New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-07-31
THE MISSION OF COL TAYLOR TO WASH.
INGTON.

TIE following ia the dependence referred TO as
document by Jel Davia, IN his Message 70 tee
Rebel Congress:
JEFF, DAVIS TO President IfHeH1S.
RIcHmoSU, tp.iy 6. 1861.
10 Asr,HAn Lyc9H President s9d o2shds IN Chief Of
SIN. Having learned that the scl&ssr Savannah,
"a uvaie armed vessel in the service and SAILING under
n commission iesued by authority Of the Conf, derale
states Of America had been captured by enc Of tho
vessels forming the blockadiug squadron of Charlie sion
barbor I directed proposition TO be made to the
officer commanding that squadron for an exchange Of
he officers ar0 of the Savannah for prisoners Of
war held by ths Government, according to number
AID rank To this proposition, made on the 18th
ult. Capt. Mercer, the officer in command Of the
blockading squadron, made answer on tie same day
that "the prisoners Preferred TO are not on board OF
any OF the vessels under my command
IL now appears, b. statements made without con
tradctIou in newspapers published in Newlork, that
d prisoners above mentioned were conveyed 70 that
city, and have been treated not as prisoners of war
but as criminals; that they have been put in irons
confined in JAIL brought before the courts of justice on
charges of piracy and treason, and 1t even rumored
that they have been actually convicted Of the oeBses
charged for other than that they bore arms
in defence Of the rights of this Government and under
the authority Of its commission.
could not without grave discOurtcfy, baVe made
the newspaper statements above referred to the sob
eot of this communication, 1t the threat OF treating as
pirates the citizens Of this Conde1acy. aimed Tor ls
service Oh the high eeas had not been contained IN
your uroclamatoa of the April last that proclana.
lion, however, to afford sufficient qualification
for considering these published statements "a not
devoid of probability.
II is the desire of this Government 10 conduct the
war now existing to mitigate its horrors, as far as
nav be possible ana with this Intent its treatment OF
tie prisoners captured by its forces has been marked
bv the greatest humanity aud enency consistent with
pubic obligations some have been permitted TO return
home parole others 10 remain at large under similar
conditions within this Contederecy, and all have been
furnished with ralons for their ubsisence such as are
allowed TO our troops Ii Is only since the news
has been received OF the treatment OF the prisoners
taken on the Savannah that have been compelled 20
withdraw these indugences and to hold the prisoners
| taken by US in strict confinement.
inst regard TO humanity and TO the honor OF tins
| Government requires me TO state explicitly that
painful will be the necessity this Government VIII
deal out TO the prisoners held by II the same trea men
and the same fate shall be experienced by those
captured on the Savannah and If driven to the terrible
necessity Of retaliation by your execution OF any OF the
officers Of the Savannah, that retaia ion will
be extended far shall he requisite to secure the
abandonment Of practice unknown to the warfare OF
civilized man, and 30 barbarous to disgrace the
ZION which shall he guilty Of naugurating IT,
it'll this Vie and because II may not have reached
You, now renew the proposition made 10 the COM
mander OF the blockadng squadron, to exchange for
tie prisoners taken on the Savannah an equal number
OF those now held by us, according TO rank
am Sir, yours &Gty,,eo,, n,,rs
Psdezt and COmmande1 Arms and Navy Of the
COL. TAYLOR TO JEFFERsOS DAVIS.
RICHMOND, July 10, 1861.
TO His EScency JEFFERSON DAVIS President Of the Coned
SIN: In obedience 20 your instructions, / left the
CITY of Richmond on the morning Of the 9Th July at
O'Clock a. m az bearer Of dispatches to his Excel
lency brahan Lincoln President OF the United States
At Manassas received from Cen Beauregard letter
TO Gen. Mcdowell, commanding the mted States
forces at Arlington. From Manassas proceeded 10
Fairfax Court-Houee, where was furnished by Gen.
Bonham an escort OF fourteen cavalry under the com
mand of Lieut. Breckenridge Of the Virginia Cavalry.
Proceeding on the direct road to Alexandria TO It's
junction with the road TO Arlington, ! met de-
tachment Of cavalry under the command OF Col.
Porter United States Army, about three miles from
the Junction, from which place l sent back my
escort. Capt. Whippe, United Staes Army, accoinpa-
MED me to Arlington where | arrived about 0 clock
.. M on Monday, the 9Th Gen. Mcdowell not being
AZ Arlington, my arrival was telegraphed bin to
Washington City. About o'clock p. m, Oh Van
Rensselser senior Ad-de.Camp 10 Gen. Scott, was
sent 20 convey me 10 Gen Scott Headquarters who
/ found Gen Mcdowell 10 whom delivered Gen.
Beauegards letter. After reading Gen. Is. letter,
he passed II to Gen. Scott who, being informed IN this
letter that desired deliver your Communication In
person. received it Of me. After reading your COM
muucaton to Mr.. Lincoln, Gen. Scott Informed me |
that a reply would be returned by Mr.. Lincoln soon
az posible-and al the same time instructed me TO re-
turn 10 Arlington with Gen. Mcdowell thence To pro-
coed In the morning back TO our lines, which did,
under an escort OF % United States Cavalry, command
ed by Lent Putnam In nv Intercourse with Gen.
Scott and the other officers of the Uni ed States Army,
lave to say that received with marked consid-
Grafton and attention and with that courtesy and kind
which should ever characterize the diplomatic re-
Lotions Of great nations II war as well as III peace.
Understandings that the object Of the mission the
delivery Of your letter to Mr. Lincoln have the honor
to state that il done, aud subscribe myself
Your obcdeLt Servant, THOs II: TAhLOt,
Captain Csyay c > A. ana La9aenen' "a
Regiment.