Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Poetry and Incidents., Volume 7.
Frank Moore, Ed.

The Propositions for an Armistice.

to the editors of the evening post: At a meeting held at Stamford, Ct., on Tuesday evening last, I said “that propositions for an armistice or peace had been submitted to the President on the twelfth December last, which, had they been accepted, would have terminated this war by the first of April, upon a basis satisfactory to the people North and South.” In referring to this statement, you ask: “Who made these ‘propositions for an armistice or peace,’ the adoption of which Mr. Wood pretends to believe would have settled the matter by All-Fools' day? Were they made by Davis and his fellow-rebels? If so, how does Mr. Wood know any thing about them? Has he been in secret correspondence with the enemy? Or were they made by some of the anti-war men here? If so, who authorized them? And what are the terms of the propositions from which Mr. Wood hopes so much? If they are honorable to the nation; if they are such as patriotic Americans ought to favor, why not make them public at once?” To which I say in reply, that the statement referred to was made by me deliberately, with a full and personal knowledge of the facts, and that I am constrained from the publicity of them only by the request of one of the principal officers of the Government. When this interdiction shall be withdrawn, I will cheerfully gratify your curiosity.

Very respectfully, etc.,