The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1866-03-27
TELEGRAPHIC NEWS,
Extract from Secretary Stewards Let.
ter 10 Minister Adams ON the HauIp.
ton Ronds Peace Coaferencr.

Ter 10 minister Adams ON the HaUp.
ton Roads Peace Coaferencr.
NEW YORK, March 26.-The latter OF
Secretary Seward to our Embassador IN
Europe, Charles Francis Adams, giving
an official history of the Hampton Roads
peace conference during the years 1864
and 1865, between President Lincoln
and Secretary Seward on our side, and
Messrs. A. n, Stephens, R. NJ I. Hunter
and J. A. Campbell on the other, is pub.
lished. The Secretary says: On the
morning of the 30th, the President, at
tended by the Secretary, received Messrs
Stephens, Hunter and Campbell on
board the United States transport River
Queen, in Hampton Roads. The con-
ference was altogether informal. There
was no attendance of secretaries, clerks,
or other witnesses. Nothing was writ
ten or read. The conversation, though
earnest and free, was calm, courteous
and kind on both sides. The Rich-
mond party approached the discus
sion rather indirectly, and at no time
time did either make categorical de-
mands or tender formal stipulations or
absolute refusals. Nevertheless, during
the conference, which lasted four hours,
the several points at issue between the
government and the insurgents were
distinctly raised and discussed fully,
intelligently and in an amiable spirit.
What the insurgent party seemed chief
ly in favor of was pOstponment OF the
question of reparation upon which the
war is waged, and mutual direction OF
the efforts of the government as well as
those of the insurgents to some lntrin-
sic policy or scheme TOR season, during
which passion might have time to SUBJ
side, the armies to be reduced and have
intercourse resumed between the people
of both sections. 1t was suggested by
them that, through such postponement,
we might have immediate peace, with
some not very certain prospects of an
ultimate satisfactory adjustment OF
the political relations between this gov.
eminent and the States, section or people
now engaged in conflict with it. This
suggestion, though deliberately consid-
cred, was nevertheless regarded by the
President as one OF armistice or truce,
and he announced that we can agree TO
no cessation or suspension of hostillties,
except on the basis Of the disbandment
of the insurgent forces and the restora-
tion of the national authority through
out all the States in the Union. Collat-
orally and in subordination to the propo-
sitien 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 procla-
nation of emancipation and other docu-
ments, as those positions were reiter'
ated in his last annual message. 1t was
further declared by the President, that
the complete restoration Of the National
authority 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 prepared, so far as power
is lodged with the Executive, to exercise
liberality. His power is limited by the
Constitution, and when plan should be
made, Congress must necessarily act in
regard to the appropriations of money
and to the admission of Representatives
from the insurrsctionary States. The
Richmond party were then informed
that Congress had, on the 3lst nit
adopted by constitutional majority, a
Joint resolution submitting to the sew.
eral States the proposition 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 confer.
once came to an end by mutual acqui-
esence, without producing an agreement
of views upon the several matters dis
ussed, or any of them. Nevertheless, it
was perhaps of some Importance that we
have been able to submit our opinions
and views directly to prominent insur-
gents, and to hear them answer i'll n
courteous and not unfriendly manner.