Year: 1865

lIorrespondencssi si SGih1lfhg III 6y the early return
of the President and Secretary OF State, and
was not long before many conflicting reports
were circulated in regard to the result of their
mission. The antas oaistic POSITIONS OF the two
governments were known on the return OF Mr..
Blair from Rchmond-the one desiring peace
on the basis of separate independence and re-
cognition, and the other on the basis OF Uncon-
ditional submission to the Union. 1t was clear
that the rebels themselves did not anticipate q
ready compliance with their demands, while
there was an earnest desire on the part OF the
President TO do all that was compatible with
honor and public expediency in the premises,
and who evinced not a little anxiety to induce
an accommodation.


1t was briefly announced by telegraph n is
morning that President Lincoln and Secretary
Seward had returned to Washington, after a
conference with the rebel commissioners, which
resulted i'll no change of the attitude either ot
the Government or the rebels. Private kilograms
have since been received making inquiry as 20
the truth OF this statement, because the whole
truth had not been stated with regard 20 The
prospective and Immediate results from Rich
mond. Now that brief telegram is reliable, and
was obtained from the best authority.


No details have been made known, nor is II
probable that they will transpire, the Pres;den
and Secretary Seward being the only parties
present on our side, and the conference being
entirely informal, more In the character OF &
general con versation, to elicit the views OF all
who composed it, than a grave diplomatic dis
cussion. Beyond this, whatever may be saiG,
would be mere speculation.


Inc conversation dlQ NOT result IN any agree
ment-the main feature, involving the ques-
tions OF separation of and submission to the
Union, having been LETT undecided, OF course
those of minor character could have no ex-
istence, and so the parties separated. As tar
as can be ascertained, nothing was said as 20
future meetings, and the issue seems to be Iefs
precisely where it was before the conference.
WASHINGTON, Feb. At is cult TO pro-
cure details concerning the recent conference
between the President and the Secretary OF
State and the rebel com missioners but il is as
serted that the President throughout the con-


versation insisted that he should continue the
prosecution OF the war on the principle here
tofere declared, namely: OF compelling obe-
dience to the Constitution, and on the basis OF
the Union, and admitting peace only on these
terms. With him there was to be no deviation
from this course. So the commissioners were
LETT in no doubt whatever on this material
point.


The conversation was conducted in the mos |.
courteous and respectful manner, and the COM
missioners returned to Richmond thoroughly
understanding the views expressed by the
President. Therefore, If anything further is
to be said on this subject 1t must come from the
rebels themselves. As has heretofore been
stated, there was no agreement upon any point
at issue. It is confidently asserted by the init
mate. .fuapfy n4lth~ al A-aze Ienss acs.oo yO"unis x
the position above stated. and which he has in
tanned.


Whatever may be the speculations as to
peace movements in the future, IL is certain
that there will be no abatement meanwhile N
our military operations, but that the effort
will be to prosecute the war with additional
vigor, SO that our successes may produce an
early peace.