OFFICERINCOMMANDatNashville，Tenn。：
SuspendexecutionofJamesR。Mallory，forsixweeksfromFridaythethirtiethofthismonth，whichtimeIhavegivenhisfriendstomakeproof，iftheycan，uponcertainpoints。
A。LINCOLN，TELEGRAMTOGENERALU。S。GRANT。
WASHINGTON，D。C。，December28，1864。5。30p。m。
LIEUTENANT—GENERALGRANT，CityPoint，Va。：
Iftherebenoobjection，pleasetellmewhatyounowunderstandoftheWilmingtonexpedition，presentandprospective。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALBUTLER。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，December29，1864。，MAJOR—GENERALBUTLER：
ThereisamaninCompanyI，EleventhConnecticutVolunteers，FirstBrigade，ThirdDivision，Twenty—fourthArmyCorps，atChapin’sFarm，Va。；undertheassumednameofWilliamStanley，butwhoserealnameisFrankR。Judd，andwhoisunderarrest，andprobablyabouttobetriedfordesertion。HeisthesonofourpresentministertoPrussia，whoisaclosepersonalfriendofSenatorTrumbullandmyself。Wearenotwillingfortheboytobeshot，butwethinkitaswellthathistrialgoregularlyon，suspendingexecutionuntilfurtherorderfrommeandreportingtome。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOCOLONELWARNER。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，December30，1864。
COLONELWARNER，Indianapolis，Ind。：
Itissaidthatyouwereonthecourt—martialthattriedJohnLennon，andthatyouaredisposedtoadvisehisbeingpardonedandsenttohisregiment。Ifthisbetrue，telegraphmetothateffectatonce。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOJ。WILLIAMS。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，January4，1865。
JOHNWILLIAMS，Springfield，Ill。：
LetTrumbo’ssubstituteberegularlymusteredin，sendmetheevidencethatitisdoneandIwillthendischargeTrumbo。
A。LINCOLN。
MESSAGETOTHEHOUSEOFREPRESENTATIVES。
WASHINGTON，January5，1865。
TOTHEHOUSEOFREPRESENTATIVESOFTHEUNITEDSTATES：
Iherewithreturntoyourhonorablebody，inwhichitoriginated，a\"jointresolutiontocorrectcertainclericalerrorsintheinternalrevenueact，\"withoutmyapproval。
MyreasonforsodoingisthatIaminformedthatthisjointresolutionwaspreparedduringthelastmomentsofthelastsessionofCongressforthepurposeofcorrectingcertainerrorsofreferenceintheinternalrevenueact，whichwerediscoveredonanexaminationofanofficialcopyprocuredfromtheStateDepartmentafewhoursonlybeforetheadjournment。ItpassedtheHouseandwenttotheSenate，whereavotewastakenuponit，butbysomeaccidentitwasnotpresentedtothePresidentoftheSenateforhissignature。
SincetheadjournmentofthelastsessionofCongress，othererrorsofakindsimilartothosewhichthisresolutionwasdesignedtocorrect，havebeendiscoveredinthelaw，anditisnowthoughtmostexpedienttoincludeallthenecessarycorrectionsinoneactorresolution。
TheattentionofthepropercommitteeoftheHousehas，Iaminformed，beenalreadydirectedtothepreparationofabillforthispurpose。
ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
TOGENERALU。S。GRANT。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，January5，1865。
LIEUTENANT—GENERALGRANT，CityPoint，Va。：
RichardT。Jacob，Lieutenant—GovernorofKentucky，isattheSpotswoodHouse，inRichmond，underanorderofGeneralBurbridgenottoreturntoKentucky。Pleasecommunicateleavetohimtopassourlines，andcometomehereatWashington。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALGRANT。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，January6，1865，LIEUTENANT—GENERALGRANT，CityPoint：
IfthereisamanatCityPointbythenameofWatermanThorntonwhoisintroubleaboutdesertion，pleasehavehiscasebrieflystatedtomeanddonotlethimbeexecutedmeantime。
A。LINCOLN。
MESSAGETOCONGRESS，WASHINGTON，January9，1865。
TOTHESENATEANDHOUSEOFREPRESENTATIVES：ItransmittoCongressacopyoftwotreatiesbetweentheUnitedStatesandBelgium，fortheextinguishmentoftheScheldtdues，etc。，concludedonthetwentiethofMay，1863，andtwentiethofJuly，1863，respectively，theratificationsofwhichwereexchangedatBrusselsonthetwenty—
fourthofJunelast；andIrecommendanappropriationtocarryintoeffecttheprovisionsthereofrelativetothepaymentoftheproportionoftheUnitedStatestowardthecapitalizationofthesaiddues。
ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
TOSCHUYLERCOLFAX。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，January9，1865。
HON。SCHUYLERCOLFAX，SpeakeroftheHouseofRepresentatives。
SIR：——ItransmitherewiththeletteroftheSecretaryofWar，withaccompanyingreportoftheAdjutant—General，inreplytotheresolutionoftheHouseofRepresentatives，datedDecember7，1864，requestingme\"tocommunicatetotheHousethereportmadebyCol。
ThomasM。KeyofaninterviewbetweenhimselfandGeneralHowellCobbonthefourteenth[15th]dayofJune，1862，onthebanksoftheChickahominy，onthesubjectoftheexchangeofprisonersofwar。\"
Iam，sir，veryrespectfully，yourobedientservant，ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
PROCLAMATIONCONCERNINGCOMMERCE，JANUARY10，1865。
BYTHEPRESIDENTOFTHEUNITEDSTATESOFAMERICA：
AProclamation。
WhereastheactofCongressofthetwenty—eighthofSeptember，1850，entitled\"AnacttocreateadditionalcollectiondistrictsintheStateofCalifornia，andtochangetheexistingdistrictstherein，andtomodifytheexistingcollectiondistrictsintheUnitedStates，\"extendstomerchandisewarehousedunderbondtheprivilegeofbeingexportedtotheBritishNorthAmericanprovincesadjoiningtheUnitedStates，inthemannerprescribedintheactofCongressofthethirdofMarch，1845，whichdesignatescertainfrontierportsthroughwhichmerchandisemaybeexported，andfurtherprovides\"thatsuchotherportssituatedonthefrontiersoftheUnitedStates，adjoiningtheBritishNorthAmericanprovinces，asmayhereafterbefoundexpedient，mayhaveextendedtothemthelikeprivilegesontherecommendationoftheSecretaryoftheTreasury，andproclamationdulymadebythePresidentoftheUnitedStates，speciallydesignatingtheportstowhichtheaforesaidprivilegesaretobeextended；\"
Now，therefore，I，AbrahamLincoln，PresidentoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica，inaccordancewiththerecommendationoftheSecretaryoftheTreasury，doherebydeclareandproclaimthattheportofSt。
Albans，intheStateofVermont，is，andshallbe，entitledtoalltheprivilegesinregardtotheexportationofmerchandiseinbondtotheBritishNorthAmericanprovincesadjoiningtheUnitedStates，whichareextendedtotheportsenumeratedintheseventhsectionoftheactofCongressofthethirdofMarch，1845，aforesaid，fromandafterthedateofthisproclamation。
Inwitnesswhereof，Ihavehereuntosetmyhand，andcausedthesealoftheUnitedStatestobeaffixed。
DoneatthecityofWashington，thistenthdayofJanuary，intheyearofourLordonethousandeighthundred—andsixty—five，andoftheindependenceoftheUnitedStatesofAmericatheeighty—ninth。
ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
BythePresident：
WILLIAMH。SEWARD，SecretaryofState。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALB。F。BUTLER。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，January10，1865。
MAJOR—GENERALBUTLER，FortMonroe，Va。：
NoprincipalreportofyoursontheWilmingtonexpeditionhaseverreachedtheWarDepartment，asIaminformedthere。Apreliminaryreportdidreachhere，butwasreturnedtoGeneralGrantathisrequest。Ofcourse，leavetopublishcannotbegivenwithoutinspectionofthepaper，andnotthenifitshouldbedeemedtobedetrimentaltothepublicservice。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALB。F。BUTLER。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，January13，1865。
MAJOR—GENERALBUTLER，FortMonroe，Va。：
YoursaskingleavetocometoWashingtonisreceived。YouhavebeensummonedbytheCommitteeontheConductoftheWartoattendhere，which，ofcourse，youwilldo。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGOVERNORJOHNSON。
WASHINGTON，D。C。，January15，1865。
GOVERNORJOHNSON，Nashville，Tennessee：
Yoursannouncingordinanceofemancipationreceived。Thankstotheconventionandtoyou。Whendoyouexpecttobehere？Wouldbegladtohaveyoursuggestionastosupplyingyourplaceofmilitarygovernor。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALG。M。DODGE。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，January15，1865。
MAJOR—GENERALDODGE，St。Louis，Missouri：
ItisrepresentedtomethatthereissomuchirregularviolenceinnorthernMissouriastobedrivingawaythepeopleandalmostdepopulatingit。Pleasegatherinformation，andconsiderwhetheranappealtothepeopletheretogototheirhomesandletoneanotheralonerecognizingasafullrightofprotectionforeachthatheletsothersalone，andbanningonlyhimwhorefusestoletothersalonemaynotenableyoutowithdrawthetroops，theirpresenceitself[being]acauseofirritationandconstantapprehension，andthusrestorepeaceandquiet，andreturningprosperity。Pleaseconsiderthisandtelegraphorwriteme。
A。LINCOLN。
FIRSTOVERTURESFORSURRENDERFROMDAVIS
TOP。P。BLAIR，SR。
WASHINGTON，January18，1865。
F。P。BLAIR，ESQ。
SIR：—YouhavingshownmeMr。Davis’slettertoyouofthetwelfthinstant，youmaysaytohimthatIhaveconstantlybeen，amnow，andshallcontinue，readytoreceiveanyagentwhomheoranyotherinfluentialpersonnowresistingthenationalauthoritymayinformallysendtomewiththeviewofsecuringpeacetothepeopleofouronecommoncountry。
Yours，etc。，A。LINCOLN。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，January19，1865。
LIEUTENANT—GENERALGRANT：
PleasereadandanswerthisletterasthoughIwasnotPresident，butonlyafriend。Myson，nowinhistwenty—secondyear，havinggraduatedatHarvard，wishestoseesomethingofthewarbeforeitends。Idonotwishtoputhimintheranks，noryettogivehimacommission，towhichthosewhohavealreadyservedlongarebetterentitledandbetterqualifiedtohold。Couldhe，withoutembarrassmenttoyou，ordetrimenttotheservice，gointoyourmilitaryfamilywithsomenominalrank，I，andnotthepublic，furnishinghisnecessarymeans？Ifno，saysowithouttheleasthesitation，becauseIamasanxiousandasdeeplyinterestedthatyoushallnotbeencumberedasyoucanbeyourself。
Yourstruly，A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALDODGE。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，January19，1865。
MAJOR—GENERALDODGE，SaintLouis，Mo。：
IfMrs。Beattie，aliasMrs。Wolff，shallbesentencedtodeath，notifyme，andpostponetheexecutiontillfurtherorder。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALORD。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，January19，1864
MAJOR—GENERALORD：
YouhaveamaninarrestfordesertionpassingbythenameofStanley。WilliamStanley，Ithink，butwhoserealnameisdifferent。
HeisthesonofsocloseafriendofminethatImustnotlethimbeexecuted。Pleaseletmeknowwhatishispresentandprospectivecondition。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALG。M。DODGE。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，January24，1865。
MAJOR—GENERALDODGE，St。Louis，Mo。：
ItissaidanoldladyinClayCounty，Missouri，bynameMrs。
WinifredB。Price，isaboutbeingsentSouth。Ifsheisnotmisbehavingletherremain。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGOVERNORJOHNSON。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，January2￠，1865。
HON。ANDREWJOHNSON，Nashville，Tennessee：
SeveralmembersoftheCabinet，withmyself，consideredthequestion，to—day，astothetimeofyourcomingonhere。WhilewefullyappreciateyourwishtoremaininTennesseeuntilherStategovernmentshallbecompletelyreinaugurated，itisourunanimousconclusionthatitisunsafeforyoutonotbehereonthe4thofMarch。Besuretoreachherebythattime。
A。LINCOLN。
REPLYTOACOMMITTEE，JANUARY24，1865。
REVERENDSIR，ANDLADIESANDGENTLEMEN：
Iacceptwithemotionsofprofoundestgratitude，thebeautifulgiftyouhavebeenpleasedtopresenttome。Youwill，ofcourse，expectthatIacknowledgeit。SomuchhasbeensaidaboutGettysburgandsowell，thatformetoattempttosaymoremayperhapsonlyservetoweakentheforceofthatwhichhasalreadybeensaid。Amostgracefulandeloquenttributewaspaidtothepatriotismandself—
denyinglaborsoftheAmericanladies，ontheoccasionoftheconsecrationoftheNationalCemeteryatGettysburg，byourillustriousfriend，EdwardEverett，now，alas！departedfromearth。
Hislifewasatrulygreatone，andIthinkthegreatestpartofitwasthatwhichcrowneditsclosingyears，Iwishyoutoread，ifyouhavenotalreadydoneso，theeloquentandtruthfulwordswhichhethenspokeofthewomenofAmerica。Truly，theservicestheyhaverenderedtothedefendersofourcountryinthisperiloustime，andareyetrendering，canneverbeestimatedastheyoughttobe。Foryourkindwishestomepersonally，Ibegleavetorenderyoulikewisemysincerestthanks。Iassureyoutheyarereciprocated。Andnow，gentlemenandladies，mayGodblessyouall。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALGRANT。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，January25，1865。
LIEUTENANT—GENERALGRANT，CityPointIfNewellW。Root，ofFirstConnecticutHeavyArtillery，isundersentenceofdeath，pleasetelegraphmebrieflythecircumstances。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALGRANT。
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTON，D。C。，January25，1865。
LIEUTENANT—GENERALGRANT，CityPoint，Va。：
HavingreceivedthereportinthecaseofNewellW。Root，Idonotinterferefurtherinthecase。
A。LINCOLN。
EARLYCONSULTATIONSWITHREBELS
INSTRUCTIONSTOMAJORECKERT。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，January30，1865。
MAJORT。T。ECKERT。
SIR：—Youwillproceedwiththedocumentsplacedinyourhands，andonreachingGeneralOrdwilldeliverhimtheletteraddressedtohimbytheSecretaryofWar。Then，byGeneralOrd’sassistanceprocureaninterviewwithMessrs。Stephens，Hunter，andCampbell，oranyofthem，delivertohimorthemthepaperonwhichyourownletteriswritten。Noteonthecopywhichyouretainthetimeofdeliveryandtowhomdelivered。Receivetheiranswerinwriting，waitingareasonabletimeforit，andwhich，ifitcontaintheirdecisiontocomethroughwithoutfurthercondition，willbeyourwarranttoaskGeneralOrdtopassthemthroughasdirectedintheletteroftheSecretaryofWartohim。Ifbytheiranswertheydeclinetocome，orproposeotherterms，donothavethempassthrough。Andthisbeingyourwholeduty，returnandreporttome。
Yourstruly，A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMFROMSECRETARYOFWARTOGENERALORD。
Cipher。
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTON，D。C。，January30，1865。
MAJOR—GENERALORD，HeadquartersArmyoftheJames：
BydirectionofthePresidentyouareinstructedtoinformthethreegentlemen，Messrs。Stephens，Hunter，andCampbell，thatamessengerwillbedispatchedtothematornearwheretheynoware，withoutunnecessarydelay。
EDWINM。STANTON，SecretaryofWar。
INDORSEMENTONALETTERFROMJ。M。ASHLEY。
HOUSEOFREPRESENTATIVES，January31，1865。
DEARSIR：——ThereportisincirculationintheHousethatPeaceCommissionersareontheirwayorinthecity，andisbeingusedagainstus。Ifitistrue，Ifearweshalllosethebill。Pleaseauthorizemetocontradictit，ifitisnottrue。
Respectfully，J。M。ASHLEY。
TothePresident。
Indorsement。
SofarasIknowtherearenoPeaceCommissionersinthecityorlikelytobeinit。
A。LINCOLN。
January31，1865
TELEGRAMTOGENERALU。S。GRANT。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，January31，1865
LIEUTENANT—GENERALGRANT，CityPoint，Va。：
Amessengeriscomingtoyouonthebusinesscontainedinyourdespatch。Detainthegentlemenincomfortablequartersuntilhearrives，andthenactuponthemessagehebrings，asfarasapplicable，ithavingbeenmadeuptopassthroughGeneralOrd’shands，andwhenthegentlemenweresupposedtobebeyondourlines。
A。LINCOLN。
INSTRUCTIONSTOSECRETARYSEWARD。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，January31，1865。
HON。WILLIAMH。SEWARD，SecretaryofStateYouwillproceedtoFortressMonroe，Virginia，theretomeetandinformallyconferwithMessrs。Stephens，Hunter，andCampbell，onthebasisofmylettertoF。P。Blair，Esq。，ofJanuary18，1865，acopyofwhichyouhave。Youwillmakeknowntothemthatthreethingsareindispensabletowit：
1。TherestorationofthenationalauthoritythroughoutalltheStates。
2。NorecedingbytheExecutiveoftheUnitedStatesontheslaveryquestionfromthepositionassumedthereoninthelateannualmessagetoCongress，andinprecedingdocuments。
3。NocessationofhostilitiesshortofanendofthewarandthedisbandingofallforceshostiletotheGovernment。
Youwillinformthemthatallpropositionsoftheirs，notinconsistentwiththeabove，willbeconsideredandpasseduponinaspiritofsincereliberality。Youwillhearalltheymaychoosetosayandreportittome。Youwillnotassumetodefinitelyconsummateanything。
Yours，etc。，ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
PASSAGETHROUGHCONGRESSOFTHECONSTITUTIONALAMENDMENTFORTHE
ABOLISHINGOFSLAVERY
RESPONSETOASERENADE，JANUARY31，1865。
HesupposedthepassagethroughCongressoftheConstitutionalamendmentfortheabolishingofslaverythroughouttheUnitedStateswastheoccasiontowhichhewasindebtedforthehonorofthiscall。
Theoccasionwasoneofcongratulationtothecountry，andtothewholeworld。Butthereisataskyetbeforeus——togoforwardandconsummatebythevotesoftheStatesthatwhichCongresssonoblybeganyesterday。HehadthehonortoinformthosepresentthatIllinoishadalreadydonethework。Marylandwasabouthalfthrough，buthefeltproudthatIllinoiswasalittleahead。
Hethoughtthismeasurewasaveryfittingifnotanindispensableadjuncttothewindingupofthegreatdifficulty。HewishedthereunionofalltheStatesperfected，andsoeffectedastoremoveallcausesofdisturbanceinthefuture；and，toattainthisend，itwasnecessarythattheoriginaldisturbingcauseshould，ifpossible，berootedout。Hethoughtallwouldbearhimwitnessthathehadnevershirkedfromdoingallthathecouldtoeradicateslavery，byissuinganEmancipationProclamation。Butthatproclamationfallsshortofwhattheamendmentwillbewhenfullyconsummated。Aquestionmightberaisedwhethertheproclamationwaslegallyvalid。Itmightbeadded，thatitonlyaidedthosewhocameintoourlines，andthatitwasinoperativeastothosewhodidnotgivethemselvesup；orthatitwouldhavenoeffectuponthechildrenoftheslavesbornhereafter；infact，itwouldbeurgedthatitdidnotmeettheevil。
Butthisamendmentisaking’scureforallevils。Itwindsthewholethingup。Hewouldrepeat，thatitwasthefittingifnottheindispensableadjuncttotheconsummationofthegreatgameweareplaying。Hecouldnotbutcongratulateallpresent——himself，thecountry，andthewholeworlduponthisgreatmoralvictory。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALU。S。GRANT。
WASHINGTON，February1，1865
LIEUTENANT—GENERALGRANT，CityPoint：
Letnothingwhichistranspiringchange，hinder，ordelayyourmilitarymovementsorplans。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOMAJORECKERT。
WASHINGTON，D。C。，February1，1865。
MAJORT。T。ECKERT，CareofGeneralGrant，CityPoint，Va。：
CallatFortressMonroe，andputyourselfunderdirectionofMr。
Seward，whomyouwillfindthere。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALU。S。GRANT。
WASHINGTON，D。C。，February2，1865
LIEUTENANT—GENERALGRANT，CityPoint，Va。：
SaytothegentlemenIwillmeetthempersonallyatFortressMonroeassoonasIcangetthere。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOSECRETARYSEWARD，WASHINGTON，D。C。，February2，1865。
HON。WILLIAMH。SEWARD，FortressMonroe，Va。
InducedbyadespatchofGeneralGrant，IjoinyouatFortMonroe，assoonasIcancome。
A。LINCOLN。
ORDERTOMAKECORRECTIONSINTHEDRAFT。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTONCITY，February6，1865
Whereascomplaintsaremadeinsomelocalitiesrespectingtheassignmentsofquotasandcreditsallowedforthependingcalloftroopstofillupthearmies：Now，inordertodetermineallcontroversiesinrespectthereto，andtoavoidanydelayinfillingupthearmies，itisordered，ThattheAttorney—General，Brigadier—
GeneralRichardDelafield，andColonelC。W。Foster，be，andtheyareherebyconstituted，aboardtoexamineintotheproperquotasandcreditsof。therespectiveStatesanddistrictsunderthecallofDecember19，1864，withdirections，ifanyerrorsbefoundtherein，tomakesuchcorrectionsasthelawandfactsmayrequire，andreporttheirdeterminationtotheProvost—Marshal—General。Thedeterminationofsaidboardtobefinalandconclusive，andthedrafttobemadeinconformitytherewith。
2。TheProvost—Marshal—Generalisorderedtomakethedraftintherespectivedistrictsasspeedilyasthesamecanbedoneafterthefifteenthofthismonth。
ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
TOPROVOST—MARSHAL—GENERAL。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，February6，1865。
PROVOST—MARSHAL—GENERAL：
Thesegentlemendistinctlysaytomethismorningthatwhattheywantisthemeansfromyourofficeofshowingtheirpeoplethatthequotaassignedtothemisright。Theythinkitwilltakebutlittletime—
twohours，theysay。Pleasegivetheredoublethetimeandeveryfacilityyoucan。
Yourstruly，A。LINCOLN。
February6，1865。
TheProvost—Marshalbringsthisletterbacktomeandsayshecannotgivethefacilityrequiredwithoutdetrimenttotheservice，andthereuponheisexcusedfromdoingit。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOLIEUTENANT—COLONELGLENN。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，February7，1865。
LIEUTENANT—COLONELGLENN，CommandingPostatHenderson，Ky。：
Complaintismadetomethatyouareforcingnegroesintothemilitaryservice，andeventorturingthem——ridingthemonrailsandtheliketoextorttheirconsent。Ihopethismaybeamistake。Thelikemustnotbedonebyyou，oranyoneunderyou。Youmustnotforcenegroesanymorethanwhitemen。Answermeonthis。
A。LINCOLN。
TOGOVERNORSMITH。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，February8，1865。
HISEXCELLENCYGOVERNORSMITH，ofVermont：
Complaintismadetome，byVermont，thattheassignmentofherquotaforthedraftonthependingcallisintrinsicallyunjust，andalsoinbadfaithoftheGovernment’spromisetofairlyallowcreditsformenpreviouslyfurnished。Toillustrate，asupposedcaseisstatedasfollows：
VermontandNewHampshiremustbetweenthemfurnishsixthousandmenonthependingcall；andbeingequal，eachmustfurnishasmanyastheotherinthelongrun。ButtheGovernmentfindsthatonformercallsVermontfurnishedasurplusoffivehundred，andNewHampshireasurplus，offifteenhundred。Thesetwosurplusesmakingtwothousandandaddedtothesixthousand，makingeightthousandtobefurnishedbythetwoStates，orfourthousandeachless，byfaircredits。ThensubtractVermont’ssurplusoffivehundredfromherfourthousand，leavesthreethousandfivehundredasherquotaonthependingcall；andlikewisesubtractNewHampshire’ssurplusoffifteenhundredfromherfourthousand，leavestwothousandfivehundredasherquotaonthependingcall。Thesethreethousandfivehundredandtwothousandfivehundredmakepreciselysixthousand，whichthesupposedcaserequiresfromthetwoStates，anditisjustequalforVermonttofurnishonethousandmorenowthanNewHampshire，becauseNewHampshirehasheretoforefurnishedonethousandmorethanVermont，whichequalizestheburdensofthetwointhelongrun。Andthisresult，sofarfrombeingbadfaithtoVermont，isindispensabletokeepinggoodfaithwithNewHampshire。
BynootherresultcanthesixthousandmenbeobtainedfromthetwoStates，and，atthesametimedealjustlyandkeepfaithwithboth，andwedobutconfuseourselvesinquestioningtheprocessbywhichtherightresultisreached。Thesupposedcaseisperfectasanillustration。
Thependingcallisnotforthreehundredthousandmensubjecttofaircredits，butisforthreehundredthousandremainingafterallfaircreditshavebeendeducted，anditisimpossibletoconcedewhatVermontaskswithoutcomingoutshortofthreehundredthousandmen，ormakingotherlocalitiespayforthepartialityshownher。
Thisuponthecasestated。IftherebedifferentreasonsformakinganallowancetoVermont，letthembepresentedandconsidered。
Yourstruly，ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
MESSAGETOCONGRESS。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，February8，1865。
TOTHEHONORABLETHESENATEANDHOUSEOF
REPRESENTATIVES：
Thejointresolutionentitled\"JointresolutiondeclaringcertainStatesnotentitledtorepresentationintheelectoralcollege\"hasbeensignedbytheExecutiveindeferencetotheviewofCongressimpliedinitspassageandpresentationtohim。Inhisownview，however，thetwoHousesofCongress，convenedunderthetwelftharticleoftheConstitution，havecompletepowertoexcludefromcountingallelectoralvotesdeemedbythemtobeillegal，anditisnotcompetentfortheExecutivetodefeatorobstructthatpowerbyaveto，aswouldbethecaseifhisactionwereatallessentialinthematter。HedisclaimsallrightoftheExecutivetointerfereinanywayinthematterofcanvassingorcountingelectoralvotes，andhealsodisclaimsthatbysigningsaidresolutionhehasexpressedanyopinionontherecitalsofthepreambleoranyjudgmentofhisownuponthesubjectoftheresolution。
ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALU。S。GRANT。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，February8，1865
LIEUTENANT—GENERALGRANT，CityPoint。Va。：
IamcalledonbytheHouseofRepresentativestogiveanaccountofmyinterviewwithMessrs。Stephens，Hunter，andCampbell，anditisverydesirabletometoputyourdespatchofFebruary1，totheSecretaryofWar，inwhich，amongotherthings，yousay：\"Ifearnowtheirgoingbackwithoutanyexpressionfromanyoneinauthoritywillhaveabadinfluence。\"Ithinkthedespatchdoesyoucredit，whileIdonotseethatitcanembarrassyou。MayIuseit？
A。LINCOLN。
REPLYTOACOMMITTEEOFCONGRESS，REPORTING
THERESULTOFTHEELECTORALCOUNT，FEBRUARY9，1865。
Withdeepgratitudetomycountrymenforthismarkoftheirconfidence；withadistrustofmyownabilitytoperformthedutyrequiredunderthemostfavorablecircumstances，andnowrendereddoublydifficultbyexistingnationalperils；yetwithafirmrelianceonthestrengthofourfreegovernment，andtheeventualloyaltyofthepeopletothejustprinciplesuponwhichitisfounded，andaboveallwithanunshakenfaithintheSupremeRulerofnations，Iacceptthistrust。BepleasedtosignifythistotherespectiveHousesofCongress。
CHRONOLOGICREVIEWOFPEACEPROPOSALS
MESSAGETOTHEHOUSEOFREPRESENTATIVES。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，February10，1865
TOTHEHONORABLETHEHOUSEOFREPRESENTATIVES：
Inresponsetoyourresolutionoftheeighthinstant，requestinginformationinrelationtoaconferencerecentlyheldinHamptonRoads，IhavethehonortostatethatonthedayofthedateIgaveFrancisP。Blair，Sr。，acard，writtenonasfollows，towit：
December28，1864。
Allowthebearer，F。P。Blair，Sr。，topassourlines，goSouth，andreturn。
A。LINCOLN。
ThatatthetimeIwasinformedthatMr。BlairsoughtthecardasameansofgettingtoRichmond，Va。，buthewasgivennoauthoritytospeakoractfortheGovernment，norwasIinformedofanythinghewouldsayordoonhisownaccountorotherwise。AfterwardsMr。
BlairtoldmethathehadbeentoRichmondandhadseenMr。JeffersonDavis；andheMr。B。atthesametimeleftwithmeamanuscriptletter，asfollows，towit：
RICHMOND，VA。，January12，1865。
F。P。BLAIR，ESQ。
SIR：Ihavedeemeditproper，andprobablydesirabletoyou，togiveyouinthisforinthesubstanceofremarksmadebyme，toberepeatedbyyoutoPresidentLincoln，etc。，etc。
Ihavenodispositiontofindobstaclesinforms，andamwilling，nowasheretofore，toenterintonegotiationsfortherestorationofpeace，andamreadytosendacommissionwheneverIhavereasontosupposeitwillbereceived，ortoreceiveacommissioniftheUnitedStatesGovernmentshallchoosetosendone。Thatnotwithstandingtherejectionofourformeroffers，Iwould，ifyoucouldpromisethatacommissioner，minister，orotheragentwouldbereceived，appointoneimmediately，andrenewtheefforttoenterintoconferencewithaviewtosecurepeacetothetwocountries。
Yours，etc。，JEFFERSONDAVIS。
Afterwards，andwiththeviewthatitshouldbeshowntoMr。Davis，I
wroteanddeliveredtoMr。Blairaletter，asfollows，towit：
WASHINGTON，January18，1865。
P。P。BLAIR，ESQ。
SIR：——YourhavingshownmeMr。Davis’slettertoyouofthetwelfthinstant，youmaysaytohimthatIhaveconstantlybeen，amnow，andshallcontinuereadytoreceiveanyagentwhomheoranyotherinfluentialpersonnowresistingthenationalauthoritymayinformallysendtomewiththeviewofsecuringpeacetothepeopleofouronecommoncountry。
Yours，etc。，A。LINCOLN。
AfterwardsMr。Blairdictatedforandauthorizedmetomakeanentryonthebackofmyretainedcopyoftheletterlastaboverecited，whichentryisasfollows：
January28，1865
To—dayMr。Blairtellsmethatonthetwenty—firstinstanthedeliveredtoMr。Davistheoriginalofwhichthewithinisacopy，andleftitwithhim；thatatthetimeofdeliveringitMr。DavisreaditovertwiceinMr。Blair’spresence，atthecloseofwhichheMr。Blairremarkedthatthepartaboutouronecommoncountry\"
relatedtothepartofMr。Davis’letterabout\"thetwocountries，\"
towhichMr。Davisrepliedthathesounderstoodit。
A。LINCOLN。
AfterwardstheSecretaryofWarplacedinmyhandsthefollowingtelegram，indorsedbyhim，asappears：
OFFICEUNITEDSTATESMILITARYTELEGRAPHWARDEPARTMENT。
ThefollowingtelegramreceivedatWashingtonJanuary29，1865，fromheadquartersArmyofJames，6。30P。M。，January29，1865：
\"HON。EDWINM。STANTON，\"SecretaryofWar：
\"ThefollowingdespatchjustreceivedfromMajor—GeneralParke，whorefersittomeformyaction。IreferittoyouinLieutenant—
GeneralGrant’sabsence：
\"E。O。C。ORD，Major—General，Commanding。
HEADQUARTERSARMYOFPOTOMAC，January29，1863。4P。M。
’MAJOR—GENERALE。O。C。ORD，’HeadquartersArmyofJames：
’Thefollowingdespatchisforwardedtoyouforyouraction。SinceI
havenoknowledgeofGeneralGrant’shavinghadanyunderstandingofthiskind，Ireferthemattertoyouastherankingofficerpresentinthetwoarmies。
’JNO。G。PARKE，Major—General，Commanding。’
’FROMHEADQUARTERSNINTHARMYCos，29th。
’MAJOR—GENERALJNO。G。PARKE，’HeadquartersArmyofPotomac：
’AlexanderH。Stephens，R。M。T。Hunter，andJ。A。Campbelldesiretocrossmylines，inaccordancewithanunderstandingclaimedtoexistwithLieutenant—GeneralGrant，ontheirwaytoWashingtonaspeacecommissioners。Shalltheybeadmitted？Theydesireanearlyanswer，tocomethroughimmediately。WouldliketoreachCityPointtonightiftheycan。Iftheycannotdothis，theywouldliketocomethroughat10A。M。to—morrowmorning。
’O。B。WILCOX，’Major—General，CommandingNinthCorps。’
\"January29，8。30P。M。
\"RespectfullyreferredtothePresidentforsuchinstructionsashemaybepleasedtogive。
\"EDWINM。STANTON，\"SecretaryofWar。\"
ItappearsthataboutthetimeofplacingtheforegoingtelegraminmyhandstheSecretaryofWardispatchedGeneralOrdasfollows，towit：
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTONCITY，January29，1865。10P。M。
Sentat2A。M。，30th。
MAJOR—GENERALORD。
SIR：——ThisDepartmenthasnoknowledgeofanyunderstandingbyGeneralGranttoallowanypersontocomewithinhislinesascommissionerofanysort。YouwillthereforeallownoonetocomeintoyourlinesundersuchcharacterorprofessionuntilyoureceivethePresident’sinstructions，towhomyourtelegraphwillbesubmittedforhisdirections。
EDWINM。STANTON，SecretaryofWar。
Afterwards，bymydirection，theSecretaryofWartelegraphedGeneralOrdasfollows，towit：
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTON，D。C。，January30。10。30A。M。
MAJOR—GENERALE。O。C。ORD，HeadquartersArmyoftheJames。
SIR：——BydirectionofthePresident，youareinstructedtoinformthethreegentlemen，Messrs。Stephens，HunterandCampbell，thatamessengerwillbedispatchedtothematornearwheretheynowarewithoutunnecessarydelay。
EDWINM。STANTON，SecretaryofWar。
AfterwardsIpreparedandputintothehandsofMajorThomasT。
Eckertthefollowinginstructionsandmessage：
EXECUTIVEMANSION，MAJORT。T。ECKERT。WASHINGTON，January30，1865
SIR：——Youwillproceedwiththedocumentsplacedinyourhands，andonreachingGeneralOrdwilldeliverhimtheletteraddressedtohimbytheSecretaryofWar；then，byGeneralOrd’sassistance，procureaninterviewwithMessrs。Stephens，Hunter，andCampbell，oranyofthem。Delivertohimorthemthepaperonwhichyourownletteriswritten。Noteonthecopywhichyouretainthetimeofdeliveryandtowhomdelivered。Receivetheiranswerinwriting，waitingareasonabletimeforit，andwhich，ifitcontaintheirdecisiontocomethroughwithoutfurthercondition，willbeyourwarranttoaskGeneralOrdtopassthemthrough，asdirectedintheletteroftheSecretaryofWartohim。Ifbytheiranswertheydeclinetocome，orproposeotherterms，donothavethempassthrough。Andthisbeingyourwholeduty，returnandreporttome。
A。LINCOLN。
CITYPOINT，VA……February1，1865。
MESSRS。ALEXANDERH。STEPHENS，J。A。CAMPBELLAND
R。M。T。HUNTER。
GENTLEMEN：——IaminstructedbythePresidentoftheUnitedStatestoplacethispaperinyourhands，withtheinformationthatifyoupassthroughtheUnitedStatesmilitarylinesitwillbeunderstoodthatyoudosoforthepurposeofaninformalconferenceonthebasisoftheletteracopyofwhichisonthereversesideofthissheet，andthatifyouchoosetopassonsuchunderstanding，andsonotifymeinwriting，IwillprocurethecommandinggeneraltopassyouthroughthelinesandtoFortressMonroeundersuchmilitaryprecautionsashemaydeemprudent，andatwhichplaceyouwillbemetinduetimebysomepersonorpersonsforthepurposeofsuchinformalconference；and，further，thatyoushallhaveprotection，safeconduct，andsafereturninallevents。
THOMAST。ECKERT，MajorandAide—de—Camp。
WASHINGTON，January18，1865。
F。P。BLAIR，ESQ。
SIR：——YourhavingshownmeMr。Davis’slettertoyouofthetwelfthinstant，youmaysaytohimthatIhaveconstantlybeen，amnow，andshallcontinuereadytoreceiveanyagentwhomheoranyotherinfluentialpersonnowresistingthenationalauthoritymayinformallysendtomewiththeviewofsecuringpeacetothepeopleofouronecommoncountry。
Yours，etc。，A。LINCOLN。
Afterwards，butbeforeMajorEckerthaddeparted，thefollowingdispatchwasreceivedfromGeneralGrant：
OFFICEUNITEDSTATESMILITARYTELEGRAPH，WARDEPARTMENT。
ThefollowingtelegramreceivedatWashingtonJanuary3J，1865，fromCityPoint，Va。，10。30A。M。，January30，1865：
\"HisEXCELLENCYABRAHAMLINCOLN，PresidentoftheUnitedStates：
\"Thefollowingcommunicationwasreceivedherelastevening：
’PETERSBURG，VA。，January30，1865。
’LIEUTENANT—GENERALU。S。GRANT，CommandingArmiesUnitedStates。
’SIR：Wedesiretopassyourlinesundersafeconduct，andtoproceedtoWashingtontoholdaconferencewithPresidentLincolnuponthesubjectoftheexistingwar，andwithaviewofascertaininguponwhattermsitmaybeterminated，inpursuanceofthecourseindicatedbyhiminhislettertoMr。BlairofJanuary18，1865，ofwhichwepresumeyouhaveacopy；andifnot，wewishtoseeyouinperson，ifconvenient，andtoconferwithyouuponthesubject。
’Veryrespectfully，yours，’ALEXANDERH。STEPHENS。
’J。A。CAMPBELL。
’R。M。T。HUNTER。’
\"Ihavesentdirectionstoreceivethesegentlemen，andexpecttohavethematmyquartersthisevening，awaitingyourinstructions。
U。S。GRANT，Lieutenant—General，CommandingArmiesUnitedStates。\"
This，itwillbeperceived，transferredGeneralOrd’sagencyinthemattertoGeneralGrant。Iresolved，however，tosendMajorEckertforwardwithhismessage，andaccordinglytelegraphedGeneralGrantasfollows，towit：
EXECUTIVEMANSION
WASHINGTON，January13，1865
Sentat1。30P。M。
LIEUTENANT—GENERALGRANT，CityPoint，Va。：
Amessengeriscomingtoyouonthebusinesscontainedinyourdespatch。Detainthegentlemenincomfortablequartersuntilhearrives，andthenactuponthemessagehebringsasfarasapplicable，ithavingbeenmadeuptopassthroughGeneralOrd’shands，andwhenthegentlemenweresupposedtobebeyondourlines。
A。LINCOLN。
WhenMajorEckertdeparted，heborewithhimaletteroftheSecretaryofWartoGeneralGrant，asfollows，towit：
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTON，D。C。，January30，1865。
LIEUTENANT—GENERALGRANT，Commanding，etc。
GENERAL：——ThePresidentdesiresthatyouwillpleaseprocureforthebearer，MajorThomasT。Eckert，aninterviewwithMessrs。Stephens，Hunter，andCampbell，andifonhisreturntoyouherequestsitpassthemthroughourlinestoFortressMonroebysuchrouteandundersuchmilitaryprecautionsasyoumaydeemprudent，givingthemprotectionandcomfortablequarterswhilethere，andthatyouletnoneofthishaveanyeffectuponyourmovementsorplans。
ByorderofthePresident：
EDWINM。STANTON，SecretaryofWar。
Supposingtheproperpointtobethenreached，IdispatchedtheSecretaryofStatewiththefollowinginstructions，MajorEckert，however，goingaheadofhim：
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，January31，1865。
HON。WILLIAMH。SEWARD，SecretaryofState：
YouwillproceedtoFortressMonroe，Va。，theretomeetandinformallyconferwithMessrs。Stephens，Hunter，andCampbellonthebasisofmylettertoF。P。Blair，Esq。，ofJanuary18，1865，acopyofwhichyouhave。
Youwillmakeknowntothemthatthreethingsareindispensable，toWit：
1。TherestorationofthenationalauthoritythroughoutalltheStates。
2。NorecedingbytheExecutiveoftheUnitedStatesontheslaveryquestionfromthepositionassumedthereoninthelateannualmessagetoCongressandinprecedingdocuments。
3。NocessationofhostilitiesshortofanendofthewarandthedisbandingofallforceshostiletotheGovernment。
Youwillinformthemthatallpropositionsoftheirsnotinconsistentwiththeabovewillbeconsideredandpasseduponinaspiritofsincereliberality。Youwillhearalltheymaychoosetosayandreportittome。
Youwillnotassumetodefinitelyconsummateanything。
Yours，etc。，ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
OnthedayofitsdatethefollowingtelegramwassenttoGeneralGrant：
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTON，D。C。，February1，1865
Sentat9。30A。M。
LIEUTENANT—GENERALGRANT，CityPoint，Va。：
Letnothingwhichistranspiringchange，hinder，ordelayyourmilitarymovementsorplans。
A。LINCOLN。
AfterwardsthefollowingdespatchwasreceivedfromGeneralGrant：
OFFICEUNITEDSTATESMILITARYTELEGRAPH
WARDEPARTMENT。
ThefollowingtelegramreceivedatWashington，2。30P。M。，February1，1865，fromCityPoint，Va。，February1，12。30PM。，1865：
\"HisEXCELLENCYA。LINCOLN，PresidentUnitedStates：
Yourdespatchreceived。TherewillbenoarmisticeinconsequenceofthepresenceofMr。Stephensandotherswithinourlines。Thetroopsarekeptinreadinesstomoveattheshortestnoticeifoccasionshouldjustifyit。
U。S。GRANT，Lieutenant—General。\"
TonotifyMajorEckertthattheSecretaryofStatewouldbeatFortressMonroe，andtoputthemincommunication，thefollowingdespatchwassent：
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTON，D。C。，February1，1865。
MAJORT。T。ECKERT，CareofGeneralGrant，CityPoint，Va。：
CallatFortressMonroeandputyourselfunderdirectionofMr。S。，whomyouwillfindthere。
A。LINCOLN。
Onthemorningofthe2dinstantthefollowingtelegramswerereceivedbymerespectivelyfromtheSecretaryofStateandMajorEckert：
FORTMONROE，VA。，February1，1865。11。30PM。
THEPRESIDENTOFTHEUNITEDSTATES：
Arrivedat10thisevening。Richmondpartynothere。Iremainhere。
WILLIAMH。SEWARD。
CITYPOINT，VA。，February1，1865。10P。M。
HISEXCELLENCYA。LINCOLN，PresidentoftheUnitedStates：
Ihavethehonortoreportthedeliveryofyourcommunicationandmyletterat4。15thisafternoon，towhichIreceivedareplyat6P。M。，butnotsatisfactory。
At8P。M。thefollowingnote，addressedtoGeneralGrant，wasreceived：
CITYPOINT，VA。，February1，1865
\"LIEUTENANT—GENERALGRANT。
\"SIR：—WedesiretogotoWashingtonCitytoconferinformallywiththePresidentpersonallyinreferencetothemattersmentionedinhislettertoMr。Blairofthe18thJanuaryultimo，withoutanypersonalcompromiseonanyquestionintheletter。WehavethepermissiontodosofromtheauthoritiesinRichmond。
Veryrespectfullyyours，ALEX。H。STEPHENS
R。M。T。HUNTER。
J。A。CAMPBELL。\"
At9。30P。M。Inotifiedthemthattheycouldnotproceedfurtherunlesstheycompliedwiththetermsexpressedinmyletter。Thepointofmeetingdesignatedintheabovenotewouldnot，inmyopinion，beinsistedupon。ThinkFortMonroewouldbeacceptable。
Havingcompliedwithmyinstructions，IwillreturntoWashingtonto—
morrowunlessotherwiseordered。
THOS。T。ECKERT，Major，etc。
OnreadingthisdespatchofMajorEckertIwasabouttorecallhimandtheSecretaryofState，whenthefollowingtelegramofGeneralGranttotheSecretaryofWarwasshownme：
OFFICEUNITEDSTATESMILITARYTELEGRAPH，WARDEPARTMENT。
ThefollowingtelegramreceivedatWashington4。35A。M。，February2，1865，fromCityPoint，Va。，February1，10。30
P。M。，1865：
\"HON。EDWINM。STANTON，\"SecretaryofWar：
\"NowthattheinterviewbetweenMajorEckert，underhiswritteninstructions，andMr。Stephensandpartyhasended，Iwillstateconfidentially，butnotofficiallytobecomeamatterofrecord，thatIamconvinceduponconversationwithMessrs。StephensandHunterthattheirintentionsaregoodandtheirdesiresinceretorestorepeaceandunion。Ihavenotfeltmyselfatlibertytoexpressevenviewsofmyownortoaccountformyreticency。Thishasplacedmeinanawkwardposition，whichIcouldhaveavoidedbynotseeingtheminthefirstinstance。Ifearnowtheirgoingbackwithoutanyexpressionfromanyoneinauthoritywillhaveabadinfluence。Atthesametime，Irecognizethedifficultiesinthewayofreceivingtheseinformalcommissionersatthistime，anddonotknowwhattorecommend。Iamsorry，however，thatMr。Lincolncannothaveaninterviewwiththetwonamedinthisdespatch，ifnotallthreenowwithinourlines。TheirlettertomewasallthatthePresident’sinstructionscontemplatedtosecuretheirsafeconductiftheyhadusedthesamelanguagetoMajorEckert。
\"U。S。GRANT
\"Lieutenant—General，\"
ThisdespatchofGeneralGrantchangedmypurpose，andaccordinglyI
telegraphedhimandtheSecretaryofState，respectively，asfollows：
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTON，D。C。，February2，1865。Sentat9A。M。
LIEUTENANT—GENERALGRANT，CityPoint，Va。：
SaytothegentlemenIwillmeetthempersonallyatFortressMonroeassoonasIcangetthere。
A。LINCOLN。
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTON，D。C。，February2，1865。Sentat9A。M。
HON。WILLIAMH。SEWARD，FortressMonroe，Va。：
InducedbyadespatchfromGeneralGrant，IjoinyouatFortMonroeassoonasIcancome。
A。LINCOLN。
Beforestarting，thefollowingdespatchwasshownme。Iproceeded，nevertheless：
OFFICEUNITEDSTATESMILITARYTELEGRAPH，WARDEPARTMENT。
ThefollowingtelegramreceivedatWashington，February2，1865，fromCityPoint，Va。，9A。M。，February2，1865：
\"HON。WILLIAMH。SEWARD，SecretaryofState，FortMonroe：
\"Thegentlemenherehaveacceptedtheproposedterms，andwillleaveforFortMonroeat9。30A。M。
\"U。S。GRANT，\"Lieutenant—General。\"
CopytoHON。EdwinM。Stanton，SecretaryofWar，Washington。
Onthenightofthe2ndIreachedHamptonRoads，foundtheSecretaryofStateandMajorEckertonasteameranchoredoffshore，andlearnedofthemthattheRichmondgentlemenwereonanothersteameralsoanchoredoffshore，intheRoads，andthattheSecretaryofStatehadnotyetseenorcommunicatedwiththem。IascertainedthatMajorEckerthadliterallycompliedwithhisinstructions，andIsawforthefirsttimetheansweroftheRichmondgentlementohim，whichinhisdespatchtomeofthe1sthecharacterizesas\"notsatisfactory。\"
Thatanswerisasfollows，towit：
CITYPOINT，VA。，February1，1865。
THOMAST。ECKERT，MajorandAid—de—Camp。
MAJOR：—Yournote，deliveredbyyourselfthisday，hasbeenconsidered。InreplywehavetosaythatwewerefurnishedwithacopyoftheletterofPresidentLincolntoFrancisP。Blair，Esq。，ofthe18thofJanuaryultimo，anothercopyofwhichisappendedtoyournote。Ourinstructionsarecontainedinaletterofwhichthefollowingisacopy：
RICHMOND，January28，1865。
InconformitywiththeletterofMr。Lincoln，ofwhichtheforegoingisacopy，youaretoproceedtoWashingtonCityforinformalconferencewithhimupontheissuesinvolvedintheexistingwar，andforthepurposeofsecuringpeacetothetwocountries。
\"Withgreatrespect，yourobedientservant，\"JEFFERSONDAVIS。\"
Thesubstantialobjecttobeobtainedbytheinformalconferenceistoascertainuponwhattermstheexistingwarcanbeterminatedhonorably。
OurinstructionscontemplateapersonalinterviewbetweenPresidentLincolnandourselvesatWashingtonCity，butwiththisexplanationwearereadytomeetanypersonorpersonsthatPresidentLincolnmayappointatsuchplaceashemaydesignate。
Ourearnestdesireisthatajustandhonorablepeacemaybeagreedupon，andwearepreparedtoreceiveortosubmitpropositionswhichmaypossiblyleadtotheattainmentofthatend。
Veryrespectfully，yours，ALEXANDERH。STEPHENS。
R。M。T。HUNTER。
JOHNA。CAMPBELL。
Anoteofthesegentlemen，subsequentlyaddressedtoGeneralGrant，hasalreadybeengiveninMajorEckert’sdespatchofthe1stinstant。
Ialsoheresaw，forthefirsttime，thefollowingnote，addressedbytheRichmondgentlementoMajorEckert：
CITYPOINT，VA。，February2，1865。
THOMAST。ECKERT，MajorandAid—de—Camp。
MAJOR：——Inreplytoyourverbalstatementthatyourinstructionsdidnotallowyoutoaltertheconditionsuponwhichapassportcouldbegiventous，wesaythatwearewillingtoproceedtoFortressMonroeandtheretohaveaninformalconferencewithanypersonorpersonsthatPresidentLincolnmayappointonthebasisofhislettertoFrancisP。Blairofthe18thofJanuaryultimo，oruponanyothertermsorconditionsthathemayhereafterproposenotinconsistentwiththeessentialprinciplesofself—governmentandpopularrights，uponwhichourinstitutionsarefounded。
Itisourearnestwishtoascertain，afterafreeinterchangeofideasandinformation，uponwhatprinciplesandterms，ifany，ajustandhonorablepeacecanbeestablishedwithoutthefurthereffusionofblood，andtocontributeourutmosteffortstoaccomplishsucharesult。
Wethinkitbettertoaddthatinacceptingyourpassportwearenottobeunderstoodascommittingourselvestoanythingbuttocarrytothisinformalconferencetheviewsandfeelingsaboveexpressed。
Veryrespectfully，yours，etc。，ALEXANDERH。STEPHENS，J。A。CAMPBELL，R。M。T。HUNTER。
Note。—TheabovecommunicationwasdeliveredtomeatFortMonroeat4。30P。M。February2byLieutenant—ColonelBabcock，ofGeneralGrant’sstaff。
THOMAST。ECKERT
MajorandAid—de—Camp。
Onthemorningofthethirdthethreegentlemen，Messrs。Stephens，Hunter，andCampbell，cameaboardofoursteamerandhadaninterviewwiththeSecretaryofStateandmyselfofseveralhours’duration。
Noquestionofpreliminariestothemeetingwasthenandtheremadeormentioned；nootherpersonwaspresent；nopaperswereexchangedorproduced；anditwasinadvanceagreedthattheconversationwastobeinformalandverbalmerely。OnourpartthewholesubstanceoftheinstructionstotheSecretaryofStatehereinbeforerecitedwasstatedandinsistedupon，andnothingwassaidinconsistenttherewith；whilebytheotherpartyitwasnotsaidthatinanyeventoronanyconditiontheyeverwouldconsenttoreunion，andyettheyequallyomittedtodeclarethattheyneverwouldconsent。Theyseemedtodesireapostponementofthatquestionandtheadoptionofsomeothercoursefirst，which，assomeofthemseemedtoargue，mightormightnotleadtoreunion，butwhichcoursewethoughtwouldamounttoanindefinitepostponement。Theconferenceendedwithoutresult。
Theforegoing，containing，asisbelieved，alltheinformationsoughtisrespectfullysubmitted。
ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
MESSAGETOTHESENATE。
WASHINGTON，February10，1865
ToTHESENATEOFTHEUNITEDSTATES：
InanswertotheresolutionoftheSenateoftheeighthinstant，requestinginformationconcerningrecentconversationsorcommunicationswithinsurgents，underexecutivesanction，ItransmitareportfromtheSecretaryofState，towhomtheresolutionwasreferred。
ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
TOTHEPRESIDENT：
TheSecretaryofState，towhomwasreferredaresolutionoftheSenateofthe8thinstant，requesting\"thePresidentoftheUnitedStates，if，inhisopinion，notincompatiblewiththepublicinterests，tofurnishtotheSenateanyinformationinhispossessionconcerningrecentconversationsorcommunicationswithcertainrebels，\"saidtohavetakenplaceunderexecutivesanction，includingcommunicationswiththerebelJeffersonDavis，andanycorrespondencerelatingthereto，\"hasthehonortoreportthattheSenatemayproperlybereferredtoaspecialmessageofthePresidentbearinguponthesubjectoftheresolution，andtransmittedtotheHousethisday。AppendedtothisreportisacopyofaninstructionwhichhasbeenaddressedtoCharlesFrancisAdams，Esq。，envoyextraordinaryandministerplenipotentiaryoftheUnitedStatesatLondon，andwhichistheonlycorrespondencefoundinthisdepartmenttouchingthesubjectreferredtointheresolution。
Respectfullysubmitted，WILLIAMH。SEWARD。
DEPARTMENTOFSTATE，WASHINGTON，February10，1865。
MR。SEWARDTOMR。ADAMS。
Extract。
No。1258。
DEPARTMENTOFSTATE，WASHINGTON，February7，1865
Onthemorningofthe3d，thePresident，attendedbytheSecretary，receivedMessrs。Stephens，Hunter，andCampbellonboardtheUnitedStatessteamtransportRiverQueeninHamptonRoads。Theconferencewasaltogetherinformal。Therewasnoattendanceofsecretaries，clerks，orotherwitnesses。Nothingwaswrittenorread。Theconversation，althoughearnestandfree，wascalm，andcourteous，andkindonbothsides。TheRichmondpartyapproachedthediscussionratherindirectly，andatnotimedidtheyeithermakecategoricaldemands，ortenderformalstipulationsorabsoluterefusals。
Nevertheless，duringtheconference，whichlastedfourhours，theseveralpointsatissuebetweentheGovernmentandtheinsurgentsweredistinctlyraised，anddiscussedfully，intelligently，andinanamicablespirit。Whattheinsurgentpartyseemedchieflytofavorwasapostponementofthequestionofseparation，uponwhichthewariswaged，andamutualdirectionofeffortsoftheGovernment，aswellasthoseoftheinsurgents，tosomeextrinsicpolicyorschemeforaseasonduringwhichpassionsmightbeexpectedtosubside，andthearmiesbereduced，andtradeandintercoursebetweenthepeopleofbothsectionsresumed。Itwassuggestedbythemthatthroughsuchpostponementwemightnowhaveimmediatepeace，withsomenotverycertainprospectofanultimatesatisfactoryadjustmentofpoliticalrelationsbetweenthisGovernmentandtheStates，section，orpeoplenowengagedinconflictwithit。
Thissuggestion，thoughdeliberatelyconsidered，wasneverthelessregardedbythePresidentasoneofarmisticeortruce，andheannouncedthatwecanagreetonocessationorsuspensionofhostilities，exceptonthebasisofthedisbandmentoftheinsurgentforces，andtherestorationofthenationalauthoritythroughoutalltheStatesintheUnion。Collaterally，andinsubordinationtothepropositionwhichwasthusannounced，theantislaverypolicyoftheUnitedStateswasreviewedinallitsbearings，andthePresidentannouncedthathemustnotbeexpectedtodepartfromthepositionshehadheretoforeassumedinhisproclamationofemancipationandotherdocuments，asthesepositionswerereiteratedinhislastannualmessage。ItwasfurtherdeclaredbythePresidentthatthecompleterestorationofthenationalauthoritywasanindispensableconditionofanyassentonourparttowhateverformofpeacemightbeproposed。ThePresidentassuredtheotherpartythat，whilehemustadheretothesepositions，hewouldbeprepared，sofaraspowerislodgedwiththeExecutive，toexerciseliberality。Hispower，however，islimitedbytheConstitution；andwhenpeaceshouldbemade，CongressmustnecessarilyactinregardtoappropriationsofmoneyandtotheadmissionofrepresentativesfromtheinsurrectionaryStates。TheRichmondpartyweretheninformedthatCongresshad，onthe31stultimo，adoptedbyaconstitutionalmajorityajointresolutionsubmittingtotheseveralStatesthepropositiontoabolishslaverythroughouttheUnion，andthatthereiseveryreasontoexpectthatitwillbesoonacceptedbythreefourthsoftheStates，soastobecomeapartofthenationalorganiclaw。
Theconferencecametoanendbymutualacquiescence，withoutproducinganagreementofviewsupontheseveralmattersdiscussed，oranyofthem。Nevertheless，itisperhapsofsomeimportancethatwehavebeenabletosubmitouropinionsandviewsdirectlytoprominentinsurgents，andtoheartheminanswerinacourteousandnotunfriendlymanner。
Iam，sir，yourobedientservant，WILLIAMH。SEWARD。
TOADMIRALDAVIDD。PORTER。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，February10，1865
REAR—ADMIRALDAVIDD。PORTER，CommandingNorthAtlanticSquadron，HamptonRoads，Va。
SIR：——Itismademyagreeabledutytoencloseherewiththejointresolutionapproved24thJanuary，1865，tenderingthethanksofCongresstoyourself，theofficersandmenunderyourcommandfortheirgallantryandgoodconductinthecaptureofFortFisher，andthroughyoutoallwhoparticipatedinthatbrilliantanddecisivevictoryunderyourcommand。
Veryrespectfully，ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALS。POPE。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，February12，1865
MAJOR—GENERALPOPE，St。Louis，Missouri：
Iunderstandthatprovost—marshalsindifferentpartsofMissouriareassumingtodecidethattheconditionsofbondsareforfeited，andthereforeareseizingandsellingpropertytopaydamages。This，iftrue，isbothoutrageousandridiculous。Donotallowit。Thecourts，andnotprovost—marshals，aretodecidesuchquestionsunlesswhenmilitarynecessitymakesanexception。AlsoexcuseJohnEaton，ofClayCounty，andWesleyMartin，ofPlatte，frombeingsentSouth，andletthemgoEastifanywhere。
A。LINCOLN
TOTHECOMMANDINGOFFICERSINWESTTENNESSEE
WASHINGTON，February13，1865。
TOTHEMILITARYOFFICERSCOMMANDINGINWEST
TENNESSEE：
WhileIcannotorderaswithinrequested，allowmetosaythatitismywishforyoutorelievethepeoplefromallburdens，harassments，andoppressions，sofarasispossibleconsistentlywithyourmilitarynecessities；thattheobjectofthewarbeingtorestoreandmaintaintheblessingsofpeaceandgoodgovernment，Idesireyoutohelp，andnothinder，everyadvanceinthatdirection。
Ofyourmilitarynecessitiesyoumustjudgeandexecute，butpleasedosointhespiritandwiththepurposeaboveindicated。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALJ。POPE。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，February14，1865。
MAJOR—GENERALPOPE，St。Louis，Missouri：
Yoursofyesterdayaboutprovost—marshalsystemreceived。Aspartofthesamesubject，letmesayIamnowpressedinregardtoapendingassessmentinSt。LouisCounty。Pleaseexamineandsatisfyyourselfwhetherthisassessmentshouldproceedorbeabandoned；andifyoudecidethatitistoproceed，pleaseexamineastotheproprietyofitsapplicationtoagentlemanbythenameofCharlesMcLaran。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALPOPE。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTONFebruary15，1865。
MAJOR—GENERALPOPE，St。Louis，Missouri：
PleaseascertainwhetherGeneralFisk’sadministrationisasgoodasitmightbe，andanswerme。
A。LINCOLN。
PROCLAMATIONCONVENINGTHESENATEINEXTRASESSION，FEBRUARY17，1865。
BYTHEPRESIDENTOFTHEUNITEDSTATESOFAMERICA：
AProclamationWhereasobjectsofinteresttotheUnitedStatesrequirethattheSenateshouldbeconvenedattwelveo’clockonthefourthofMarchnexttoreceiveandactuponsuchcommunicationsasmaybemadetoitonthepartoftheExecutive；
Now，therefore，I，AbrahamLincoln，PresidentoftheUnitedStates，haveconsideredittobemydutytoissuethis，myproclamation，declaringthatanextraordinaryoccasionrequirestheSenateoftheUnitedStatestoconveneforthetransactionofbusinessattheCapitol，inthecityofWashington，onthefourthdayofMarchnext，attwelveo’clockatnoononthatday，ofwhichallwhoshallatthattimebeentitledtoactasmembersofthatbodyareherebyrequiredtotakenotice。
GivenundermyhandandthesealoftheUnitedStates，atWashington……
ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
BythePresident：
WILLIAMH。SEWARD，SecretaryofState。
TELEGRAMTOOFFICERINCOMMANDATHARPER’SFERRY。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，February17，1865
OFFICERINCOMMANDATHARPER’SFERRY：
ChaplainFitzgibbonyesterdaysentmeadespatchinvokingClemencyforJackson，Stewart，andRandall，whoaretobeshotto—day。Thedespatchissovaguethatthereisnomeanshereofascertainingwhetherornottheexecutionofsentenceofoneormoreofthemmaynotalreadyhavebeenordered。Ifnotsuspendexecutionofsentencemtheircasesuntilfurtherordersandforwardrecordsoftrialsforexamination。
A。LINCOLN
MAJORECKERT：
PleasesendabovetelegramJNO。G。NICOLAY。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALU。S。GRANT。
WASHINGTON，D。C。，February24，1865
LIEUTENANT—GENERALGRANT，CityPoint，Virginia：
Iaminalittleperplexity。IwasinducedtoauthorizeagentlemantobringRogerA。Pryorherewithaviewofeffectinganexchangeofhim；butsincethenIhaveseenadespatchofyoursshowingthatyouspeciallyobjecttohisexchange。Meantimehehasreachedhereandreportedtome。Itisanungraciousthingformetosendhimbacktoprison，andyetinadmissibleforhimtoremainherelong。Cannotyouhelpmeoutwithit？Icanconceivethattheremaybedifferencetoyouindays，andIcankeephimafewdaystoaccommodateonthatpoint。Ihavenotheardofmyson’sreachingyou。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALPOPE。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，February24，1865
MAJOR—GENERALPOPE，SaintLouis，Mo。：
PleaseinquireandreporttomewhetherthereisanyproprietyoflongerkeepinginGratiottStreetPrisonamansaidtobetherebythenameofRileyWhiting。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALU。S。GRANT。
WASHINGTON，February25，1865
LIEUTENANT—GENERALGRANT，CityPoint，Virginia：
GeneralSheridan’sdespatchtoyou，ofto—day，inwhichhesayshe\"willbeoffonMonday，\"andthathe\"willleavebehindabouttwothousandmen，\"causestheSecretaryofWarandmyselfconsiderableanxiety。HaveyouwellconsideredwhetheryoudonotagainleaveopentheShenandoahValleyentrancetoMarylandandPennsylvania，or，atleast，totheBaltimoreandOhioRailroad？
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALU。S。GRANT。
WASHINGTON，D。C。，February27，1865。
LIEUTENANT—GENERALGRANT，CityPoint，Virginia：
Subsequentreflection，conferencewithGeneralHalleck，yourdespatch，andonefromGeneralSheridan，haverelievedmyanxiety；
andsoIbegthatyouwilldismissanyconcernyoumayhaveonmyaccount，inthematterofmylastdespatch。
A。LINCOLN。
TOT。W。CONWAY。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，D。C。，March1，1865。
MR。THOMASW。CONWAY，GeneralSuperintendentFreedmen，DepartmentoftheGulf。
SIR：——YourstatementtoMajor—GeneralHurlbutoftheconditionofthefreedmenofyourdepartment，andofyoursuccessintheworkoftheirmoralandphysicalelevation，hasreachedmeandgivenmemuchpleasure。
ThatweshallbeentirelysuccessfulinoureffortsIfirmlybelieve。
TheblessingofGodandtheeffortsofgoodandfaithfulmenwillbringusanearlierandhappierconsummationthanthemostsanguinefriendsofthefreedmencouldreasonablyexpect。
Yours，A。LINCOLN，TELEGRAMTOGENERALU。S。GRANT。
WASHINGTON，D。C。，March2，1865。
LIEUTENANT—GENERALGRANT，CityPoint，Va。：
YouhavenotsentcontentsofRichmondpapersforTuesdayorWednesday。Didyounotreceivethem？Ifnot，doesitindicateanything？
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMFROMSECRETARYSTANTON
TOGENERALGRANT。
WASHINGTON，March3，1865。12PM。