The tag on the coat of the fleeing “G. Saunders” and satchel in the center marked “Jewett Niagara” relate to failed peace negotiations in the summer of 1864. George N. Saunders, a Confederate agent in Canada, invited New York Tribune editor Horace Greeley and others critics of the Lincoln administration to meet with Confederate representatives at a peace conference at Niagara Falls. Greeley was first contacted by William C. “Colorado” Jewett, who convinced the editor that the negotiations would be in good faith. In fact, the Confederate government was merely hoping to undermine Lincoln’s chance for reelection. Greeley wrote urging the president to accept the offer, and gave a veiled threat of negative publicity if he declined. Lincoln appointed Greeley as his agent, but sent a letter to the Confederate emissaries welcoming peace if the union were restored, slavery abolished, and the military unified under federal authority. The Confederates did not accept the preconditions for peace, and they and the Northern Democratic press accused Lincoln of sabotaging the negotiations with unreasonable demands.