The Washington herald., 1915-01-31

the Confederate senate.
These commissioners had been ap-
pointed by Mr.. Davis as a result of two
visist to him by Francis P. Blair, ST.
coins knowledge, but acting on his
own authority, had visited Richmond
and discussed with Mr.. Davis the pos
sibilities of peace.
In responding to Mr.. Blair's over
lures and in appointing his commits
sion Mr.. Davis had written that the
delegates were appointed with view
to secure peace to the two countries"
President Lincoln. in writing Mr.. Blair
on january IS that he would receive
any delegation sent him informally by
Mr.. Davis, or ''any other influential
person now resisting the national au-
conference was to be with the view OF
common country
The issue between the two parties
having been thus clearly defined, 1t is
not apparent on what grounds the del
egates were sent. 1t is apparent. how
ever, that on their arrival at the Fed
eral lines outside Petersburg they
were received with caution.
Trying to Pass the Lines.
The delegates having appeared on
January rs opposite a portion of the
lines held by the Ninth Army Corps.
commanded by Maj. Gen. John d.
Parke. a flag of truce was sent from
the Confederate side with a message
borne by an officer to the effect that
Peace Commissioners de-
sired to enter the Federal lines on
their way to Washington. ''in accord
ance with an understanding with Lieut..
Gen. Grant"
Gen. Parke being at headquarters,
Gen. o. B. Wilcox. temporarily COM
manding the Ninth Corps, sent the
message there for instructions. By
Gen. Wilcox It was referred to Gen.
Parke. and by him to Maj. Gen. Z. o.
c. Ord. in command of the Federal
forces in the temporary absence of
Gen. Grant. By Gen. Ord the request
OF the commissioners was telegraphed
to Washington, and at 10 p. m. on
January %, Secretary of War Stanton
sent an order to City Point that mo
of any sort" could be
admitted through the lines without the
Presidents instructions. The next day
the Secretary instructed Gen. Ord to
inform Messrs. Stephens, Hunter and
Campbell that a messenger would be
to them at or near where
they now arc" without unnecessary
delay.
The messenger chosen by the Presi-
dent to meet the commissioners was
Maj. Thomas T. Eckert, chief of the
telegraph. Maj. Eckert was
directed. in instructions drawn by
and hand them a letter authorizing
them to pass the United States mill
tary lines 'on the basis of the letter.
a copy of which is on the reverse side
Of this sheet
The letter on the reverse side was
Lincoln's letter to Blair on January IS,
stating that he would receive any one
sent to him with the view OF secur-
Ing peace to the people of our one
common country"
Grant Aids Commissioners.
Meanwhile the commissioners had
addressed a note to Gen. Grant, who
had returned to City Point, explaining
hat their business was "a conference
with President Lincoln on the subject
II the existing war in pur-
suance of the course indicated by him
In his letter to Mr.. Blair of Janu-
ary IS"
While this might be construed as an
of the condition laid down
in the letter to Mr.. Blair, il appar-
entity was not so accepted by the Presi-
lent, and Mai. Eckert, who had not
eft Washington at the time of its re-
,eipt. was sent off with his written in
structions.
Arriving at City Point. Nal Eckert
decided that the commissioners were
not accepting the principle laid down
by the President. and he notified them
hat they could not proceed unless they
complied with the terms expressed in
l. H..
The deadlock thus created was
broken by Grant. who at 1890 p. m.
IN February l teIegraphed the Secre-
AIRY of War that he was convinced
hat the intentions of the commission
,rs were good and their desire for
peace sincere; that he believed their
going back without any expression
rom any one in authority would have
l bad influence" and that he was sorry
Mr.. Lincoln could not have an inter
view with at least Messrs. Stephens
md Hunter. if not with all three.
This message decided Lincoln to
meet the commissioners in person.
Conditions of Peace.
President Lincoln, before hearing
rom Maj. Eckert, had ordered Secre-
airy of State William II. Seward to
Hampton Roads, to meet the commits
'lOUeTS. Lincoln INSTRUCTIONS 10 sew
lrd shows how infieXible were the con-
litions on which he would grant peace.
The order read:
You will make known to them (the
that three things are
to wit:
Il. The restoration of the national
authority throughout the States.
80. No receding by the executive of
he United States on the slavery ques-
ion.
''3. No cessation of hostflities short
# the end of the war. and the dis
,anding of all forces hostile to the
Mr.. Seward was already at Hampton
Roads when the President ordered
teamer made ready without delay to
axe him to the same place. and or
ered Secretary Seward to wait for
lin there. At the same time orders
we're sent to Gen. Grant to forward the
with a proper escort to
he same place.
Arrangements were thus made for a
difference that might have ended the
var and secured very liberal conces-
ions to the South, had not the pride
( the Confederates prevented them
rom acknowledging defeat while
heir armies were in the field.