Before starting, the following dispatch was shown me. I proceeded,
nevertheless.
OFFICE UNITED STATES MILITARY TELEGRAPH,
_War Department_.
The following telegram received at Washington February 2, 1865, from
City Point, Va., 9 a.m., February 2, 1865:
"Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD,
"_Secretary of State, Fort Monroe_:
"The gentlemen here have accepted the proposed terms, and will leave
for Fort Monroe at 9.30 a.m.
"U.S. GRANT,
"_Lieutenant-General."_
(Copy to Hon. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War, Washington.)
On the night of the 2d I reached Hampton Roads, found the Secretary of
State and Major Eckert on a steamer anchored offshore, and learned of
them that the Richmond gentlemen were on another steamer also anchored
offshore, in the Roads, and that the Secretary of State had not yet seen
or communicated with them. I ascertained that Major Eckert had literally
complied with his instructions, and I saw for the first time the answer
of the Richmond gentlemen to him, which in his dispatch to me of the 1st
he characterizes as "not satisfactory." That answer is as follows, to
wit:
CITY POINT, VA., _February 1, 1865_.
THOMAS T. ECKERT,
_Major and Aid-de-Camp_.
MAJOR: Your note, delivered by yourself this day, has been considered.
In reply we have to say that we were furnished with a copy of the letter
of President Lincoln to Francis P. Blair, esq., of the 18th of January
ultimo, another copy of which is appended to your note.
Our instructions are contained in a letter of which the following is
a copy:
"Richmond, _January 28, 1865_.
"In conformity with the letter of Mr. Lincoln, of which the foregoing is
a copy, you are to proceed to Washington City for informal conference
with him upon the issues involved in the existing war, and for the
purpose of securing peace to the two countries.
'With great respect, your obedient servant,
"JEFFERSON DAVIS."
The substantial object to be obtained by the informal conference is to
ascertain upon what terms the existing war can be terminated honorably.
Our instructions contemplate a personal interview between President
Lincoln and ourselves at Washington City, but with this explanation we
are ready to meet any person or persons that President Lincoln may
appoint at such place as he may designate.
Our earnest desire is that a just and honorable peace may be agreed
upon, and we are prepared to receive or to submit propositions which may
possibly lead to the attainment of that end.
Very respectfully, yours,
ALEXANDER H. STEPHENS.
R.M.T. HUNTER.
JOHN A. CAMPBELL.
A note of these gentlemen, subsequently addressed to General Grant, has
already been given in Major Eckert's dispatch of the 1st instant.
I also here saw, for the first time, the following note addressed by the
Richmond gentlemen to Major Eckert:
CITY POINT, VA., _February 2, 1865_.
THOMAS T. ECKERT,
_Major and Aid-de-Camp_.
MAJOR: In reply to your verbal statement that your instructions did not
allow you to alter the conditions upon which a passport could be given
to us, we say that we are willing to proceed to Fortress Monroe and
there to have an informal conference with any person or persons that
President Lincoln may appoint on the basis of his letter to Francis P.
Blair of the 18th of January ultimo, or upon any other terms or
conditions that he may hereafter propose not inconsistent with the
essential principles of self-government and popular rights, upon which
our institutions are founded.
It is our earnest wish to ascertain, after a free interchange of ideas
and information, upon what principles and terms, if any, a just and
honorable peace can be established without the further effusion of
blood, and to contribute our utmost efforts to accomplish such a result.
We think it better to add that in accepting your passport we are not to
be understood as committing ourselves to anything but to carry to this
informal conference the views and feelings above expressed.
Very respectfully, yours, etc.,
ALEXANDER H. STEPHENS.
J.A. CAMPBELL.
R.M.T. HUNTER.
Note.--The above communication was delivered to me at Fort Monroe at
4.30 p.m. February 2 by Lieutenant-Colonel Babcock, of General Grant's
staff.