Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1863-1866, 1864-08-26

The Atlantic Monthly for September
contains an article entitled "0aF Jour.
uey to Richmond" by j. Il. Gilmore,
(bstter known under the nom de plume
Of Edmund Kirks,) who. in company
with Col. JsqHess, visited Richmond and
had an interview with the rebel Presi
dent The particulars Of how they got
TO Riehmond have already been pub
lishsd. and we thsFefoFe give only that
portion Of the article describing their
meeting with Davis.
Upon arriving at the Spatswood Hotel
Mr.. Gilmore aud the Colonel sent note
to the rebel Secretary b. njamia, re
| questing 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
Stato Department
We found the Secretary short.
plump. oily little man in black, With q
keen black eye. Jew face. yellow
skin, curly black hair, oaely-trimmed
black vhiskers, and q ponderous gold
watch chain--in the northwest room Of
the United States Custom HOUSE
Over The door Of this room were the
words, State Department, and about
its walls we're hung few maps and bat
tie. plans In one corner was q tier OF
shelves filed with books-among which
noticed Headley's "History,' Losing 9
''Pietorial," Parton "Baller," Greeley &
American Conflict" q complete set Of
the sRebellion Record, an1 dozen
numbers and several bound volumes Of
he Atlantic Monthly" and in the cen
! ter OF the apartment was a black walnut
table, covers d with green cloth, and filed
Eith a multitude Of State Papers At
this table sat the Secretary he rose as
we entered, sn], as Judge 0uld intro
duced US, took our hands and said
Il am glad, very glad, TO meet you
gentlemen. Thave read your aote, and
-bowing to me-"the letter yoa bring
from -. Your errand commands my
respect aad sympathy. Pray be seated .
As We took the proffered seats the
Colonel, drawing off his dastsr and
displaying his uniform, ssid;.4
I'VE thank you for this cordial recep-
ton, Mr. Benjsmin We trust ysu will
be as glad to hear US as you are to zee
a" y II - =
No doubt shall be, for you come 10
talk of peace. Pesce 10 what We al
want" -
'sIt is, indeedi and FOR tha. reason va
have come to see Mr.. Davis. Can W
see him, sir?
DO ycu bring any overturss to hin
from your Govsrnment7
d mo, sir. We bring no overtarss anC
have no authority from our Government
) We state that in our note. Va will bs
glad, however, to know what terms vii
be acceptable to Mr. Davis IL .hey .
all harmonize with Mr.. Lineoln's view
We will report them TO him, aud 80 opss
! the door TO official negotiations
"Are you acquainted with Mr.. Lin
. coins views2"
. &" One OF us is, fully
"Did Mr. lincoln, in any scdy, asthoi
ize you to come here7
:" No, cir. we@came With his pasl
but not By his request We say distinct
", We have no official. or uuoeicis
authority We come as men and Chris
tians. not as diplomstists. hoping in
frank talk with Mr.. Davis, TO diseovs
some way BY which this war may b
stopped. -. e
'wen, gentlemen. wiIl repeat VIII
you say to the President and if be 70
lows my sdviee,-end l think he will
he will meet you He will be at ehurc
= this afternoon; 50, suppose yeu call hel
At nine this evening. II anything shoul
>. occur in the meantime to prevent b
seeing yoo, will let you know throug
Jud se 0uld."
Throughout this interview the mann,
of the Secretary vas cordial; bat Wi
this cordiality was strange cosstra
aud difidence, almost amounting 10 Il.
idity, which struck both my eoupazit
and myself Contrasting bis masu
wi,hihs quiet dignity of the Colonel,
almost fancied our position reversed
10 that instead Of being IN bis power, 6
al Secretary was IN osrs, NJ momeutly {
J. pected tohear some unwslcome senten
,. from our lips. There Is something, aft
re all, in moral power Mr. Benjamin dc
y not possess il, nor is he grenmsn. ]
has keea, shrswds ready intellect,
ID not the s'dmina 10 originate, or even
~ - execute any good or great vickednsss
g. After 8 day spent in our room, q
= yersing with the Judge, or watching
passers-hy in the street, would ike
y tell who they were and how they look
- but such information is, just now, cont
n, baud-we called again, 1T nine o'elo
,nx at the State Department
ur. At nine olock in the evening Il
s.. called and met by appointment.
Irss ygFFERsoS DAVIS
'as Mr. Benjamin occupied his prsvil
y seat at the table, and at his right ssl