make the instructions "as
vague and general as possible," the simple direction to confer "upon the
subject to which it relates"; but his chief refused the suggestion, and
wrote the following instruction, which carried a palpable contradiction
on its face:

"In conformity with the letter of Mr. Lincoln, of which the foregoing is
a copy, you are requested to proceed to Washington City for informal
conference with him upon the issues involved in the existing war, and
for the purpose of securing peace to the two countries."

With this the commissioners presented themselves at the Union lines on
the evening of January 29, but instead of showing their double-meaning
credential, asked admission, "in accordance with an understanding
claimed to exist with Lieutenant-General Grant." Mr. Lincoln, being
apprised of the application, promptly despatched Major Thomas T. Eckert,
of the War Department, with written directions to admit them under
safe-conduct, if they would say in writing that they came for the
purpose of an informal conference on the basis of his note of January 18
to Mr. Blair. The commissioners having meantime reconsidered the form of
their application and addressed a new one to General Grant which met the
requirements, were provisionally conveyed to Grant's headquarters; and
on January 31 the President commissioned Secretary Seward to meet them,
saying in his written instructions:

"You will make known to them that three things are indispensable, to
wit: First. The restoration of the national authority throughout all the
States. Second. No receding by the Executive of the United States on the
slavery question from the position assumed thereon in the late annual
message to Congress, and in preceding documents. Third. No cessation of
hostilities short of an end of the war, and the disbanding of all forces
hostile to the government. You will inform them that all propositions of
theirs, not inconsistent with the above, will be considered and passed
upon in a spirit of sincere liberality. You will hear all they may
choose to say, and report it to me. You will not assume to definitely
consummate anything."

Mr. Seward started on the morning of February 1, and simultaneously with
his departure the President repeated to General Grant the monition
already sent him two days before: "Let nothing which is transpiring
change, hinder, or delay your military movements or plans." Major Eckert
had arrived while Mr. Seward was ye