ally to
discuss matters relating to the rendition of criminals, but really
to talk about peace. The conference took place March 12th. General
Wallace assumed only to negotiate a peace for States west of the
Mississippi. He did not profess to have any authority from
Washington, nor did he offer to make the terms final. He must have
been wholly ignorant of the President's dispatch to Grant of March
3d. Wallace's plan was, at Slaughter and Ford's instance, reduced
to writing, and addressed to them, to be submitted to the Confederate
General J. G. Walker, commanding the Department of Texas. Here it
is:

"_Proposition.

"I. That the Confederate military authorities of the Trans-
Mississippi States and Territories agree voluntarily to cease
opposition, armed and otherwise, to the re-establishment of the
authority of the United States Government over all the region above
designated.

"II. The proper authorities of the United States on their part
guarantee as follows:

"1. That the officers and soldiers at present actually comprising
the Confederate Army proper, including its _bona fide attaches_
and employees, shall have, each and all of them, a full release
from and against actions, prosecutions, liabilities, and legal
proceedings of every kind, so far as the government of the United
States is concerned: _Provided_, That if any of such persons choose
to remain within the limits of the United States, they shall first
take an oath of allegiance to the same. If, however, they or any
of them prefer to go abroad for residence in a foreign country,
all such shall be at liberty to do so without obligating themselves
by an oath of allegiance, taking with them their families and
property, with privileges of preparation for such departure.

"2. That such of said officers and soldiers as thus determine to
remain in the United States shall, after taking the oath of allegiance
to the United States Government, be regarded as citizens of that
government, invested as such will all the rights, privileges, and
immunities now enjoyed by the most favored citizens thereof.

"3. That the above guaranties shall be extended to all persons
now serving as civil officers of the national and State Confederate
governments within the region above mentioned, upon their complying
with the conditions stated, viz., residence abroad or taking the
oath of allegiance.

"4. That persons now private citizens of the region named shall
also