Mr. Seward to Mr.
Adams
No. 1325.]
Department of State,
Washington,
March 27, 1865,
Sir: I transmit a copy of a letter of this
date, addressed to this department by the Secretary of War, and of the
papers to which it refers, relative to the communication to the
insurgents at Richmond of a copy of Earl Russell’s note to Messrs.
Mason, Slidell and Mann, of the 13th of February last.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.
Mr. Stanton to Mr. Seward
War Department,
Washington City,
March 27, 1865.
Sir: The communication of Earl Russell,
herewith enclosed, was, at your request, transmitted by this
department to Lieutenant General Grant, to be forwarded to General
Lee. I have now the honor of returning it to you, with the
accompanying letters of Lieutenant General Grant and General Lee,
received by this department this morning.
Your obedient servant,
EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of
War.
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State.
Mr. Dana to General Grant
War Department,
Washington City,
March 9, 1865.
General: This department has received from
the honorable William H. Seward, Secretary of State, a
communication, a copy of which is hereto annexed, for your
information. The paper referred to therein is enclosed herewith. The
Secretary of War directs me to request you to please cause it to be
delivered to General Lee as requested, and report your action to
this department.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
C. A. DANA, Assistant Secretary of
War.
Lieutenant General U. S. Grant,
Commanding Armies of the United
States.
General Grant to Mr. Stanton
Headquarters Armies of the
United States,
City Point, Va.,
March 25, 1865.
Sir: I have the honor to forward herewith a
communication of General R. E. Lee, “commanding armies Confederate
States,” of date 23d instant, with enclosures.
Very respectfully your obedient servant,
U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant
General.
Hon. E. M. Stanton,
Secretary of War, Washington City.
R. E. Lee to General Grant
Headquarters C. S.
Armies,
March 23,
1865.
General: In pursuance of instructions
from the government of the Confederate States, transmitted to me
through the Secretary of War, the documents recently forwarded
by you are respectfully returned.
I am directed to say “that the government of the Confederate
States cannot recognize as authentic a paper which is neither an
original nor attested as a copy; nor could they under any
circumstances, consent to hold intercourse with a neutral nation
through the medium of
[Page 297]
open despatches sent through hostile lines after being read and
approved by the enemies of the confederacy.”
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient
servant,
Lieutenant General U. S. Grant,
Commanding United States Armies,
