Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1866-03-27
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FROM WASHINGTON. I
Letter Of Secretary Seward in Re-
gard 20 ftIie HEaniptoh Roads
Peace Conference.

- 'S~CASNsA FNC w aASA bACs
gard 10 ftIie 1Eaniptoi. Roads
Peace Conference.
New YORK, March 26 The letter OF
Secretary Seward to our ambassador in Eu-
rope, Charles f. Adams, giving an official
history of the Hampton Roads Peace Con-
ference during the winter of lS64-5, between
President Lincoln and Secretary Seward
on our side, and Messrs. A. ii. Stephens,
X. NJ. I. Hunter and j. A. Campbell on the
other is published. The Secretary says:
On the morning Of the Sd, the President,
attended by the Secretary, received Messrs.
Stephens, Hunter and Campbell on board
the United States steamer transport River
Queen, in Hampton Roads. The confer
ence was altogether informal. There was
no attendance OF Secretaries, Clerks or
other witnesses; nothing was written or
read. The conversation, though earnest
and free. was calm, courteous aud kind on
both sides. The Richmond party ap-
preached the discussion rather Indirectly.
and at no time did either make categorical
demands or tender formal stipuations or
absolute retusals. Nevertheless, during the
conference, which lasted four hours, the
several points aC issue between the Gov
ernment and the insurgents were distinct
ly raised and discussed fully, intelligently
and in an amiable spirit. What the insur,
gent party seemed chiefly to favor was
postpOnement OF the question OF reparatlOn,
upon which the war is waged, and mutual
direction-of the efforts of the Government,
as well as those OF the insurgents, to some
intrinsic policy or scheme for a season
during which passion might be expected to
subside, and the armies to, be reduced and
trade and intercourse between the people
of both sections resumed. 1t was suggest
ed by them that through such postpone
ment we might now have immediate peace,
with some, not very certain, prospect OF an
ultimate satisfactory adjustment of politi-
cal relations between this Government and
the States, section or people now engaged
in conflict with it. ON.
This suggestion, though deliberately con-
sidered, was. nevertheless, regarded by the
President as one of an armistice or truce,
and he announced that we can agree to no
cessation or suspension of hOstilities except
on the basis of the disbandment of the in
surgent forces and the restoration of the
National authority throughout all the
States of the Union. COllaterally and In
subOrdinatiOn to the proposition that was
thus announced, the anti-slavery policy of
the United States was reviewed in all its
bearings. and the President announced that
he must not be expected to depart from the
positions he had heretofore assumed In his
Proclamation of Emancipation and other
documentS,as as these positions were reitcra-
ted In his last annual message. 1t was
further declared by the President that the
complete restoration Of the National au-
thOrity was an indispensable condition of
any assent on our part to whatever form
of peace might be proposed. The President
assured the other party that while he must
adhere to these positions. he would be pre-
pared, so far as power is lodged with the
Executive to exercise liberalitv. His
power is limited by the Constitution,
and when peace should e made Con-
gress must necessarily, act in regard to
appropriations of money and to the admis-
sion of representatives from the insurrec-
tiOnary. States.
The Richmond party were then Informed
that Congress had, on the 3lst ult., adopted,
by constitutional majority, ajOint resolu-
tion, submitting to the several States the
proposition to abolish slavery throughout
the Union, and that there is every reason to
expect that it will soon be accepted by
threefourths of the States, so as to become
part Of the National organic law. The
conference came to an end by mutual ac-
quiescence, without procuring an argu-
ment of views upon the several matters
discussed, or any of them. E@-n
Nevertheless, it is perhaps of some i'm
portance that we have been able to submit
our, opinions and'Views directly to promi-
nent insurgents and to hear them answer
in courteous and not unfriendly manner.
Important Decision by the Su-
CT "a preme Court. CT
wv Moroh Tho C.,
Court of the United States this morning
decided the case of Michael A. Nolan and
others the Board of Assessors Of the city
of Albany defendants in error, at the
suitOf, Adam Van Allen, plaintif'in error,
and other cases. The question presented
was, whether the shares of stoch holders in
the banking associations created under the
act of Congress, which provides for the
creation Of national banks, can be subject
ed to taxation by State authorities. Justice
Nelson delivered the opinion of the Court,
holding that shares held by individuals
were not a part of the capital of the bank,
and must be regarded as personal property
of the share holders, and as such subject to
taxation by the State, within the proVis-
ions of the act OF Congress, but that the
Judgment of the Court below must be re-
Versed on the ground that there was dis
elimination between the shares of these
banks and the capital stock OF the State
banks. r .H@u I.r 9aH. .H"r-i' 30
Chief Justice Chase read minority opin-
ion, not being able to concur that State
had the power claimed, which was an in
direct mode of taxing the national secu-
rites, whichawas not authorized, or intend
ed to be authorized, by Congress. In the
cases ofCutting, Fisk and others, the Court
held that a broker is chargeable on pur-
chases of securities made on his own ac-
count and for his own benefit, the same as
on his commissions when purchasing for
others. Gla
Trial of GEN. Baker.
The criminal court to-day commenced
the trial of Gen. Lafayette 9. Baker on
charge of robbery preferred by Mrs. Lucy,
Opbb, well known as pardon broker. The
specific charge made by Mrs. Cobb is that
Gen. Baker, while she was under constraint
from him, robbed her vf two thousand dol
lars, which she had received from man
named Hiner Howell, for rprocuring him
pardon, Il This is the second trial of the ac-
cured. 1t will be remembered, in connection
with this case, that he having been in JAN
uary tried and convicted for her false i'm
prisonment, there remains to be tried the
charge of false imprisonment of Joseph Il.
Cobb. The accused demurred to the in
dictment, pleading former conviction. This
point was argued, and the Judge said he
would give his decision Tomorrow. ,s.is
'o's'a. The PresIdedrs Veto. 81 u, I'd n, i,s m
There was large crowdin the Senategal-
Iefles to-day In anticipation of a iPresideh-
tial veto OF the Civil Rights bill, but there
was q disappointment. 1t may be COM
mu1icated m, Tomorrow, or perhaps notuntil