Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-03-27
The Hampton Roads COnference---Se
tlrfiss 0HiniaI A cenunf


NEW YORK, March 26.-The letter Of Secretary
Seward to our ambassador in Europe. Chas. +.
Edwards, giving official history of the Hamp-
ton Roads conference during the winter of 1864
and 1866, between President Lincoln and Secreta-
ry 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 that on the morning Of the
Sd, the President attended by the Secretary, re-
ceeived Messrs. Stephens Hunter and Campbell
on board the United States steamer transport
RiUer Queen. in Hampton Roads. circumference
was altogether informal, there was no attendance
of secretaries, clerks or other witnesses. Nothing
was written or read. The conversation though
earnest and free, calm, courteous and kind on
both sides. The Richmond party approached the
discussion rather indirectly, and at no time did
either make categorical demands. or stipulations,
or absolute refusals. Nevertheless, during the
conference of four hours the several points at issue
between the Government and the insurgents were
distinctly raised aud discussed fully. intelgently
and in en- amicable manner. What the insurgent
party seemed chiefly to favor was postponement
of the question of separation, upon which the war
was waged, and a mutual direction of the efforts
Government those Of the insurgents to some
extrinsic policy or scheme for a season, during
which passion might be expected to subside and
the armies be reduced and trade and intercourse
between the people of both sections resumed. 1t
was suggested by them that through such post
ponement we might have immediate peace with
some not very certain prospects of an ultimate sa-
tisfactory adjustment of political relations. This
suggestion, though deliberately consider
ed, was nevertheless regarded by the
President Us one of armistice or truce. and he
had announced that we can agree to no cessa-
ton or suspension of hostilities, except
the basis of the disbandonment of the insurgent
forces and the restoration of the Unoe. Collater-
al and in subordination to the proposition that
was thus announced, the anti-slavery of the Unit
ed States revived in all its bearings, and the
President announced that he must not be expected
to depart from the position he had heretofore as
sumed in his proclamation of emancipation and
other documents. This position reiterated in
his annual message. 1t was further declared by
the President that the complete restoration Ofthe
national authority was an indispensable condition
any assent on our part to whatever form of
peace might be proposed. The President also
said he would be prepared to exercise his power
literally. His power is limited by the Constitu-
ton, and when peace should be proclaimed
once more, Congress must necessarily act in
regard the appropriation of money, and to the
ADM ssion of Representatives from the insurrec-
tionary States. The Richmond party were then
informed that Congress had, on the 3lst ult..
adopted by a constitutional majority joint reso-
luton, submitting TO the several States the pro-
position to abolish slavery throughout the Union.
and that there is every reason to expect that it
will soon be accepted by three-fourths of the
States, so as to become part of the national
organic law. The Conference Committee to
amend by mutual acquieseence, without procuring
an agreement ofviews on the several matters dis
cussed or any of them. Nevertheless it is Of some
importOnce that we have been able to submit our
opinions and views directly TO prominent insur-
gents, and hear them answer in certain and not
unfriendIv manner