Accordingly, when he learned--as he did during the last week of January, from his friend, Francis P. Blair, who had visited Richmond, with the President’s permission--that the managers there were desirous of sending certain persons as commissioners to learn from the United States Government upon what terms an adjustment of difficulties could be made, and that A. H. Stephens, of Georgia, R. M. T. Hunter, of Virginia, and J. A. Campbell, of Alabama, had been sent through the enemy’s lines by Davis for the purpose of a conference upon the subject, Mr. Lincoln, not choosing that the commissioners should visit Washington, entrusted the matter to Secretary Seward, furnishing him with the following letter of instructions, dated Executive Mansion, Washington, January 31st, 1865: “HON. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State:--You will proceed to Fortress Monroe, Virginia, 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 national authority throughout all the States. “2. No receding by the Executive of the United States, on the slavery question, from the position assumed thereon in the late annual message to Congress, and in preceding documents. “3. No cessation of hostilities short of an end of the war and the disbanding of all forces hostile to the Government. “You will inform them that all propositions of theirs not inconsistent with the above, will be considered and passed upon in a spirit of sincere liberality. “You will hear all they may choose to say, and report it to me. “You will not assume to definitely consummate any thing. “Yours truly, A. LINCOLN.” On the 2d of February, the President himself left for the point designated, and on the morning of the 3d, attended by Mr. Seward, received Messrs. Stephens, Hunter, and Campbell, on board a United States steamer anchored in Hampton Roads.