CITY POINT, VA., _February 1, 1865_.
Messrs. ALEXANDER H. STEPHENS, J.A. CAMPBELL, and R.M.T. HUNTER.
GENTLEMEN: I am instructed by the President of the United States to
place this paper in your hands, with the information that if you pass
through the United States military lines it will be understood that you
do so for the purpose of an informal conference on the basis of the
letter a copy of which is on the reverse side of this sheet, and that if
you choose to pass on such understanding, and so notify me in writing, I
will procure the commanding general to pass you through the lines and to
Fortress Monroe under such military precautions as he may deem prudent,
and at which place you will be met in due time by some person or persons
for the purpose of such informal conference; and, further, that you
shall have protection, safe conduct, and safe return in all events.
THOMAS T. ECKERT,
_Major and Aid-de-Camp_.
WASHINGTON, _January 18, 1865_.
F.P. BLAIR, Esq.
SIR: Your having shown me Mr. Davis's letter to you of the 12th instant,
you may say to him that I have constantly been, am now, and shall
continue ready to receive any agent whom he or any other influential
person now resisting the national authority may informally send to me
with the view of securing peace to the people of our one common country.
Yours, etc.,
A. LINCOLN.
Afterwards, but before Major Eckert had departed, the following dispatch
was received from General Grant:
OFFICE UNITED STATES MILITARY TELEGRAPH,
_War Department_.
The following telegram received at Washington January 31, 1865, from
City Point, Va., 10.30 a.m., January 30, 1865:
"His Excellency ABRAHAM LINCOLN,
"_President of the United States_:
"The following communication was received here last evening:
'PETERSBURG, VA., _January 30, 1865_.
'Lieutenant-General U.S. GRANT,
'_Commanding Armies United States_.
'SIR: We desire to pass your lines under safe conduct, and to proceed to
Washington to hold a conference with President Lincoln upon the subject
of the existing war, and with a view of ascertaining upon what terms it
may be terminated, in pursuance of the course indicated by him in his
letter to Mr. Blair of January 18, 1865, of which we presume you have a
copy; and if not, we wish to see you in person, if convenient, and to
confer with you upon the subject.
'Very respectfully, yours,
'ALEXANDER H. STEPHENS.
'J.A. CAMPBELL.
'R.M.T. HUNTER.'
"I have sent directions to receive these gentlemen, and expect to have
them at my quarters this evening, awaiting your instructions.
"U.S. GRANT
"_Lieutenant-General, Commanding Armies United States _"
This, it will be perceived, transferred General Ord's agency in the
matter to General Grant. I resolved, however, to send Major Eckert
forward with his message, and accordingly telegraphed General Grant as
follows, to wit:
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
_Washington, January 31, 1865_.
(Sent at 1.30 p.m.)
Lieutenant-General GRANT,
_City Point, Va._:
A messenger is coming to you on the business contained in your dispatch,
Detain the gentlemen in comfortable quarters until he arrives, and then
act upon the message he brings as far as applicable, it having been made
up to pass through General Ord's hands, and when the gentlemen were
supposed to be beyond our lines.