meet the commissioners
in person at Fortress Monroe. Mr. Lincoln joined Mr. Seward at
this place on the _River Queen_, where they were met by the
commissioners on the morning of February 3d. The conference which
ensued was wholly without significance. The President was frank
and firm, standing by his hitherto announced ultimatum. Stephens
tried to talk about Blair's Mexican scheme; about an armistice and
some expedient to "give time to cool." Mr. Lincoln met all
suggestions by saying: "The restoration of the Union is a _sine
qua non;_" and that there could be no armistice on any other terms.
It is not absolutely certain what was, in detail, proposed or
rejected on either side, as no concurrent report was made of the
conference and reporters were excluded from it. Mr. Lincoln,
according to the commissioners, declared the road to reconstruction
for the insurgents was to disband "their armies and permit the
national authorities to resume their functions." The President
stated he would exercise the power of the Executive with liberality
as to the confiscation of property. He is reported to have said
also that the effect of the Emancipation Proclamation was to be
decided by the courts, giving it as his opinion that as it was a
war measure, it would be inoperative for the future as soon as the
war ceased; that it would be held to apply only to such slaves as
had come under its operation. Mr. Seward called attention to the
very recent adoption by Congress of the Thirteenth Amendment to
the Constitution. The commissioners report him as saying that if
the seceding States would agree to return to the Union they might
defeat the ratification of the amendment.

It is apparent that some coloring entered into the statements of
Mr. Stephens and party. About the only good point made in the talk
about which there is no controversy was made by Mr. Lincoln. Mr.
Hunter, in attempting to persuade the latter that there was high
precedent for his treating with people in arms, cited the example
of Charles I. of England treating with his subjects in armed rebellion.
To this the President answered: "_I do not profess to be posted
in history. On all such matters I will turn you over to Mr. Seward.
All that I distinctly recollect about the case of Charles I. is
that he lost his head_."

The commissioners reached Richmond much disappointed, and reported
their failure. The effect on the South was depressing. Mr. Stephens
seemed