“U.S.  GRANT,
    “Lieutenant-General."

  (Copy to Hon. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War, Washington.)

On the night of the 2d I reached Hampton Roads, found the Secretary of State and Major Eckert on a steamer anchored offshore, and learned of them that the Richmond gentlemen were on another steamer also anchored offshore, in the Roads, and that the Secretary of State had not yet seen or communicated with them.  I ascertained that Major Eckert had literally complied with his instructions, and I saw for the first time the answer of the Richmond gentlemen to him, which in his dispatch to me of the 1st he characterizes as “not satisfactory.”  That answer is as follows, to wit: 

  CITY POINT, VA., February 1, 1865.

  THOMAS T. ECKERT,
    Major and Aid-de-Camp.

MAJOR:  Your note, delivered by yourself this day, has been considered.  In reply we have to say that we were furnished with a copy of the letter of President Lincoln to Francis P. Blair, esq., of the 18th of January ultimo, another copy of which is appended to your note.

  Our instructions are contained in a letter of which the following is
  a copy: 

  “Richmond, January 28, 1865.

“In conformity with the letter of Mr. Lincoln, of which the foregoing is a copy, you are 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 great respect, your obedient servant,
  “JEFFERSON DAVIS.”

The substantial object to be obtained by the informal conference is to ascertain upon what terms the existing war can be terminated honorably.

Our instructions contemplate a personal interview between President Lincoln and ourselves at Washington City, but with this explanation we are ready to meet any person or persons that President Lincoln may appoint at such place as he may designate.

Our earnest desire is that a just and honorable peace may be agreed upon, and we are prepared to receive or to submit propositions which may possibly lead to the attainment of that end.

Very respectfully, yours,

  ALEXANDER H. STEPHENS. 
  R.M.T.  HUNTER. 
  JOHN A. CAMPBELL.

A note of these gentlemen, subsequently addressed to General Grant, has already been given in Major Eckert’s dispatch of the 1st instant.

I also here saw, for the first time, the following note addressed by the Richmond gentlemen to Major Eckert: 

  CITY POINT, VA., February 2, 1865.

  THOMAS T. ECKERT,
    Major and Aid-de-Camp.