'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. A. LINCOLN. When Major Eckert departed, he bore with him a letter of the Secretary of War to General Grant, as follows, to wit: WAR DEPARTMENT, _Washington, D.C., January 30, 1865_. Lieutenant-General GRANT, _Commanding, etc._ GENERAL: The President desires that you will please procure for the bearer, Major Thomas T. Eckert, an interview with Messrs. Stephens, Hunter, and Campbell, and if on his return to you he requests it pass them through our lines to Fortress Monroe by such route and under such military precautions as you may deem prudent, giving them protection and comfortable quarters while there, and that you let none of this have any effect upon your movements or plans. By order of the President: EDWIN M. STANTON, _Secretary of War_. Supposing the proper point to be then reached, I dispatched the Secretary of State with the following instructions, Major Eckert, however, going ahead of him: EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, January 31, 1865_. Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, _Secretary of State_: You will proceed to Fortress Monroe, Va., there to meet and informally confer with Messrs. Stephens, Hunter, and Campbell on the basis of my letter to F.P. Blair, esq., of January 18, 1865, a copy of which you have. You will make known to them that three things are indispensable, to wit: 1. The restoration of the national authority throughout all the States.