"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. THOS. T. ECKERT, _Major, etc._ On reading this dispatch of Major Eckert I was about to recall him and the Secretary of State, when the following telegram of General Grant to the Secretary of War was shown me: OFFICE UNITED STATES MILITARY TELEGRAPH, _War Department_. The following telegram received at Washington 4.35 a.m. February 2, 1865, from City Point, Va., February 1, 10.30 p.m., 1865: "Hon. EDWIN M. STANTON, "_Secretary of War_: "Now that the interview between Major Eckert, under his written instructions, and Mr. Stephens and party has ended, I will state confidentially, but not officially to become a matter of record, that I am convinced upon conversation with Messrs. Stephens and Hunter that their intentions are good and their desire sincere to restore peace and union. I have not felt myself at liberty to express even views of my own or to account for my reticency. This has placed me in an awkward position, which I could have avoided by not seeing them in the first instance. I fear now their going back without any expression from anyone in authority will have a bad influence. At the same time, I recognize the difficulties in the way of receiving these informal commissioners at this time, and do not know what to recommend. I am sorry, however, that Mr. Lincoln can not have an interview with the two named in this dispatch, if not all three now within our lines. Their letter to me was all that the President's instructions contemplated to secure their safe conduct if they had used the same language to Major Eckert. "U.S. GRANT, _Lieutenant-General"_ This dispatch of General Grant changed my purpose, and accordingly I telegraphed him and the Secretary of State, respectively, as follows: WAR DEPARTMENT, _Washington, D.C., February 2, 1865_. (Sent at 9 a.m.) Lieutenant-General GRANT, _City Point, Va._: Say to the gentlemen I will meet them personally at Fortress Monroe as soon as I can get there. A. LINCOLN. WAR DEPARTMENT, _Washington, D.C., February 2, 1865_. (Sent at 9 a.m.) Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, _Fortress Monroe, Va._: