fer with any person or persons duly
authorized by the Government of the United States, being furnished with
like power and authority, and with him or them to agree, treat, consult,
and negotiate" concerning all matters in which the parties were both
interested. No secret instructions were given them, for there was
nothing to conceal. The objects of their mission were open and avowed,
and its inception and conduct throughout were characterized by frankness
and good faith. How this effort was received, how the Commissioners were
kept waiting, and, while fair promises were held to the ear, how
military preparations were pushed forward for the unconstitutional,
criminal purpose of coercing States, let the shameful record of that
transaction attest.

[Footnote 124: Statutes at Large, Provisional Government, Confederate
States of America, p. 27.]

[Footnote 125: Statutes at Large, Provisional Government, Confederate
States of America, pp. 27, 28.]

[Footnote 126: See Provisional Constitution, Appendix K, _in loco_.]

[Footnote 127: Statutes at Large, Provisional Government, Confederate
States of America, p. 92.]

[Footnote 128: Statutes at Large, Provisional Government, Confederate
States of America, pp. 36-38.]

[Footnote 129: Ibid., p. 38.]

CHAPTER VIII.

The Peace Conference.--Demand for "a Little Bloodletting."--Plan
proposed by the Conference.--Its Contemptuous Reception and
Treatment in the United States Congress.--Failure of Last
Efforts at Reconciliation and Reunion.--Note.--Speech of General
Lane, of Oregon.

While the events which have just been occupying our attention were
occurring, the last conspicuous effort was made within the Union to stay
the tide of usurpation which was driving the Southern States into
secession. This effort was set on foot by Virginia, the General Assembly
of which State, on the 19th of January, 1861, adopted a preamble and
resolutions, deprecating disunion, and inviting all such States as were
willing to unite in an earnest endeavor to avert it by an adjustment of
the then existing controversies to appoint commissioners to meet in
Washington, on the 4th of February, "to consider, and, if practicable,
agree upon some suitable adjustment." Ex-President John Tyler, and
Messrs. William C. Rives, John W. Brockenbrugh, George W. Summers, and
James A. Seddon--five of the most distinguished citizens of the
State--were appointed to represent Virginia in th