His Excellency A. LINCOLN,
_President of the United States_:
I have the honor to report the delivery of your communication and my
letter at 4.15 this afternoon, to which I received a reply at 6 p.m.,
but not satisfactory.
At 8 p.m. the following note, addressed to General Grant, was received:
"CITY POINT, VA., _February 1, 1865_.
"Lieutenant-General GRANT.
"SIR: We desire to go to Washington City to confer informally with the
President personally in reference to the matters mentioned in his letter
to Mr. Blair of the 18th January ultimo, without any personal compromise
on any question in the letter. We have the permission to do so from the
authorities in Richmond.
"Very respectfully, yours,
"ALEX. H. STEPHENS.
"R.M.T. HUNTER.
"J.A. CAMPBELL."
At 9.30 p.m. I notified them that they could not proceed further unless
they complied with the terms expressed in my letter. The point of
meeting designated in the above note would not, in my opinion, be
insisted upon. Think Fort Monroe would be acceptable. Having complied
with my instructions, I will return to Washington tomorrow unless
otherwise ordered.