THOS.  T. ECKERT, Major, etc.

On reading this dispatch of Major Eckert I was about to recall him and the Secretary of State, when the following telegram of General Grant to the Secretary of War was shown me: 

  OFFICE UNITED STATES MILITARY TELEGRAPH,
    War Department.

  The following telegram received at Washington 4.35 a.m.  February 2,
  1865, from City Point, Va., February 1, 10.30 p.m., 1865: 

  “Hon. EDWIN M. STANTON,
    “Secretary of War: 

“Now that the interview between Major Eckert, under his written instructions, and Mr. Stephens and party has ended, I will state confidentially, but not officially to become a matter of record, that I am convinced upon conversation with Messrs. Stephens and Hunter that their intentions are good and their desire sincere to restore peace and union.  I have not felt myself at liberty to express even views of my own or to account for my reticency.  This has placed me in an awkward position, which I could have avoided by not seeing them in the first instance.  I fear now their going back without any expression from anyone in authority will have a bad influence.  At the same time, I recognize the difficulties in the way of receiving these informal commissioners at this time, and do not know what to recommend.  I am sorry, however, that Mr. Lincoln can not have an interview with the two named in this dispatch, if not all three now within our lines.  Their letter to me was all that the President’s instructions contemplated to secure their safe conduct if they had used the same language to Major Eckert.

  “U.S.  GRANT, Lieutenant-General"

This dispatch of General Grant changed my purpose, and accordingly I telegraphed him and the Secretary of State, respectively, as follows: 

  WAR DEPARTMENT,
    Washington, D.C., February 2, 1865. 
      (Sent at 9 a.m.)

  Lieutenant-General GRANT,
    City Point, Va.: 

  Say to the gentlemen I will meet them personally at Fortress Monroe
  as soon as I can get there.

  A. LINCOLN.

  WAR DEPARTMENT,
    Washington, D.C., February 2, 1865. 
      (Sent at 9 a.m.)

  Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD,
    Fortress Monroe, Va.: 

  Induced by a dispatch from General Grant, I join you at Fort Monroe as
  soon as I can come.

  A. LINCOLN.

Before starting, the following dispatch was shown me.  I proceeded, nevertheless.

  OFFICE UNITED STATES MILITARY TELEGRAPH,
    War Department.

  The following telegram received at Washington February 2, 1865, from
  City Point, Va., 9 a.m., February 2, 1865: 

  “Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD,
    “Secretary of State, Fort Monroe: 

  “The gentlemen here have accepted the proposed terms, and will leave
  for Fort Monroe at 9.30 a.m.