Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1864-08-30

lnhL may DC. OOWe OI our Olu meni WIN
are weak in the knees, may want peace on any
terms but the southern people will not have
it without independence. Mr.. Davis knows
them, and YOU will fad he will insist upon that.
Concede that, and we'll not quarrel about mi
nor matters
Wen not quarrel at all Butts sundown,
and time we we've on to Richmond. +"
That's the Tribune cry, said the Captain,
rising and hurrah for the Tribune, Tor its
honest, and-l want my supper.
We all laughed, and the Judge ordered the
horses As we were about to start, | said to
him.
+" You We forgotten our parole.
"Oh, never mind that Wen attend to that
at Richmond.
Stepping into his carriage, and unlurling the
flag Of truce, he then led the way, by a " short
cut" across the corn-6eld which divided the
mansion from the high road. We followed iu
an ambulance drawn by pair OF mules, our
shadow--Mr. Javlns-slttiDg between US and
the twilight, and Jack, likely darkey," al
most the sole survivor Of bis master & twelve
hundred sav,s, {" De ress all stole, Messa,-
stole by you Yankees occupying the front
scat, and with a stout whip ," working our pas
sage " to Richmond.
IN RICHMOND.
At ten O'Clock that night we plant
ed our flag (agalns; lamp post) in the very
heart Of the hostile city. As we algbted at
the doorway of the SpotswoOd Hotel the Judge
said 10 the Colonel
Button your outside coat up closely. Your
uniform must not be seen here"
Tho ('nlo,ai did az ha uag hidden and with.
out stopping 10 register our names at The Office,
we followed the Judge and the Captain up to
No. CO. 1t was large, square room in the
fourth Story, with m unswept, ragged carpet,
and bare white walls, smedred with soot and
tobacco juice. Several chairs, marbe-top
table, and a pine wash-stand and clothes-press
struggled about the floor, and in the corners
were three beds, garnished with tattered pillow
cases, and covered with white coun .erpanes,
grown gray with longing for soapsads aud a
washtub. The palmer and humber Of these
beds was designed for the burly Mr.. Javins
the Others had been made ready lor the extraor-
binary ENJOYS (not ENJOYS extraordinary who,
in defiance Of all precedent and the law OF
nations, - had Just then 4" taken Richmond
A single gas,jet was burning over the mantel-
piece, and above it saw a - writing on the
wall which implied that Jane Jackson had
run up a washing-seore Of fifty dollars
was congratulating myself on not having to
pay that woman 3 laundry-bIlls, when the Judge
said
You want supper What shall We order -
" slice Of hot cornbread would make ME
the happlest man in Richmond"
The Captain thereupon left the room, and
shortly returning, remarked
" The landlord swcaTs you're from Georgia
lie says none but a Georgian would call for
corn bread at this time of night
On that hint we acted, and when our sooty
attendant came IN with the suppeT-thiDgs, we
discussed Georgia mines, Georgia banks, and
Georgia mosquitoes, in a way that showed we
had been bitten ty all Of them. In half an
hour it was noised all about the hotel that the
two gentlemen the Coniederacy was taking such
excellent care Of were from Georgia.
The meal ended, and quiet smoke over, our
entertainer rose to 60. As the Judge bade US
good might, be said TO us
" In the morning you had better address a
note to Mr.. benjamin, asking the interview
with the President. ! will call at ten o'clock,
and take it to bin. -
Very we'll. But will MIR. Davis see us on
Sunday"
" On, that will make no difference
THE NEXT DAY.
he next morning after breakfast, which we
took in our room with Mr. Javins, we inditei
note--of which the following is a copy-to the
Confederate Secretary OF State
SPoTTswooD HOUSE, RIoHxoND, Va,
July 18th, 1864.
HoH j. p. Benjamin. Secretary Of STATE, etc
Dear Sir The undersigned respectfully
solicit an interview with President DAVIS.
They visit Richmond only as private citizens,
and have no official character or authority but
they are acquainted with the views of the
United States government, and with the senti
ments OF the Northern people relative to an ad
justment OF the difference existing between the
North and the South, and earnestly hope that
free interchange OF views between President
Davis and themselves may open the way to such
official negotiations as will result in restoring
peace to the two sections Of our distracted
country
They therefore ask an interview with the
President, and awaiting your reply, are
Truly and respectfully yours
This was signed by both OF us and when the
Judge called, as he had appointed we sent it.
together with eommendatory letter had re-
celyed, ON setting out, from near relative OF
Mr. Davls--to tho rebel Secretary In half an
hour Judge Ould returned, saying. " Mr.. Ben
iamin sends you his compliments, and will be
happy to see you at the State Department
SECRETARY BENJAMIN.
We found the Secretary short, plump,
oily little man in black, with keen black eye,
a jew face, yellow skin, curly black hair,
closely. trimmed black whiskers, and a ponder
Gus gold waIoh-chain-in the northwest room
of the a" United States Custom House. Over
the door OF this room were the words - State
Department" and round It's walls were hung u
few maps and battle.plans. ln one corner was
a tier OF shelves filled with books, among which
noticed Headley's" History" Losslng's " Pic
torial History" Parton's" " Butler" Greeleys
" American Cootlct,' complete set of the
Rebellion Re ord, and dozen numbers aud sew
eral bound volumes of the Aiidnhc MOnihiv,
and in the centre of the apartment was a black
walnut table, covered with green cloth, and filled
with multitude Of " state papers. " At this
table sat the Secretary, lie rose as we entered,
and, as Judge 0uld introduced us, took our
hands and said
| am glad, very glad, to meet you, gentle
men. have read your note, and blowing to
me" the open letter you bring from
Your errand commands my respect and sympa.
thy. Pray be seated"
As we took the proaered seats, the Colonel,
drawing of bis Il" duster,' and displaying his
uniform, said
d" We thank you Tor this cordial reception,
Mr. BENJAMIN. We trust you viii ho glad to
hear us as you are to see us"
/" No doubt | shall bc, for you come to talk
of peace. Peace is what we all want"
" 1t is indeed and Tor that reason We are