Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1863-01-01

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men, and / regarded him as one not only
bowed down under weight of tremen-
dous responsibilities, but of constantly
increasing and almost ovcrpowering sor-
rows. 1t may be aggressive, but un.
hesitatingly assert that l regard Mr.. Da-
Wis as a man who this day needs, and
may say deserves, tho sympathy Of
humanity in q pre-eminent degree. In
heart do not believe him rebel again st
the Constitution. Whatever the nnthink-
ing and superficial mind msy think of
him, believe that he has ever desired the
old order of things, and will CO operate,
as far as he dare in bringing it about. |
think he has taken, and maintains at
much personal discontinue, the position
he now occupies, with the sincere hope
of navigating the hostile vessel and direc-
ting the course of the ship of State in
to harbor where hostilities must cease,
and from whence, better understanding
sprnging up, they may sally forth with
the old flag unfurled, to wave in every
breeze and gladden. every sea.
But to return. left Mr.. Davis with
the understanding that he would see me
again before the close of the day. Out
side the door met my travelling COM
panion, Wilson, who again took me in
charge l dined with him at a restaur
ant, no inquiries being made on my part,
nor apologies on his, as to why | was not
taken to a regular hotel. determined to
let them carry out their own programme
in their own way. Soon after dinner, a
gentleman came to Wilson at the restau-
rant, and conversed with him in an un-
dertone for not more than couple of
minutes. On his departure, Wilson in
formed me that Mr., Davis wished an in
tervicw for few minutes. | immedia,
tely accompanied Wilson, and was ush-
cred in, unattended by Mr.. Davis, as be-
fore. Mr.. Davis commenced by saying
that, as there was nothing to be gained
by needless waste of time, he dee med
it best, and hoped would concur in his
decision, that | should leave Richm ond
at the earliest practicable moment; and
as he had arranged for me to go that
evening, he wished to know if remem-
bered and fully comprehend ,d the propo-
sitions he had made to me, to be delivered
to Mr.. Lincoln. ! repeated them to him.
He said ! was correct, and rising from
his chair, extended his hand to me, wish.
ed mo as pleasant trip homcward as
could be expected, and success in the bu.
sness in hand Mr.. Davis took pains
to instruct me that my connection with
the business in hand was entirely unof1i
cial. He seemed to regard it as a connec-
tion that would probably terminate when
| had seen Mr.. Lincoln. Whether Mr..
Davis had any doubts as to the reception
or rejection. or-entirc neglect, OF his pro
posals by Mr.. Lincoln, l can not say, but
he casually remarked, "Should the Ad-
ministration be disposed to drop these
propositions, and do nothing in reference
to them, should the facts become known
to the people of the North, there would
be such u bowling around their cars as
would compel them to do somcthing."-
MIR. Davis seemed to have considerable
hope in the popular voice Of the North
After some expressions of good on both
sides, we bade each other good bye.
was conducted by Mr.. Wilson, over the
most eligible route then open to a point
within four miles OF Harper's Ferry.-
4 About Gorty-tive or fifty miles of the dis
tanco were travelled on horseback. Whel
about to part, Mr.. Wilson directed M
to turn my horse loose in the road, o
make such other disposition of him as
thought proper, at or near the village o.
llarper's Ferry, but not so as to excite
inin nptinn IN tha rnol
passed some small squads CT rebel sol
diers, and, after we parted company,
saw similar squads of Union soldiers
but in no solitary instance was haileC
or challenged by eithor, On parting wit
Mr.. Wilson, he handed me an amount o
American gold sufficient to pay my cx
pcnses homeward. AT Harper's Ferry
took the cars for Baltimore, but, thong
| fancied myself sharply looked at, n
man over asked me who | was, where
{ came from, or whittier | was bound o.
the morning of the 10Th of October LET
Harper's Ferry, and in the afternoon
reached Baltimore. Tho next morning
o went to my father in-law's residence, i
Carroll county. Md, about twenty -si
, miles from Baltimore. After spending
, couple of days there, l returned to IN
home in Pitts5urg.
1t was not until the morning of til
. 10th OF November that decided wha
a course to pursue, then wrote to Lin
coln. stating that about week ha
= elapsed since my return home from an in
= terviow with Mr., Davis, at Richmond
h during which certain matters transpre
j which | believed, properly followed up
= would lead to q cessation of hostilitie
: and a restoration of the Uuon. | ais
= expressed my willingness to visit w ash
: ington, should he desire it. On the nigh
J, OF the 10th, about II o'clock, ! receive
e a telegram, signed f. NJ. Stanton, Sec
# retary of War, requesting me to com
n immediately to Washington. | return
d ed for an answer that | would start til
o next morning, and accordingly did so.-
t l reached Washington on Tuesday m oil
>. ming, having remained in Baltimore dun
s ing part of the night At 10 O'Clock
i on the morning of the 18th, prosente
y myself at the Mr.. Stanton's office, an
: sending in my card was Immediately re
0 ceived.
n On being received by Mr.. Stanton, j
Q was but reasonable that he should desil
= to know something as to who | was. II
: therefore asked me few questions as I