The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1864-09-24
THE PACIFIC
Commercial Advertiser.
"A Curious story.
~ rLIrsoIs COLONEL VISITS JEFF. DAv1:

The Times prints the following story, which is
corroborated by a dispatch to the Tribune, relat-
ing that Colonel Jacques and his companion had
just returned from Richmond.
"An individual fresh from Richmond, not as
a released prisoner, but an honored guest, enter
tanned three days in the capital OF the southern
confederacy, Toasted by JEFF. Davis, Benjamin and
their compeers, having around him the romance
aud the mystery of an unknown mission, ana
knowing the secrets of the rebel prIson-house, ls
Tara 1ris enough to make a sensation even amid
the Ieader and languid heat OF 4 Washington
summers day. Such q parsonage, bringing with
him all the experiences enumerated, arrived here
to-day direct from Richmond, by way of Gen.
Grants headquarters. His name IL Colonel James
+. Jaques, of the Seventy-third Illinois volun-
teers, Colonel, but parson also, being a minister
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Though
neither envoy nor ambassador, Colonel Jaques
had a misaion of his own, clothed with no author
ity to speak for either President or government,
he appears 10 have had authority enough of
some kind to command a hearing from the prin-
cipalIties and powers that sit in Richmond, In
fine, without being a plenipotentiary, he seems to
be endowed with a certain species OF power
behind the throne that caused him to be atten-
lively listened to and kindly treated by the chiefs
Of the rebellion.
CHARACTER OF HIS MISSION.
OF the real object and end Of Colonel Jaques's
mission, / am requested by himself not to speak.
lt Is perfectly proper TO state, however, that it is
In no respect official in It's character, and that he
had no warranty whatsoever TO enter into any
negotiations between this government and the
rebel authorities. Any statement that would
convey a different impression is false. Secondly,
it may be stated that though Colonel Jaques's
mission c~ontemplates results of the highest i'm
portance, these results are Interior rather than
immediate Finally, 1t is warrantable 70 say
that, though his mission was one of peace, it was
not a peace mission. Colonel Jaques belongs to
the church militant, and believes most heartily In
dealing the rebellion what Hudibras calls apps
.tolic blows and knocks Yet he has faith that
the time will come, and is rapidly coming, when
an agency OF reconciliation, which he believes to
be OF immense power, can be used.
Animated by this sentiment, he succeeded in so
impressing his views upon Mr.. Lincoln that the
President, without according him the smallest
official recognition or authority, was willing,
believing his honesty of purpose, that he should
try the experiment of a visit TO Richmond. Ac-
cordingly he gave him a personal recommended
ton to General Grant to pass him through the
lines, or otherwise forward his views.
COL. JAQuEs GOES TO RICHMOND.
"Thus aided, Col. Jaques, accompanied by
Mr. Edward kirke, made his way from General
Grants headquarters to the north side of the
James river, and passing the rebel lines, reached
the Confederate capital. Here they remained for
three days, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
While in Richmond, Col. Jacques, at his own
request, was placed under guard ; but he had the
entire freedom of the city, and put up during
his visit at the S~pottsw God House, the crack
hotel Of Richmond.
INTERVIEWS WITH THE REBEL PRESIDENT.
The Colonel, during his three days stay,
visited the various Confederate authorities, as
well as the prisons and hospitals in which our
captlves and wounded are confined. He had two
prolonged interviews with President Davis in his
office In the Custom House and although the
nature and subject matter of the conversations
between himself and tie rebel President are not
proper for present publication, yet it is under
stood that Col. Jaques met with considerable
success in impressing his views upon A1r. Davis.
When taking his leave, Davis took the Colonel's
hand In both bis, shook it warmly and cordially,
and stated that, leaving out Of view the present
struggle, he had the highest respect for his char
acter and aims.
HOW THE COLONEL WAS ENTERTAINED.
=" The Colonel, while a guest at the Spottswood
House, Jared sumptuously, being fed on chicken,
turkey, mutton, and all the viands of a we'll
appointed hotel, and entertained with fine bran
dies and costly wines. His bill would have
to more than $500 in Confederate
money, bat he found it impossible to induce his
to accept any return for the hospi-
tally he had received.
HE VISITS VARIOUS DIGNITARIEs.
"The Colonel was permitted to visit the Libby
and Belle Isle prisons, and reports that he was
disappointed by the comparatively COM
Portable condition in which he found our Union
C1pLlVcs THEREIN CODuDeu. Inc WOunQcC, also,
though only the more desperate cases, are retain
ed in the hospitals of Richmond, he found as
well cared for as could be expected.
HOW RICHMOND LOOKS.
The streets of Richmond are almost deserted,
few others being seen than soldiers, women,
negroes and c~ripples. Many of the stores, how
ever, remain open, and there is some business
activity.
7HE REBEL PRESIDENT.
"Colonel Jaoues describes. Jeff Davis as hale I
and hearty IN appearance, his health being much
better lately than it had been, and, though thin
in face and person, the tough and wiry %eonstitu-
of the rebel chieftain presents no likelihood
Of his giving out during the natural life OF the
CHARACTER OF Col. JAQUEs.
" Extraordinary though Col. Jaques's story,
mission and all belonging thereto may appear,
there can be no doubt whatever of his thorough
honesty and with this quality he appears to be
both by our own and the rebel authori-
les. OF his wisdom there may possibly be more
question" - I
Colonel James F. Jaques, of the Seventy-third
regiment Illinois volunteers, was before the war
! well-known Methodist preacher in the State.
one OF whose regiments ne has since commanded.
is q straightforward, honorable and patriotic
,itizen. The Governor of Illinois suggested to
him, at a time when volunteers were not coming
n very fast, to use his influence to raise a regi-
nent' of troops for the war. The preacher went
home, as he said, to "try what he could do"
having three months to work in. He sat down
q his study and wrote a letter to every preacher
q his conference, urging each one to help him in
ne project of obtaining men enough for a regi-
nent. and informing them that he would COM
hand 1t. The result was that In two months he
Ead raised not one but nearly three full regiments,
nd in the one which he commanded, every Cap
it is said, was also a Methodist preacher.
Nnlnna $1,000 al L