The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1864-09-07

stmai commissioners dutnOriTeu 10 HeEO-
tiate for peace, and desired 10 cummuni-
cate to President Davis the views of Mr..
Lincoln. and to obtain the Presidents
views IN return, so as 10 arrange for meet
ing of Commissioners. Col. Oaid stated
that he had told them repeatedly that il was
useless TO come to Richmond to talk oI
peace ON any ofber terms than the recog-
nlzed Independence Of the Confederacy. ia
which they said that they were aware oI
that, end that they were nevertheless coR-
fident that their interview would result in
peace. The President, on this report Of
Col. 0uld, determined TO permit them to
come TO Richmond under his charge.
on the evening of the 10th July, Gel.
Ould conducted these gentlemen to a ho-
tel iu Richmond, where a room was pro-
videa Tor them, in which they were TO re-
main under surveillance during their stay
here. aud the next morning | received the
following letter:
Spoitswood House,
Richmond, Va, July l7h. 1864.
: Hon. J. r. Bejamia.
Secretary Of !Siaie Of S. A.:
"DkAR SIR:-rhe undersigned, James
r. Jscquess. Of Illinois, and James r. Gill
msre. OF Massachusetts,, NEST respectful y
solicit an interview with President Davis.
They visit Richmond as pirate citizens.
and have no oAirlal character ar authority
bat they are fully possessed Of the views
OF the United States Government relative
TO an adjustment of the differences now
existing between the North and the Suuth,
and have little doubt that free inter
chsnge,of views between President Davis
and .hymselyes would open the way to
such official negotiations as would ultimate
in restoring PEACE 10 the two sections oI
our distracted country.
"They thereiors ask an interview with
the President, and, awaiting your reply,
are, most truly aud respectfully, your ODE.
dient servants,
JAMES F. JACQUESS,
JAMES X. GILMORE"
The word !" official " is unae rscered and
Tue word peace" ,louhly underscored in
the original.
Alter perusing the letter, invited Col
0ald 10 conduct the writers 10 my office
aud on their arrival stated 10 them that
they aust be conscious they could not be
admitted TO an interview with the Presi.
dent without Informing me mere fully oI
the object OF their mission, and satisfying
me that they came by request of Mr.. Lin.
coin. MIR. Gilmore replied that they came
unoHlcially, but with the knowledge, and
at the desire of Mr.. Lincoln I; that they
thought the war had gone iar enough thal
il could never end except BY some sort D
agreement that the agreement might a:
we'll be made now ~ alter further blood
shed that they knew by the recent sd.
dress Of the Confederate Congress that VIZ
were willing 10 moke peace that they all
mlttrd that proposals ought 10 come frpa
the North, and that they were prepared {,
make these proposals by Mr.. Lincoln's aa
thorlty that il was necessary TO have ;
sort of lnlUrmal understanding in adsanc,
u regular negotiations, Tor il commission
rrs were appointed without some SUCH MI
derstanding, they would meet, quarrel, an,
separate. leaving the parties more bite
against each other than before; that the,
knew Mr.. Lincoln's views, aud would stat,
them il pressed by the President to do 50
and desired % learn his in return.
again insisted on some evidence tha
they came from Mr. Lincoln and in orje
TO satisfy me, MIR. Gilmore referred to ih,
fact tiat permission Tor their coming throug
our lines had been asked officially by Gen
Gran: in letter TO Gen. Lee, and tia
Gen. Grant in that letter had asked tha
this request should be referred to Presi
dent Davis. hir. Gilmore then slowed m
a card, written and signed by Mr. lincoln
requesting Gen. Grant to rid NJ Gilmor
and friend in passing through hs lines in
y Tie Coafcderacy. Col. Jssquess the
said that hi' aame vas not put on the car