr.. Blair desired conference between the
authorities of the United States and the Southern States
upon the subject of peace, and Mr. Stephenss advice
was asked He promptly replied that ii Mr. Blair spoke
by authority Of President Lincoln he most earnestly
advised the conference But that rs the terms Of
peace II favorable TO the South, would awaken angry
debate from the radical of tie North, and failure
% get terms but dishearten people, be recon-.
pended first that the striotest secrecy be used Sec
end that the parties TO the conference be President
Lincoln and Mr.. Davis, and that Gems. Grant and Lee
Be the only ones 10 even know Of the meeting.
The advice was taken as usual in Richmond-disre-
gareed atogetler-snd by officially telegraphing the
aews 10 every corner Of the late called Conederacy
Two days later Mr.. Stephens surprised by the in
formation from Mr.. Benjamin that committee Of three
we're to 60 consisting of Alexander H. Stephens. Vice.
President, r N. I. Hunter Senator from Virginia,
and John A. Campbell. notwithstanding OF War
Mr. Stephens saw at that to refuse TO go would
subject him TO unfrendy remarks. and that probably
be would have the responsibility OF failure 10 make
pesce thrown upon his shoulders SO he went. merely
remarking Mr.. Campbell that the old story Of the
monkey that took the paw Of the pull his chest
suts ont Of the fire was not without some modern Nus
Eations," TO which Mr. Campbell said that he
thought so TO- and did not like it."
PEACE DESIRED By BOTH ARMIES.
The flag OF truce. and the loud aud prolonged cheers
Df both armies that gave the lie TO the statement OF
Southern administration organs that the veterans
opposed to peace and that The two days enjoyment OF
me osptaity Of That glorious soldier Grant are his
tory welhnown. Probably but for the Endorsement
Of the peace wishes Of stephens and Hunter by Gen.
Grant, the interview would rot have been granted
The reason why the General did not include Mr. Camp
bell in the Endorsement that Mr.. Campbell was
perfectly satisfied that the country was whipped then
and prepared take what lie cOsd get and therefore
lid not Talk; while Mr.. Hunter. Who was not much
or reconstruction. talked the most
THE COMPETENCE
The three Southern gentlemen met Mr.. lincoln and
Mr.. Seward. and after some preliminary remark. fh>e
subject Of peace opened. MI. stephens well aware
that one who asks much may get more than he who
slams q BIS section with ttat skill and address for
Lincoln holding Tho yaptar ~ norer
vas however. perfectly flank aud submitted his views
utmost I'D Tue form On on argument
ihL hLfohi u IHE kEBEL COMMISSIONERS.
nne report vi 2icsers' oteplen, hunter anu camp
BEL We give as lo1Owsi
n,cunoSb, Eel. Q, 1865.
H. IA. p,,,;S,nt If ~, rorfe5e,o,e Safe,
"sn: Uudsr your letter Of appointment as commissioner.
the 18th proceeded 10 informal conference
sih Abraham Lincoln President OF the United States, upon
le subject mentioned in the letter Conference was granted
and tooS pace oil the Sh OF DECEMBER on o2sro steamer
Nenoiea 70 I W an S.,d sc,.'s,v 80 ST., ~, 49,.
II continued Tor ,ever. hour. and was both
MI and sxnss;,
ssrps rom them thst the Message Of President Lin
son 10 the opgTe,, of the United States in December last
explains clearly his sentiments as to the Terms condition.
md mode Of procedure by which peace be secured to tie
people sud we not Informed that they would De
Or altered to obtain thar end We nnder.t.na rom nm na
40 it,snent wo1ls be- entertain, or made by him
b tbe sstLorties OF the Confederate States because that
Woud be recognition Of their existence separate power
shich under circumstances won be dope ana f uke
reasons, that no such terms would oe eh1eNdeu v una
hom separate states; that no eAehueu uce % -
present sovs.o, "oug ue s'e %, I rl ,s,or ,;on
81 Tie sutnory 81 sne ,b ss,s Of ,s Confederacy
s'S'e' O'e' ~ p'A'' 49, -, ,;s
This appears 10 nave be'n the Prineipa 'opo VI us
epssion Davis had on q is occasion that OF Ar
..'' ..'s. =. ,you,;,,,o, ,n.ao 1, oondi,io,
tbst no conference should be had uness his rank
'A"' ~ n-.1,so.,. -, c., ha rooo,,izad
commander OF freslucnt shouiu A!s' oc i'NVs"'@~N'
A. Jincolr decIaroi that he ony ground on which Lie
MI Li"'o' u'.'i Va '-' '"S "a 49,. -
could rest the justice OF the waT-elther win ns own
.o,. nv NTH f,rei,n nowers--was that IL was not
Rc0p'0 VI w." -" 80 -,
for conquest bat that the STATES bau never oeen
separated IRON the CDiOn Consequently! nc couiu ~"
recognize another goV'fnmeht lusiue oi lno ono "
vish he aioae VIZ ifeslueh nol auI.'. VIC W a..
independeace oi states that WERE te' par. .no
Union lhaL shle nc. N p " s No r. 80 NV
nave so ohs osAeu iu'op ~ 90 H. Zen a,e fcbifny
ths ,hc on's '-iNs LIE A 'N'''' - NV N-- "
tor. ,,, .,,n,resys urxr,p u.pn MT