The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-02-21

The Washington correspondent of the New
York Tribune gives the following account of
the recent negotiation between the President
and some of the Republican members of Con-
gress: ai ...
The appointment OF special committee to
inquire into the facts regarding the alleged
compromise bargain between certain Repbbli-
can members OF Congress and the President
has created quite an excitement among the
members who were engaged in the matter
and outsiders who are anxious to know ALL
Upon inquiry, we find the facts to be substan-
tally these: Some days ago, there was a casu-
al conversation between one Gen. Este, a
White House politician, who held a commi-
sion as Secretary OF New Mexico Territory for
over year, and Mr.. Warden, a newspaper
correspondent, as to the probability of Con-
sress ant the Executive agreeing on some ba-
sis or common plan by which the Southern
States could speedily be restored to their prop
er relations in the Union, and their loyal rep
resentatives admitted to Congress. Este and
Warden determined to, and did, invite anum-
ber OF Republican Congressman TO meet them
on Wednesday evening last at the MetropOii-
tan Club Rooms, and in a semi-social, inform
al manner, talk over the matter. Between
thirty and forty members were advised of the
purpose, and invited to the Club Rooms. All
who were spoken to approved the object, but
large number declined to attend. They dis
liked to make themselves public in the mat
ter, but promised, if it were received well by
newspapers and people, they would support it.
Only half OF those invited were present.
Among the number present were Messrs.
Dawes, DelanO, Bingham, Buckland, Davis,
Lafiin, ketchum, Dodge, Lawrence, Pa Ray
mOnd, Blow, Van Hcrn, Defrees, Hubbard &c
A tree and frank interchange Of views was
given, and it was found that there was an en-
tire coincidence of opinion among those pres
ent as to the character of measures that
might be agreed upon by majority of Re-
publicans in the House for the immediate
restoration OF the State Governments of the
South, and the admission OF their loyal Rep
resentatives 10 their seats in Congress. The
mann features OF these measures, ON which it
was believed o majority OF the Republicans
could agree, were the Constitutional Amend
ment and Negro Suffrage. Messrs Este and
Warden gave their impressions as to the dis
positions and views now entertained by Mr..
johnson, but expressly disciaimed any au-
thOrity to speak tor the President. .t.
The President was ON the following day,
informed of what had taken place, and he in
structed Este aud Warden to say to the Re.
publican members that he earnestly desired
to work with them in their laudable purposes,
and he would be pleased to see them wheney-
er they should deem it advisable to call. This
message was delivered, and on Thursday
evening committee o. Republican Congress-
men had an interview OF about two hours
with Mr.. johnson, and at a subsequent in
formal meeting, on Friday night at the res
idence OF MIR. Dodge, OF New York, they made
a report of what had passed between them
and the President. Mr.. johnson, they report
ed, had been very frank, and neely gave his
views, and made such promises OF co-opera-
tion as were entirely satisfactory 10 all present