The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1894-01-30
LsNcoLNrs \ WORD.
A Secret or the Famous Hampton
Roads Conference Bequeathed by
Alexander HI stephens,

A Secret or the Famous Hampton
Roads Conference Requeathed by
Alexander HI stephens.
No man In Atlanta has a greater
fund OF incident than Judge Samuel b.
Hoyt, who is now seriously ill at
Suwanee Springs, Ella. The Judge
was born in Biount County I'm 1924, and,
to Atlanta before the woods
were cleared away for the coming city,
memory the full details of a most re-
markable era of city building. While
reclining upon his sick bed Judge Hoyt
spoke of a congregation he had with
the late Jefferson Davis.
, sim that conversation Mr.. Davis
lamented the fate which deprived the
Confederate States tof recognition by
European powers.
y ITO the last Smoment.' said Mr..
Davis, i was confident that this re-
,cognition would come to us. The
landing of the French in Mexico was
then oure interest. If we could have
consolidated our forces down in Texas
under Kirby Smith, the alliance could
have become effective
{" Andayet." said Judge Hoyt, "this
was all dreaming. 1t was like fol-
lowing arainbow. How different all
might have been If the less brilliant
but more practical mind of Alexander
III. Stephens had dominated the coun-
ellis ofsthe nation. Almost with tears
Sin his eyes Mr.. Stephens once told me
Of. the inner history of the Hampton
Roads conference.
when discrimination came to u.s.
I said Mr.. Stephens, that the Federals
desired q conference, it was we'll known
that Mr.. Davis was opposed to it.. The
majority of the Confederate Senate
EtoOk sits cue from the Presidents, and
ftherefore the subject could not be di-
frectiy preached then. AS q conse-
quence, we yer forced to strategy.
1t was aproposed that Gen. Lee should
appear before the Senate in executive
session, and, under the cloak of Sc
crecy, to be removed only for the per-
Sonal information of the President,
fcgive an exact statement of the real
position of the two armies.
y With, great reluctance Gen. Lee con-
sented to answer questions, the result
being to show that the Confederate
Army had been reduced to a mere
shell, with neither defenses, refuge
nor supplies to fall back upon. With
hthis plain statement the Senate con
commissioners. But when q resolution
was offered and passed. that these com
! missioners should act under instruc.
tions passed by,Mr. Davis all hope in
my heart failed. Only the conviction
1.that L should lose no chance to bring
Iabont. peace induced me to Withhold my
hresignation,, $;
Ia I. After describing the meeting with
tpPgesident, Lincoln and associates
continued Judge Hoyt, "Mr. Stephens
Went on to say: Finally, all prelimi'
), naries over, President Lincoln said
$50 anxious am l for peace that l vii
Offer terms Such l am sure will surprise
YOU all. Onthiss sheet of paper l will
write butlone word, while | will leave
tosyonrs acknowledgement every other con
,dition andrequirement." Writing, Mr.,
Lihcoln spassed%the: sheet over to me
anHII found written, upon it the on
wond, IS Union" "All other terms
coaeladed' Mr. Lincoln, may be of YOU
EoWbEdictation.."'
sSMy Heart sank within me-" said Mr.
EStephens. "E'SHere, on simply accept.
ling the union we could dictate II owl
terfnsoffpeace, preserve our State au
tonomies, maintain our fortunes, gain
reeompense for onr. slave property, anG
allsthes consequences following defeat
could be averted. But our instruction,
from Mr., Dayis, the cornerstone o.
which was the recognition of the Con
federatesS States, forbade the acceptance
Fof thisfmost magnanimous and gen.
'erous Offer. When l SO informed Mr.
IiincolnShetsank back in his chair with
a look q, utter disappointment. We
all feitthe%gravity of the situation
and 1T was recognized hat one of the
4 greatmistake of history vas being en-
acted. With an army whose defeat
was already acknowledged by Gen. Lee
PEesident Davis Insisted upon an
initiation. -.
"These facts continued Judge
FHoyt, :" it was agreed should be kept
secret until,the death of the princi
pals. That time having arrived, there
is noNgood reason @hy they should not
be made kn0&nP