Year: 1861




city, which have found their echo in the edi
torials of the World and its cotemporaries--
rumors that affect the public variously and
which gave promise to breed trouble in the
Cabinet, trouble in the camp, trouble in the
city and trouble every rywhere-mys sterious
whisperings concerning great events yet
shadowed by the wing of coming time have
made all men shudder, from the President in
office to the greasiest mechanic in Massachu
setts. We have heard that the Secretary of
State was cunningly devising plan of COM
promise by which the present inharmony
might ride into place and power; but we
could not credit it. In fact we heard such
stories concerning men in whose integrity
we had hitherto trusted, and in whose firm,
unyielding patriotism we placed reliance, as
to make us shrink from the next conner, lest
he should bring word of treason, and per-
haps worse, dishonor.


We have fully appreciated the anxiety of
the country to know if such things could
really be, aud it was because we respected so
thoroughly our Government, that we have
declined thus far to send on the rumors.
am enabled, however, to-day to give you,
somewhat in detail, the facts concerning one
of the most remarkable and yet most natural
events of the age. / do not send them un-
advisedly, but only after patient investlga-
ton and mature consideration. The source
of my information cannot be made public; 1t
is sent privately for the satisfaction of the
rest assured that truth is the corner stone of
this dispatch.


Iwell know that the readers of the World
will believe that the rebels are frightened,
and that they are most anxious to make
terms with the parent government, and | am
fully prepared for their astonishment when
they read that their Commissioners are in
Washington.


1t seems that jefferson Davis having be-
come thoroughly frightened, has, in q semi
official manner, made overtures to our Gov
ernment When his Commissioners reached
the capital, they were desired to state their
case. and to tell what they wished. They
submitted Two propositions:


First, That the United States unconditon-
ally recognize the existence of the Southern
Confederacy, and that the latter be permitted
for the term of one, two, or three years, to
carry on their Government as an experiment.
That the expenses of the war, thus far in
CURED, be equtably arranged between the
Two sections. and that each do its best for
the maintenance of friendly feeling and in
tercourse between the two peoples. And
that if at the expiration Of the time agreed
upon. it be found that the experiment cannot
succeed, commission be appointed to recon-
struct Union


This proposition was peremptorily rejec-
ted, whereupon they modestly put forth
another, as follows:


Second, The South will be content if the
Government will pledge itself to pass, at the
coming session of Congress, an irrepealabe
constitutional provision recognizing and le-
CALLING forever the institution of slavery be-
low &c deg. 30 min, which is the Southern
boundary line Of the State of Missouri. This
done, the southern Provisional Government
pledges itself instantly to abandon the war,
and to re establish peace and the most cordial
relationship so far as its section is concerned;
to redirect the course of trade in its accus-
toned channels. and in every way restore the
happy days of our forefathers.


AS to the reception which this proposition
received my informant was positive, though
from another source | gather doubt. He
stated that it, also, was peremptorily rejec-
ted. 1t seemed to the party of the second
part mere intensiication of the Crittenden
amendment, and not varying greatly from
the Adams proposition. Others say that the
acceptance of this proposition would not be
unacceptable to the Secretary of State; and,





President Between the two cannot de-
eide.


Mr.. Davis says that his retreat from Har-
per's Ferry was stroke of peaceful policy.
He had troops enough there to Withstand
any force which Gen. Scott was prepared to
bring against him, and it was not because he
feared the result of an engagement at that
time, but because lie knew that he had no
force with which TO meet what might subse-
quent!y be sent against him. The Secession
Government now rests on a hope-that hope
once swallowed mp in a disastrous defeat up
on the battle field would prove the destruc-
tion of what it now sustans. lie is sensible
of the fact, that if once defeated, there would
rise such tide of popular indignation a
ganst bim..and his co workers that they could
in no way withstand. and ignominious flight
or ignominiouS death would be the lot of one
and all.


Commenting on the above, the World re-
marks:


The very remarkable statements commit
nicated by one of our Washington correspon-
dents, which may be found among our special
dispatches from that city, are obtained by
| him from sources which. though not official,
are entitled to great respect. If the extra
ordinary and unexpected nature of the an
nouBcements are calculated to produce in
creduity, the character and position of his
informants on the other hand are such as to
make it certain that they have the fullest
confidence in the truth Of their statements /;
while their reputation for Judgment and sa-
gacity is not easily reconeiled with the hy-
pothesis that they have been practiced upon.
The Union State Convention of July 10.
The Union Convention met this morning at
ths Orleans Hotel, and organized, about 100
delegates being in attendance, personally, or
by proxy The transactions were limited to
the passing of resolution, that, as the Union
Democratic Convention, had presented an
unexceptionable platform and ticket, this
Convention heartily endorses both, and will
adjourn at onee.--Sae NewS


An informal meeting of some gentlemen
who had been named as delegates to the
proposed Union Convention, was held yester-
day at the Orleans Hotel, in this city. 1t is
understood that DR.. Rowell and G. Barstow
of San Francisco, and others, formerly Doug
las men, were in favor Of adopting the plat
form and candidates of the Republican party,
while Mckinney and Heuincr, Of San Fran
cisco, preferred the ticket and platform of the
Fourth of July Convention. Thus has ended
the attempt to get up distinct Union ticket,
irrespective Of party issues.-Sac Uaion


A Union State Convention was called to
meet in this city to-day, and delegates from
several counties were chosen thereto, but al
though parties with a search warrant hunted