The Placer herald., 1864-02-06
Portrait of JEFF Davis by an Englishman.

In work recently published in London
entitled Three Months IN the Southern
StateS--in l863-by Lieut.. COL Freemantle
of the Coldstream Guards, the writer says:
Jefferson Davis struck me as looking older
than l expected. He is only Sc, but bis face
is emaca,ed and much wrnkled. lie is
nearly six feet high, but is extremely thin
and sloops little. His features are good,
especially his eye, which is very bright, and
full of life and bumor. WAS afterwards
told he had lost the sight of his left eye from
a recent illness. lie wore linen coat and
grey trousers, and he looked what he evi-
IDENTIFY is, welhbred gentleman. Nothing
can exceed the charm of his manner, which
is simple, easy, and most fascinating. He
conversed with me for long time, and
agreed with Benjamin that the Yankees did
not really intend TO 60 to war with England
if she recognized the South; and he said
that, when the inevitable smash came-and
that separation was an accomplished fact
the State Of Maine would probably try to
Join Canada, MS most Of the intelligent peo-
pie in that State have horror of being sun
der the thumb of Massachusetts," lie ad
ded that Maine was Inhabited by a hardy,
thrifty, seafarng population, with different
ideas to the people in the other New Eng
land States. When spoke to him Of the
wretched scenes had witnessed in his own
State, (Mississippi) and Of the miserable, al
most desperate situation in which l had
found so many unfortunate women, who bad
been left behind by their male relations; and
when | alluded in admiration to the quiet,
calm, accomplishing manner in which they
bore their sufferings and their grief be said.
with much feeling, that he always considered
silent despair the most painful description
of misery to witness, in the same way that
mute insanity was the most awful form OF
madness. He spoke to me of Grentell, who,
he said, seemed to be serving the Com
federacy in truly disinterested and loyal
manner He had heard much Of bis galan-
try and good services, and be was very sorry
when | told him Of GrenfeIl's quarrel with
the civil power. He confirmed the truth of
nv remark, that a Confederate general Is
either considered an Admiral Crichton by
the soldiers. or else abused as everything
bad: and he added, the misfortune was, that
it is absolutely necessary, in order to insure
success, tha. general must obtain and pre-
serve this popularity and influence with bis
men, who were, however, generally willing
to accord their confidence to any officer de-
serving Of it. With regard to the black
flag and-no quarter agitation, he said people
would talk great deal, and even 60 into
action determined to give no quarter; "bus,"
be added, II have yet to hear of Confederate
soldiers putting men to death who have
thrown down their arms and held up their
hands," lie told me that Lord Russell con-
fessed that the impartial carrying out OF the
neutrality laws had pressed hard upon the
South; and Mr.. Davis asserted that the pres,
sure might have been equaized, and yet re-
taned its impartaity, if Great Britain, in-
stead of closing her ports, had opened them
to the prizes of both parties; but l answered
that perhaps this might be overriding it
little on the other side. When l took my
leave about o'clock, the President asked
me to call upon him again. l don't think it
possible for any one 10 have any interview
with him without going away most favorably
impressed by his agreeable. unassuming
nanners, and BY the charm OF bis conversa'