5 this afternoon, to which I received a reply at 6 p.m.,
but not satisfactory.

At 8 p.m. the following note, addressed to General Grant, was received:

"CITY POINT, VA., _February 1, 1865_.

"Lieutenant-General GRANT.

"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.