Year: 1861

WASHINGTON, February 4.

 The Peace Congress convened today at noon in Willard's hall It is probably one of the most dignifed assemblages of men ever gathered together in this country. All appear impressed with the solemnity of the crisis, and to recognize the fact that the eyes of the nation are bent on their deliberations

 Iowa, under the authority of Governor Kirkwood, has requested her Senators and Representatives to act as commissioners to the peace conference. They have the matter in consultation, and are as yet undecided how to act, the prevailing impression being that their duties in Congress and to the State will bar her their participation in the proceedings of the conference.

 The Vermont delegation have declined accepting the invitation of the governor of that State to participate in the peace confer ence. They do not recognize the authority that called the conference.

 Ex-Governor Vroom, of New Jersey, peace commissioner, arrived tonight He, like the rest is at a loss what to do. They say every thing looks dark, and it is intimated in Repub- lcan quarters that things will look still darker before they leave.

 The proceedings of this body will be strictly private The first question likely to engage its attention after its organized is the vexed point of the status of the seeding States Before proceeding to the discussion of the various projects of settlemant, the cen tral slave States are forced to the inquiry as to the relation the States that have gone out sustain to the Government at Washington. ! All of the central slave States are on record against coercion and if 1t is to be the law of the incoming government, there is no use in | discussing what will satisfy the States that are in, for they will never permit the strong hand of Federal power to be used against their errng brothers Here is the rock on which the deliberations of the Congress are likely to irreparably broken up. The particular ques- tion has to be organized as condition prece- dent to any discussion as to an adjustment. | The central slave State men ask what Is the use of spending weeks to arrange basis of pacifcation when the whole edifce falls on the first stroke of the Federal hand against the seeded States. If they are not to be CO., creed we will discuss plans of settlement, and we believe one can be arranged satisfactory to | Oul pCOpICj puC HOI UlHCI WlcC. Ao IL cCCuls that question vital to the deliberations oi the Congress comes up in Hmini, and may disperse 1t at any moment.

 The peace conference IS not likely to achieve the least possible good. The citizens arc indignant that the meetings should be held in a small hall with closed doors It is regarded more as a dark lantern convention than one to whose deliberations the largest publicity should be given.

 Thomas J. Turner, one of the Commission CTS from Illinois, was a member of Congress from that State with MT Lincoln in 1S47-49.

 The State Commissioners have as yet made no formal order concerning the conducting oI their proceedings with closed doors; the major. ity, however, seem to favor the exclusion oI the press and the public at least for the pres ent, considering that this will secure more freedom for the interchange of views. IL is evident that they will act slowly tonight; 8 number of them are in consultation with members of Congress-

 The report that Virginia has demanded the withdrawal of troops before entering upon peace negotiations is not well founded, but creates some uneasiness.

 A committee are here of secessionists from Maryland to protest against the admission ot the delegates from that State.