Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1864-09-17
The Jaques-GilmOre Visit to RichmOnd-Why
they were Received BY JEFF. Davis.

The letter of the rebel Secretary of State,
BENJAMIN, processing to correct some of the
statements made in Mr.. GILMoRE's account, in
the atlantic, of the visit by Col. JAoUEs and
himself to Richmond, has called out a rejoin-
der from Mr.. G. in support of the truthful
ness of his narrative. In the course of his
reply, Mr.. GILMORE gives the following expla-
nation of what has hitherto seemed mysteri-
Gus, to wit: the reception and cordial treat
ment of himself and friend by the rebel chief:
The Examiner "greatly desires to know
what Yankee has commissioned spies into
our lines, assured them handsome treatment
and access to the President" etc. Now, Mr..
Examiner, it wasn't Yankee at all, nor was
it Mr.. 1t was simply madam near rel
alive of Mr.. Davis, now residing at the
North. Her letter was addressed to Mr..
Davis, not to Mr.. Benjamin, and it no doubt
secured to me the courtesy and kindness
received at the hands of the rebel President
Furthermore, Mr.. Benjamin did not pro-
cure us access to Mr.. Davis Our letter to
the Secretary was requested by Judge 0uld
as he expressed it, "as a matter OF FORM
We knew when it was written, and we knew
four days before we left Washington, that
Mr.. Davis would receive US.
The facts about this are simply as follows
prominent citizen of the Confederacy, who
desires peace even at the expense of slavery,
met Col. Jaques at Petersburg, year ago.
They have corresponded since, and when in
May last, the Colonel decided to visit the
Confederacy again, he wrote that gentleman,
who at once communicated the Colonels in
tention to Mr.. Davis and asked if he would
see him. Mr.. Davis replied that he would,
and suggested that the gentleman should
make his way to Baltimore and escort Col
Jacques through the lines. The gentleman
met Col. Jaquesin Baltimore late in June, but
the Colonel objected to entering Rebellion
by the back door, The Southerner then
said, "Go to the front. Have flag sent to
Lee. Ask to meet Judge Ould. l will at
once return to Richmond, and see that every
things works smoothly"
For that reason l secured Mr.. Lincoln's
pass to the front. For that reason, when
General Grant said to me /: 81 don't believe
the Rebels will receive you. They have not
answered flag for a month. However,
will send one. l shall have to address Gen.
eral Lee. Shall l say you want to meet
Judge Ould?" l said to him: off you
please; and suppose you add, that if there
appears to Lee any objection to Guilds meet
ing us, you would like to have him refer our
request to JEFF. DaciS." And for that reason
Gen. Gen. Grant inserted n his note to Gen.
Lee the clause: I" If not consistent for you
to grant the request here asked, l would beg
that this be referred to President Davis for
his action y on which clause Mr.. Benjamin
has attempted SO much.
have been under no pledge of secrecy as
to these facts, but there have been reasons
why have not heretofore thought best to
disclose them. Their present publication
seems to be necessary to shield Mr.. Benja-
min (!), and to show conclusively, that our
emission to Richmond was our own private
affair, and undertaken altogether on our own
account and responsibility.