LATEST FROM AMERICA. PEACE OVERTURES.

North Otago Times, Volume II, Issue 33, 6 October 1864, Page 3

LATEST FROM AMERICA. PEACE OVERTURES.

The late&t intelligence from America is via San Francisco (not a very reliable source). The New York papers publish a correspondence between the President and certain gentlemen of the Southern Confederacy not fully accredited to act, but supposed to be in the confidence of the Confederate Government on the subject of peace. The basis proposed by the Southern Commissioners is as follows : — First, the freedom of all negroes who have been actually freed by the war, to be secured. Second, all negroes at present held as slaves to remain so. Third, the war debts of parties to be paid by the United States. Fourth, the old doctrine of States' righta to be recognised in reconstructing the Union. The President's sentiments on the subject are contained in the following manifesto : — " From the Executive Mansion, 18th July, 1864. " To whom it may concern : — Any proposition which embraces the restoration of peace and the integrity of the whole Union and the abandonment of slavery, which comes by and with nn authority that can control the armies now at war against the United States, will be received and considered by the Executive Government of the United States, and will be mot by liberal terms on other substantial and collateral points, and the bearer or bearers thereof shall havo safe conduct both waya. (Signed) " Abraham Lincoln." The military intelligence on the whole does not lead to the opinion that the situation has altered much since previous advices.