The Sun.
London, England, 1865-09-02 00:00:00

Yr. Jefferson Davis at Fortress Monroe.

A correspondent of the New York Herald, writing
from Fortress Monroe on August 15, says :

It is easy to perceive that there is a gradual relaxation
from the severity of the rules first prescribed by the
War Department in reference to the custodianship of
Jefferson Davis, or else in the enforcement of these rules.
Under those original instructions he was to be kept
closely confined to his casemate 3 and this course was per-
sisted in till it nearly killed hiw, and there were fearful
apprehensions of his becoming a martyr in earnest. Then
no one but the commanding general and the officer of the
guard could speak to him, and the latter was limited in
his conversation to answering his questions, which
must not be permitted to go beyond the range of mat-
ters appertaining to his condition and necessities as a
prisoner. At the present time the freest sort of conver-
sation is daily held between the officers of the guard and
himself. There has been no diminution in the guard whose
duty it is to see that Jefferson is kept secure. The number
of guard, including officers, placed over him and his associ-
ate State prisoners, occupying adjacent casemates (C. C.
Clay and John Mitchel), is about 80, and 4 soldiers are still
kept continually night and day in his casemate, two in the
front and two in the back room. It will be seen, therefore,
that in regard to his safe and sure durance there is still no
let up. Restricting his reading to the Bible, and prevent-
ing his receiving or writing any letters even to his own
family, are two of the original rules still enforced. The
necessity or great good to be gained through these prohibi-
tions cannot be seen by many, and it is urged that such
alleged useless inhibitions are among the things that
magnify him into a martyr. He is much more cheerful
than form. 2
rly—a change to be ascribed to his daily out-
door walks any improved change in health. He smokes
aild is much more agreeable in his man-
ners,n withafnredqtuaelksntly,
takes a fancy, and is very
some officers of the guard he
inerzased freedom and vivacity. To
polite and communicative, while ho will not ay
a word
to others. His meals are of excellent quality, and he
highly appreciates the kindness shown him in this regard.
Spare as he is in flesh—for, as all know, he is of Cassius'
genus of lean men pronounced dangerous—he has the
bon vivant's relish of fine dishes. iHe is entirely indebted
to the liberality of the Government and Dr. Craven, his
medical, attendant for the excellent fare furnished him,
since no money is allowed him with which to buy table
luxuries he might fancy, and no friends are permitted to
send him anything. An hour each day is spent in his
daily walks in the fortress and on the ramparts. At first
these walks were at a stated hour, between five and sit
p.m. ; but it was found as soon this fact became known
that a crowd of idle spectators were on the qui vive to get s
glimpse of him. These spectators were both inside and
outside the fortress, as from hi: walking on the parapet he
can easily be seen on either side. To put a stop to this-
General Miles had his hours of walking' changed, so that
no one knows now when to look for him any when he will
make his appearance. His health most rapidly improved
from the commencement of this outdoor exercise. t:,11 says
himself that he is in much better health than he has been
for years. Never a strong man, he was nearly broken
down at the time of his capture. The immense responsi-
bilities and labours devolving on him as President of the
Confederacy were terribly trying and wearing on his feeble
constitution. The wonder to him is that he lived through
it. On arriving here, and fully comprehending the fate be-
fore him, he confesses to having derived some consOlation.
from the fact that he would not live a month. With all
his labours, he had been in the habit of taking outdoor
exercise every day ; and deprived of this altogether as he
was in the outset of his imprisonment, and expected to be
during its continuance, he felt positive he would not long
survive it. But the Fates have willed it otherwise. Free-
dom from care, his present daily walks, wholesome food:
and the sea air have recuperated his energies and givll
him a new lease of life. He wears the same rebel grey suit
and light felt hat. He has had no opportunity of cultivat-
ing the acquaintance of rebels. But the rebel grey is of
the first quality of fineness, and so is the hat. The coat
has a black velvet collar. He alwayshas worn gloves when
coming outdoors. Latterly he, has made his appearance
in a white vest, and has done away with his goggles.
His boots are finely polished, and, with his clean wrist-
bands and spotless linen bosom and collar, there is
nothing in his appearance belying the genuine gentleman.
If ono did not know the restraints placed on his sartorial
tastes and realise his situation, the first impression at see-
ing him would lead one to set him down as a rather feeble
representative of faded smartness and shoddy gentility. Ho
walks very erect, and with proud and dignified step. Never
less than one officer and always four soldiers attend him.
lie sits down when he pleases, and in his free moods talks
away with a warmth and animation
most
agreeably enter-
taining and instructive. He is a man of most varied infor-
mation. He talksof andenthistory and ancient heroes, old
wars and modern wars,mining and agricultural operations,
poetry and the arts, gunboats and forts, Church and State
matters, constructing dry docks and laying the Atlantic
cable, with astonishing familiarity, correctness of theory
and assertion. Coleridge, from all descriptions, could not
have been a better conversationalist.

THE HARVEST.—The harvest may now be said
to be pretty well concluded in the eastern district. The
weather about Stamford has been favourable for several
days past, and a large breadth of land has been cleared. In
the neighbourhood of Whittlesey a good deal of corn has
been housed, but much of it is in anything but good con-
dition. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday were fine,
considerable progress was made in clearing the fields, and
there will be little corn Out by this (Saturday) evening.