Newspaper Page Text
fly John H. Christ?.
lifeas.
noon &e jo* m# lidr* -at *
in?h?2S$*' <m*K l
V -u ‘O^ttqw ^rpTaatlMj.BOdijjjrjpq,
*^i*l|aS^s?ra^|^Sp! j
A.spent in our room conversing j v
with the Judge or wutchin-z.Sb* passe?* fiy
1,1 tbo *^‘*«t-T.X .•boqjhl jjifce ' to tell who
f“W M». how they looked, bat such 7
) r. torotation i* jtwt now contraband—we
cA4«cl «gaitf*t flie State lleparttti'eofc.
JEFVERttOW 9AVSO. ‘
“f- w«QjiimiB ovoupied.|»i«ipreviGus«e*fc
at loo table, and athis right sat a sorto,
.^hin featured than with Iron-grey hoirend
beard, and a o!«ar grey eye, iuil of life and
vigor. Ho had a broad massive forehead',
•nd a mouth and ehio denoting great en
ergy and strength of will. HU face: was
emaciated and wrinkled, but his features
wero good, especially his eyes, though one
of them boro a scar, apparently made by i
some sharp instru ment. . fie wore •* suit
of greyish browji, evidently of foreign
manufacture, and as he rose, I saw that he
was about fivo feet ten inches high, with a
slight stoop hi the shoulders. His manners
were simple, quite easy and- fascinating,
and ho threw an indescribable charm into
b>« voice, as bo extended-his baud and,said
• ■
“ I am glad to seo you, gentlemen.! You
are very wolcomo to Uichmund."
And this was the man who was Presi
dent of the United Slates under Franklin
Pierce, and who is now the heart, soul and
brains of the Southern Confederacy. .
Hiu manner put me entirely at my ease;
the Colonel would be at his if he stool be
fore Ctesar, and I replied :
“ Wo thank yon, Air. Davis. It is not
oflon yon moot men of our cloth and
principles in .Richmond.”
“ Not often, not so often as I coaid wish;
and I trust your coming may lead to a
more frequent and a more friendly inter
course between the North and the South.”
“We Bineerely hope it may.”
“ Mr. Benjamin tells me yoa have asked
to see'me, to”—
And be paused, as if desiring we should
finish the sentence. The Colonel replied:
“ Yes, sir. We-have asked this inter-'
view in the hope that yon may suggest
some way by which this war can bo slop-
II tho lees and fWim Mr!
“ No sirr: did bot atithorlie
me to offer yon any^i!?rnfW' -But, f: thilnlk
both ho and Northdrn pe&ple, for’iho sake
of peace, would:,consent to some snob icon -
ditiona. ” ; v ’ 7*V 7
“They aro very generous,” replied Mir.!
Davis, for the first time during t he ibtzi*-
vew, showing some augry feeling! “X&
amnesty, sir, applies to crimnaU. Wo haver
committed no crime. Confiscation n| of no
account, unless you.can enforce it. And
emancipation! ” 1 :
.shley’tv recoh Hr action bill,) and
, are more radical than the House.
Mr. Lincoln, I know, is about to call out
fi ve honored thousand more men,and Lean’t
- see how you can resist much longer, but
ft you do you will only deepen the radical
Hiding of the Northern peopl^.. They will
now giro, you fair, ^ honoraria,* geiaerous
terras; but let them suffer much more, let
there be a (load man in every house, as
there is now i ) evory village, they will give
yoh no termay they will insist on hanging
every rebel south of —— Pardon my
terms. I mean mi offence.”
“ You give no offence,” he replied smiling
pleasanrly. “ I wouldn’t have you pick
your words. This is a frank, free talk, and
I like you the better for saying what you
think. Goon.*
“ I was merely going to say that, let the
North ones feel the war—they do not feci
or BROAD A 3D WALT. STBI.KT*, DAWK Or
COUSSR-
ATUKSS BBII.DIWO, yr-BTAIWg.
TERMS,
nVK POU.AR PER MOMT
V . STBICTDV IS AD.VAKCB.
V —-—o-
ADVERTISING,
rrA«iwv. Arvvsiwisise—*V( orten lie
i Jr caali ......
\i)V::r.risi.NG—Oiut'oi 1 .* lor lotter# of ad-
by .Administrators, Ksecntor*.
... ;• !!ii forjjiaaiisdMJ from Administration.
A M"lrT “ “ • « fluirdiaaship.^.
Aci'!ic»tion for Isrtl- to sell I.av.d M iNegroes....
Kotlce to rUbUtn creditors....,,f. j* -
files of personal or porlsbable proju-rty, (per
‘ triuf.re oftenlir.es)
EalM of land nod Negroes, per iqnare of ten
E«h e siefi(Ti''Levy, of til. lines or loss
r h kart"*#* iulo f of ton lines or * eW ”’
AlTmdvcrH^incnts by Sbcriffscxccediog ten Hum
to bo eburf^d iu proportion
pated nearly two millions, of oar slaver .
and if you will take care of them you may ^
emancipate the restful bad a' few 'when
the war began. I was of some use to theiot j
they never were of atiy to nieP' Against -
their will you ‘emancipated’J^them, J all ; ^
you may ‘emancipate’ every negro i!n the
Confederacy, hut we will be fVee l Wn
will govern ourselves. We wijl.do it if
wo have to see every Sbulhern'plantation ,
sacked and every Southern city io flames.”
I see Mr. Davis, it is useless to coiatiudo
tliis conversation,” I replied, “ami you
will pardon us, if we have seemed tp
press our views with too much pertinSirtotiy,
We love tho old flag, and that must bo oub '
apology for intruding upon you at all.” . jji ’ .
“ You have not intruded upon ra»” be
replied, assuming his usual manner: X aia
glad to have i:aetyou.both. I oneo loved tho
old flag as well an you do; I wouIotTiayii
died for it; btl'i now it is to me only, the
"emblem of oppression.” .
“ I hope the day may never come, Mr.
Davis, when I say that,” said the Colonel.
CLOSE 01? THE INTN8.YIEW.
A half hour’s conversation *n other topics,
not of public interest ensued, and then * we
rose to go. As wo did so the Rebel PreSi- .
dent gave me his baud, and bidding ^aie t,
kindly good bye, expressed the ho'pe of ».
seeing me agaim in Richmond in happier
times wheu peace should have returned;
bat with the Colonel his parting was par
ting was particul ary cordial. Taking bis
hand in both of Ijis, he said to him;
“ Colonel, I respect your character and 1
your motives, and I wish you well | I wish
you evory good I can wish you consistent. -
ly with the interests of the Confederacy .”
The quirt’ straitfoi ward bearing and
magnificent moral courage of oar "fight
ing parBon” liad evidently impressed Mr! Ea£%! r V.i
Davis very favorably.
As we were leaving the room ho added.
“ Say* to Mr. Lincoln from mo, that I
* shall at any time bo pleased to receive pro
posals for peace on the basis of our inde
pendence. It is useless to approach sa«>
/! ; ' When wo wont out Mr Benjamin called
Judge Ould, who had been waitiug during
the whole mlervew, two hours, at the .
end of theball,and we passed down the.saiiv
way together. As 1 put my arm tfitbin
that oft he Judge, he said tome, -
“ Well what is the result?” .
“Nothing but war ; war to tbs knife.
“Ephraim is joined to bis idols; let him
alone,” added the Colonel, solemnly.
' > ■ a. i wojyovv j vmb- vw i -
nestuoee, Colonel, bst yoa do not Mom to
^understand the *Uaation.7/ Vro are not ex
actly shut up in Richmond. If your pa
pers tell the trutix your capi till is in d<utgu r
•od not pure. Some weeks ago Grant
crossed Ino Rapidan to whip Lae and take
Richmond. * Lae drove him in the first
battle, and then Grant executed w hat your
people e all ‘a brilliant flank movement,'
and fought Lee again. Lee drove him a .
liMJClll «UU ULiiuaiy *•* ^ i - ......... t*
Re»pe< t. dr., charged the tame as transieDUdvortising, J
in[kt'abiolntth ht pnid iu admi.ee.
TBBTA.MaKK ••MtUOriAl'ORS” I.\ filt'UMONB.
The visit of Jaques and Gilmore to Hick-
mn d.— Their account of what they saw,
grid and did.—interview with President
Dwis.—Thc result, <£•<;.
The Baltimore American, of the 19th,
contains copious ex tracts from'an article
hi the Atlantic Monthly (Boston) for Sep
tember, written by J. R. Gilmore, and pur-
porUngtoJlIi full and accurate account
of his and Col. Jaques’ journey to Rich
mond, as self-appointed negotiators, (or
ipiss?> and what occurred after thoir arri
val. To gratify, the curious, we copy the
American’s extracts:
Tho next morning after breakfast, which
we took in our room with Mr.- Javins, we
indited a note, of which the following is a
copy, to the Confederate Secretary of State:
!*.■■■.Spottswood House, V
Richmond, Ya., July 17ih, 1861.}
Hon. J. P. Benjamin^ Secretary of State :
Dear Sir:—The iindersigried respectfully
solicit an interview-yvlth President Davia.
Thoy visit Richmond only as private
citizens, and have no official character or
authority; but they are acquainted with
the views of the United State's Govern
ment, and with the sentiments of the
Nurthern people relative to an adjustment
of the difference* existing between the
North and the Suuth, and earnestly hope
that a ■ Im*»pr bml.Hrqw;
President Davis and.themselves may open
tho way to such official negotiations as
will result in restoring peace to the two
sections of our distracted country. '
They therefore ask an interview with
pretty well, and never observed these dif
ferences:”
“ Then yon have not used your eyes.
My sight is poorer titan yours, but I have
* eeon them for years.”
The laugh was upon ‘mo, and Mr. Ben-
world. As to* resources, we do not lack
for arms or ammunition, and wo have still
a wide territory from which to gather sup
plies. So you see we are not in oxtremi
ties. But if we were; if wo were wiihout
money, without weapon
•ur whole country
ernuient and ours, is narrowed down to
this: Unien or disunion,”
“Vos; or to put it in other words: inde
pendence or subjugation.”
“ Then tho two governments are irre
concilably apsrt They have no alterna
tive but to fight it out. But it is not so
with the people. They are tired of fight- ;
ing and want peace; and as they boar all
the burden apd suffering of tho war, is it
not right thoy sliouh! have peace, and have
it on nuch teriba as they like?”
“ I don’t understand you. Bo a little
more explicit.” ; - ; 7
ME. LAVIS REFUSES AN ARMIStWE.
“ Well, suppose th&j two Govern meats
should agree to do something like this : To
go to the peopjo with two propositions, say
peace with dissolution and Southern inde
pendence as your proposition—and peace
with union, emancipation, no confiscation
and universal amnesty as ours. Let tbo
citizens of all tho United States (as they,
existed before the war) vote‘Yes’ or ‘No’
on these two propositions, at a special elec-'
lion within sixty days. If a majority
vote dissolution, our Government to be
bqund by it, and to lot you go in peace.
If a majoiity vote union, yours to be bound
by it, and to stay in peace. Tho two Gov
ernments can ccptract in this way, and the
people, though constitutionally unublo to
decide on peaco or war, can elect which of
the two propositions shall govern their
rulers. Let Leo and Grant, meantime?,
agree to an arnrdetice. This would sheathe
the sword; and lfonco sheathed, it would
never again be drawn by this generation. ”
“ The plan it! altogether impracticable.
If the Seuth w »ro only one State, it might
work ; but as il. is, if one Southern State
objected to emancipation, it would nullify
the whole thing; for yoa are aware the
people of Virg: nia cannot vote slavery out
of South Carolina, nor tho people of ^ iuth
Carolina vole it out of Virginia. ”
“ But tlireofourths of the %atej can
amend the Constitution. Let it be done
in that way; in any way so jt be done by
the people. I am not a statesman or a
politician, Slid t do not kno# just how such
a plan could be carried out; bat you get
tho idea, that the people shall decide the
ped. Our people want peace, year people
do; and your Coogresa has recently said
tiytt yon do. We have come to ask bow
it can be brought about.” ! M
“ In a very simple way. Withdraw your
armies from our territory, and peace will
come of itself. We do not sack to auld n -
guiv jotu 'Weere not waging an offensive
war, except so far as it ie offensive-defen
sive; that is, so far as wo are forced to
invade yOu to prevent your invading us.
Let us alone, and peace will come at enco.”
“But we cannot let you alone, so long
as you repudiate the- Union. That is one
thing the Northern .people will not sot-
r,nue,’^|
j&Mjtin dv, You would deny to us what
you oxact for yourselves—the right of self-
government.”
“No, sir,” I remarked: “We would
don}' you no natnral right. But we think
Union essential to pekoe; end, Mr. Davis,
could two people, with the same language,
separated only by an imaginary line, five
at peace with each other? Would not dis
putes constantly arise, and cause almost
oonstant war between them?’’
“Undoubtedly, wjlh this generation.
You have sown- such bitterness at- the.
South, you'have put such an ocean of
blood list ween the two sections, that I
despair of seeingaoy harmony in ray time.
Our children may forget this war, bat we
cannot.”
“ I biiink the bitterness you speak of,
sir,” said tbp Colonel, “does not really
exist. We md»t talk here as friends; oar
soldiers meet arid fraternize with each
other, and 1 feel ear® that if the Union
* wore restored, a more friendly feeling would
arise between us than bas ever existed.
The war has made us know and respect
each other better than before. This is the
view of many Southern meo. X have il
from many of them, yonr leading citizens."
“ They are mistaken,” replied Mr. Davis.
“ They do dot understand Southern senti
ment How can wo feel anything but bit*
te.-nes* towards men who deny us oar
rights 1 If you enter my house and drive
me outof it, am I not your natural enemy?”
“ You put the case too strongly. But
wo cannot fight forever ; the war must end
sometime; we mast finally agree upon
something - t can' we not agree now and stop
this frightful carnage ? We are bath Chris
tian men, Mr. Davis. Can yon as a Chris
tian man,leave untried any meant that may
fend to peace?” >
“No, I cannot I desire psaco as moeh
•a you do. I deplore bloodshed as much
« you do; but I feel that net one drop of
blood shed iu this war is on,my hands; I
can look up to God add.say this. I triad
all in my power to avert this war, I saw it
oorning, and for twelve, Years I worked
night and day to p raven tout! could not-
The North wa, mad *W Mind 5 At #ooW-
notlet us govern ottmetvea/and ao tho war
eaitfe, and now it moatfip- fm lill the feat
'.Utah of lh is gaaeraUon feflsidhistrecks, M
bis cliii Jrsn seize bis maskot sod fight bw
- btmles, uiilossyoa acknowledge e<fr
bo eelf governmonl,,
money, without weapons, with out food; it
eur whole country wero devastated, and
oararmios crushed and disbanded, could
we without giving up our manhood, give
up our right to govern ourselws ? Would
you-not ratbor die, aud feel yourself a man,
than Ure mia bo sabjcdr xo a foreign
power?” '
“From your staniqioinb there is force
ia what you say,” replied the Colonel.
“ Cut we did not come.here to argue with
you, Mr, Davis. We came hoping to find
some hoaoraole way to peace ; and I am
grieved to hear yoa say what you do.
When I have eeen your young men lyiug
on the battlefield, and your old men, «vo
mort and children starving in thoir homes.
I havo fell leould risk ray life to save them.
For that reason i. am here; and I am
grieved, grieved that there is no hope.”
“ I know jour motives, Col! Jaques, and
I honor yoa for thorn ; but : what can I do
more than I am doing? I would give oiy
poor life gladly if it- would bring peace and
good wilt to the two countries, but it wouid
pot. It is with your own people you
should labor. It ie they who desolate our
, homos, burn oar wheatti*lds, break the
wheels of wagons, carrying away our wo
men and children, and destroy supplies
meant for ouir sick and wounded.
At your door lies all tbo misery a id the
crime of this war, and itis a fearful; fear
ful account.”
“ Not all of it, Mr. Davia. I admit a
-fearful account, but it is not all at our door.
Unarmed men are banged and prisoners
are shot <lown in cold blood by yourselves.
Elements of barbarism are onterinfe the
war which should make us—you end mo,
as Christian men—shudder to think of. In
THE SO-CALLED “ PEACE MISSIOS” TO RICH*
MOXD -TRUE HISTORY OF THE AFFAIR.
CIRCULAR.
Department of State,. ' )
Richmond, August 25,1864. } ■
Sir-—Numerous publications which have
recently appeared in the journals of the
United Slates, on the subject of informal
overtures for peace between the two Fede
rations of States now at war on. this conti
nent, render it desirable that Jon should -
bo fully advised of the views and policy of
this Government on a matter of such para
mount importance. It is likewise proper
that you should be accurately informed of
what has occurred oh the several occasions
mentioned in the published statements.
You have'heretoforo been furnished with
copies of the manifesto issned by tho Con
gress of the Confederate States, with the
approval of tho President, on.tho 14th June
last, and have doubtless acted in conformity
witjj the resolution which requested that
copies of this manifesto should be laid be
fore foreign governments. “The princi
ples, sentiments and purpose* by which, .
these States have boon, ana are st;U aotua-
tod,” are set forth in that.paper with all the -
authority due to the solemn declaration of
the Legislative and Executive departments
of tbid Government, and with a clearness 7y
which leaves no room for commentor ox.- ... ,7.
planation. In a few sentenceait is pointed . 1
out that all wo ask is immunity from inter
ference with our internal peace and oros» . -
parity, “ and to be left in the uodistarhed .
enjoyment t^! those inalioHahle rights »£*- %’
'life, tioerty and the pursuit of Happiness;: >
which oar common ancestors declared to he -•
the equal heritage of ail the parties t<vthel7 ji
social compact. Lot them forbear «g£?«s*! . •
•ions apou is, and the w% is an end. 1Y7 %:
there be qaestions which require. adjadL*... 7
ment by negotUtior., we. have *vcr behfi f
willing and arz etilLwilllhg V
communicationwithouradvei
spirit of peace, of equ ity Md °f
ness.” -The manifesto closed
clafation that ** we oommitoh.
enlightened i j udgnvafitqfth.0.)
sober rcfiActions of bny adv pi
G idleinen. I have read your note, and"r—
wing to mo—“ the open lettar you briag
from —. Your errand commands ray
»e«pec:; and sympathy. Pray be seated.”
As we took the proffered seats, the
Loloncl, drawing off Ins “ duster” and dis-
plnyiYijpj hig uniform, said:
“ W* thank you for Ahi« cordial reoep*
fe>n, Mr. Benjamin. We trast yiwi wUl be
hear UB »» yoa are, to see as.”
doubt I shall be, for you • come tD
Ulk of peace. Peace is what we all watit;”
It is indeid; and for that reason we
»re here to see Mr. Davis. UAa we tee
«i», Kir?
“Do you bring any ovortnrCs to him
»om your Govern ment r'
* lr- We.bring no overture* and
o no authority from oar Government.
*«8ut e that in ou«« oofe. We irould be
to know whit toriiiB will bo
^eptabie to Mr.. I)^ia.' If iUfey at M'
v “ U ‘d Mr. Lincoln, t^b&ywaTj authorize
roar Government. A
people—a very small
friends, secessionists.
, measures ami caudi-
in tho determination
i. Whoever is elected
iSt be committed to a
i of the war.” .
ooked incrodulous. I
The rest differ about
dates, but are uni toil
to sustain the Union
in November, ho mi
vigorous prosecution
Mr Davis still II
remarked:
“ it is so, atv.” V
erwise deoeircs yo
Northern sentiment
so. You know we
am lecturing in our
a. [| think I know
and I assure you it is
have a system of lyce-
large town*. At* the
f > .
o doubt that, I think it
would banged If he let
eopie know- tho majority
I replied, smiling,
iroi that,"rejoined Mr^Da-
ig most .good/ huinonsdly.
ie to proclaim It fedfu erory
i-oa .ujs ttio custom of
upon the p inform .and
‘‘ Allow me ti
more, likely he i
them*
iov-ar-
the j. pie to come i:
talk With the lecture
op|forvit«d;- tf
eentin ont,^.. lutst winter X «
neariiy a hdndrbd of-such ai
^vor tho North—&om Dnbu
^nd Ttook i^nito ancerfi
tbo Southern n«
■ouldo’t rale, ,} {
“ 1 have no fen
vi>, alno^aailiii
“ I gi ve yon l«a i
house-top to thi|
: te'H«iV.se'ridjw|
' Within a
lication of il
-feet with a,
coin, la th
: ter was rede
MJen. GranL
y his.
before yon,” ^, t, y v . j.