“U.S.  Grant
“Lieutenant-General,”

This despatch 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 despatch from General Grant, I join you at Fort Monroe as soon as I can come.

A. Lincoln.

Before starting, the following despatch 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.

“U.  S. Grant, Lieutenant-General.”

(Copy to Hon.  Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War, Washington.)

On the night of the 2nd 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 despatch 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.”