n 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 anything.

Yours, etc.,
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

On the day of its date the following telegram was sent to General Grant:

WAR DEPARTMENT,
_Washington, D.C., February 1, 1865_.
(Sent at 9.30 a.m.)

Lieutenant-General GRANT,
_City Point, Va._:

Let nothing which is transpiring change, hinder, or delay your military
movements or Plans.

A. LINCOLN.

Afterwards the following dispatch was received from General Grant:

OFFICE UNITED STATES MILITARY TELEGRAPH,
_War Department_.

The following telegram received at Washington 2.30 p.m. February 1,
1865, from City Point, Va., February 1, 12.30 p.m., 1865:

"His Excellency A. LINCOLN,
"_President United States_:

"Your dispatch received. There will be no armistice in consequence of
the presence of Mr. Stephens and others within our lines. The troops
are kept in readiness to move at the shortest notice if occasion
should justify it.

"U.S. GRANT, _Lieutenant-General."_

To notify Major Eckert that the Secretary of State would be at Fortress
Monroe, and to put them in communication, the following dispatch was
sent:

WAR DEPARTMENT,
_Washington, D.C., February 1, 1865_.

Major T.T. ECKERT,
_Care of General Grant, City Point, Va._:

Call at Fortress Monroe and put yourself under direction of Mr. S.,
whom you will find there.

A. LINCOLN.

On the morning of the 2d instant the following telegrams were received
by me respectively from the Secretary of State and Major Eckert:

FORT MONROE, VA., _February 1, 1865--11.30 p.m._

The PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES:

Arrived at 10 this evening. Richmond party not here. I remain here.

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

CITY POINT, VA., _February 1, 1865--10 p.m._

His Excellency A. LINCOLN,
_President of the United States_:

I have the honor to report the delivery of your communication and my
letter at 4.1