old Blair
About 150 years ago people up in this neck of the woods could read about some rumored peace maneuvers. From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in January 1865:
More Peace Rumors.
The telegraph of Thursday evening gives us more Peace rumors. We give them for what they are worth. The Richmond Examiner of the 16th says: The rumors concerning the nature of paper negotiations old Blair carries back with him are very numerous, but we are confidently assured the missionn [sic] [h]as brought the peace question to a point that provides for the appointment of Commissioners from either side, with authority to lay a peace foundation, That is all.
The Richmond Whig of the 16th also announces that Mr. Blair had a private and confidential interview with the President. He came in no official capacity, and had no official intercourse with any member of the government. The belief in well informed circles is that this interview may lead to a conference of authorized agents or commissioners of the two governments. It is known that President Davis will permit no obstacle of form to stand in the way of sending or receiving commissioners. It is understood that Mr. Blair told the President that he came in no official character, but with the knowledge and consent of Mr. Lincoln. He expressed the opinion that Mr. Lincoln would certainly appoint commissioners to meet commissioners appointed by our President.
Let us hope that there is some foundations for all these rumors, and that Peace may soon come to our distracted, oppressed and bleeding country.
received old Blair in Richmond
The Richmond Daily Dispatch had its own rumors/take on Peace in its January 16th issue:
Monday morning…January 16, 1865.
The war News. …
Mr. Francis P. Blair, Sr., left Richmond on Saturday, on the flag-of-truce boat, for Grant’s lines. As the end, and object, and results, of his mission have furnished the theme for endless speculation and discussion, we are glad to be able to relieve public curiosity by laying before our readers some facts concerning his interview with the President. He called upon the President on Friday morning. The meeting, especially upon the part of Mr. Blair, was marked by a degree of cordiality that was as refreshing as it was unexpected. He shook the President’s hand warmly, assuring him at the same time of his undiminished regard and esteem. The first compliments over, he requested a private conference with the President, which was immediately accorded him. After a private conversation of an hour’s duration, Mr. Blair took his leave, expressing himself highly gratified with the reception he had met and the results of the conference. Some time after his departure, the president wrote him a note, stating that as he (Mr. Blair) would, perhaps, like to have in writing what he (Mr. Davis) had said to him, he had written to report that he was willing, as he had ever been, to appoint commissioners to meet commissioners of Mr. Lincoln, with a view to an adjustment of the difficulties existing between the two countries. It is under stood that Mr. Blair told the President that he came in no official character, but simply with the knowledge and consent of Mr. Lincoln. He expressed the opinion that Mr. Lincoln would certainly appoint commissioners to meet the commissioners appointed by our President.
The same boat that carried Mr. Blair down the James river brought back General Singleton, and Illinois Peace Democrat, another unauthorized peace commissioner. This peace commissioner business is fast becoming ridiculous. For the benefit of whom it may concern, we will state that General Singleton is at the Spotswood Hotel, where he has been called on by a number of citizens.
