ce of the people of the
South, and the government at Richmond was so rapidly becoming
discredited, that he could doubtless have obtained the popular support
and compelled the assent of the Executive to any measures he thought
proper for the attainment of peace. From this it was easy for him and
for others to come to the wholly erroneous conclusion that General Grant
held a similar relation to the government and people of the United
States. General Lee seized upon the pretext of a conversation reported
to him by General Longstreet as having been held with General E.O.C. Ord
under an ordinary flag of truce for the exchange of prisoners, to
address a letter to Grant, sanctioned by Mr. Davis, saying he had been
informed that General Ord had said General Grant would not decline an
interview with a view "to a satisfactory adjustment of the present
unhappy difficulties by means of a military convention," provided Lee
had authority to act. He therefore proposed to meet General Grant "with
the hope that ... it may be found practicable to submit the subjects of
controversy ... to a convention of the kind mentioned"; professing
himself "authorized to do whatever the result of the proposed interview
may render necessary."

Grant at once telegraphed these overtures to Washington. Stanton
received the despatch at the Capitol, where the President was, according
to his custom, passing the last night of the session of Congress, for
the convenience of signing bills. The Secretary handed the telegram to
Mr. Lincoln, who read it in silence. He asked no advice or suggestion
from any one about him, but, taking up a pen, wrote with his usual
slowness and precision a despatch in Stanton's name, which he showed to
Seward, and then handed to Stanton to be signed and sent. The language
is that of an experienced ruler, perfectly sure of himself and of his
duty:

"The President directs me to say that he wishes you to have no
conference with General Lee, unless it be for capitulation of General
Lee's army, or on some minor or purely military matter. He instructs me
to say that you are not to decide, discuss, or confer upon any political
questions. Such questions the President holds in his own hands, and
will submit them to no military conferences or conventions. Meanwhile,
you are to press to the utmost your military advantages."

Grant answered Lee that he had no authority to accede to his
proposition, and explained that General Ord's language m