Daily Alta California, Volume 16, Number 5325, 1 October 1864 — Peace by Negotiation. [ARTICLE]

Peace by Negotiation.

lie most be blind, indeed, or venomously traitorous, who supposes or pretends to suppose, that there is any possibility of ending this war by negotiation, at this stage of the contest. It is utterly preposterous and absurd for any party in the loyal States to profess that they can secure peace and restore the Union. The only persons who can bring about such results are the leaden of the rebellion, or the Southern people, through the agency of a counter revolution against them. It is not to orators nor newspapers in pur midst that we are to look for the termination of hostilities, but to Jeff. Davis. And what does Jeff. Davis say on the subject? We have to-day an official report by Judah P. Benjamin, rebel Secretary of State, of the interview which recently took place in Richmond between Col. Jacques and Jas. R. Gilmore (Edmond Kirke), and Jeff. Davis. It is addressed to " Hon. Jaues M. Mason, Commissioner to the Continent," etc, and will be found in another column of the Alta. In reply to Messrs. Jacques and Gilmore, Jeff. Davis said " that the separation of the States was an accomplished "fact; that he had no authority to receive " proposals for negotiation except by virtue "of his office as President of an independ- " ent Confederacy, and on that basis alone " must proposals be made to him." Now let us see how the mode of proceeding here suggested in the' shape of an ultimatum would work. Suppose we should resort to the very paradoxical action of acknowledging the Southern Confederacy for the purpose of reestablishing the Union, and say. "we have done what yon asked. " Let us now proceed to settle this thing as "soon as possible," what would be the rejoinjler? "It is true you have acknowledged our " independence, but it is only in words; we " wj.ni the fact established; yon must with- " draw your su-mies, so that the world may " see that we are treating on the footing of " equals." This would be rather hard, it mtst be admitted. Wi^Mraw our victorious armies from the thn oarthi of the rebel territory they have *onl Yet if the first step were taken it would have to be done. The orders are issued, and every fort and town in the Southern States is evacuated.

As soon as the abandonment was complete, we would say, "now all our troops are with- " drawn, let us set to work at once and " restore the Union." Then would come smother response from Richmond, "we "cannot treat yet. Your fleet* blockade " our co&sts, and while there is the slightest " appearance of coercion we will not nego"tiate." This would be harder still, but aa we had begun to descend, nothing could stop us till we reached the bottom.

In accordance with this request the fleet would be withdrawn. Cotton wonld then flow out from every port in the rebel States, and money, arms, clothing and medicines would flow in. Mason would proceed in hot haste to London and demand an interview with Lord Palmerston. He would inform him " that the United States had " acknowledged the independence of the *' Confederacy, and as a proof of their am"- " eerily had withdrawn their armies and " fleets. Under such circumstances he had " called upon his Lordship for that recogni- " tion on the part of Her Majesty's Govern- " ment, which, nnder the laws of nations, " was the right of his country."

Instant compliance, with his request, would Le the result. Slidell would pursue the same course in France, and Louis Napoleon, with great alacrity, would acknowledge the Southern Confederacy. The other nations of Europe would follow suit. By this time our Government, instead of dictating, would be reduced to % suppliant attitude. It would probably send a message to Rich caond saying, "*\Ve have done all you asked; " we have withdrawn our fleets and armies. " Come, let us settle this thing now. All " yon have to do is to abolish slavery and " the Union will be restored." A courteous answer would be returned and Commissioners would be at once despatched to treat with the Commissioners appointed by the Government. The Southern envoys would open the negotiation by asking what tht Government wanted. The reply would be, " All you have to do is to abolish slavery " and return to your allegiance." "Abolish slavery," the Southern men would exclaim, " and return to our allegi- " ance. You mistake altogether, gentlemen, " the object of this conference. You have " acknowledged our independence, and so " has the world. We have sold our cotton, " reorganized our armies, procured a fleet, " and have plenty of money in our pockets. " We have not the most remote idea in the " world of returning to the Union. On the ** contrary, we came here to demand from •' you the payment of the debt which we " contracted in defending ourselves from " the unjust and atrocious assault yon hare " made upon us." There the negotiations wonld end, and we would have to commence the work of restoring the Union de novo by force of arms. These would infallibly be the results, under present circumstances, cf an attempt to •ecare peace by negotiation.

Death of Jtoce J. G. Baldwi*.— Joseph G. Baldwin, formerly Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of California, died ia this city yesterday. By birth be was a Virpnikn: by eitiienshtp, for about ten years, a Californiaa; by profession a lawyer. His age was about 55 years. While a yonng man he moved from his native State to Alabama, where he gained a high local reputation as a counsellor. He amused his leisure hours by writing humorous sketches which proved rery successful; and a collection of them, under the title of "Flush Times in Alabama," proved a source of some profit and of fame throughout the Union. He arrived in this State in lkoi end took- tp his residence in San Francisco. He at once obtained an excellent practice. I« 1858 he was appointed to the Supreme Beach by Governor Weller, and the next year he was elected by the people. His wit was brilliaat, and bis conversational powers great; aod these were. elements of personal influence, scarcely inferior to those of his professional ability and official position. He died last night abont nine •'clock ai bis dwelling in this city. His death was entirely unexpected. Macjof hii intimate friendi did not know of bis ilbees. He had beea suffering a few weeks with trphus fever which left him in a weak condition, when a plight surgical operation was performed on him for some varicose veins. Inflammation and lockjaw followed, and the result was fataL He leaves a (

Relief of the Sufferers by the Drought. The Permanent Relief Committee appointed by citizens to extend aid to the suffering residents of the Southern Coast Counties, met at the chamber of the Board of Supervisors last evening. Jacob Deeth acted as Chairman of the meeting. J. P. Buckley made a report from the Committee on Collection of Provisions and Money for the temporary relief of the sufferers. The following provisions were shipped on the brig Curlew: Bradshaw & Co., 50 pounds rice. Porter & Collins, 50 pounds bacon. Gerstung & Co., 100 pounds rice. H. Levy, 1 bag coffee, 1 box tea. J. Callahan, 5 gallons syrup. W. T. Coleman, 2 barrels pork. Shattuck & Hudley, 1 package bacon. Kruse & Engler, 1 bag rice. Castle Bros., sack sago, case codfish, sack vermicelli, sack dried apples, box of raisins. National Mills, 3 barrels flour. Moses Ellis , half barrel apples, half barrel mackerel. Wm. Horr, 6 packages pilot bread. Mr. Barton, sack salt. Coghill & Co., 1 kit mackerel, 2 sacks bacon. Boswell & Geddes, sack bacon. T. R. Ames, sack beans, 2 sacks salt. Oakley &, Jackson, keg vinegar. Winnegar &. Co., 2 sacks aalt. Dodge & Phillips, box tea. Sneath & Arnold, sack rice, 2 hams. Day & Co., sack corn meal, 5 pounds tea. Breed & Dennis, 1 sack of beans, 1 kit of mackerel. Tillman & Co., 6 sacks rice, half barrel of syrup. P. T. White. 1 sack rice, 1 keg syrup, 1 box soap. Captain Thomas, 2 cases oysters. D. McKay, half barrel sugar, 1 bag of beans, 1 box soap. Tarpy & Co., 2 sacks beans. Humphrey & Co., 2 sacks beans. Golden Gate Mills, 1 barrel flour. Rolins, 2 bags turnips. Gutridge Martin, 2 sacks potatoes. Zeile, Pacific Mills, flour. Campbell, of Rincon Warehouse, seedwheat J. R. Crorin, 1 sack flour, 1 sack rice. Geo. C. Peterson, 1 barrel flour. Howes & Goode, 3 sacks potatoes. Captain Garwood, 1 barrel beef. Metropolitan Market, 1 load provisions. R. Patrick & Co., 1 can lard, 1 box of provisions. Harry Mathews, 1 barrel flour. CASH CONTRIBUTIONS. W. N. Arthur $10 00 John Kehoe 2 50 J. B. Newton & Co 20 00 C. L. Taylor 10 00 John Fay 10 00 ---- Hobe 2 50 Cash 2 00 Meeker, James & Co 20 00 W. B. Johnston 25 00 E. Stevens 5 00 Cash 1 00 J. Hough 1 00 William T. Coleman 100 00 B. S. Proctor 1 00 J. W. McNear 2 50 Judge Blake 5 00 Thomas S. Miller 3 00 Cash 1 00 Cash 5 00 Cash 1 00 J. Tayker 2 00 Cash 1 00 A. H. Reed 1 00 Cash 5 00 William Ware 5 00 ---- Kenitzer 5 00 William C. Hinckley 2 00 J. R. Mead 10 00 J. E. Clark 1 00 J. J. Brady 1 00 George Cofran 5 00 Thomas Mclnerney 1 50 Capt. Wm. H. Morton, of the brig Curlew, who was in Santa Barbara a short time ago, confirmed previous accounts of the terrible destitution prevalent in that and other counties. A Committee, consisting of Messrs. Sullivan, Deeth, and Buckley, was appointed, to make arrangements for the forthcoming benefit to be tendered the sufferers by the Mechanics' Association on Monday next. Supervisor H. L. King was elected permanent Treasurer of the Committee. On motion, the following gentlemen were appointed a Collecting Committee : Jos. A. Donohoe, W. C. Ralston, Louis McLane, for Banking, Insurance and Mining Interests. Capt. N. Pierce, R. E. Raimond, for Shipping and Lumber Business. L. Maynard, Charles Mayne, for Real Estate. R. B. Woodward, Jacob Deeth, J. P. Buckley, for Hotels, Liquors, Cigars and Public Houses H. Hawes, Wm. J. Shaw, for Lawyers. D. J. O'Callaghan. A. H. Titcomb, C. D. O' Sullivan, Chas. Clayton, for Produce and Commission. Miscellaneous— H. L. King, Dr. Rowell, J. A. McGlynn, Michael Cody. E. N. Torrey, John Sullivan, M. Ashbury, for Manufacturers. J. B. Thomas, Wm. T. Coleman, for Commission Merchants, Auctioneers and Jobbers. Finance Committee— J. P. Buckley, Chas. Mayne, William J. Shaw. On motion, the Collection Committees were empowered to add to their numbers. On motion, adjourned to meet at the call of the President.

Th« Accidest to thk Chkysofolis.— The following is the telegraphic account of the accident to tbe steamer Chrysopoli*^ received last evening from Sacramento by the Bulletin :

The steamer Chrysopolis, this morning about two o'clock, while on her way up, struck a snag in the main river, just after leaving Steamboat Slough. The saag ripped a large bole in her planking just abreast the pantry door, through which a volume of water rushed in, threatening to sink her. Every effort was made to stop the leak by packing in blankets, etc, but, with all her pumps g"ing, the water steadily gained on them, and when the steamer got about a mile above Freeport it was found necessary to run her on tbe flats, which was done opposite Haycock ranch. She now lies with her hold full of water, her decks, however, being above the surface.

The boat had quite a number of passengers on board, and also a fair load of freight. The latter will be saved without damage, while the former will suffer only the inconvenience of a few hours detention, as the majority of the passengers slept quietly through the night without knowing that any accident had occurred.

At half-past 6 o'clock, a special engine came into town from Freeport, bringing word to the agent of the Navigation Company, who at once despatched two of their large stern-wheel steamers and a number of barges to take off the freight and passengers. The damage is said to be slight, and the boat is expected to be got off in two or three days. Meanwhile, as she lies in a bend, she obstructs the narrow channel so that large boats cannct get by her, and passengers and freight may Have to be landed at Freeport in the interim. The passengers and mails of the Chrysopolit arrived at the levee about 11 o'clock, on one of the small steamers. The passengers report that the pumps are working, but the water was gaining steadily on them. At 9 o'clock the water was over the tops of tbe seats in the dining cabin. Tbe tables, chairs, etc., were floating around. The freight was being discharged in perfect order on barges, none of it having been stowed below. The ftern-wheel steamer. Governor Dana, leaves with the passengers and mails at 2 o'clock, and will connect with tbe Stockton boat at the mouth of the San Joaquin, which latter will take them to San Francisco.

Much Ado About Nothing.— Humors of the apprehended strike in the Mint, on account of the delay in the payment of the wages of the employes, were but partially allayed yesterday by the announcement that half of the amount due would be paid immediately, and the balance as soon sis the order from the proper source is received; and about nightfall the town was thrown into a great excitement by the rumor that the Provost Guard had been placed in possession of the Mint A large crowd of idlers immediately gathered in Commercial street to gaze, open-mouthed, at tbe two sentinels who walked silently up and down in front of the Mint, saying " nothing to nobody," very persistently. All sorts of stories were circulated about the matter, and one which, seemed to meet with more favor than tbe others, was to the effect that Mr. Cheesman had become insane, and had cut his throat in the upper room of the Mint. This story turned out to be like many others, unfounded. The facts in the case are simply these: In consequence of urgent representations made to the Commander of the Department of the Pacific, a guard of two men has been ordered placed at the entrance of the headquarters of the Department on Washington street, and the same number at the Mint on Commercial street, merely as a precautionary measure for the protection of Government property, while the present political excitement continues, and for no other purpose. The stationing of the guards had no connection with the possible strike, and the business of the community will go on as usual until further notice at least, all the tales of the wonder-mongers to the contrary notwithstanding.

Swallows thi Pill.— Colonel B. F. Washisrton, who at first refused to swallow the McClellui pill, has at last, in a late speech at Red Bluff, shut his eyes and rulphed itdown. It was a hard dose to swallow one of " Lincoln's hirelings," says the independent, and the man who committed the first " unconstitutional arrest," and ret Slate rights at defiance by arresting: the whole Legislature of the State of Marrlaad— but down he went at the risk of making the patient sick. It is a kind of left handed support such men give the "grave-digger" They run the platform, advocate the platform, vote for the platform, and damn the man that is placed upon it to be drarted dead w^bt, through the canvass.— Sacral mento Union.

BiaTHs ai ths Fokt Aoaik.— We have received from Mrs. James Gregson, of Bodega, a note, of which the following is an extract: "I perceive by your paper that there is a ouestion as to who is the oldest white child born at or near the present city of Sacramento. I will state my knowledge ol the matter. I arrived at Suiter's Fort October 20th. 1845. and stayed there till the spring of ma There was a white boy born about the last of December. 1845. or first of January. 1846, of the family of Loiby. And another of the family of Bonny in the spring of 1846. Thirdly, of the family of J. Urejrson on the 3d of September, 184& There was also a girl and boy born in the spring of 1647— the girl to McDowel, the boy to Leihy."— Sacramento Union.

Immiokants.— Who knows how many there are in Carson, or how weary, destitute or discourared their Ions; and tedious journey bas made them? There may be " butternuts" among them, who came to escape the draft and cheat their country, bat we know of none such, while we are sure that there are many whose presence will prove a blessing and an honor to our community. Oar citizens should be tbe last to forget the immigrants, or to fail in extending to them that welcome aad thote kindly charities

BorsmoLD Fo*MTca« at Acctio*.— E.S.Spear. 1!3 CmlifornU ft reet. Mill, at 11 o 'clack. stares, or pets, wardrobes, eaae and wood chain, ricturw. mirrors, parlor ud chamber leU, curtainf , (hades, hair, pnta and atraw Dattrauei. pillowi and bolsters, blankcti and sheets, meat safes, crockery, tin. wood and glass war*, etc« ate.

Ladies Ml do you wish barralsiT Than call at Rosenblatt's Palace of Fashion*. 123 and 125 Montgomery street, opposite the Occidental Hotel. They art positively selling oat to lira up busi•au. "■ ■' - • * ' -—• --.».- I^9 7

IsTMjraL BtvcNDZ.— The Phu-nix Insurance Company of Hartford hare jast issued anew edition of the Sump Duties, as revised by the last Congress. It oo* tains a complete list of all articles. document*, etc.. rtqniring stamps, and caa ba had. gratis, at the Branch Office of the Company, in the James Kioc of William Building, southwest corner of Mont r omery and CoitmerclU street*, entrance tO3 Commercial street*. :. ia2l-lw

Baoocs* WovnnrvL OlitiKa Oil— Chanires Bad or Grey hair to any shade of color without walking. A new proeeas, occupying ten seconds. Price. $1 and St 60. K. F. BaooKS. Hair-Cutter and Dyer, (10 Washington street; Agency, 53S Commercial street. se3l-l*a»

Li Dot-UN's SAksirAßiL k Yillow Dock and lodine Altaratira— as a r, m edy to cleanse and purify the blood, leaving It free from all humors and impurities, rheumatism, mercurial, constitutional and icrofulom ailments— is not equalled. Craae * Bricham, wholesals acents. Sold by all drugiisttj se!7-lm

Doouttli's CoMucacui. Institute, No. 318 Montgomery street. Open day and evening for the reception of pupils and visitors. Bookkeeping by double and single entry taught in the most efficient manner. - sals-lm