The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1864-09-01


ragged carpet, and bare walls, smeared with
SCOT and tobacco juice. Several chairs,
, a marbIe-top table and pine washstano
: and clothespress struggled about the floor,
and in the corners were three beds, garnished
with tattered pillow cases, and covered with
white counterpanes, grown gray with long
inc for soapsuds and washtub. The plain
err and humber of these beds was designed
for the burly Mr.. Javins: the other had been
i made ready for the extraordinary ENJOYS
mot ENJOYS extraordinary)who In defiance
of all agreement and the law OF nations, "had
lust then ''taken Richmond"
A single gas jet was burning over the
mantlepeice, and above it | saw 'writing
on the wall" which implied that Jane jack
son had run up washing score of fifty
dollars
i | was congratulating myself on not having
to pay that woman's laundry bills, when the
judge said
'FYou want supper What shall we
order %
ga slice of hot corn bread would make Inc
the happiest man in Richmond
The captain thereupon left the room, and
shortly returning, remarked
''The landlord swears your from Geor-
gia. He says none but Georgian would
call for corn bread at this time of night"
On that hint we acted, and when our 500
ty attendant'cam in with the supper things
we discussed Georgia mines, Georgia banks,
and Georgia mosquitoes, In way that
showed we had been bitten by all Of them.
In half an hour it was noised all about the
hotel that the two gentlemen the Confedera-
cy was taking such excellent care of were
from Georgia.
The meal ended, and quiet smoke over,
our entertainers rose to go. AS the judge
babe us good night, he said to US:
Sin the morning. you had better address
note to Mr. Benjamin, asking the interview
with the President. l will call at 10'oclock,
and take it to him." .
every well. But will Mr. Davis see us on
Sunday ?"
ooh, that will make no difference.
THE NEXT DAY
The next morning after breakfast, which
we took in our room with Mr.. Javins we
ndited note, of which the following is
copy, to the Confederate Secretary of State
SPoTTswooD HOUSE, RICHMOND Va,
July II, 1864.
Hon. j. Benjamin, Secretary of State, etc.
DEAR SIR The undersignedl respectfully
solicit an interview with President Davis.
They visit Richmond only as private citi-
zens and have not official character of au-
thority; but they are acquainted with the
views of the United States Government, and
with the sentiments of the Northern people
relative to the adjustment of the differences
existing between the North and the South,
and earnestly hope that free exchange of
views between President Davis and them
selves may open the way to such official ne
gotiations as will result in restoring peace
to the two sections of our distracted Coun-
try.
They therefore ask an interview with the
President and awaiting your reply are
Truly and respectly yours.
This was signed by both of US and when
the judge called.as he had appointed, we
sent it-together with..a commendatory let
ter had received on setting out, from a
near relative of Mr.. Davis-to the rebel sec
rotary. In half an hour Judge Ould return
d,saying, Mr. Benjamin sends you his COM
pliments, and will be happy to see you at
the state department.
SECRETARY BENJAMIN.
We found the secretary-a short, plump
oily little man in black, with keen black
eve. a Jew face yellow skin, curly black
hair, closely trimed black whiskers and
ponderous gold watch chain-in the north
west room of the Omitted States custom
house Over the door of this room were the
words estate Department" and around its
walls were hung few maps and battleEplans.
In one corner was tier of shelves filled
with books, among which Noticed Headley's
"History," Lossings Pictorial History"
Parton's ''Cutler," Greeley's american
Conflict" complete set of Rebellion Re
cord. and dozen numbers and seveal bound
volums of the atlantic Monthly. and IN
the center of the apartment was black
walnut table, covered with green cloth, and
filled with multitude of estate papers" At
this table sat the Secretary. lie rose as we
Judge Ould introduced us, he took our hands
and said
Il am glad, very glad to meet you, gentle
men. | have read your note, and'-bowlng
to me 'and the open letter you bring from
- Your errand commands my respect
aud sympathy Pray be seated
AS we took the protfered seats, the Colon
ell drawing off his ''Duster and displaying
his uniform said
1--WE thank you for this cordial reception
Mr., Benjamin We trust you will be as glad
to hear US as you are to see us,
mo doubt;I shall be, for you have come to
talk of peace Peace is what we all want.
1T is indeed: and for that reason we are
here to see Mr. Davis. Can we see HIM,
sir?"
do you bring any ovetures to HIM from
your Govern ment?' 8aa
mo sir. We bring no overtures and
have no authority from our Government.
We state that in our note. We would be
olad however to know what terms would be
acceptabIe to Mr. Davis. If they at all har-
monte with Mr.. Lincoln's views we Will
report them to him, and so open the door
for official negotiations"
Are YOU acquainted with Mr.. Lincoln's
views ~
Zone of us is fully"
"Did Mr., Lincoln any rag, authorize you
to come here?" s......s L..
ssNo.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 diplo-
matists, hoping in a frank talk with Mr.
Davis, to discover some way by which this
war may be stopped" .,.s
e.Weil Gentlemen will repeat what you
saw to the President, and if he follows my ad
yice-and l think he wil-he will meet
YOU. He will be at church this afternoon !;
So, suppose you call here at nine this eve
ming. If anything should occur in the mean
time to prevent his seeing YOU | will let you
know through Judge Ould." 30
After day spent in our room, converslng
with the judges or watching the passers- by
in the street, should like to tell who they
were and how they looked, but such inform
alton is Just now contraband-we called
again at nine o'clock at the Safe depart
rnent.
/ H JEFFERSON DAVIS.
MIR BENJAMIN occupied his previous seat at
the table, and at his right sat spare, thin
featured man, with iron gray hair and beard,
and clear gray eye full of life and vigor.
He had broad massive forehead, and
mouth and chin denoting great energy Eand