MHS Collections Online

February 1865

1 [February 1865] Another pleasant day & milder than usual for eight
consecutive days, the thermometer did not reach the
freezing point, being below it each day.
From the papers today it would seem that three rebel
Commissioners from Richmond have reached Washington
to try to make negotiations for peace, but not by authority
It is all nonsense and only causes delay – one of them
is the Rebel Vice President Stephens.

2 [February 1865] Information today that President Lincoln has gone to
Fortress Monroe to meet the Rebel Commissioners – a
very singular proceeding particularly as Sect Seward has
already arrived there –

As the official information of the signing of the
Amendment to the Constitution by the President
abolishing Slavery forever in the United States came
yesterday, a salute of 100 guns was fired on the
Common and the bells of the City rung one hour
by request of the Governor who also requested that
the bells of all the towns & cities of the State might
also be rung in concert – it is a great event and
worthy of being commemorated – the Legislatures
of the several States now in session are ratifying
it rapidly according to the law.

3 [February 1865] A slite more startling report today - that Jeff.
Davis is on his way to Fortress Monroe to meet
Pres. Lincoln – what next? Pres. Lincoln is no doubt
there as of the other part there is great doubt.

4 [February 1865] Reports upon reports today – first the negotiations have
been going on and an amnesty agreed upon - but that was
soon contradicted -- one thing was a fact that President
Lincoln was at Fortress Monroe in consultation with the
Commissioners - they did not land but the two steamers
lay side by side locked together - here a consultation
of four hours was carried on and today we have
official accounts of the return of President and Sect
Seward, who report that no progress was made and all
things remain as they were -- no peace but by conquer.

It has elicited much curiosity & discussion from
the fact that President Lincoln saw fit to meet the
Commissioners there or anywhere -- nothing will do but
to fight it out.

Slavery is dead – dead – dead & the States are fast
accepting the Constitutional amendment –
Now will commence a new campaign –
Meeting at the Music Hall to commemorate the
passage of the Slavery amendment.

Soft, rainy day – horse cars not running yet.