The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1864-09-01
THE KIRKE-JAQUEs VISIT ,
RICBMOND. '

The Interview with Jefferson Davis
His UItimhtun Independence or Sub
jugatIon. .. ..... T.
The Atlantic Monthly for September
contains an article entitled "Our Jour-
hey to Richmond" by ]. r. Gilmore,
| (better known under the nom de plume
of Edmund KirkoO who, in company
with ColohGl Jaques, visited Richmond,
and had ah interview with the rebel
President. The particulars of how
they got TO Richmond have already
been published, and we therefore give
only that portion ofthearticl describ-
ing their meeting with Davis.
Upon arriving at the Spotwood Ho-
tel, Mr.. Gilmore and the Colonel sent
note to the rebel Secretary Benja-
min, requesting an interview with
President Davis. The Secretary, in
reply, sent them his compliments, and
stated that he would be happy to see
them at the.State Department.
We found the Secrctary-a short,
plump, oily little man in black, with a
keen black eye, Jew face, yellow
skin, curly black hair, closely trim.
med black whiskcrs, and ponderous
gold watch chain-in the northwest
room of the "United States" Custom
House. Over the door of this room
were the words, Estate Department"
and about its wall were hung a few
maps and battle-plans. In one corner
was tier of shelves filled with books
among which | noticed Headley's
"History," Lossing's "Pictorial," Par
tons "Butlcr," Grceleys "American
Conflict" complete set of the Gre
bellion Record, " and dozen numbers
and several bound volumes Of the cat
lantic Monthly" and in the center of
the apartment was a black walnut ia
bic, covered with green cloth, and fill
cd with multitude of "Statc Papers" !"
At this table sat the Secretary. He
rose as we entered, and, as Judge Ould
introduced us, took our hands and
said:
"I am glad, very glad, to meet you,
gentlemen, have read your note, and"
-bowing to me-"tho teryou bring
from =. Your errand commands
my respect and sympathy. Pray be
seated"
AS we took the proffered seats the
Colonel, drawing off his cluster" and
displaying his uniform, said:
1--WE thank you for this cordial re-
ception, Mr.. Benjamin. We trust you
will be as glad to hear us as you arc
to sec u.s."
mo doubt l shall be, for you como
to talk of peace. Peace is what We all
want"
at is, indeed, and for that reason
we have como to sec Mr.. Davis. Can
we sec him, sir?
"Do you bring any overtures to him
from your Government?S
"No, sir. We bring no ovcrturcs and
have no authority from our Govern
ment. We state that in our note. We
would be glad, however, to know what
terms will be acceptable to Mr.. Davis.
If they at all harmonize with Mr.. Lin
coins views we will report them to
him, and so open the door for official
negotiations. "
"Are you acquainted with Mr.. Lin
coins vews?"
"Onc of us is, fully"
"Did Mr.. Lincoln, IN dny ,cay, au-
thorizc you to come here?
mo, sir. We came with his pass,
but not by his request We say dis.
tinctly, we have no official, or unofficial
authority. We come as men and Chris
tians, not as diplomatists, hoping in q
frank talk with Mr. Davis, to discover
some way by which this war may be
stopped
"Wcll, gentlemen, l will repeat what
you say to the President, and if he fol-
lows my advice | think he will,
-hc will meet you. He will be at
church this afternoon; so, suppose
you call atninc this evening. If any
thing should occur in the meantime to
prevent his seeing you; ] will let you
know through Judge Ould."
Throughout this interview the man
ner of the Secretary was cordial; but
with this cordiality was strange con-
straint and diflidcnce, almost amount
ing to timidity, which struck both my
companion and myself. Contrasting
his manner with the quiet dignity Of
the Colonel, | almost tancicd our po-
sitions reversed, that, instead of our
being in his power, the Secretary was
in ours, and momently expected to
hear some unwclcomc sentence from
our lips. There is something, after all,
in moral power. MI. Benjamin does
not possess it, nor is he great man.
He has a keen, shrcwd, ready intellcctj
but not tho stamina to originate, or
even to execute any great good or great
wickedness.
After day spent in our room, con-
versing with the Judge, or watching
the passers- by in the street--I would
like to tell who they were and how
they looked, but such information is,
Just now, contraband-we called again,
at nine o'clock, at Che State Depart
mcnt.
At nine o'clock in the evening they
called and met by appointment.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
Mr.. Benjamin occupied his previous
seat at the table, and at his right sat
a spare thin, featured man, with iron
gray hair and beard, and clear gray
eye full of life and tigor. He had a