Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1864-09-01
THE KIRKE-JAQUEs VISIT TO
RICHMOND.
The Interview with Jeffe rson
Davis--His Ultimatum Inde-
pendence or Subjugati0n.

|
known under the nom de plume Of Edmund
Kmke,) who, in company-with Col. Jaqnes,
visited Richmond, and had an interview
with the rebel President. The particulars
OF how they got to Richmond have already
been published, and we therefore give only
that portion ofthe article describing their
meeting with Davis. ..l .,| IN-F n
Upon arriving at the Spotswood Hotel,
Mr.. Gilmore and the Colonel sent note to
the rebel Secretary Benjamin, requesting an
interview with President Davis. The SEQ
retary, in reply, sent them hiscompliments, 4
and stated that he would be happy to see
them at the State Department.
We found the Secretary-a short, plump,
oily little man in black, with keen black
eye, Jew face, yellow skin, curly black
hair, closely-trimmed black whiskers, and
ponderous gold watch chain-in the North
west room of the United States" Custom
House. Over the door Of this room were
the words, State Department" and about
its walls were hung few maps and battle
plans. In one corner was tier of shelves
filled with books-among which | noticed
Headley's History" Lossing's Pictorial"
Parton's Butler" Greeley's American
Conflict" complete set ofthe Rebellion
Reord," dozen numbers and several bound
!, volumes of the Atlantic Monthly" and in
the center of the apartment was black
walnut table, covered with green cloth, and
filed with multitude of State Papers"
At this table sat the Secretary. He rose as
we entered, and, as Judge Ould introduced
us, took our hands and said
, II am glad, very glad, to meet you, gen
tlemen. | have read your note, and'-
bowing to me-"the letter you bring from
= -. Your errand commands my respect
and sympathy. Pray be seated.
, As we took the proffered seats the Col.
drawing off his 'duster" and displaying his
Y uniform, said: ....-.
:. 1--WE thank you for this cordial reception,
Mr. Benjamin. We trust you will be as
glad to hear us as you are to see US.
q mo doubt | shall be, for you come to
!, talk of peace Peace is what we all want. y
II ut is, indeed, and for that reason we
r have come to see Dir. Davis. Can we see
n him. sir?" ..
DO you bring any overtures to him from
C your Government .....
e mo, sir We bring no overtnres ant
= have no authority from our Government. =
u We state that in our note. We would b'
J. glad, however, to know what terms will b.
=, acceptable to Mr.. Davis. If they at al
- harmonze with MIR. Lncoln's views we vii
le report them to him, and so open the doc
tor Official negotiations. 80
q. "Are you acquainted with Mr.. Lincoln
= vews?"
S, Zone of us is, fully"
st "Did Mr. lincoln, IN any ,ony, authoriz
you to come here?' ... .r
&c mo sir We came with his pass, bu
k not by his request. We say distinctly. W
" have no official or unofficial authority. w
~ come as men and Christians, not AZ dirlC
rs inatsts, hoping in a frank talk with MI
j. Davis to discover some way by which thi
l.. war may be stopuel. y4....
y "Well, gentlemen, will repeat what 80
Id say to the President, and if he follows my nc
IN vice.-and think he will he will meet yor
He will lie at church this afternoon SO, SUI
e. pose you call here at nine this evening.
A. anything should occur in the meantime
ia prevent his seeing you; will let you kno
10 through Judge Ould."
st Throughout this Interview the manner
sc the Secretary was cordial; but with IT,
cordiality was strange consraint and dit
T. denc', almost amounting to tmidlty, whic
OH struck both my cnmpanon and myself
~ Conl rasting his manner with the quiet d
nifty of the Colonel, | almost fancied &,
OF positions reversed, that, instead of our b.
and momentariiy expected to hear some II
)n something, after all. in moral power. NJ
r. Benz amin does not possess it, nor is he
great man. lie has keen, shrewd, rcac
Is intellect, but not the stamina to original
lis or even to execute any great good or gre
al wckedness
y" After day spent in our room, cnnyersit
he with the Judge, or watching the passers-l
in the street, would like to tell who tn,
N were and how they looked, but such inft
I'LL nation is, just now, oontraban1-w callt
ng again, at nine clock, at the State Depai
oil ment.
" At nine o'clock in the evening they call,
mt and met by appointment
mt JEFFERSON DAVIS.
ed Mr.. Benjamin occupied his previous sc
,o, at the table, and at his right sat spar
''' thin featured man, with iron gray hair al
IRE beard, and q clear gray eye full of life al
of vigor. He had broad, massive forehea
and mouth and CHA dcnoting great enc
IN gy aud strength of will His face was EN-
he ciated and much wrRkled, but his ieatur
Wv were good, especially his eyes-though o
-, OF them bore scar, apparently made
yal some sharp instrument, He wore suit
res grayish brown, evidently of foreign man
-. fhcture, and as he rose | saw that he W
me about Ave feet ten inches high, with slig
ldS StOOp III Tue SHOuIuerS. Ills uHnfferS we
ov simple, easy, and quite fascinating, and
"' threw an indescribuble charm into his vo
OF as he extended his hand and said to US:
,e 81 am glad to sec you, gentlemen. Y
+ho are very welcome to Richmond" "
'i'o And this was the man whowas Preside
to Of the United States under Franklin Pier
an and who is now the heart, soul aud brains
the Southern Contederacy.
'ry His manner put me entirely at my e'
the (the Colonel would be at his il he stood
nd fore Ce1ar,) and | replied
'ho 1--WE thank you, Mr.. Davis 1t is
often you meet men of our clothes and ,
ich principles in Richmond"
IL mot often, not 80 often as l. could vi
ep' and trust your coming may lead to a M
the frequent aud more friendly intercou
,ou between the North and the South"
w "We sincerely hope it may"
TO "Mr. Benjamin tells me you have ash
tai to see me, o. fa.9 tF ~
And he paused, as if desiring we sho
finish the sentence. The ColcHe' replied
an Yes sir We have asked this interyi