The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1902-02-23

In the course OF the conference the SUBJ
ject OF slavery was discussed inform
dividual he would be in favor of paying
q fair indemnity to the owners for the
loss OF their slaves, but on this subject
he declared emphaticaily that he could
give no assurance and enter into no stip-
Perhaps It may be Of interest to the
Camp to reproduce here the following
article prepared by myself and published
in The Forum several years ago:
champion Roads Conference"
One Of the most interesting episodes
Of the war between the States was the
informal conference that took place in
Hampton Roads on the ID OF February.
1855. The conference was held on board
OF steamer. anchored near Fortress
Monroe, and the participants were Pres
Secretary Of State Of the United States.
on the one hand, and Alexander H. Ste
phens. Robert M. T. Hunter and John
A. Campbell. commissioners appointed by
President Davis. on the other. There
has long been considerable misapprehen-
sion in the public mind as to the origin,
objects and results of that conference.
As was a member OF the Confederate
extent. an inside view OF the situation.
| propose to give my recollection of the
incident referred to.
I'm the beginning Of the year 1855, the
prospects Of the Southern Confederacy
were gloomy indeed. Grant with his
hosts had swung around upon a new
base, and was at City Point on the
James River. threatening Petersburg and
Richmond, then defended by the Army
of Northern Virginia under the incom-
ceding year had covered itself with i'm
perishable glory In the wilderness. At
Spottsylvania Court House and at Cold
Harbor. Numbering less than $1,000 men.
hoA Inf ~ ho
upon the enemy in the campaign. result
ing in Grants change of base. But with
inadequate supplies OF food and cloth
ing. it was then suffering all the dis
comforts and hardships of winter in the
trenches around Petersburg and Rich
mond. Sheridan in the valley Of Vir-
ginta with powerful ana well-equipped
army, had driven back Early with his
pletelv devastated that beautiful and fer
tile region. Sherman after destroying At
tanta and laying waste the surrounding
country. was at Savannah with an army
Of IS, 900 men. prepared to march through
the Carolinas and form q junction with
Grant in Virginis. Such was the mill
tary situation when in the early part
of January, 1865. Mr.. Francis p Blair.
Sr... a gentleman Of great ability and ac-
knowledged influence with the admins
auce at Richmond. He brought with him
no credentials, but exhibited to Mr.. Davis
the following card:
December q, 1864.
pass our lines. 80 South. and return.
(Signed1t "A. Lincoln
After a private interview with Mr.. Da-
Wis. Mr.. Blair returned to Washington
and In a few days came again to Rich
in the course of which Mr.. Blair sus-
gested to Mr.. Davis that suspension
Of hostilities might DO brought about
by secret military convention between
the belligerents for the purpose Of main
tinent and thereby preventing the threat
ened establishment Of an empire by
France in Mexico. He frankly declared
that In his opinion the Anal result of
the proposed military convention and the
suspension Of hostilities would be the
restoration Of the Union. On January Il
Mr.. Davis handed to Mr.. Blair the fol-
lowing letter:
Richmond. Va. Jan. IL. 1866.
Of. p, Blair, ESQ.,:
"Sir-1 have deemed 1t proper and prob
ably desirable to you to give you In this
form the substance OF the femar IS made
BY me to be repeated by you to presi-
dent Lincoln, etc. have no disposition
to ma obstacles in forms. ana am will
ling now as heretofore, to enter into ne,
gotiations for the restoration Of peace.
l am ready to send commissioner when
cfci HdNC IcdsOh 10 suppose IL Will De
received. or to. receive a commission II
the United States Government shall
choose to send one. Notwithstanding the
rejection. Of our former offers, I would,
minister or other agent would be re-
ceived. appoint one Immediately and re.
new the effort to enter Into a confer
ence with view to secure peace to the
two countries.
Yours. ETC..
'Jsfferson Davis"
On January 18th, Mr.. Lincoln delivered
to Mr.. Blair the following communica-
ton with the understanding that it should
be shown to Mr.. Davis:
Washington, Jan. IS, 1865
IF P. Blair. Esq:
Sir-You having shown me Mr. Davis
letter to you Of the 18th instant you may
say to him that I have constantly been.
ceive any agent whom he or any other
influential person now resisting the ma
tional authority may informally send me.
with view OF securing peace to the
Yours, etc, A. Lincoln"
After having seen the foregoing letter
and after consultation with his Cabinet.
Mr.. Davis on the sth OF January, APP
NJ. T. Hunter and John A. Campbell as
commissioners to proceed to Washington
and hold an informal conference with
Mr. Lincoln upon the subject referred to
In his letter of the 18th of January. ad-
dressed to Mr. Blair. 1t was intended
that the affair should be conducted with
the utmost secrecy. but the absence of
such prominent officials necessarily at
tracted attention and the public soon as
certained that an important movement
was on foot. Mr.. Stephens at that time
was Vice-President: Mr.. Hunter was
president pro tempore of the Senate, and
Judge Campbell was Assistant Secretary
of War. On January 18th the commits
sion went from Richmond to Petersburg
and on the following day addressed the
following communication to General
Grant:
Petersburg. Va. Jan 30 1863. :
"Lieutenant-GenerAl u. s. Grant. Com
handing Armies Of the United States: