The New York herald., 1872-08-13
lBsURRECTNG The C0NFEDERACY
0oorge N. Sanders Correcting Pro
fessor Holc0mbe's Report.
eurspry Review Of the First Knorh ct Hseoneilia-
lion Before Lees surrender-Je6 Davis Diplo-
-Grsslsy's Nissien to Niagara - IN
Emissary Of President Nncoln-What
Night Have Been Accomplished.
New York, August II, 1872.

careful statement Of the facts Of the peace negota-
lions at Niagara Falls that persons connected
Herewith may be placed in Just position. In the
SummeY Of 1852, soon after General McClellans re-
treat rom before Richmond and the non-success OF
the Federal arms generally wrote to President
bavis suggesting that the Congressional and State
campaigns North would be O favorable time to
lnaugurate q peace movement, Offering to 60 to
Canada on that mission suficient idea Of
the character Of my proposal is given brieny
In saying that II was based upon the principles
Of fraternity and guaranteed reciprocal relations.
President Davis promptly responded IN writing
that the proposition was OF the highest Importance
and myself the better Judge Of the ways and means
20 be employed. Orders were given to General J..
3. B. Stuart, commanding the outposts, to pass me
through our lines; and, Disgusting myself at once
left Richmond, leaving behind all papers and other
witnesses of Identity, and passed directly through
the federal lines to Niagara Falls. Here met Gov
srnor Morehead, Of Kentucky, and other leading
men, who thought that as the issues OF the ap.
preaching elections were already made up, with
mir prospect of success for the peace party any
change would be impolitic Thus advised pro-
ceeted to England without delay on other business
for the Confederacy.
Watching events from London and Paris, saw
III hope of European Intervention dissipated. and
concluding that the Presidential campaign would
be the next Confederate opportunity, returned to
Niagara Falls in June, 1854, to execute my original
peace programme. I sent invitations to many OLD
friends, representative men Of the North, to meet
and confer on the situation. An efrort is now
being made to faint every Northern man who came
In contact with me at the Falls with dsloyalty to
not one Of the many distinguished men OF the North
who visited me on that occasion favored any disn-
tegralon Of the Union. Many were Cor It's further
A&vvH0 dnsir m 70 nHaA
some plan Of reconstruction.
Ny hrst EFFORTS here were grounded upon the Crit
tenden compromise, which has been universally ap-
proved BY the Northern democracy and Bell Everett
"Amercans," ?" who, together, were largely in q ma
iorty in the States remaining in the UnISn ana for
lOr the prospective reunitng with any OF ali Of the
any favor except as under the federal constitution
II was clearly demonstrated that we should be COM
peled to agree to reunion under federal authority
IN the North, and thought it best TO at once
accept this fact and to make the great effort to
BE far as practicable, over their domestic institu-
Sons During our consultations had learned that
SroacSed bro with fair prospect oi success S1o tIere
fore resolved to make every EFFORT to ascertain
whether they could be induced to make or accept
any proposals likely to lead to peace
Professor HOlcombe now arrived at the Falls, and
upon his informing me that he, Senator Clay and
the Hon. Jacob Thompson had come to Canada &C
credited agents OF the Confederacy explained to
him the general situation and my Views, and found
sseG ao h% hs Entitled
cient general powers TO enable us to open
negotiations for peace directly with the federal
es:estioD or doubt about the approval BY the Con.
IcdeSate government Of our proposed overtures
accredited agents owing to my initial correspond
ence with Pres Davis not being at hand. For
to have %Ced hsye 5sea the
surrender of my duties The Professor, stranger
90 most Of the distinguished gentlemen presented
20 him, and novice Ia diplomacy, is excusable for
falling into some confusion In hN report; was
not cooperating with him and Mr. Clay in
their mission, but they with me "a mine ne
GATHERINGS Wells, where Senator Clay was staying
ne gave his hearty appreciation Mr. Thompson
and myself there existed political antagonism Of
several years. standing. He opposed all my sug-
gestions and, too glad to be rid Of his ncongruous
cOunsels, made no effort to change his views This
was my only conference with Thompson-the
modes OF peace, the only subject discussed. Nor
YORK, 70 make war by contagious or infectious dis
ease or commit any such acts. When the st.
ADans raid was over aaa wnat Una could 10 OF
oct which they knew well would have totally dis
that was never taken into their plans or conf.
dence. 1t 1t would have been more courteous and
still more exac:: TO have said that never sought
from them the character Of theii Confidential mis-;
don, interested only to know whether they possessed
snf1cient powers 20 aid me. Upon their assumption
and approval authorized Mr.: Jewett, who hao Tret
that Messrs. Clay and Holcombe were confidential
agents Of the Confederate government, and that,
while they had no specific instructions their gene ne
Confederate government would warrant their OPEN
Ing negotiations for peace, and that they were
ington Cabinet. and directed him to ask Mr. Greeley
TO procure a safe conduct to Washington for MIR.
Clay, Mr.. HOlcOmbe and myself MI. Jewett acted
vvif eptt n n
Mr.. Greeley, upon this assurance only, came to
thc American side OF the Falls. He did not come
was not invited Informally or generally, as the
other gentlemen were, but as a republican and a
representative OF the United States government to
now, Mr.. Holcombe had firmly adhered to his
original opinion of the extent OF their powers, we
could, upon Mr.. Greeley's arrival with our
"safe conduct" have accompanied him at once
TO Washington; but Mr. Holcombe hestated and
f lost M Greeley Senu
our side, throwing upon him the responsl.
citizens" instead Of acknowledged agents OF the
Confederate government, he very properly declined
ss n he @ oan
stanton to intervene against us, and caused to be
Issued the famous paper, 'To whom 1t may con-
tation the great stumbling block, abolition. This
paper was delivered by Major Hay, President Lin
Seeey vss sss'ea en only ~H
Grceley-the delivery OF the paper and the ex-
change OF ordinary courteses all that transpired.
Mr.. Clay being absent, Major Hay was Informed
that on his arrival an answer would pe sent in
writing.
II would appear that Mr.. stanton had, with am.
bilious envy, put stop to President Lincoln's ne
gotiatiOns, that he might himself send an envoy to
his old friend Thompson. The envoy Judge Jere.
Black, arriving at the Falls In search OF Thompson
saw me for moment and hurried on TO Toronto.
OF the purposes of these three Cabinet counselors
Of President Buchanan-Black, stanton and Thomp-
eOn-I am still ignorant. Perhaps the pigeon holes
OF the war Department hide some light ON the sub.
ject. The Judges patriotism will no doubt prove tc
have been equal to the perilOus position OF being
between Stanton and Thompson
Mr.. Seward also sent his ENJOYS to us. But hi'
efforts we're negatived by Mr.. Seward's caution IL
H.. allowing to be conveyed to US the authoritative
character or their mission. Thus the impression
became popular that we could exercise great In
nuencc on tho Chicago Convention, and brought t(