Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1864-09-10

We stated that in our note. We would b
glad, however, to know what terms woul
be acceptable to MIR. Davis. Ifthey a
all harmonize with Mr.. Lincolu's views, W
willreport them to him, and so open th'
door for official negotiations. uo. I'LL
% Are you acquainted with Mr.. Lincoln
views7 hsB lls ~ Hi afgfa
Oae OF us is, fully.
Did Mr.. Lincoln, in any way, authoriz'
you to come here 7 ID ma t.eI.
No, sir. We came with his pass, bu
not with his request. We say, distinctly
we have no official, or unofficial authority.
We come as men and Christians, not as
diplomatists, hoping, 10 frank talk with
Mr.. Davis, to discover some way by which
this war may be stopped. b7o as3a
Well, gentlemen, will repeat what you
say to the President, and il be follows my
advice-and think be wil--he will meet
you. He will be at Church this afternoon;
so, suppose you call here at nine this even
ing If anything should occnr in the mean
time to prevent his seeing you, | will let
you know through Judge Oold.
After q day spent in our room convers.
iDg with the Judge, or watching the pas
sers.by in the street, should like to tell
who they were and how they looked. but
snch Information is Just now contraband--
We called again at 9io'clock at the State
Department. o3s et indp e,
.7t JEFF RsoN DAVIS ~.
Mr.. Benjamin occupied bis previous seat
at the table, aud at his right sat a spare,
think featured man, with iron gray hair aud
beard, and clear gray eye full Of life and
vigor.. He had broad massive fOrhead,
aud mouth and chin deno:ing great
energy and strength Of will His face was
emaciated aud much wrinkled, but his
features we're good, especially his eyes
though one of them bore scar, apparent
ly made by some sharp instrument. He
wore a suit Of grayish-brown, evidently of
foreign manufacture, aud as he rose | saw
that he was about five feet ten inches high,
with slight stoop 10 the shoulders. His
manners were simple, easy, aud quite fas.
cinatiug; aud he threw an indescribable
charm into his voice. as be extended his
hand aud said to US ....'..5, ...,,....,
l am glad TO see you gentlemen. You
are very welcome to Richmond. ...
And this was the man who was President
of the United States under Frinklin Pierce,
and who is now the hear, soul aud brains
of the Southern Confederacy ,-.... Il
His manner put me entirely at my ease
the Colonel would be o: his if lie stood be-
fore Cesar--and ! replied gyt.usa 4.
We thank you, Mr.. Davis. it is not Of
ten you meet men Of our clothes, and our
principle, in Richmond. Acaa1
Not often, not so often as could wish (;
and trust your coming may lead to more
frequent and more friendly Intercourse
between the North and the South.
We sincerely hope il may. hAr.
Mr.. Benjamin tells me you have asked
to see me- v. Rs.5 .si f3gqs i.s
Aud he paused, as If desiring we should
finish the sentence. The Colonel replied
Yes, sir. We have asked an interview
10 the hope that you may suggest some way
by which this war can be stopped. Our
people want peace; your people do, aud
your Congress has recently said that yo@
do. We have come to ask how 1t can be
brought about. -
In very simple way. Withdraw your
armies from our territory, and peace will
come of itself. We do not seek to subju.
gate you. We are not waging an offensive
war, except SO far as it is offensive defen-
sive-that is, so far as we are forced TO in
vade you TO prevent your invading US. Lot
US alone and peace will come at once.
Bat we cannot let you alone SO long as
you repudiste the Union. That is the one
thing the Northern people will not sur
render. hf't .ee3i s o tai
know. You would deny to US what
you exact for yourself-;he right Of self
government.
No. sir, 1 remarked. We would deny
you no natural right. But we think Union
essential to peace; and, Mr.. Davis, could
two people, with the same language, separ-
ated by only an imaginary line, live at
peace with each other ? Would not dis.
putes constantly arise, and cause almost
constant war between them? tit a'3"'a
Undoubtedly this generation
You have sown such bitternessat the South,
you have put such an ocean Of blood be
tween the two sections, that ! despair OF
seeing any harmony in my time. Our
children may forget this war, but zoe can
not. "'.'
/ think the bitterness Jon speak OF, sir,
said the Colonel, does not really exist, We
must talk here as friends; our soldiers meet
aud fraternize with each other; and ] feel
sure that if the Union were restored, a
more friendly feeling would arise between
IS than has ever existed. The war has
made us know and respect each other better
than before. This is the view Of very many
Southern men; have had it from many of
lhem-your leading citizens.
They are mistaken, replied Mr.. Davis.
They do not understand Southern seuti-
nent. How can we feel anything but bit.
terness towards men who deny us our
rights 7 If you enter my house and drive
me out of it, am / not your natural enemyl
You put the case two strongly. But we
cannot fight forever; the war must end OF
some time; We must finally agree upon
can we not agree now and stop
this frightful carnagef Weare both Ch'is'
tian men, Mr.. Davis. Can you. as Chris
tian man, leave untried any means that
may lead to peace s,saif .s,4d
No, cannot. desire peace as much
as you do. II deplore bloodshed as much
as you do, but feel that not one drop OF
a 4 Ala. 10 nm haade