Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1864-09-21
THE PEACE MISSION TO RICHMOND.
Gilmore's Reply to BENJAMIN.

ing published his account OF his WISH to
Richmond with Col Jacques. the rebel Sec
retary of State Benjamin, endeavors in a
circular, to show that Gilmore and jacques
were fully accredited TO Davis, by Mr. I'm
coin. A W ashington journal thereupon puo-
fishes, on what Is considered Official author-
ity, a statement that Gilmore and jacques
went to Richmond entirely on their Own
hook" though Mr. Lincoln asked General
Grant to pass them through his line.
To these two latter statements Mr. III
more replies He says that Gen. Grant IN
his note. by flag of truce. asked Gen. Lee to
pass Gilmore and Jacques, and he gives
copy of the note. He says that Secretary
Benjamin garbled the note written by Gil
more and Jacques asking an interview with
Davis, an1 that the true copy Of the note
stated that Gilmore and Jacques had no Of
fetal authority TO speak for Mr.. Lincoln.
while Benjamin 5 version says they were
fully possessed OF the views of the United
States Government. Further Mr. Gilmore
says Benjamin misrepresents the whole con
versation, and he closes his reply thus:
SIN regard TO this whole matter l will
add, that with Mr. Benjamin 5 circular be-
fore me, have carefully re-read what [
have written in respect to the interview with
him, that with Mr.. Davis, and the attending
circumstances, anu tlldL ilO part Vi NY MioiS
narrative can be altered or amended, and
leave it consistent with the truth.
In my published report | have, as expIi-
city as language can do it. discl imed hav-
ing, in any way. acted for Mr. Lincoln; but
/ viii repeat. that neither Col. Jacques nor
myself had any official or unofficial author-
ty from the President; that we were not re-
auested or authorized to express his views,
opinions or desire to Mr.. Davis, or to any
one else that our Emission to Richmond
was initiated and executed solely on our own
private account and responsibility, and that
we have uniformly aud always said so 10th
inside and outside the rebel lines.
Mr.. Lincoln gave me pass. 1t read as
follows:
ALLOW J. R. Gilmore and friend to pass,
with ordinary baggage, to Gen Grant, at
his headquarters. A. LINCOLN.
He also gave me note to General Grant.
That read as follows:
will Gen. Grant allow j. K. Gilmore and
friend to pass our lines, with ordinary bag
gage, and go South. A. LINCOLN.
And that is all that the President did, or
wrote, or said, or caused to be done, or writ
ten, or said IN relation to this whole matter.
So much for Mr.. Benjamin circular. |
will now add few words to relieve that gen.
tleman from the food of Bilingsgate which
is being poured upon him by the Richmond
editors, because, as they assert, ION the IN
troducion of nameless Yankee friend, Mr..
-, he Mr. B. received two spies, and pro-
cured them an interview with the President.
The EUanliaer greatly desires to know
what Yankee has commissioned spies into
our lines, assured them handsome treatment
and access to the President, etc. Now, Mr..
Ecanatter, it wasn't Yankee at all, nor
was it Mr.. 1t was simply Madam-a
near relative to Mr.. Davis, now residing at
the North. Her letter was addressed to NJ.
Davis, not to Mr.. Benjamin, and it no doubt
secured TO me the courtesy and kindness
received at the hands Of the rebel President.
Furthermore, Mr. Benjamin did not pro-
cure US access TO Mr.. Davis. Our letter to
the Secretary was requested by Judge Ould,
as he expressed it, ''as matter OF form.
We knew when it was written, and we knew
four days before we left Washington, that
Mr.. Davis would receive US.
The facts about this are simply as follows:
A prominent citizen of the Confederacy. who
desires peace even at the sacrifice Of Slave
ry, met Col Jacques at Petersburg year
ago. They have correspondent since, and
when, in May last, the Colonel decided TO
visit the Confederacy again, he wrote that
gentleman, who at once communicated the
Colonel intention TO Mr.. Davis, and asked
if he would see him Mr. Davis replied hat
he would, and suggested that the gentleman
should make his WY to Baltimore aud es-
cort Col. Jacques through the lines. The
gentleman met Col. Jacque, in Baltimore
late in June, but the Colonel objected to en-
tering rebeldom by the back door. TheSouth-
ernor then said, Go to the front. Have a
flag sent to Lee. Ask to meet Judge Ould.
l will at once return to Richmond and see
that IN Trorl-- cpOnthly- - =
For that reason | procured Mr. Lincoln $
pass to the front. For that reason, when
Gen. Grant said to me, I don believe the
rebels will receive you. They have not an
swered flag for month. However. I will
send one. [ shall have TO address Gen Lee
Shall [ say you want to meet Judge Ould? 2
I said to him: If you please; and suppose
you add that if there appears to Lee any oh
lection to Ould meeting us. you would like
to have him refer our request TO JEFF. Da-
Wis And for that reason Gen. Grant in
serted in his note to Gen. Lee the clause
IF not consistent for you to grant the re-
quest here asked | would beg that this be
referred to President Davis for his action;
on which clause Mr.. Benjamin has attem pit
ed to build SO much
| have been under no pledge of secrecy as
to these facts, but there have been reasons
why [ have not heretofore thought best to
disclose them. Their present publication
seems to be necessary to shield Mr. Bania-
min (?), and to show, conclusively, that our
mission to Richmond" wa. altogether on
our own account and responsibility.
Since writing the above, I notice para
graph, copied from the National Repubii-
can, in which the editor of that paper says
s'We are authorized and requested" to state
various things about ''the Gilmore J acoues
mission. All these things believe to be
correct, except the statements that Gen. Lee