Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-08-25
THE LATE PEACE MISSION TO RICHMOND.
Mr. Gilmore's Accsm Of COL Jaques VISIT to
Richmond and has IaterUieW soith Gen. Davis.

Richmond and has laterOteU t0tV UeTt. Dooto'
II viii be remembered that Mr.. J. X. GILMORE, ed
muDd Kirke who accompanied the Rev. Col JAoUEs to
Richmond Just prior to the time of Mr. Greeieys peace
negotiation at Niagara, promised TO publish IN the sep
TENDER number Of the Atlantic Monty Magazine fuli
account of their journey TO Richmond and OF the interview
with which they favored by the chief OF the Con-
federate Government. We learn from the New York
Evening Post of Wednesday that advanced sheets oil Mr.
GlmOros bositon have been furnished TO that Journal
which places before It's readevs what we presume 70 be
the material part OF it.
From these extracts appears that Col Jaques and
Mr. Gilmore entered the euemys lines, bearing awhile
aag on Saturday the 10Th of July They were received
by Judge Oud the rebel commissioner for the exchange
of prisoners who conducted them to Richmond, where
they arrived O'Clock the night and took loog
ings at the Spottswood Hotel Here they supped Win
several Confederate officers, among whom was Judge
Oud, who, he about to leave them fbr the nght
advised that they should address note 10 Mr. Benz amin
the next Sunday morning asking interview with Gen.
Davis and that (Judge Ould) would call at ten o'clock
and convey to him. What followed we state in the Ian
gusge of Mr. Gilmore, find it quoted in the Evening
Post Our readers, suppose, do not need TO Do IN
formed that Mr. Gilmore is sensation writer" which
capacity he has little celebrity BY certain OF his
literary productions protesting to be narrative OF what
he heard and saw at different times in the South.
FROM MIR. GILMoRE's STATEMENT.
The next morning [Sunday, the l7h alter breakfast,
which we took in our room with Mr.. Javins, LOT the
provost guard of Richmond indicted note OF which
the following copy to the Coniedera'e secretary Vi
State
"srorrswooD House, RIcHMosD. Va:
z. ''July H. 1864.
| Hon p BEsJANIS Secretary Of State, etc. !.
view wi President Davis They visit Richmond only
ivate citizens and have no official chaTac er Or
yernmcnt and with the sentiments the Northern people
relative adjustment of the frences existing between
terehaops Of vie VS. en- Presidsnt Davis them
selves the Way 10 such omcial as WIN
resu The two sections of onr distracted
country They therefore ask an interview with the Prs
/ ''iruy AID respectfully, yours"
This was signed by both Of US; and when Judge Ould
called as he had appointed, we sent it-together with
commendatory tier had ctved setting out from
! near relative Of Mr. Davis-to the rebel Secretary
In half An hour Judge Oud returned, saying, Mr. Ben
amn sends his compliments and will be happy 10 see
you at the State Department"
/ SECRETARY BENJAMIN.
We found the secretary-a short plump. oily little man.
in black with keen black eye Jow face yellow skin,
| curly black hair, closely trimmed back whiskers and a
ponderous gold watch chann the northwest room OF the
Uuited States" custom-h0use Over the door OF this
room were the words State Department. and round Its
| walls were hung few maps and battle-pans In one
corner tier Of shelves filled with books among hch
tory" Parton's Butler" Greeleys" American Conflict"
com plete set OF the Rebellion Record, and dog num-
bes aud several bound volumes OF the Aname Monthly
and in the centre of the apartment black walnut Ia
be covered with green CLOTH aud led with multitude
| of Estate papers"
At th, table eat the Secretary He rose as we entered
and as Judge Oud introduced JUS, took our hands and
said % glad, very glad to meet you, gentlemen
| have read your note and blowing to me-"the open
letter you bring from --. Your errand commands my
respect and sympathy. Pray be seated"
As we took the preferred seats, Colonel drawing off
his duster" and displaying his uniform SAID We thank
you for this cordial reception MT Benjamin We trust
YOU will be as glad to hra you are 10 u.s.
mo doubt shall be, for you come to talk of peace.
Peace is what we all want"
indeed; aud for that reason we are here to see
Mr. DAYS.. Can we him, siri"
DO you Drlng any oyertures to him from your Gov,
ernmentfn
ono sir We bring no overtures and have authority
| from our Government We state that in eur note We
would be glad however, to know what terms will be &C
cepabe TO Mr. Davis If they at all harmtnlze with Mr.
Lincons views will report them to him and SO open
| the door for official negotiations"
/ aAre You acquainted with Mr.. Lincoln's viewsf"
| "One o US is, fully
did Mr.. Lincoln in any 0ay, authorize you to come
heref"
40, cir We came with his pass, but not by his re-
quest. We say distinctly, have official or unofficial
| suhorty We come : and Christians, not as dipo-
matsts hoping in frank talk with Mr. Davi-, to discover
| some way by which this war may be stepped"
We'll gentlemen, will repeat what you say to the
President aud if he follows my adyice-and think he
wl-he will you. He will be at church this after
no,n So suppose you cali here ut nine tbs evening If
aoy thing should In the time to prevent his see
ing you will let you know through Judge Ould"
| JEFFERSON DAVIS.
After day spent 10 room, conversiDg with the
Judge watching the paseTsby 10 the street, should
like tell who they and how they looked, but such
Information is just contraband-we called again at
nine O'Clock AT the State Department.
MIR Benjamin occupied his previous seat at the table,
and at his right sat thlneatured man, with iron
gray hair aud beard and clear grey eye full of life and
| vRor. He had broad massive ioreheac, and a mouth
emaciatrd aud much wrnked but his features
good, especially his eyes-tbough Of them bore
a scsr, apparently made by soue slarp instrument be
wore .ut of greyish brown evidently OF fregn manu-
facture and he that he about five feet
Ten high with slight stoop in tho shoulders His
manuers simple easy, and quite fasciuatng and he
threw an ldescribnbe charm INTO his be extend
ed his hand aud said TO Il glad to you, gentle
men. You very welcome to Richmond"
And this was the who was President Of the United
States under Franklin Pierce and who is now the heart
soul, and brains of the Southern Confederacy His
per put entirely at my easethe Colonel would be at
his, II he stood before Cesar--and replied,
"We thank you Mr.. Davis. IL is not often you meet
men Of our clothes aud principles in Richmond"
"Not often, not 20 often could wish and trust
your coming may lead to more frequent aud
friendly intercourse between the North aud the South"
| I'VE sincerely hope 1t may"
| "Mr. Benjamin tells you have asked TO see me,
to-" And he paused as il desiring we should finish
the sentence.
The Cosnel replied; Yes sir; have asked this in
terview in the hope that may suggest way by
which this war can be stopped Our people want peace
L. -. IA