o the people of our one common country.

Yours, etc.,
A. LINCOLN.

Afterwards Mr. Blair dictated for and authorized me to make an entry on
the back of my retained copy of the letter last above recited, which
entry is as follows:

JANUARY 28, 1865.

Today Mr. Blair tells me that on the 21st instant he delivered to Mr.
Davis the original of which the within is a copy, and left it with him;
that at the time of delivering it Mr. Davis read it over twice in Mr.
Blair's presence, at the close of which he (Mr. Blair) remarked that the
part about "our one common country" related to the part of Mr. Davis's
letter about "the two countries," to which Mr. Davis replied that he so
understood it.

A. LINCOLN.

Afterwards the Secretary of War placed in my hands the following
telegram, indorsed by him, as appears:

OFFICE UNITED STATES MILITARY TELEGRAPH,
_War Department_.

The following telegram received at Washington January 29, 1865, from
headquarters Army of James, 6.30 p.m., January 29, 1865:

"Hon. EDWIN M. STANTON,
"_Secretary of War_:

"The following dispatch just received from Major-General Parke, who
refers it to me for my action. I refer it to you in Lieutenant-General
Grant's absence.

"E.O.C. ORD, _Major-General, Commanding."_

'HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF POTOMAC,
'_January 29, 1865-4 p.m._

'Major-General E.O.C. ORD,
_'Headquarters Army of James_:

'The following dispatch is forwarded to you for your action. Since
I have no knowledge of General Grant's having had any understanding of
this kind, I refer the matter to you as the ranking officer present in
the two armies.

'JNO. G. PARKE, _Major-General, Commanding.'_

'FROM HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS, _29th._

'Major-General JNO. G. PARKE,
'_Headquarters Army of Potomac_:

'Alexander H. Stephens, R.M.T. Hunter, and J.A. Campbell desire to
cross my lines, in accordance with an understanding claimed to exist
with lieutenant-General Grant, on their way to Washington as peace
commissioners. Shall they be admitted? They desire an early answer, to
come through immediately. Would like to reach City Point tonight if they
can. If they can not do this, they would like to come through at 10 a.m.
tomorrow morning.

'O.B. WILCOX,
'_Major-General, Commanding Ninth Corps._'

"January 29--8.30 p.m.

"Respectfully referred to the President for such ins