Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-04-10
view. was present during the greater part

generalities, the President introduced the
subject mstter of the interview by address
ing Judge Campbell substantially as fol
lows:
referring to the suggestions offered
Yesterday on the occasion of your call up
on me, have given the matter my most
careful consideration. As to the first
suggestion, deem it one of great impor-
lance. but fraught with many embauass-
ments. The question of a truce was fully
considered at the Hampton Roads confer
ence, and then became satisfied that l
could not entertain it. 1t would necessa-
rily involve the recognition of separate
government within the jurisdiction of the
United States. For that reason, If for no
other. it could not then be entertained.
And if not then, certainly not now. If
the matter of recognition could be over
come, should still deem it impolitic to
entertain the suggestion. 1t strikes me
that it would only tend to prolong the diff
ficulty. Even il, as you now urge, the
result should be the disbandment of the
armies, and an inability to reassemble the
Southern army, such an ending of the
contest would settle nothing. The cues
lions in dispute would remain undecided,
to breed trouble in the future. But if
your people are sincerely anxious to ter
inmate the war, the government viii re-
ceive their surrender of the contest with
the largest magnanimity. And deem it
but proper that those men now in rebel
lion against the constituted authorities of
the land should fully understand the dis
position of tie government towards
them. l will therefore give to you my
final offer to them, embodying what |
conceive to be indispensable terms of
peace, which, if you have any means of
reaching them, trust you will lay before
themn MIR. Lincoln here drew from the
inside breast-pocket of his coat a manu-
script written on part of two pages of
foolscap paper, in his own handwriting,
without date, signature or address, and
unfolding it, read as follows:
GAS to peace, have said before, and
now repeat, that three things are indis-
pensable:
81. The restoration of the national au-
thority throughout all the States.
'II. No receding by the Executive of
the United States on the slavery question
from the position assumed thereon in the
late ANIMAL message to Congress, and in
preceding documents.
GIL. No cessation of hostilities short
of an end of the war, and the disbanding
of all force hostile to the government.
"That all propositions coming from
those in hostility to the government, and
not inconsistent with the foregoing, will
be respectfully considered, and passed
upon in spirit of sincere liberality. l
now add that it seems useless for me to
be more specific with those who will not
say they are ready for the indispensable
terms, even on conditions to be named by
themselves. If there be any who are
ready for these Indispensable terms, on
any conditions whatever, let them say
so, and state their conditions, so that
such conditions can be distinctly known
and considered.
'1t is further added that, the remission
of cOnfiscations being within the eXecu-
tive power, if the war be now further
persisted in by those opposing the govern
ment, the making of confscated property
at the least to bear the additional cost,
will be insisted on; but that eonfiscatiOns
Except in cases of third party intervening
interests) will be RENTED to the people of
any State which shall now promptly, and
in good faith, withdraw its support from
further resistance to the government.
''What is now said as to remission of
confscations has no reference to the sup
posed property in slaves. F"
The President read this document de-
libcrately and clearly, explaining and
celebrating the points it contained as he
proceeded. When he had finished the
reading, he handed the manuscript to
Judge Campbell, and then proceeded to
remark that,
''These Indispensable terms are, in my
opinion, exceedingly liberal. They
only demand what is now al
most attained, and what the Gov
eminent is absolutely certain to
attain. 1t is merely question of few
days or few weeks, more or less. If the
people opposed to the Government now
yield, they will save the further expendi-
ture of blood and treasure, and will be
treated with liberality. AS 1 have init
mated, they may accept the terms on al
most any conditions. Indeed, most any
body can now have most anything they
ask for. But what is not worth asking
for is not worth having" This remark
was understood to apply to pardons, and
was prompted by reported remark OF
jeff. Davis, that he would never ask par
don from the President of the United
States.
The President concluded the interview
by saying: 81 have been considering the
| question of permitting the Legislature OF
| Virginia to assemble as you suggested
Yesterday. l deem it exceedingly appro-
pirate and desirable that the same power
that attempted TO take the State out OF
the Union, should put it back. If can
| work the matter out satisfactorily to my
own mind, will let you know"
| This ended the conversation on political
subjects, and very soon after Judge Camp
| bell and his friend withdrew with warn
expressions of respect towards the Presi
dent.
On the following morning the Presiden
went to City Point After spending {
short time on his own vessel, he pro
| ceeded TO Gen. Grants headquarters, tc
which the victorious General had not YET
returned, and there penned the following
letter to Gen. Weitzel, showing that he
had "worked out" the Virginia question
in his own mind, and evidently to his owl
satisfaction
| HEADQUARTERS ARMIES OF THE INrrEI
STATES, CITY POINT, April 6, 1863
Major. Gen. Weitzel, Richmond, Va; |
has been intimated to me that the gentle
men who have acted as the Legislature o
Virginia, in support of the rebellion, mal
| now desire to assemble at Richmond ant
take measures to withdraw the Virgins
troops and other support from resistanc
to the general government. If they at
tempt il give them permission and pre-
lection until, if at all, they attempt som
action hostile to the United States, i
which case you will notify them and Civ
them reasonable time to leave, and at tn
| end of which time arrest any who ma
remain. Allow Judge Campbell to Sc
this, but do not make it public.
Yours, ETC., A. LINCOLN.
This letter was promptly dispatched t
its destination, and was in the hands G
Gen. Weitzel on that evening, and ais
read and copied by Judge Campbell. TIL
latter at once interested himself in prepal
ing call for the Legislature of Virginia
to assemble at an early day in Richmond
which call was signed by as many of th
members of that body as could convenien
" be found. 1t was then published in th
Richmond papers and issued in circula
form, accompanied by the authorizatio
of Gen. Weitzcl and proffer of safe col
duct through the military lines, and 10 an