Year: 1865

NEW YORK, Feb. 6.


The IEnleS Washington special SAYS Mr..
Seward reached Fortress Monroe in ad-
vance of Messrs. Stephens, Hunter and
Campbell Upon the arrival of these
gentlemen they were at once invited to an
interview, and informed Mr.. Seward of
their desire to proceed to Washington for
the purpose Of discussing the question of
peace with the President. Mr.. Seward in
formed them that it was the Presidents
WISH tnAt the discussion should take place
at Fortress Monroe, and that he had been
sent to meet them at that point upon that
subjsct. The Commissioners pressed with
considerable earnestness for leave n visit
Washington, and finally alleged that tbsir
Government had consented TO send them
only in consequence of Mr.. Bleir's agsur.
anee that they should have personal in
terYisW with President Lincoln. Mr..
Seward at once assured them that this
pledge should be fulfilled, and immediately
telegraphed to the President that his pres
ence was necessary. After Mr.. Lincoln's
arrival the conference lasted four hours,
and was perfectly friendly and good-tsm-
pered throughout. On our side the con-
versation wss mainly con0ucted by the
President. On theirs, by Mr.. Hunter, Mr..
Stephens occasionally taking part.


The rebel Commissioners said nothing
whatever of their personal views or wishes,
but spoke solely and exclusively for their
Government, and at the outset and
throughout the conference declared their
entire lack of authority to make, receive
o. consider any proposition whatever, look
ing toward close Of the war, except on
the basis of recognition of the indie
pendenoe of the Confederate States as q
preliminary condition.


The President presented the subject to
them in every conceivable form, suggesting
the most liberal and eonsiderste mcdifca-
ton Of whatever in the existing legislation
end action Of khe- GEaito1 etuSos- t4Uvern=
ment might be regarded as specially hostile
to the rights and interests or wounding to
the pride Of the southern people, but in no
particular could he induce them to sWerve
for moment from their demand for recog-
milton. They did not present this conspie-
uOusly as resting on their own convictions
or wishes, but IS the condition which their
Government had made absolutely indis-
pensible to any negotiations whatever con-
cerning pesce.


President Lincoln, on the other hand in
formed them at every point that such re-
cognition was utterly and totally out of
the question; that the United States could
stop the war and arrest even temporarily
the movement of its armies only on the
condition that the authority of the national
Government should be recognized and
obeyed over the whole territory of the
United States. This point conceded, he
assured them that upon every other matter
OF difference they would be treated with
the utmost hberality, but without that re-
cOgnition the war muss and would 90 on.


All the conversation which took place
between the respective parties still came
back to and turned upon this radical and
irreconcilRble difference; neither side could
be swerved q hairs breadth from its posi-
ton, and therefore the attempt at negotis-
tion was an utter failure.


Upon separating it was distinctly under
stood and explicitly stated that the attitude
of each Government was to be precisely
what it would have been if this interview
had never taken place.


The Cabinet received these explanations
as complete snd satisfactory and the feel
ing was unanimous and earnest that the
country must now arouse itself to renewed
efforts, and prepare to make fresh sacrifices
in the defense ofthe integrity ofthe Union
and the preservation of the Government.
As you know the source Of this dispatch
need not assure you that it is perfectly
reliable.


It is understood that Mr.. Fessenden's re-
tirement from the Treasury Department
will take place within few days, and it is
confidently predicted, believe truly, that
his successor will be from the city of New
York. In the present condition of the
finances, and with the certainty that the
war is now to be carried on with renewed
vigor and discrimination on both sides, this
becomes question of very great ImpOr-
tance.