Executive Mansion,
Washington, January 31, 1865.

Hon.  William H. Seward, Secretary of State: 

You will proceed to Fortress Monroe, Va., there to meet and informally confer with Messrs. Stephens, Hunter, and Campbell on the basis of my letter to F. P. Blair, Esq., of January 18, 1865, a copy of which you have.

You will make known to them that three things are indispensable, to
Wit: 

1.  The restoration of the national authority throughout all the States.

2.  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.

3.  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.

Yours, etc.,

Abraham Lincoln.

On the day of its date the following telegram was sent to General
Grant: 

War department,
Washington, D. C., February 1,1865
(Sent at 9.30 A.M.)

Lieutenant-general grant, City Point, Va.: 

Let nothing which is transpiring change, hinder, or delay your military movements or plans.

A. Lincoln.

Afterwards the following despatch was received from General Grant: 

Office united states military telegraph
war department. 
The following telegram received at Washington, 2.30 P.M., February 1,
1865, from City Point, Va., February 1, 12.30 PM., 1865: 

“His excellency A. Lincoln, President United States: 

“Your despatch received.  There will be no armistice in consequence of the presence of Mr. Stephens and others within our lines.  The troops are kept in readiness to move at the shortest notice if occasion should justify it.

“U.S.  Grant, Lieutenant-General.”

To notify Major Eckert that the Secretary of State would be at Fortress Monroe, and to put them in communication, the following despatch was sent: 

War department,
Washington, D. C., February 1, 1865.

Major T. T. Eckert,
Care of General Grant, City Point, Va.: 

Call at Fortress Monroe and put yourself under direction of Mr. S., whom you will find there.

A. Lincoln.

On the morning of the 2d instant the following telegrams were received by me respectively from the Secretary of State and Major Eckert: