The report of the Hampton Roads conference and its results, was made by President Davis, to Congress, on the 5th February:
“To the Senate and House of Representatives of the Confederate States of America:
“Having recently received a written notification, which satisfied me that the President of the United States was disposed to confer, informally, with unofficial agents that might be sent by me, with a view to the restoration of peace, I requested Hon. Alexander H. Stephens, Hon. R. M. T. Hunter, and Hon. John A. Campbell, to proceed through our lines, to hold a conference with Mr. Lincoln, or such persons as he might depute to represent him.
“I herewith submit, for the information of Congress, the report of the eminent citizens above named, showing that the enemy refuse to enter into negotiations with the Confederate States, or any one of them separately, or to give our people any other terms or guarantees than those which a conqueror may grant, or permit us to have peace on any other basis than our unconditional submission to their rule, coupled with the acceptance of their recent legislation, including an amendment to the Constitution for the emancipation of negro slaves, and with the right, on the part of the Federal Congress, to legislate on the subject of the relations between the white and black population of each State.
“Such is, as I understand, the effect of the amendment to the Constitution, which has been adopted by the Congress of the United States.
“JEFFERSON DAVIS.
“Executive Office, Feb. 5, 1865.”
“Richmond, Va., February 5, 1865.
“To the President of the Confederate States—
“Sir: Under your letter of appointment of 28th ult., we proceeded to seek an informal conference with Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, upon the subject mentioned in your letter.