The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1866-04-12

1t being thought probable, from report
of their conversation with Lieut.. General
Grant, that the Richmond party would
in the manner prescribed accept the con-
dition mentioned, the Secretary OF State
was charged by the President with the
dity of representing this Government in
the expected informal conference. The
Secretary arrived at Fortress Monroe on
the night of the 1st day of February.
Major Eckert met him on the morning of
the I'd of February, with information that
the persons who had come from Rich
mond had not accepted in writing the
condition upon which he was allowed to
give them conduct to Fortress Monroe.
The Major had given the same informa-
ton by telegraph to the President at
Washington. On receiving this informa-
ton the President prepared telegram
directing the Secretary to return to Wash
ington. The Secretary was preparing at
the same moment to do so without wait
irg for instructions from the President.
But at this juncture Lieut.. Gen. Grant
telegraphed to Secretary Of War, as well
as to the Secretary Of State that thepar-
ty from Richmond had reconsidered and
accepted the conditions rendered them
through Major Eckert, and General Grant
urgently! advised the President to confer
in person with the Richmond party.
Under these circumstances, the Sccre-
tary, by the Presidents direction, re-
maineo at Fortress Monroe, and the
President joined him there on the night
of the I'd of February. The Richmond
party was brought down the james river
in United States transport during the
day, and the transport was anchored at
Hampton Roads.
On the morning of the Sd, the Presi
dent, attended by the Secretary, received
Messrs. Stephe rs, Hunter and Campbell
on board the United States steam trans
port River Queen, in Hampton Roads
The conference was altogether informal
There was no attendance of secretaries.
!; :,s. "r other witnesses. Nothing was
...i..cu Or read The conversation,
though earnest and free, was calm and
courteous and kind on both sides. The
Richmond party approached the discus
yior rather indirectly, aud at no time did
they either make categorical demands or
tender formal stipulations or absolute re-
fusals. Nevertheless, during the confer
encc, which lasted four hours, the several
points at issue between the Government
and the insurgents were distinctly raised,
and discussed fully, inteligently, and in
an amicablc spirit. What the ipsurgcnt
party seemed chiefly 10 favor was post
ponemcnt OF the question Of separation,
upon which the war is waged, and mu-
tual direction Of the efforts of Govern
mcnt. as we'll as those of the insurgents,
to some extrinsic poicy-or scheme for a
season, during which passions might be
expected to subside and the armies be re-
duced, and trade and intercourse between
the people of both sections resumed. 1t
was suggested by them that through such
postponement we might now have imme-
diate peace, with some not very certain
prospect of an ultimate satisfactory ad-
justment of political relations between
this Government and the States, section.
or people now engaged in conflict with it.
This suggestion, though delbel ately
considered, 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 hostilties,
except on the basis of the dsbandment
I. of tho insurgent forces and the restora-
ton of the national authority throughout
all the States in 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 it's bearings, and the President an
nounced that he must not be expected tc
depart from tho positions he had hereto
fore assumed in his proclamation Of eman
cipation and other documents as these
positions were reiterated"in his last annu.
!. al message 1t was further declared by
the President that the complete restora
ton of The national authority was an in
dispensabe 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 tc
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