Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1864-09-01
The Kirke-Jaques visit to Richmond
THE INTERVIEW WITH JEFFERSON DAVIS.
His JltimatHm---Iaaependense or sabjugsrion.

lis Observation-Disclosures or Sabjugaii0n.
In the Adaatic Monthly for September, and
. . L1oon in Tennessee" rev volume about to
De published, Hr J. r GILMORE, {" Edmund
hirke y gives an account of the recent visit
made by Col JAQUEs and himself to Rich
mond, about which there has been so much
speculation. The advance sheets of these
publications have been sent US and from
them we copy so much as relates directly to
the interview which these gentlemen obtain
ed with Mr.. JEFF. DAVIS. There is, however,
IN the volume preliminary statement of in
cidents which led to this visit, too long to be
reproduced, IN e1teaso, in our columns but
which are not without interest. We briefly
relate them to complete understanding of
al the facts in this remarkable enterprise.
While on visit TO the Army of the Cum
! bertrand, in May, 1868, Gen. RosECRANs band
! ed letter to Mr.. GILMORE from subordi-
nate officer asking fer a furlough, with re-
quest that ne, Mr.. GILMORE, would see him, and
II the plan he proposed seemed feasible the
General would telegraph the Department for
the Through asked. He added that Col. ia
oUEs-the gentleman referred to-was a
prominent member of the Methodist Church.
! and although clergyman, one of his truest
and best officers. The letter of Col JAQUEs
aTowed his conviction that, from facts which
had come to his knowledge, the members of
the Methodist Episcopal Church. South, were
heartily tired of the rebellion; that they con-
sldered'slavery-its cause-virtually abolish
ed; that they ardently desired peace and the
privilege Of returning to their allegiance to
Church and State. He believed, if permits
sion were given him to 90 within the lines of
the Confederacy, that he could, within ninety
days, return with proposals of peace that
would be acceptable to the Government, OBJ
tanned through the influence OF the large
body OF his Church at the South. He pro-
posed to go openly III his uniform, as "the
messenger of God" Mr. GILMORE consider
ed the enterprise as rash one, and that Col.
JAoUEs would only throw away his lite in it's
prosecution. He SO reported to Gen. ROSE
GRAMS, who, however, did not agree with him,
saying 81 know if he talks peace to the
people, the leaders will hang him; but he'll
not do that, he'll 60 to the leaders themselves.
The terms be will offer may not be accepted,
but it will strengthen our moral position to
offer them" He, therefore, telegraphed to
Washington for a four months furlough for
Col. JAQUEs, and asked for an interview
for him vita the President. Both requests
were refused, but fuller explanation of Col.
| JAQUEs's purpose was asked for by mail.
Col, JAQUEs thercupon urged Mr.. GILMORE
to go to Washington on his way home, re-
| quest that was seconded by Gen RosECRANs
And i'll due season Mr.. GILMORE presented
| himself to the President armed with letter
| from Gen. RosECRANS, i'll which he said that
he believed the public interest would be pro-
| NOTED by granting Col. Jacques request, be-
| cause OF its moral influence, though he did
not anticipate the results that the Col ex-
| pected from his mission. The President at
| first declined to entertain the subject, be
cause" he said " happen to be President of
the Urited States We can make no over
lures to the rebels. If they want peace all
they have to do is to lay down their arms. ="
Finally however, he stated {" in clear, di-
rect way, the terms he would give the rebels,
portion of which have since been included
in the Amnesty Proclamation" And he ad-
ded:
ie w hat I tn Rose
and he can communicate much OF it as he thinks
best to Colonel Jaques; but the Colonel must OF
understand that be has these terms from me. We
want peace but We can make no oyertures to the
Rebels They already know that the country
would welcome them back, and treat them gener-
Ousy and magnanim Ously."
Gen. RosECRANs was Immediately written
to, and within ten days Col. j. was on his
way to the South. At Fortress Monroe he
was allowed to smuggle himself on board a
flag of-truce boat, whence he entered the
rebel lines, still in his uniform. eco where
you please and stay as long as you like" said
the rebel officer, who first met him. The
| narration continues:
Any one can see the great risk he ran. He had
| no credentials; nothing to show who he was, or
| why he came; and there were ten chances to one
| he would be taken as spy. But what was that
| trust the Master, which I" whoever runs NAV
read" in his face, carried him safely through.
He went to Petersburg, and there they came to
| him. AS Nicodemus came to the great Peace Maker
SO the Rebel leaders came to him, by night Dis
guised. and under false names, they sought him to
| ask the way to peace.
glance, and the country will deal kindly and gen.
erously by yeu," he said to them.
From all he had the same uswer:
'We tired of the We are willing to give
up slavery We know it is gone, but long as our
Government holds out must stand by it. We
cannot betray it and each other"
Col. JAoUEs remained at Petersburg several
| weeks, and then returned to Baltimore. He
wrote to the President relating the result of
his mission, but received no reply Months
later, Mr.. Gilmore learned that the letter was
never received. But Col. JAQUEs was now
anxious for another visit to the rebels, pro-
posing, this time, to see the arch-rebel him
self. Leave OF absence was again granted
him by Mr.. LNCoLN's orders. In few weeks
he joined Mr. GILMORE at Baltimore, but on
going to Washington it was found that 'sun.
expected obstacles were in the way of his
stated, but they could be removed by Mr..
GILMoRE's accompanying him. Accordingly
the two gentlemen started, and were passed
through the lines by Cen GRANT. 81 went
to Richmond" continues Mr.. GILMORE, "be-
cause thought could render material aid
to Col. JAQUEs, in paving the way to negotia-
tons that might result in peace" How they
Jared in that mission, what Mr. DAVIS said to
them, and what they said to Mr.. DAVIS will be
found below: