Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 1.djvu/558

520 not been conferred, but that full powers would be conferred at Richmond, was telegraphed by Mr. Greeley to Mr. Lincoln, with request for further instructions. The instructions were brought by Colonel Hay and were of such a nature that all negotiations were abruptly ended. Mr. Lincoln s letter on this grave matter in which the vast interests of the people of the North and South were greatly concerned, began with an inexcusable flippancy like the heading of an advertisement of strayed cattle. This official letter of the President, dated July 18th, from the executive mansion, to be brought by Colonel Hay for delivery through Mr. Greeley to gentlemen who would be accredited by the belligerent Confederacy to propose peace was addressed: &quot;To whom it may concern.&quot; The body of the &quot;instructions&quot; following this promiscuous superscription merely authorized safety passports to accredited persons bringing the unconditional surrender of the Confederate armies. The Confederate representatives, in indignation at receiving a paper so different from the safe conduct they expected, as accredited bearers of propositions looking to the establishment of peace, left on record, July 21 st, their judgment concerning the sudden and entire change in the views of the President and of his rude withdrawal of a courteous overture for negotiation at the moment it was likely to be accepted. Mr. Greeley s disappointment was severe. He at least, believed the moment had come when honest diplomacy would restore the Union, and expressed his regrets of "the sad termination of the steps taken for peace from the change made by the President in his instructions given him to convey commissioners to Washington for negotiations unconditionally.&quot; Mr. Lincoln chose to make no public statements, and the Confederate authorities had none to make except the fact that once more their attempts to approach the Washington administration had been thwarted. The issue the same day on which he signed the &quot; To whom it may concern &quot; paper, of his