Daily national Republican. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1862-1866, 1864-09-01
THE MISSION OF JACQUES AND GIL
MORE TO RlcHMOND, AND THE
PRRsIDENT

THE MISSION OF JACQUES AND GIL
MORE TO RICHMOND, AND THE
PREsIDENT.
A great deal has been said of late about the
mission Of Col. Jacques and Mr.. Gilmore to
Richmond. The subject takes a new shape
and assumes importance by reason Of the fact
that Mr.. Benjamin, the Secretary Of State" TO
JEFF. Davis, employs 1t as the basis Of an off,
cial paper, addressed to Mr.. Mason at Paris.
Jacques said TO the rebel authorities at Rich
mond, was authorized by the President. Mr..
Benjamin says-(the italics being ours;)
Mr.. Gilmore replied that they came unofficial
ly, but with the knowledge and at the desire Of
-h. Lincolnj that they thought the war had
gone far enough; that 1t could never end ex-
cept by some sort OF agreement; that the agree
ment might as well be made now as after fur
ther bloodshedi that they knew by the recent
address OF the Confederate Congress that we
were willing TO make peace; that they admitted
that proposals ought 10 come from the North,
and that they were prepared 20 make these
proposals by Mr.. LneOln'S authority; that 1t
was necessary to have sort Of Informal un-
derstanding In advance Of regular negotiations,
for II commissioners were appointed without
some such understanding they would meet
quarrel, and separate, leaving the parties more
bitter against each other than before; utat they
kiiep Mr.. L'lcoln's VieSs, and you'd state them u
pressed 6y the President TO do so, and desired TO
learn his In return.
again insisted on some evidence that they
came from Mr.. Lincoln; and, In order 10 sat
isfy me, Mr.. Gilmore referred to the fact that
permission for their coming through our lines
had been asked officially by Gen. Grant In Q
letter to Gen. Lee, Ind that Gen. Grant In that
latta haA aalya tlnN a. - L..
ferred TO President Davis. Mr.. Gilmore then
showed me card written and signed by Mr..
Lincoln, requesting Gen. Grant to aid Mr..
Gilmore and frient IL passing through his lines
into the Co'yeierdcy.
Jacques then said that his name was not pu,
on the card, for the reason that 1t was earnestly
desired that their visit should be kept secret
that he had come into the Confederacy yea
age, and had visited Petersburg on similar
errand, and that II was feared II his name shoulC
become known tina: some of those who hat
formerly met him in Petersburg would conjec
.u-e the purpose for which he now came. H,
said that the terms OF peace which they would
offer TO the President would be honorable TO tn,
Confederacy; that they did not desire that tn,
Confederacy should accept any other terms
but would be glad to have my promise, as they
gave theirs, that their visit should be kept
profound secret If 1t failed to result in peace
that 1t would not be Just that either should seel
my advantage Dy ulVulRluB tne 1hCt OF tnel
overture for peace, II unsuccessful.
/ assented to this request, and then rising
said: " Do understand you to state distinctly
that you come as messengers from Hr. Lireol,
for Tie purpose Of agreeing pith The President a,
10 he proper mode Of g,rdting a formal
negotiation for peace, charged BY Mr.. Lincoln
Wih authority for stating his otcn Vieps and re-
ceiving those of President Davis 7" Both
dnSpersd IN The affirmative.
n. ha
tween Gilmore, Jacques and JEFF. Davis as
follows-the italics being ours:-
The President came to my office at min,
O'Clock in the evening, and Col. Ould came
few minutes later, with Messrs. Jacques anC
Gilmore. The President said TO them that h,
had heard from me that they came as messen
gers OF peace from Mr.. Lincolnj that as sucl
they were welcome; that the Confederacy hat
never concealed It's desire for peace; and tha
he was ready 70 hear whatever they had 10 offe
on that subject.
Mr.. Gilmore then addressed the President
and In a few minutes had conveyed the In
formation that these two gentlemen had com
TO Richmond impressed with the idea that thi
Government would accept peace on q basis O
reconstruction Of the Union, the abolition o
slavery, and the grant Of an amnesty TO tn
people OF the States as repentant criminals. Ii
order TO accomplish the abolition Of slavery,
was p.oPoseo tnht tnere shoulu DC genera
mass and the mpioritv Of the % yo,e 1I, ,hns .aSs1
was to determine that as well as all other dis
Puted questions. These Uers stated TO be N,
A"e0'"' '''"''
We are authorized and requested TO an
nounce, notwithstanding all that has bee
written and said on the subject, that neithe
Mr. gilmore nor COL Jacques on the one hand
nor Mr. greeley on the other, has ever been
nor Is now, authorized to express any "ds
sires," VIEWS" or opinions Of the Presiden
OF the United States, either in Canada or Rich
mond, on the subject Of negotiation fo
peace" beyond what he has plainly and car,
fully written over his oten Signature; that th
mission to Richmond was initiated and ext
cuted by Messrs. Gilmore and Jacques on thel