The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-09-16
THE MISSION TO RICHMOND,

uU6 WluOOuVN ~ uIVuuuvuVuNUI
THE JAQUES-GILLMORE EN-.
BASSY.
Interesting Statement from Score.
tary Benjamin.
From the Richmond Examiner, August %.
THE sO-oALLKD PEACE MISSION TO RICH
MoND-rRUE HISTORY OF THE AFFAIR.
[CircHlar.l
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, !
RICHMOND, August rs, 1864.
SIR: Numerous publications which have
recently appeared in the journals of the
United States, on the subject of informal
overtures for peace between the two Fed
eratiOns of States now at war on this con-
tinent, render it desirable that you should
be fully advised of the views and policy OF
this Government on matter of such para
mount Importance. 1t is likewise proper
that you should be accurately informed OF
what has occurred on the several occasions
mentioned in the published statements.
copies of the manifesto issued by the Con-
gress of the Confederate States, with the
approval of the President, on the 18th OF
June last, and have doubtless acted in con-
formity with the resolution which request
ed that copies of this manifesto should be
laid before foreign Governments. "The
principal sentiments and purposes by which
these States have been and are still actu-
ated," are set forth in that paper with all
the authority due to the solemn declara-
ton of the Legislative and Executive De-
partments of this Government, and with a
clearness which leaves no room for COM
ment or explanation. In few sentences
it is pointed out that all we ask is immu
nifty from interference with our internal
peace and prosperity, "and to be left in
the undisturbed enjoyment Of those in
alienable rights of life, liberty and the pur-
suit of happiness, which our common an
cestors declared to be the equal heritage of
all parties to the solemn compact. Let
them forbear aggressions upon US, and the
war is at an end. If there be questions
which require adjustment by negotiation,
we have ever been willing, and are still
willing, to enter into communication with
our adversaries, in spirit of peace, of
equity and manly frankness. The mani
festO closed with the declaration that 1--WE
commit our cause to the enlightened judg-
ment of the world, to the sober reflections
of our adversaries themselves, and to the
solemn and rightsome arbitrament of
heaven"
Within very few weeks after the pub
LEGATION Of this manifesto, it seemed to have
met with response from President Lin
coin. In the early part of last month a
letter was received by General Lee from
Lieutenant General Grant, in the following
words:
HEADQUARTERS ARMIES OF THE U. g.,
City Point, Va, July 8, 1854.
Gen. r. E. Lee, Commanding Confederate Forces
near Petersburg, Va.:
GENERAL-I would request that COL James
F. Jaques, Seventy third Illinois Volunteer
Infantry, and ]. r. Gilmore, ESQ.,, be allowed
to meet Col. Robert Ould, Commissioner for
tween the lines of the two armies as you may
designate. The object of the meeting is legiti-
mate with the duties of Colonel Ould, as Com
missioner.
If not consistent for you to grant the request
here asked, would request that this be re-
1cITCu W ITtSIucuL DdVlS lOr MS aCLlOQ.
Requesting as early an answer to this CON-
munication as you may find it convenient to
make, subscribe myself, very respectfully,
your Obedient servant,
s.. GRANT,
Lieut.. General U. 8. A.
On the reference of this letter to the
President he authorized COL Guild to meet
the persons named in Gen. Grants letter,
and Col. Ould, after seeing them, returned
to Richmond and reported to the Presi-
dent, in the presence of the Secretary of
War and myself, that Messrs. Jaques and
Gilmore had not said anything to him
about the duties as Commissioner for ex-
change of prisoners, but that they asked
permission to come to Richmond for the
purpose of seeing the President that they
came with the knowledge and approval Of
President Lincoln, and under his pass;
that they were informal messengers sent
with view Of paving the way for meet
ing OF formal commissioners authorized to
negotiate for peace, and desired to COM
municate to President Davis the views of
Mr.. Lincoln and to obtain the Presidents
views in return, SO as to arrange for a
meeting of commissioners Colonel Ould
stated that he had told them repeatedly
that it was useless to come to Richmond
to talk of peace on any other terms than
the recognized independence of the Con-
federacy, to which they said they were
aware of that, and that they were, never
theless, confident that their interview
would result in peace. The President, on
this report of Col. Ould, determined to per-
NIT them to come to Richmond under his
charge.
On the evening of the 10th July, Col.
Ould conducted these gentlemen to ho-
tel in Richmond, where room was pro-
vided for them, in which they were to re-
main under surveillance during their stay
here, and the next morning received the
following letter:
SPOTSwOoD HOTEL,
RICIOND, Va, July IL, 1864.
Hon. j. p. Beyamin. Secretary of State, Con-
federate States of america
DEAR SIR: The undersigned, James F.
Jaques, of Illinois, and James R. Gilmore, of
Massachusetts,, most respectfully solicit an in
terview with President Davis. They visit
RiohmONd nrvQfo nj nj e