The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1865-02-18

decline to come, or propose other terms.
do not have them passed through. And,
this being your whole duty, return and re-
port to me,
"Niessrs. Alexander II. Stephens. J. A.
Campbell and r. NJ. y. Hunter.
''GENTLEMEN: am instructed by the
President of the United States to place this
paper in your hands, with information
that, if you go through the United States
military lines, it will be understood that
you do SO for the purpose of an informal
conference on the basis of that letter. q
copy of which is on the reverse side Of this
sheet; and that, if you choose to pass on
such understanding, and SO notify me in
writing, will procure the Commanding
General 70 pass you through the lines ana
to Fort Monroe, under such military pre-
cautions as he may deem prudent, and at
which place you will be met in due time
by some person or persons for the purpose
of such informal conference; and, further,
that youshall have protection, safe conduct,
and safe return in all events.
(Signed) .'THOMAS T. ECKERT.
'.Major and Aide de- Camp.
"C1TY POINT, Va, February l, 1861
Afterwards, but before Major Eckert had
departed, the following dispatch was re.
ceived from Gen. Grant:
"OFFlcE OF THE q. 8. MILITARY
TELEGRAPH, WAR DEPARTMENT.
'sThe following telegram was received at
Washington, January 81, from City Point,
Va, at 1880 in the forenoon, January 81,
1866:
".His Excellency, A. Lincoln, President
of the United States:
:. The following communication was re-
ceived here last evening:
'"PETERsBUR0, Va, Jan. 80, 1866.
. Lieut.. Gen. u. 8. Grant, Commander
/ Armies of the United States:
''."S1R: We desire to pass your lines
under safe conduct, and to proceed to
Washington to hold u conference with
President Lincoln upon the subject Of the
existing war, and with a view of ascertain
ing upon what terms it may be terminated,
in pursuance Of the course indicated by him
in his letter TO Mr.. Blair of January 16,
1864, OF which we presume you have q
copy; and, il not, we wish to see you in per-
son, if convenient, and to confer with You
on the subject.
- Very respectfully yours.
q '.ALHN. 81. STEPHENS,
'' -. A. CAMPBZLL.
81 r. NJ. T. HUNTER"
"'I have sent directions to receive these
gentlemen, and expect to have them 1T
my quarters this evening, awaiting your
/ lnstru ctlons.
"U. s. GRANT,
| "sLieutenant General Commanding
Armies of the Uni.ed States.'"
This, it will be perceived, transferred
General Ord's agency in the matter to Gen.
eral Grant. / resolved to send Major
Eckert forward with his message, and ac-
cording telegraphed General Grant as fol-
| lows:
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WAsEINaToN, Jan. 81, 1865.
Lieutenant General Grant, City Point,
Virginia:
"a messenger is coming to You on the
business contained in your dispatch. De-
tain the gentlemen in comfortable quarters
until he arrives. and then act upon the
message he brings as far as applicable, it
having been made up to pass through Gen.
eral Ord's hands, and when the geatlemen
were supposed to be beyond onr lines:
Wien Major Fckert departed he bore
with him letter from the Secretary ofWar
to General Grant, ~ follows: s's
"WAR DEPARTMENT,
WAsB1EoToN, Jan. 30, 1865.
I"Lieutenant General Grant. Command.
ing, etc:
| GENERAL: The President desires that
ryou will please procure for the bearer, Ma
jor Y. 7. Eckert, an interview with Messrs.
stephens. Hunter and Campbell, and If on
| his return to you he requires it, pass them
| through our lines to Fortress Monroe, by
such route and under such military pre-
"
1 them protection and comfortable quarters
while there and that you let non6 Of this
nave any effect upon your movements OF
plans. (signed) E: NJ. STANTON,
''Secretaryof War"
supposing the Preper point to be ther
reached, dispatched the Secretary Of State
with the following instructions-Majol
Eckert, however, going ahead Of him:
EXECUTIVE MANSION
/ tt"A Ion ~ 12GS
''Hon. VIM. II. Seward, Secretary of State
"You VIII proceed to Fortress Monroe
there to meet and formally confer witt
Messrs. Stephens, Hunter and Campbell
on the basis Of my letter to F. p, Blair
Esq, Of January, 18th, 1865, q copy of which
that three things are indispensable, to-wit
First, the restoration Of the national an.
thority through all the States; second, NJ
receling by the Executive of the United
States on the slavery question, from thu
| position assumed thereon in the late anna
al message to Congress, and in the proceed
ing documents, and then, no cessation o
the disbanding Of all the forces hostile t.
the government. You will inform then
that all propositions of theirs not inconsis
/ tent with the above will be considered ane
passed upon in spirit Of sincere Nbeyali
4 ty. You will hear all they may choose 4
say, and report !: to me. You will not as
Asume to definitely consummate anything
YYours, ETC.. @ A. LINCOLN"
On the day Of its date the following tele
gram was sent to General Grant:
WAR DEPARTMENT.
WASHINGTON, Feb. l. 1865.
Lieutenant General Grant, City Point
Virginia:
.Let nothing which is transpiring change
hinder or delay your military movement
or plans. (SignedD A. LINCOLN"
/ Afterwards the following dispatch wa
received from General Grant:
"OFF1CE UNITED STATES MILITARY
TELEaRAPH, WAR DEPARTMENT.
''The following telegram was received
Washington, at 2:0 p. M, Feruary 1st
1856:
"C1TY Po1NT, VA, Feb. /, IL: 80 p. m.
"His Exoellency, A. Lincoln, President o
the United States:
"Your dispatch 10 received. There vii
% no armistice in consequence Of th'
presence OF Mr.. Stephens and others with
IN our lines. The troops are kept in readi
ness to move ct the shortest notice II occa
sion should justify il.