The News.
Grant threatens another heavy movement on our right, southwest of Petersburg. During Saturday and Saturday night his railroad was kept running, moving troops from City Point to his left, and on Sunday morning a large column drove in our pickets on the Vaughan road and crossed Hatcher's run. During the day there was some brisk skirmishing, but no engagement of consequence. A fight was deemed imminent yesterday. At 6 o'clock last evening, however, no official intelligence of any fighting had been received at the War Office. The Petersburg Express thinks this movement of Grant is against the Weldon railroad, or, perhaps, Weldon itself, and that no attack on the Petersburg lines is intended. We think it quite as likely that Grant is after the Southside as well as the Weldon road; or, it may be, he is after neighbor, but is demonstrating on our right to cover some real movement on the north side.The peace mission — message from President Davis to Congress — official report of the Confederate commissioners.
The following important documents were laid before Congress yesterday morning: "To the Senate and House of Representatives of the Confederate States of America:
"Having recently received written notification which satisfied me that the President of the United States was disposed to confer, informally, with unofficial agents that might be sent by me, with a view to the restoration of peace, I requested the Hon. Alexander H. Stephens, the Hon. R. M. T. Hunter and the Hon. John A. Campbell to proceed through our lines, and to hold conference with Mr. Lincoln, or such persons as he might depute to represent him.
"I herewith submit, for the information of Congress, the report of the eminent citizens above named, showing that the enemy refused to enter into negotiations with the Confederate States, or any one of them separately, or to give to our people any other terms or guarantees than those which the conqueror may grant, or to permit us to have peace on any other basis than our unconditional submission to their rule, coupled with the acceptance of their recent legislation, including an amendment to the Constitution for the emancipation of all the negro slaves, and with the right on the part of the Federal Congress to legislate on the subject of the relations between the white and black population of each State.
Such is, as I understand, the effect of the amendment to the Constitution which has been adopted by the Congress of the United States.
Under your letter of appointment of the 28th ultimo, we proceeded to seek an 'informal conference' with Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, upon the subject mentioned in the letter.
The conference was granted, and took place on the 30th instant, on board of a steamer anchored in Hampton Roads, where we met President Lincoln and the Hon. Mr. Seward, Secretary of State of the United-States.
It continued for several hours, and was both full and explicit.
"We learned from them that the message of President Lincoln to the Congress of the United States, in December last, explains clearly and distinctly his sentiments as to the terms, conditions, and method of proceeding, by which peace can be secured to the people, and we were not informed that they would be modified or altered to obtain that end.
"We understood from him that no terms or proposals of any treaty or agreement, looking to an ultimate settlement, would be entertained or made by him with the authorities of the Confederate States, because that would be a recognition of their existence as a separate Power, which under no circumstances would be done; and, for like reasons, that no such terms would be entertained by him from the States separately; that no extended truce or armistice (as at present advised) would be granted or allowed, without a satisfactory assurance, in advance, of a complete restoration of the authority of the Constitution and laws of the United States over all places within the States of the Confederacy.
"That whatever consequences may follow from the re-establishment of that authority must be accepted.
But that individuals, subject to pains and penalties under the laws of the United States, might rely upon a very liberal use of the power confided to him to remit those pains and penalties if peace be restored.
"During the conference, the proposed amendments to the Constitution of the United States, adopted by Congress on the 31st ultimo, were brought to our notice.
"These amendments provide that neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except for crime, should exist within the United States or any place within their jurisdiction, and that Congress should have power to enforce this amendment by appropriate legislation.
"Of all the correspondence that preceded the conference herein mentioned, and leading to the same, you have heretofore been informed. "Very respectfully,
"Your obedient servants,
"Alexander H. Stephens.
"R. M. T. Hunter,
"J. A. Campbell.
"Your obedient servants,
"Alexander H. Stephens.
"R. M. T. Hunter,
"J. A. Campbell.
