Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1864-09-15
The Jaques-GilmOre Visit to Richm0nd-Why
they were Received BY jeff. Davis.

The letter of the rebel Secretary of State
BENJAMIN, protesting to correct some of the
statements made in Mr.. GILMoREs account il
the atlantic, of the visit by Col. JAQUEs ant
himself to Richmond, has called out reioin
der from Mr.. G. iu support of the truthful
ness Of his narrative. In the course of hi:
reply, Mr.. GILMORE gives the following expla
nation of what has hitherto seemed mysteri
Gus, to wit: the reception and cordial treat
ment of himself and friend by the rebel CHEF
The Enanaine, "greatly desires to know
what Yankee has commissioned spies into
our lines, assured them handsome treatment
and access to the President" ETC. Now, Mr.
Examiner, it wasn't Yankee at all, nor was
it Mr.. 1t was simply madam-a near rel.
ative CT Mr.. Davis, now residing at the
North. Her letter was addressed to Mr..
Davis, not to Mr.. Benz amin, 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 or 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 expense of slavery,
met Col. Jacques at Petersburg, a year ago.
They have corresponded since, and when in
May last, the Colonel decided to visit the
COnfederacy again, he wrote that gentleman,
who at once communicated the CoIonel's in
tention to Mr.. Davis and asked if he would
see him. Mr.. Davis replied that he would,
and suggested that the gentleman should
make his way to Baltimore and escort Col.
Jaques through the lines. The gentleman
met Col. Jaques in Baltimore late in June, but
the Colonel objected to entering Rebellion
BY the back door. The Southerner then
said, "Go to the front Have flag sent to
Lee. Ask to meet Judge Ould l will at
once return to Richmond, land see that every
things works smoothly"
For that reason l secured Mr.. Lincolns
pass to the front For that reason, when
General Grant said to me !: Il don't believe
the Rebels will receive you. They have not
answered a flag for a month. However, I
will send one. | shall have to address Gen
eral Lee. Shall l say you want to meet
Judge Guild -" l said to him: eff you
please and suppose you add, that if there
appears TO Lee any ODJcctlOn TO OuldS meet
ing US, you would like to have him refer OH,
request to Jeff. Davis." And for that reason
Gen. Gen. Grant inserted in his note to Gen.
Lee the clause: Z" If not consistent for you
to grant the request here asked, would beg
that this be referred to President Davis for
his action" on which clause Mr. Benjamin
has attempted so much
l 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.. Benia-
min O., and to show conclusively, that our
emission to Richmond " was our own private
affair, and undertaken altogether on our own
account and responsibility.