New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-09-05
Jas. =. JACQUES,
Jas. X. GILMORE.

but neither OF these documents affords the shadow
ek q support for Dir. Beniamins assertion. They
both expressly dtscia,m our being III Richmond ID
any representative capacity whatever. The Secre-
lrys assertion therefore, must rest, If 1t has any
foundation at all, remarks made by Us IN the
conversation which occurred at the befoIe-men-
koned interview. Mr.. Benjgmin's report Of The
maternal parts of that conversation is az follows:
After perusing the letter the one above quoted,
invited Col. Ould TO conduct the writers TO my
office, and their arrival stated to them that they
must be conscious they could lot De admitted to an
Interview with the President without informing Die
more fully Of the object OF their mission and salts
ying me that they came ty request Of Mr.. Lincoln.
Mr.. Gilmore replied that thoy came unofieially f.,
but with the knowledge and at the desire Of Mr.
Lincoln; ... and admitted that proposals
ought 10 come from the North, and that they were
prepared 10 make these proposals by Nj. Lincoln's
authority.
/ again insisted on some evidence that they
same from Mr. Lincoln, and in order TO satisfy me,
MIR Gilmore referred 70 the fact that permission for
their coming through our lines bad boon asked OIL
eially by Gen Grant 10 letter 70 Gen. Lee, ard
shat Gen. Grant in that letter had asked that this
request should be referred to Presdent Davis. Mr..
Gilmore then showed me 6 card, written and signed
by Mr.. Lincoln, requesting Cen. Grant 20 aid hr.
Gilmore and friend In passing through his Lines INTO
Che Confederscy.
Colonel Jaquess then said that the terms of peace
which thoy would offer TO the President would be
honorable to the COnfedsracy; that they did not
desire that the Confedeacy should accept any other
terIns, but would DC glad to have my promise, as
they gave theirs, that their visit should be kept
profound secret II il failed 10 result in peace that
would not be just that either party should seek
any advantage by diyulgng the fact of their over.
lure for peace, If unsuccessful. asscnted 20 this
request, and then rising, said: "Do unders.snd
you 70 state distinctly that you come as messeugers
Prom MIR. Lincoln for the purpose of agreeing with
Che President NJ 70 the proper node OF
forma negotiation for peace, charged by Mr.. Liu-
coln with authority for stating bis own views
and receiving those Of President Davis" Both
answered in the Affirmative.
These remarks made, according to Mr. Dep,a-
Minis own statement, within an hour after We ID
dressed the beforeq noteto him, entirely con.
trsdiet all that We said in that note even 10 his
own version Of it, and can Mr.. Benjamin expect
khe Commissioner 20 the Continent OF any body
alse 70 believe thattwo gentlemen, whom he asseyts
Mr.. Lincoln selected az bis representatives in 30
important business az the making Of peace in g
great war would CON pletely stulufy themselves
~ TO make such verbal statements in the face Of
what they had just written think not.
1t might be discourteous 70 state that Mr.. Benja-
min has wilfaly nisIeproseBted the whole oil this
sonversation. | will therefore, merely say that
while reporting il his Imagination got tue better Of
his memory. To sustain this assertion, viii sim
ply notice one of bis statements. He says.
''Mr. Gilmore then showed me card written and
signed by President Lincoln. recuefting General Grant
10 aid Mr.. Gilmore and friend IN pSssing through hs
kpes to the Colfedcraey."
Now, this asserted act Of mine was simply an is-
Sossi1ilty. The card referred 20 was addressed ~
Prosiden, Lincoln 10 General Grant, and vas deiy-
cred by the TO the latter gentleman nine days prior
10 this interview. II has not been in my possesion
nor have l seen it since 1 delivered ii TO General
Grant. How, then, could / have shown it 70 Mr.
Benjaminf The said card was published in The
Bosion Transcript Of July I'D and was pretty ex-
tensivey copied into the newspapers Of The North.
The Secretary of State Of the Confederate States
undoubtedly thus learned Of itt existence. lie did
not learn Of it from either Colonel Jaquess or my
self for neither of MS alluded to II In any way what
sveT.
Mr.. BcpjsIniD's memory kas played him fais< In