Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-08-20

of a new volume entitled "Down in Ten
nessee," by Edmund Birke, about to- be
published by Sheldon.
IN RICHMOND.
ID The next morning, after breakfast, which
we took in eur room with Mr.. Javihs, we
indited anote-of which the following is
copy-to, the Confederate Secretary OF
State 'e r7.fi Ina 5a- .-i-J
sl9' July II, 1854 '.aA ! -
"Hon. ]. P. BEEJA1nS, Secretary Of State,
etc. .-f..at..
DEAR SR-The undersigned respectful
ly solicit an interview with President Da-
vas. ....-
rsThey visit Richmond only as private
citizens, and have no official character or
authority; but they are acquainted with the
views of the United States Government,
and with the sentiments Of the Northern
people, relative to an adjustment of the diff
ferences existing between the North and
South, and earnestly hope that a free inter
change Of views between President Davis
and themselves may open the way to such
official negotiations as will result in restor-
ing PEACE to the two sections Of cur dis
tracted country. .bHg.lI a3laf
"They therefore ask an interview with
the President, and, awaiting your reply, are
"Truly and respectfully yours iL
This was signed by both of US, and when
the Judge called, as he had appointed, we
sept itrad received on setting out, from a
near relative of Mr. Davis-to the rebel
Secretary. In half an hour Judge Ould
returned, saying: Mr. Benjamin sends you
his compliments and will be happy to see
you at the State Department" '-7'
We found the Secretary-a short, plump,
oily little man In black, with keen black
eye, a jew face, yellow skin, curly black
hair, closely trimmed black Whiskers, and Q
ponderous gold watch chain--in the north
west room of the EUnited States Custom
House. Over the door of the room were
the words, Estate Department" and about
its walls were hung a few maps and battle
plans In one corner was tier Of shelves
filed with books,-among which I noticed
Headley's History" Lossings Pictorial
Partons Butler" Greeley's "American
Conflict, a complete set of the Rebellion
Record and dozen numbers and several
round volumes of the Atlantic Monthly
and in the center of the apartment was 6
black walnut table, covered with green
cloth, and filed with a multitude Of estate
Papers" At this table sat the Secretary
BE rose as we entered, and, Judge Ould in.
PRODUCING us took our hands and said:
q l am glad. very glad, to meet you, gen
tlemen. l 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 profered seats, the Colo
mel drawing off his ''duster," and display
ing his uniform, said: - ..
ave thank you for this cordial reception,
Mr.. Benjamin. We trust you will be as
glad to hear us as you are to see us"
No doubt / shall be, for YOU come 10
talk of peace. Peace is what we all want p
~ 1t is indeed; and for that reason we
have come TO see Mr.. Davis Can we see
him, sir.H . ia i-i -D. a-l- -
- DO you bling any Urvrtures TO him from
your Government sa
"No, Sir. We bring no overthres and
have no authority from our Government
We state that in our note. We would be
glad, however, to know what terms will be
acceptable to Mr.. Davis. If thew at all
harmonic with Mr.. Linooln's views. we
will report them to him, and so open the
door, for official negntiatinrr.77 .
Are you acquainted with Mr.. LincOln's
views ?'
"One efus is, fully
"Did Mr.. Lincoln, IL aug vaU author.
ize you to come here ?"
No, Sir. We came with his pass, but
not by his request Wesay distinctly, we
have no official, or unofficial authority-
we come as men and Christians. not as
diplomstists, hoping, in a frank talk with
Mr.. DAVIS, to discover some way by which
this war may be stopped -
" Well, gentlemen, / will repeat what
You say to the President and if he follows
my advice,-and I think he will,-he will
meet you. He will be at church this after
nooni so, suppose you call here at nine this
evening. If anything should occur in the
mean time to prevent his seeing Won. IwlI
let you know through Judge 01ld.a
Throughout this interview the manner of
The Secretary was cordial; but with this
,ordiality was strange cOnstraint and diff |
idence almost amounting to timidity.
which struck both my companion and N.Y.
elf Contrasting his manner with the |
Iuiet dignity of the Colonel, almost fan
ned our positions reveFsed,-tha instead
# CUR being in his power, the Secretary
vas in ours, and momently expected TO
ear some unWelcome sentence from our
ps. There Is something after al, In NOR
1 power. Mr. Benjamin does not possess
!, norris he great man. He has a keen.
hrewd, ready intellect, but not the stamina
originate, or even to execute any great
ood or great wickedness. q -
After day spent in our room, convers-
ig with the Judge, or watching the pass
rs-by IN the streetJ-I would like to tell
no they were and how they looked; but
lch lnformationis, just now, contraband-
g called again, at nine o'clock, at the State
apartment .i-.4'.+
Blr. benjamin occupied his previous seat
the table, and at his right sat spare.
man, With ron-gray hair and !
'ard, and clear, grey eye, full Of life and {
gor. He had broad massive forehead
I'd mouth and chin denoting great ener. I
: and strength of will His face was ema- t
sted, and much wrinkled, but his features /
ere good, especially his eyes,-though one
them bore a scar, apparently.made by c
me sharp instrument. He wore suit of
ayish-brown, evidently Of foreign manu- t
eture and, as he rose, saw that he was =
out five feet ten inches high, with slight
'opin his shoulders. his manners were a
nple, easy, and most fascinating 4; and d
ere was an indesoribable charm In his n
lce as he extended his hand and said a
us: u
am g lad to see you gentlemen, YOU y
very welcome to Richmond" o.
ana this was the man who was Vice Il
asident of the United States, under "
lnklin Pearce, and who is now the heart N
], and brains of the Southern Confeder. d,
lis manner put me entirely at my ease, CT
he Colonel would be at his if he stood be-
Cesar, r,-and l replied: a- fe