Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1864-08-31
INTERVIEW WITH JEFF. DAVIS.
Colonel Jacques and Edmund Kirko" in
Richmond, Va.

Richmond, Va.
The following narrations make part Of
an article in the September number Of The
atlantic IEORtbty, and of q closing chapter OF
a new volume entitled Down IN Tennes-
sec. by Edmund kirke, about to be pub
lished by Sheldon.
IN RICHMOND.
The next morning, after breakfast, which
we took in our room with Mr.. Javans, we
indited note-of which the following Is
copy-to the confederate Sc, retary OF State:
SPoTrswooD HOUSE,
RICHMOND. Va, July II, 1864
'II0n j. T.. BENJAMIN, Secretary 81
State. etc :-DEAR SIR: The undersigned
respectfully solicit an interview with l'resl-
dent Davis. They visit Richmond only as
private citizens, and have no official charac-
ter or authority; but they are acquainted
with the views OF the United States Govern
me t. and with the sentiments Of the North
ern people relative to an adjustment Of the
difference existing between the North and
/ South, and earnestly hope that a free inter
change Of views between President Davis
and themselves may open the way 70 such of-
Fc5at negotiations as viii result IN restoring
PEACE TO the two sections Of our distracted
country. The therefore ask an interview
Win Tue lG-i-i-lL tt.ltt- .ESttt
are Truly and respectfully yours. y
This was signed by both of us and when
the Judge called. rs he had appointed. We
sent it--together with a commentators let
ter had received on setting out, from q near
relative of Mr. Davi5-to The rebel Secreta-
". In half an hour Judge Ould returned
/ saying: Mr.. Benjamin sendsyou his comph-
ncnts, and viii be happy to see you at the
State Department
We found the Secretary short, pulmp,
oily little man in black, with d keen black
eye, Jew face, yellow skin, curly black
| hair, closely-trimmed black whiskegS, and a
ponderous Id watch -chain-in the north
west room Of the United States Custom
House. Over the door of this room were
the words, State Department, and about
its walls were hung 4 few maps and battle
plans. In one corner was a tier of shelves
filed with b0oks-amOng which | noticed
Headley History, Tossing, Pictorial,
Parton's Butler Greeley's American
Conflict, complete set OF the Rebellion
Record, and doZeon numbers and several
bound volumes Of the Atlantic Monthly, =
and IN the centre Of the apartment was a
black walnut table, covered with green CLOTH
and filed with multitude of State Pa
pers At this table sat the Secretary. lie
rose as we entered, and, as Judge Ould in-
troduced uls, took our hands and said
Il am glad, very glad, To meet you, gen
tlemen. | have read your note, and =
bowiug 10 me the letter you bring from
-. Your errand commands my respect
AMI sympathy. Pray be seated.
As We took the profered seats, the Colo
mel, drawing off his ''duster, and display
ING his uniform, said
I'VE thank you for this cordial reception,
Mr. ilapiap,:p NJ % trIlSt Won will a gS clad
to hear us as you are to see us.
No doubt | shall be, for you come to
talk of peace Peace is what We all want
1T is, indeed; and for that reason we
have come TO see Mr. Davis. Can we see
him, Sir
''Do you bring any overtures to him from
your Government?
''No sir We bring no overtures, and
have no authority from our Government.
We state that in our note. We would be
glad however, to know what terms will be
acceptable to Mr. Davis. If they at all har
NOME with Mr. Lincoln views. We will
report them to him, and so open the door
for official negotiations.
''Are you acquainted with Mr.. Lincoln ;
views :?
Zone of us is, fully
''Did Mr. Lincoln, IN any ,cdy, authorize
you to come here %
NO sir. We came with his pass, but not
by his request. We say distinctly, We have
no official authority. We come as men and
Christians, not as dipiomatists, hoping, IN a
frank talk with Mr.. Davis, to discover some
vay by which this war may be stopped.
''Well. gentlemen, | will repeat what you
say to the President, and if he follows my
advice-and | think he wlll-he Will meet
you He will be at Church this afternoon ;
so, suppose You call here at nine this even
ing. If any thing should occur IN the mean
time to prevent his seeing you, L VIII let
you know through Judge Culd.
Throughout this interview the manner OF
the Secretary was cordial bat with this cor
diality was strange conStraInt and dltfldence
almost amounting to timidity.. which struck
both nv companion and myself. Contrast
ing his manner with the quiet dignity of the
Colonel. | almost fancied cur position rever-
sed-that. instead OF our beng IN hls pow
er the Secretary was IN ours, and moments
Unexpected to hear some unwelcome sentence
from our lips There is something, after
all, in moral power. Mr.. Benjamin does
not Dossess it. nor is he great man. He
has keen. fshrewd, ready intellect, but not the
StaBstaa to originate, or even TO execute any
great good or great wlckedness.
After day spent in our room, converslng
with the Judge, or watching the passers- by
in the street, would like to tell you who
thev were, and how they looked; but such
information is, just now, contraband-we
called again, at nine o'clock, at the State
Department.
Mr.. BENJAMIN occupied his previous seat
at the table, and at his right hand sat
spare, thin-featured man, with lron-gray J,
hair md beard, and clear, gray eye, full
of life and vigor. He had broad, MASSIVE
forehead. and a mouth and chin denoting