Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-12-19

CITY OF MUSCAAANEs
FRIDAY MORNING.. $50. DEC. ~, 1867.
statement Of j. w. Greene.
The tory papers are publishing lengthy
abatement of one J. Wesley Greene, concern
Ing propositions for peace which he says he
was authorized by JEFF. Davis to make to
President Lincoln. The statement is in brief
Is follows:
Greene says that during the Mexican war
he was connected with Capt. Showers battery,
Third Artillery, and at the battle OF Buena
Vista, when JEFF. Davis was Colonel OF the
Mississippi Rliemen, rendered the latter
eome service for which he was always CRATE
fnl He saw him once or twice after IN
washington, when he expressed his g altitude
for the fayors and offered to advance Greene's
interests. On the 22d of October last, while
Greene was at his work as an ornamental
;apanner in Pittsburg, he received visit from
n man who represented himself as Balti-
more.n, and gradually unfolded to Greene the
information that JEFF. Davis wanted his former
acquaintance to come to Richmond. we
mass over the details of Greenes doubts and
scruples. He says he went to Richmond, as
desired. and was very cordially received by
Davis, who told him, that being desirous OF q
termination of the war, he wanted some per-
son on whom he could rely, to so to Mr.. Lin
coin and pIesentto him informally, but plainly
and verbally, certain propositions which
might lead to the desired end. Greene was
rather scared at the proposition, thinking he
would be arrested for his trouble; but, finally,
at Davis suggestion, consented to drop let.
ter to Mr.. Lincoln, which, while it should
give no particulars of his interview with the
rebel President, would lead Mr.. L. to believe
that it was a matter of importance for him to
see the ambassador. Davis then stated his
propositions, not giving them to Greene in
writing, and requesting him not to commit
them to paper until he had seen Mr.. Lincoln.
The conditions were, first, general amnesty
of all political offenders, restoring them to
their status before the outbreak. Second, the
restoration of all fugitive slaves within the con-
troll of the Government, and guarantee of the
Government to give its entire influence and
authority in enforcing the prov visions OF the
fugitive slave law, in the recovery Of those
fugitives who had passed beyond its immedi.
ate control Thirdly, each party to be held
responsible only for the debt incurred by it,
in the same manner as if they had been re-
cognized and independent powers. On these
conditions, Davis said, the Union could be
restored--the other differences being Of mi
nor importance, and easily settled. He
avowed himself to be opposed to foreign in.
PREVENTION or mediation, seemed annoyed at
the emancipation proclamation, which he re-
marked would "rlay helr' with the South.
and if persisted in would be the determination
of the colored race in the South, unless Eu-
rome lnterfered, in which case there would be
a general war over the world. At the con-
temptation of this, Davis seemed to shudder,
and looked like man mot only bowed down
under a weight of tremendous responsibility,
but of constantly accommodating and almost
oyerpowering sorrow" Greene soon after left
for Pittsburg, and on the 10th of November
wrote MIR. Lincoln, saying that he had been
at Richmond and had matters of Importance
to communicate. On the 18th, in obedience
to dispatch from the Secretary Of War, he
presented himself 10 the latter's office and
gave him letters from prominent citizens of
Pittsburg as proofs of his reliability. Stan
ton then gave him letter to the President,
who received him politely, and listened atten-
lively to his story. On hearing the propo-
sitions, Mr.. Lincoln said: 81 see nothing
Objectionable IN them," but noticing that
Greene looked pleased at this remark, began
to modify his expression. Stanton was then
called in, and the story repeated to him.
Greene spent the evening in the Cabinet,
and was questioned by Messrs. Lincoln and
Seward. The members of the Cabinet SEEM
ed to think that Davis, if he wanted peace,
ought to ask it openly. His views of the
emancipation proclamation were the SUBJ
ject of merriment, the President taking the
lead, and Seward and Welles being the only
ones ''who seemed to preserve the dignity of
their position" As for Stanton, "a semi
fiendish vindictiveness came out prominently
in every look and in every word" 1t seemed
to greatly please the President, because it
flattered his vanity. Greene continues: "Nev-
er did the tones and bearing of a man appear
before me in all my ideas Of the despot whose
on,v will is law, as did those Of Mr.. Lincoln
on that occasion" Greene was present at
one or two more Cabinet meetings within
the next few days had several audiences with
the Preside and Secretary of War, and was
finally dismissed with 800 and transporta.
ton to Pittsburg for his services. At his
last call on the President the latter advised
him not to 90 to Pittsburg Immediately, and
to let him know of his whereabouts. Greene
acting in accordance with this advice, used
his transportation order only to Baltimore,
and went thence, by circuitons route, to
Pittsburg.
Although this statement is sworn TO by
Greene, it admits of much doubt. Our read
ers will recollecta dispatch from Washington,
of the 10th, stating that Greene is an i'm
poster. The dispatch says he caneto Wash
Ing ton to see President Lincoln, who ascer-
tanned there was no ground for his nonsensical
statements. The only design in publishing
them is to benefit the enemy in some way.
.S.-The Chicago tribune says Greene
was arrested in that city last week for OBJ
tanning goods under false pretenses, but on
account of some informality in the warrant
was released. He is also charged with q
swindling operation at Monroe, Mich, in 1851,
by borrowing money while sporting the char
acter of Methodist preacher. He is doubt
less both religiously and politically wretched
imposter.
The I'D Iowa Cavalry at the Battle
Of CO4eevflle.
A correspondent of the Chicago Tribune
gives full account of the battle at Coffee
vile, Miss, in which 5000 rebel infantry
,voro ronted nv the cavalrv brigade under