New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-08-18
TEE INTERVIEW WITH JEFF'
DAVIS.
Col. Jaques and Edmund Kfrke" In
HichmOnd.

The following narration makes part OF an ar
ticle in the September number OF The Atlantic
Monthly, and of closing chapter OF new volume
entitled "Down in Tennessee" by Edmund kirke,
about to be published by Sheldon
IN RICHMOND.
The next morning, after breakfast, which we took
in our room with Mr. Javins We indited note-of
which the following is a copy-to the Confederate
Secretary of State
SporTswooD HOUSE RICHMOND, VA,
July H. 1864.
Hon J. p. BENJAMIN. Stere,aryof SAFE, &C.
dear SIR The undersigned respectfully sOIct
en- interview with President Davis.
They visit Richmond only as private citizens. and
have official character or authority but they are
acquainted with tho views Of the Uuted states Gov
ernrneu and with the sentiments OF the Northern peo-
pie relative adjustment Of the differences exshe
between the North and South, and earnestly nope t'
free Interchange u views between fIeslaeh' Dave
end themselves may open the way Ia such ocidl nego
tiaons win result in restoring PEACE to the Two sec
tons Of our distracted countty.
They therefore ask an interview with the PRESIDENT
and aw aitiug your reply, are .r,
This was signed by both Of ms; and when tho
Judge called, as he had appointed, we sent Ito,
gether with commcndatory letter had receiver
On setting out from near relative of Mr. DAVIS
TO the Rebel Secretary. j half an hour Juuge
Onu returned, saving: "Mr Benjamin sends you
his compliments, and viii be happy TO see you al
the State Department" It'll.
We found the Secretary-a short, plnmp, oily lit
lie man in black, with keen black eye, jew face;
yellow skin, curly black hair, closey-trmmec
black whiskers. and ponderous gold wateh-chaln-
in the northwest room of the " nlted STATES Nus'
TOM House, Over the door of this room were the
words, Estate Department" and about It's walls
were hung few maps and battle-plans. In one
corner was tier Of shelves filed with BOOKS
among which noticed IIeadley's History Los
sings "Pictoral," PGrtons "Buter" Gr"ley
american Conflict" a complete set oi ,hc . ne
bellion Record, and dozen numpels anu "a.
Lound volumes of the atlantic Monthly, and III
,hc confer OF the apartment was black-wanut Ia
be covered with green cloth, and filled with null
titnde of "state Papers" AT this table sat the
Secretary. He rose "a we entered, ana, as Judge
Ould introduced US, took our hands anu SAID
Il am glad, very glad, 10 meet you, gentlemen.
have read your note, and'-bowlng to mt
A" the letter you bring from -. Your GRAND
commands my respect and sympathy. Pray be
seated.
As VIC took the profcrcd seats, the Colonel, draw
ing off lis "duster," and displaying his UNIFORM
said: =,
eve thank you for this cordial reception, Mr..
Benjamin We trust you win be as glad to hear Us
as you arc 10 see u.s."
mo doIhs I shall be, for you come TO talk OF
paeoe. 70 Q Is what VIC all want.
1t e. ND, cd; and for that reason we nave come
70 sec Mr. Davis Can see him, Sir "
apo you bring any oyertures to him from your
Government"
mo. Sir. We bring no oyerturcs and have no
authority from our Government We state that IN
our note. We would be glad, however, 10 Know
what terms will be acceptable to M Davis "
thew nj al harmonic with Mr.. Lncoln's views, we
will report them 20 him, and 30 open the door lot
official negotiations ,,
care YOU acquainted with MI L'hco'h N'"s'
zone Of Us IL. fully
"Did Mr. Lincoln, ~ any rag, authorize you !"
come here !" ,.
mo SIR We came with his pass, but not by his
request. We say distinctly, we have no oh..m' OF
unofficial authority. We come as men and 'hnfti-
ans. no, as diplomatiSts, hoping In iiank 'alk
with Mr. Davis. 20 discover some way ny when
\ this war may be- stopped ,.
"Well. gentlemen, | viii repeat what You say to
the President and if he follows my advice, and
\ tLink he will-hc will meet you. lic will be at
church this afternoon; 50, suppose you call here at
nine this evening. Ifany should occur III the
mean time 10 pr'rcnt his seeing YOU Will iet you
know through JUDI Ould.
! Throughout this interview the manner OF the
Secretary cordial; but with TINS tordlall'! was
a strange constraint and ditidenco, almost amount
/ inc 10 timidity, which struck both my companion
and myself Contrasting his nIannerwhh 'he quiet
dignity of the Colonel. | almost fancied our po-
stions reversed that, instead OF our beng III ms
powor the Secretary was IN ours, ana monchty
cxpected 10 hear some unwelcOme sentence from
our Ips. There is something efter ALL IN moral
power Mr. Benjamin does not possess IT. morris be
a Great man. lie has q keen, shrcwd, ready intel
leet but not the stamina 10 originate or even TO
execute any great good or great wekedness. -,
After day spent in our room, o9nyersing with
the Judge watching the passers-by IN the street,
i would like TO tell who they were, and how they
looked; but such iuformrtion is just now, contra
bandwe called again, at nine clock, al the State
Department.
Mr. BENJAMIN occupied bis previous seat at the
table and al his tight sat spare, thin-ieaturod
man, with iron-gray hair and beard, and clear,
gray eve, frll Of life and vigor. lie Lad broad,
massive forehead and a mouth and chm denOtng
ueat energy and strength Of Will. HIS face was
| enaciatcd, and much wrinked, but his features
were good, especially his eyes--thou9h oheoi them
bore a scar, apparently madc by some sharp instru-
mcnt. lie wore suit Of era! isn-brown, evidently
of foreign manufacture and, m he rose, saw that
he was about five feet ten inches hgr with slight
\ stoop in the shoulders. His manners were simple
easy and most fascinating; and there was an indie
scrbable charm in his voice, as he extended his
| hand and said 10 US:
81 am glad TO see you, gentlemen. You are very
welcome Ia Richmond"
| And this was the man Who was President Of
the United States, under Franklin Pierce, and who
is the heart, soul, and brains of the Southern
COnfcderacy!
His manner put mo entirely at my se,-the
Colonel would be at his If he stood before Casar,-
and replied:
ave thank you, Mr.. Davis. II is not often that
you meet men of our clothes and our principles IN
| Richmond"
mot oftcn,-not so often as could wish and
trust your coming may lead to a moro frequent and
IL more friendly intercourse between the North ana
| the South"
1--WE sincerely hope It may"
"Mr. Benjamin tells me that you have asked to
see me to"
And he paused, as if desiring should finish the
sentence. The Colonel replied:
eyes, Sir. We have asked this interview, IN the
/ homo that Won NAV sugOcst sone way by which this