of peace should be the sole object of all, he desired to know whether Grant's proposals would tend to that end. He, therefore, could not meet Grant with the view of surrendering his army, but as far as Grant's proposition might affect the forces under Lee's command and tend to restore peace Lee would be pleased to meet Grant.

Grant replied, that having no authority to treat on the subject of peace, the meeting proposed by Lee could lead to no good. Grant expressed himself equally desirous with Lee for peace, while the North entertained the same feeling. The terms upon which peace could be had were well understood by the South-by laying down their arms they would hasten peace, and save thousands of lives and millions of property. He hoped that all

difficulties might be settled without the loss of another life.

Lee replied, requesting an interview, in accordance with the offer contained in Grant's letter, in which it was stated that the men who surrendered should be disqualified to take up arms against the Government until exchanged.

Grant then wrote to Lee on the 9th, proposing the following terms of surrender :

"The rolls of all officers and men to be made in duplicate, one copy for the officer designated by Grant, the other for the officer designated by Lee.

"The officers to give their individual paroles not to take up arms against the Government until ex

changed. Each company or regimental commander to sign a like parole for the men.

"The arms, artillery, and public property to be parked and stacked and turned over to officers appointed by Grant. This would not embrace the officers' side arms, private horses, or luggage.

"Each officer and man to be allowed to return home, and not to be disturbed so long as they observe their parole and the laws in force where they reside."

Lee accepted these terms on the same day.

The officers and men were at once paroled and allowed to return home, the officers retaining their side, arms.

Correspondents estimate that Lee surrendered with 25,000 men.

GENERAL LEE'S FAREWELL ORDER.

General Lee, on the 10th inst., issued the following farewell order to his army:

After four years of arduous service, marked by unsurpassed courage and fortitude, the army of Northern Virginia has been compelled to yield to overwhelming numbers and resources. I need not tell the brave survivors of so many hard-fought battles who have remained steadfast to the last, that I have consented to this result from no distrust in them, but feeling that valour and devotion could accomplish nothing that would compensate

for the loss that would have attended a continuance of the contest, I have determined to avoid the useless sacrifice of those whose past services have endeared them to their countrymen. By the terms of the agreement, officers and men can return to their homes and remain until exchanged. You will take with you the satisfaction that proceeds from the consciousness of duty faithfully performed, and I earnestly pray that a merciful God will extend to you His blessing and protection. With unceasing admiration of your constancy and devotion to your country, and a grateful remembrance of your kind and generous consideration for myself, I bid you all an affectionate farewell.

R. E. LEE, General.

ASSASSINATION OF LINCOLN.

Events crowd upon us in rapid succession. Whilst a thrill of joy was passing through the hearts of Northern victors and their abettors and promoters in consequence of their great success, Abraham Lincoln has been sent, by the hand of an assassin, to a tribunal beyond the reach of human criticism, where the motives are scrutinised, as well as the actions of men, uninfluenced by rank or station, wealth or learning, and the reward is bestowed on the principles of immutable equity, according to the deeds committed, whether good or bad. The destruction of life is a solemn, fearful

act. The late Richard Cobden once said in the British House of Commons, that "no man was justified in taking away one human life, except he could restore it," what fearful guilt, therefore, must attach to those who sacrifice the lives of millions or abet them?

During the present war in America one million of lives has been destroyed, besides an immense multitude who have been made cripples, widows, and orphans; but fearful and horrible as it is to contemplate the scenes of battle and its direful results, assassination is a crime of the foulest character and deepest dye. Saddening and mournful as it may be to contemplate the scenes of war, the tragedies of the assassin not only outrage humanity, but shock the common sense of mankind. No fouler crime is chronicled in history than the murder which has just been committed at Washington. When the intelligence reached Liverpool, a tremendous rush took place to the "News Room" on the Exchange. All was deep and profound silence whilst the Secretary read the telegram, but as soon as he announced the death of Lincoln, by an assassin, the feeling of horror which it created was general, with the exception of one dissentient, who had the temerity to shout "Hurrah." His presence in the room was of short duration. He was instantly seized by the collar, and summarily ejected by as strong a Southern as there is in Liverpool, who shouted in his ears, "Be off you incarnate fiend!

You are an assassin at heart." The news is so sudden and startling, that we can hardly bring ourselves to calmly reflect that he who "put his foot down" on the rights and powers of the sovereign states, and "pegged away" with his armies through seas of blood, that he might compel an unwilling obedience from the Southern States is now the victim of an assassin, and fills an untimely grave. There are those who elevate the late President Lincoln to the dignity of a martyr in the foul, detestable, and cruel fate to which he has been subjected, exclaiming, "Upon death's purple altar now see where the victor martyr bleeds.' No, not martyr but victim. He had suddenly wrenched the rights of millions from their hands; and now he has succumbed to a fate which threatens all who are elevated to despotic power.

Official Report.

NEW YORK, April 15th, 1865.

THE following official telegram from Mr. Secretary Stanton has been furnished by the United States Legation in London :

Sir, It has become my distressing duty to announce to you that last night his Excellency Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, was assassinated, about the hour of half-past ten o'clock, in his private box, at Ford's Theatre, in this city. The President about eight o'clock,