Posted on 02/11/2025 7:20:45 AM PST by Homer_J_Simpson
WASHINGTON, Feb. 10.
To the Honorable, the House of Representatives:
In response to your resolution of the 8th inst., requesting information in relation to a conference recently held in Hampton Roads, I have the honor to state that on the day of the date I gave FRANCIS P. BLAIR, Sr., a card written on as follows, to wit.:
Allow the bearer, F.P. BLAIR, Sr., to pass our lines, go south and return. A. LINCOLN.
Dec. 26, 1864.
That at the time, I was informed that Mr. BLAIR sought the card as a means of getting to Richmond, Va., but he was given no authority to speak or act for the Government, nor was I informed of anything he would say or do on his own account or otherwise. Mr. BLAIR told me that he had been to Richmond and had seen Mr. JEFFERSON DAVIS, and he (Mr. BLAIR) at the same time left with me a manuscript letter as follows, to wit.:
RICHMOND, Va., Jan. 12, 1865.
F.P. Blair; Esq.:
SIR: I have deemed it proper, and probably desirable to you, to give you in this form the substance of the remarks made by me, to be repeated by you to President LINCOLN, etc., etc.
I have no disposition to find obstacles in forms, and am willing now, as heretofore, to enter into negotiations for the restoration of peace.
I am ready to send a commission whenever I have reason to suppose it will be received, or to receive a commission if the United States Government shall choose to send one.
Notwithstanding the rejection of our former offers, I would, if you could promise that a commissioner, minister or other agent would be received, appoint one immediately, and renew the effort to enter into a conference with a view
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First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: May 2025.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.
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