The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-07-30


ment by JEFF Davis, in his message to the rebel Con-
gross
JEFF. DAVIS TO PRESIDENT LINCOLN.
RICHMOND, July Q, 1851.
To ABRAHAM LINCOLN, President and Commander Chief
of the Army and Navy of the United States
SR-Having learned that the schooner pri-
mission issued by authority Of the Confederate States OF
America had been captured by of the vessels forming
the blockadng squadron of Charleston harbor directed
proposition to be made to the officer commanding that
squadron for exchange Of the officers and of the
savannah for of war held by this government
according to number and rank" To this proposition
made on the 10Th ult, Captain Mercer, the officer in
mand of the blociadng squadron, made answer the
day that the prisoners Preferred toy are not on
board of any of the vessels under my command"
II now appears, by statements made without contradic
ton in newspapers published in New York, that the
prisoners above mentioned were conveyed to that city,
and have been treated not prisoners of war but
criminals that they have been put in irons confined in
jail brought before the courts of justice charges of pi
acy and treason and II Is even rumorcd that they have
been actually convicted Of the offences charged for
other than that they bore defence Of the
rights oil TINS government and under the authority OF Its
commission.
could not without grave discourtcsy have.madc the
newspaper statements above referred to the subject of this
communication il the threat Of treating pirates the
citizens Of this conederacy armed for its the
high seas had been contained in your proclamation
of the April last that proclamation, however seems
afford sufficient justification for onsderipg these pub
lshed statements as not devoid Of probability
1t is the desire of this government conduct the
war now existing as to mitigate It's horrors far
be possible and with this intent its treatment Of the pr
greatest humanity and leniency consistent with public OBJ
legation; have been permitted to return home on pa
role, others To remain at large under similar conditions
within this conedcrscy and all have been furnished with
raons for their subsistence such allowed to our
troops It is only since the has been received
OF the treatment of the prisoners taken the Savannah
that have been compelled to withdraw these ndulgencos
and to hold the prisoners taken by in strict confne
ment.
A just regard to humanity and to the honor of this
government requires to state explicitly; that
paufu as will DO the necessity this government will deal
a IN ha N hal N
the fate shall be experienced by those captured
the Savannah and if driven to the terrible necessity Of
RETALIATION by your execution Of any OF the officers
cw Of the Savannah that retaliation will be extended
far shall be requisite the Abandonment OF
practice unknown to the warfare OF civilized man and
babarous as to disgrace the nation which shall be guilty
OF maugurating H.
With this view, and because ii may not have reached
You, now renew the proposition maze to the commander
OF the bockadng squadron TO exchange Tor the prisoners
taken the Savannah equal number of those now held
by us, according to rank am , sir your, &c.
President and Commander IN Chief the Ar,hy and Navy
of the Confederate states.
COL. TAYLOR TO JEFFERSON DAVIS
RICHMOND, July 10. 1861
To His Excecncy JEFFERSON pAvs President the Con.
| icdcrato states
Sr-In obedience to your instructions, left The city
Of Richmond the morning Of the It'll July six O'Clock
A. NJ az bearer Of dispatches to his Excelency Abra
ham Lincoln, President Of the United States. At Manas
received from General Besurogard letter Gencr.
Mcdowell, commanding the United states forces Arng
ton From Manassas proceeded TO Fairfax Court House
where furnished by General Bonham escort Of
fourteen cavalry, under command of Lieut. Brecki
ridge, of the Virginia cavalry. Proceeding the direct
road to Aexandra to it, junction with the road TO Ar.
lmgtou met detachment OF cavalry under the con.
msnd Colonel Porter United States Army about three
miles from the Junction, from which place back my
escort. Captain Whipple, United States Army aoompa
MED to Arlington where arrived about four O'Clock
p. NJ on Monday, the Sh. Ganeral Mcdowell not beng
at Arlington my arrival tecgraphed him Washing
ton city About nine O'Clock p n Colonel Van Rensselaer,
senior addo camp to General Scott, sent to convey
me TO General SCOTS headquarters, where found Gene
I Mcdowell, TO Bpaurpc