Lincoln's Position
President Lincoln's positions were these:
- He disapproved of the joint attack on the French in Mexico.
- He wished for "the voluntary abolition of slavery" by the southern states.
- He refused to consent to any treaty with the Confederate government.
- After their surrender, he was in favor of re-admitting representatives of the Southern States to Congress.
- He favored the payment by the Federal Government of a fair indemnity to the former slaveholders, that is payment to the ex-owners for the freed slaves.
- He would not weaken the Emancipation Proclamation.
- The complete restoration of the Union must be the final result of the war, or the war would continue to be fought.
The Confederates insisted on independence, and no agreement was reached.
Read more about this topic: Hampton Roads Conference
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