Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War.

Afterwards I prepared and put into the hands of Major Thomas T.
Eckert the following instructions and message: 

Executive Mansion,

Major T. T. Eckert.  Washington, January 30, 1865

Sir:—­You will proceed with the documents placed in your hands, and on reaching General Ord will deliver him the letter addressed to him by the Secretary of War; then, by General Ord’s assistance, procure an interview with Messrs. Stephens, Hunter, and Campbell, or any of them.  Deliver to him or them the paper on which your own letter is written.  Note on the copy which you retain the time of delivery and to whom delivered.  Receive their answer in writing, waiting a reasonable time for it, and which, if it contain their decision to come through without further condition, will be your warrant to ask General Ord to pass them through, as directed in the letter of the Secretary of War to him.  If by their answer they decline to come, or propose other terms, do not have them pass through.  And this being your whole duty, return and report to me.

A. Lincoln.

City point, Va..  February 1, 1865.

Messrs.  Alexander H. Stephens, J. A. Campbell and
R. M. T. Hunter.

Gentlemen:—­I am instructed by the President of the United States to place this paper in your hands, with the information that if you pass through the United States military lines it will be understood that you do so for the purpose of an informal conference on the basis of the letter a copy of which is on the reverse side of this sheet, and that if you choose to pass on such understanding, and so notify me in writing, I will procure the commanding general to pass you through the lines and to Fortress Monroe under such military precautions as he may deem prudent, and at which place you will be met in due time by some person or persons for the purpose of such informal conference; and, further, that you shall have protection, safe conduct, and safe return in all events.

Thomas T. Eckert,
Major and Aide-de-Camp.

Washington, January 18, 1865. 
F. P. Blair, Esq.

Sir:—­Your having shown me Mr. Davis’s letter to you of the twelfth instant, you may say to him that I have constantly been, am now, and shall continue ready to receive any agent whom he or any other influential person now resisting the national authority may informally send to me with the view of securing peace to the people of our one common country.

Yours, etc.,

A. Lincoln.

Afterwards, but before Major Eckert had departed, the following dispatch was received from General Grant: 

Office united states military telegraph,
war department.