The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-07-21
A MISSION TO RICHMOND.

WAsmNGToN, Wednesday, July 20.--An indi-
viduul, fresh from Richmond, not as n released
prisoner, but an hOnOred guest, entertained three
Gays in the capital Of tue Southern Con
min, ard their compeers having around
hum the romance and the mystery o.
an unknown mission, and knowing the
secrets of the Rebel prisOn-huu5e, is r0rd dp's
enough to make Il sensation even amid the leaden
and anguid heat of Washington summers day.
Such parsonage, bringing with him all tho eX-
peTit ncCs euuu, rated, arrived here to-day dlroct
from Richmond by way Of General Grants hcad-
quarters.
73d Illinois Volunteers, Colonel, but parsOn also,
bting minister Of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. Though neither envoy nor ambt3-
snder, COlunel Juques had mission Of
hi own, clothed wi no authority 70 speak
for either President or Government, he
appears 10 have had authority enough Of
some Kind TO command hearing from
the plincpalitics and powers that sit in Rich
mOnd; in fine, without being ptnipotentiary,
he ,CCns TO be endowed with a certain species Of
power behind the throne that caused him to he
lentYeIy listened 10 and kindly treated by the
chiefs of the Rebellion.
OF the real object and end of Colonel JRqqes
mission, am requested by himself not nJS 10
speak. tis perfectly proper 10 state, however,
that II Is in no respect official in IT. Cnaracter al
that be had DO wafrsnty whatsoever tO enter into
any ~ gOIiatiOua between this GUycrnmeu aud
the Rebel authorities. Any statement that would
convey 8 oiliereIt impression Is false.
SecoI dly, IL may be stated that though Colonel
JaQues MISSION Cuutempla,es results OF tue nigh
imI ortancc; these re- uls are ul erior rather
titan immt dHIC Flually, iJ Is warrantable 70
sly tbUt though Lis mission was one Of peace, it
Was lot peace mis'iO Colonel ia Ines DO
longs 70 the Chur,h militant, and b leyes most
| learn y IN dtuln the k,bclllOn what "tlndi
bias" Cul "apO-tUliC blows and knocks" Yet
hr has faith that tbe time will COlnr, and Is ra-
pidly coming, wi en- an agency Of reconciliation,
which LC believes 10 be OF immense power, can
] b. used.
Auimntcd 10y this sentiment, he succeeded in
30 iH pressing his views upon Mr. Lincoln tnaJ
tie pTt sdent, without nc ordiDg HIM the small
est II CiRl Tec' gnitiOn or authority, WAS wiling,
lelityiLR h e neSIy OF pupu'e, tuNt be shOlid
| ny The experiment Of II yisit 10 Richmond. Ac'
| tOfulnpy, De gave Inn personal recommend l.
! u,n 70 Gen raj GrunJ 10 pass hin through the
! llI es. Ui OthtIwisg i0rWaTd his views,
Ghus sld,d, Colonel Jacques accompanied by
! Nj. ECWa aTd h rte, made his way from General
! GIuLts headquarters by the north site OF tre
] Jan es river, nd passing the r bel ues reached
/ Tie COnitd, rate capual. Here they remained
| for three days-Satuidsy, Sunday, aud III lnd ~
| last While in Richmond, Colonel Jacques, Al
| his own request, was placed under guard, but
/ he had The entire freedom Of the city, and put ny
! during his visit Gt the SpOttsWOOd House, the
! "CmOE' hotel of Richmond.
The Colonel, during his three days stay
| visited tiU various Confederate authorities a'
! CGutives and wounded arc confined. He hnd tive
| prolonged interviews with President Davis 10
I his Office IN the Custom House; and although
the nature and subject matter Of the cOnYcr7a
uous between himself aud the Rebel frcs'0en
me not proper for present publication, vet It u
understood that Colonel Jal.cg met with con
siderable success in imprsssiug his views upOl
Mr. Davis. When taking bis leave, Davis tool
the CDlunols hand in both his, shook it warmI.
and cordially, and stated that, leaving out 0
| view The present struggle, he had the highes
respect for his character and aims.
The Colonel, while guest at the Spottswoo
lopse, faIcd sumptuousy, being fed on chicke1
turkey, mutton, and all the yian1s Of q wcll-aE
| pointed hotel ant entertained with fine braudiC
and costly wines. He bill would have amOuute
90 more than 5000 in Confederate money, but
found il impossible 10 induce his enterlainers I
accept any lcturn for the hospitality he had +,
CGiyed.
Colonel Jaques also had interviews with NJ
Benjamin, Secretary Of State Mr.. Oud, Con
missioner Of Exchanges and other COntedcra
digntaIics and authorities.
The Colonel was permitted to visit the Iibl
| and Belle hle Prisons, and reports that he ~
spIetally Disappointed by The comparatively cor
tor,ahle condition in which he found our Uni,
captiyes therein confined. The wounded .als
! Ihcugh only the more desperate case are TsEai8i