Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1863-01-01
A CURIOUS NARRATIVE.
Peace Propositions from Richmond.


In What Way they Were Made- Whot they Arc-
The Submission Of them TO The Administration at
Wastingion-H they Were Receired--Nar-
ratipe Of J. Wesley Green, Of Pitsburg, Pa,
by ,ohom Opertures Of Peace cere Brought from
Jefferson Dap,s at Richmond, to President Lin.
coin at Washington.
On Wednesday morning, October 22d,
1862, while engaged at my employment
as an ornamental iapanner, in the shop
of Mr. John Dunlap, dealer in tin plate,
shcct-iron, brass, copper, &C., and man
ufacturer of .japanned tin ware, &c, south
west corner of Market and Second streets,
Pittsburgh, Pa, | was called upon by a
gentleman who said he was Baltimo-
rean and having learned that my wife
was from the same city, and l myself
somewhat acquainted there he took the
liberty to call upon me for the purpose
Of spending half or three quarters of
an hour in friendly chat. l expressed
the pleasure it would afford me. As the
subject of the war was, as now is, the
chief theme OF conversation, ours very
naturally turned upon it, and very soon
glided into matters connected with the
Mexican war. By some apparently cas-
nal remark, was lead to speak of SER
vice rendered by myself in that war, and
Of my having there made the acquaint-
ancc of Mr.. Davis, now President of the
Confederate States. My visitor very
soon made himself aware of the fact that,
while politically | opposed Mr.. Davis,
personally was friendly. lie then sta
ted that he had been recently i'll Rich
mond, and had seen and conversed with
Mr.. Davis, who mentioned mo to him /;
and he desired to know if he might talk
confdentially with me as messenger
from Mr.. Davis. replied that that
would depend upon the nature of the
communication he had to make. If he
desired to enlist me in the service of the
Confederate States, in any capacity, he
had better not say any thing but, il such
was not the desire, he might speak freely.
He then distinctly stated that he had no
aoriHen communication to me from MIR.
Davis-hc not deem ing it prudent to be
the bearer of suci, a thing; but that Mr.
Davis greatly desired | should so to him
at Richm ond, Immediately. At such re,
quest | was surprised and amazed. | in.
quired what for? My visitor asserted
he did not know, and persisted in the as
sertion. / asked him who he was, when
he gave his name as Horace N. Wilson,
formerly connected with the detective
police in Baltimore, but now a resident OF
Richmond. greatly feared, on hearing
the announcement, that some trap was
being laid for me, or some trick about to
be played, which might place me in an
equivocal or embarrassing position
But | soon became reassured, as the con-
sciousness was aroused within mo of
having never, by word or act, occupied
for moment false or disloyal position
toward the Federal Government, or hav.
ing performed any act which the Con-
fcderate Government mi ght have deemed
of sufficient importance to revenge. |
was unpreparcd for an answer then,
and so said to Mr.. Wilson. | told him
that he might call again in the afternoon
and that he might rely upon my secrecy
llo went away, and on his returning
about the middle of the afternoon,
questioned him closely as to his knowl.
odge of Mr., Davis object in sending
such strange request, compliance will
which would he attended with such per
il. All knowledge of the object he deni
cd as before but secuted the idea Of per
il if by that meant risk OF personal safe
ty. told him it was that, when he un
dcrtook to convince me | need have n
fears. lie then intmated that it nigh
, be productive of good to the whole coun
try, though in what way he prolesscd no
to know; and finally wound up by say
ing that, if | hesitated through fear, h
thought Mr. Davis was mistaken in tn
estimate ho put upon my promptlIud
and bravery. He said Mr., Davis ha'
/, spoken to him of the deliberate cooInes
and dauntless courage which | NANTES
ted in Mexico These complimentary re
marks, artiully thrown in just as | wa
feeling tho sting of the former ones, dcci
J ded my mind. ! resolved to accompany
him and run the risk. On the ensuin,
morning, started with him for Rich
mond, by way of Wheeling, Staunton
and Charlottesville. We arrived in Rich
mond on Sunday morning, tho Goth; ant
after putting myself in order. and eating
break fast, was conducted to Mr.. Davis
residence.
1t may, perhaps. be proper that
should here say something as to my pre-
vious acquaintance with Mr.. Davis. A
Q before minated, was in military sci
vice in Mexico, | was connected wit
Captain Showers battery, Third Artil
lery. At the battle of Buena Vista, MI
Davis was colonel Of the Mississippi Ri
heman. Two days previous to that ba
tic was incidentally brought into a pos
ton which enabled me to render NJ
Davis a personal service, which he deem
cd of sufficient Importance to extend
me his greatful friendship, and which wa
of such nature as to fix tho kindly reC
ollec,ion of a gentleman upon the actc
in such a scene for life. On this point
details would be out Of place and al
unnecessary saw Mr., Davis in Wash
ington, ID. c., twice afterward. On eac
occasion, his greetings were of the mos
cordial nature and tho pressing invita-
ton to visit him at his residence, togetl
or with the delicate manner in which h
more than oliered-l think ! may sa
urged-his services to promote my per
sonal interests. left no room for doubt i
my mind that the part j took in the al