Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-12-12

in that thought he neyerdesired var shuddered
AZ the prospect Of its continuance, in view Of the
rum y was bringing the country, and that lie
deemed the Union OF incalculabIe value 20 the
American people. These views Of Mr.. Davis
sentiments were but differences derived from
many expressions OF his, and from the manner Of
his entire CONVERSATION with me- together with bis
desire that i should reach Mr. Lincoln At the
earliest PRACTICAL moment SOmediscussiOn then
arose among few of the members TO Why
Mr.. Davis, II he sincerely desired peace. did not
pursue a course that he knew all along was oDen
TO him. This consumed considerable time.
Each seemed 70 be Of the conviction that that
was the proper course; while not one seemed 10
comprehend the difficulties which surrounded Mr..
DAVIS should he. at home, intimate such course.
The general amnesty and retention of all the
rights and privileges Of American citizens to be
guaranteed were something that they either lost
sight Of or deemed of but little consequence. ]
ventured, At last. 10 suggest thia matter, which
seemed TO throw new light upon Mr.. Davis
proceedings and which, for a time seemed to be
iavorably considered But discussion con
tiuued-or, perhaps | ought to saw. comment
continued-on the suggestion, the favorable con
sidsrstion became enveloped in such cloud of
embarrassing considerations of what appeared to
me selfish and partisan compilations, that the
further contemplation of it, by sort of tacit
consent, was postponed. Ii was never resumed
in my hearing
Some little merriment was INDUCED in, in ref
erence To Mr.. Davis views respecting the eman-
cipation proclamation-the, president in this
taking the lead: Secretaries Seward aud Welles
being the only gentlemen who seemed to preserve
the dignity of their position, and rightly to esti-
mate the Importance OF the occasion. AS for
Mr.. Stanton, semi fendish vindictVeness came
out prominently in every look in every motion
OF head and hand, and in every word. Itseemed
to greatly please the President because il hattcred
his vanity, and thought / could read i'm his
countenance that he deemed that proclamation
stroke OF craftsmanship that pos,erity would re
gard as the boldest and grandcst conception of
military strategy; the military necessity sunk
into utter nothingness that which others might
esteem It's unc0nstutl0naty. Never did the
tones and bearing of man appear before me, in
all my iceas OF the despOt whose only will is law
a. did those oil Mr. Lincoln on that occasion
looked al him with the eve OF an artist, and, had
| the ability to place on canvass my idea of the
highest type of despot. should paint Mr. Lincoln
as he then appeared; because he presented to nv
mind all tie characteristics of man conscious
that ne was lording it over free people
The very apparent self organizations of Mr. Lin
coin were the signal or license for little desul
tory and personal conversations amongst the
several gentlemen Mr.. Lincoln dismissed me
by saying that he wished TO see me the next
morning at his chamber. and very kindly offered
to send an attendant with me TO the hotel This
| declined One or two of the gentlemen said
they going partly in that dir0ction: but with
out waiting for them. bowed myself out.
The next morning, at 10 O'Clock | waited on
Mr. Lincoln, and was Immediately received. The
only object seemed 10 be desire on the part of
Mr. Lincoln to refresh his memory on some
points alluded to in the previous interviews, dur
ing which he sometimes compared my replies
with notes he had made. and ia two three in j.
stances, corrected his notes That interview was
vers brief. At the close, Mr. Lincoln told me
there would be another meeting in his roo n that
evening, and ne wished me to be in waiting at 6
o'clock. ! was punctual to the time, and in less
than five minutes called in could see
and feel in moment that most If not all Of the
gentlemen present view ed me in different light
from that of the evening before They had not
the same inquisit0ria manner about them; mel
ther did their cOuntenanceS express the ncredulitv
OF the former occasion. They received me and
treated ne as man with whose truthfulness they
were satisfied. ] was not with them SO long as 1t
the previous meetings and being more at ease.
because more self possessed, | was not only led,
but encouraged. to speak more freely on all the
points previously discussed. There was nothing
new elected, or attempted to be elected. had
said everything the evening before which had
to say. and so told the meeting. At the close OF
the first meeting | felt that there was some prob
ability that the Administration would take some
official action in reference to Mr.. Davis informal
propositions which might lead to mutual inter
course respecting settlement of our difficulties
and | was in part, perhaps, led TO this, and en-
couragedin it, by the fact that Mr.. Lincoln had
asked me at tie close. or nearly So. of our first
interview. if | woulc have any hesitation or OBJ
lection in going to Richmond again. if a com
mission was properly sent there ] answered that
| would hot But, at the close of this second
meeting. came to the conclusion that if there
was any disposition to do such thing il was
carefully concealed from me; but, on the whole,
believed no such disposition existed.
| saw Mr.. Lincoln, at his own request. three
successive mornings afterwards He appe ,red
To have no business with me, beyond that OF see
ing me, and asking some trfng questions in
reference to something before said | also saw
Mr. Stanton each day, az his request, and his bust
ness seemed to be similar to that of the presi
dent.
Nv calls on Mr. Stanton were made in the af-
ternoon. by his appointment I bat there n
concerted motive in timing these calls was then
and satisfied but cannot say, or even
guess. what il was
AT the close of the interview with Mr. Stanton,
on the Doth, he sent for Mr. Watson, Assistant
Secretary OF War. and directed him to furnish me
with transportation 10 Pittsburg, and also to give
NE one bundrei dollars Tor services. by order OF
the President Mr. Watson took me to the Chief
Clerks office, and directed HIM 10 give me one
hundred dollars above. and take nv vouchers
Tor the same That gentleman produced two
blanks for Mr. Watsou's signature as approval,
and then, filling them up. handed me the money
and took my signature to each, they being dupli
cites
As hr. atSon was about tO return to his own
room, before had got through with the clerk, he
told me tn come to him for the order for trans
portation. | did so, and on receiving il. he said
MIR Stanton desired To again. | went %
him, aud asked if the President had dis
missed me. / answered that he had not, but bad
expressed desiIe 10 see me next morning.
Then" said Mr Stanton, "dont 20 away; and
let me see you again about this hour"
On Saturday morning Mr.. Lincoln dismissed
me in formal but friendly way: suggesting at
the same time that perhaps had better not re-
turn to Pittsburg for short time. He gave no
reasons for this suggestion. Imagine many
as may. they are only imaenngs at best. Mr..
Stanton dismissed me in the evening without IN
Structions or advice. | omitted 10 say that the
President. in dismissing me. requested to be kept
advised of my Whereabouts. Ny doubts of Mr..
Stanton. and reawakened fears for my own safety,
lei me to the order for transportation only
from Washington 20 Baltimore. From that point
| pursued my way by a zig gag course. and have
not rs yet seen proper To comply with the Presi
dent ; request and advise himOf nv whereabouts.
J. WESLEY GREENE.
Cook COUNTy ST.rs OF ILLINOIS -.