On the morning of the 3d the gentlemen, Messrs. Stephens, Hunter, and Campbell, came aboard of our steamer and had an interview with the Secretary of State and myself of several hours' duration. No question of preliminaries to the meeting was then and there made or mentioned. No other person was present. No papers were exchanged or produced, and it was in advance agreed that the conversation was to be informal and verbal merely. On my part the whole substance of the instructions to the Secretary of State, hereinbefore recited, was stated and insisted upon, and nothing was said inconsistent therewith, while, by the other party, it was not said that in any event or on any condition they ever would consent to reunion; and yet they equally omitted to declare that they would never so consent. They seemed to desire a postponement of that question and the adoption of some other course first, which, as some of them seemed to argue, might or might not lead to reunion, but which course we thought would amount to an indefinite postponement.
The conference ended without result.
The foregoing, containing, as is believed, all the information sought, is respectfully submitted.
To the House of Representatives.
In response to your resolution of the 13th December last, I herewith transmit for your information a communication from the Secretary of War, relative to the "Cotton Bureau," established in the State of Texas, and covering copies of all documents on the subject on file in his office, and of his correspondence with the General commanding the Trans-Mississippi Department, in reference to the use of cotton as a means of procuring supplies for the Army.
To the House of Representatives.
In response to your resolution of the 25th ult., I herewith transmit a communication from the Secretary of War, covering a list of the quartermasters and assistant quartermasters now in the service and indicating the rank of each officer and the duty on which he is employed.
To the House of Representatives.
In response to your resolution of the 31st December last, I herewith transmit for your information a communication from the
