The Portland daily press., 1864-08-20

stole by the Yankees,') occupied the from
seat, and with stout whip worked our pas
sage" TO Richmond.
IN RICHMOND.
AT ten o clock that nioht we miami
ed our nag against lamp postl in the yer,
neart of that hostile CITY. As we alighted a
the doorway of the Spotswood Hotel, th'
Judge said to the Colonel
"Button your outside coat up closely. YOU
uniform must not be seen here"
The Colonel did as he was hidden; and
without stopping TO register our names at the
office, we followed the Judge and the Captain
up TO No. go. 1t was large, square room In
the fourth story, with an unswspt, ragged ir'
pet, and bare white wall, smeared with SCOT
and btoacco juice. Several chairs, marble
top table, and pine washstand and clothes
press scattered about the floor, and in the
corners were three beds, garnished with latter
ed pillow cases, and covered with white coun-
terpanes, grown gray with longing for soap
snds and the wash tub. The palmer aud
humber of these beds was designated for the
burly Mr.. Jarvins; the Others had been made
ready for the extraordinary ENJOYS (not en-
voys extraordinary who in defiance of all
precedent and the 'law of nations )" had Just
then 'taken Richmond
A single gas-jet was burning over the nan
tlepiece and by the the light of 1t | saw a
.writing on the wall" which implied that Jane
jackson had run up washing-score Of fifty
dollars.
l was cougratuating myself on not having
to pay that womans' laundry-bills, when the
Judge said
You want supper. What shall we order ?"
"a slice of hot corn-bread would make me
the happiest man In Richmond"
The Captain thereupon left the room, and
shortly returning, remarked
"The landlord swears you're from Georgia.
He 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 supper-things, we
discussed Georgia mines, Georgia banks, and
Georgia mosquitoes, in a way that showed we
had been bitten by all of them. In half an
hour it was noised all about the hotel that the
twogentlemeu the Confederacy was taking
such excellent care of were from Gorgia
Tie meal ended, and quiet smoke over,
our entertainers rose to go. As the Judge
bade us good night, he said to us
I'm 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 him."
"Very well. But will Mr. Davis see us on
Sunday?'
"Oh, that will make no difference"
THE NEXT DAY.
The next morning, after breakfast, which
we took 10 our room with Mr.. Javins, we in
dited note--of which the following is copy
to the Confederate Secretary Of State:
"srorswooD HOUSE,, Rrc.soED: VA.
July IL, 1864. !
''Hoa. J. p. Benjamin. Secretary Of State, etc
Dear sir;-The undersigned respectfully solicit
an intersics with President Davis
.'fhey visit chmono only private citizens, and
with the vss Se ussd or
er. ment, and with the sentiments Of the Northern
people relative to an adjustment Of the differences ex
listing between the North and the South, ana earn
estly hope that free interchange Of views between
Pr, sdent Davis and themselves may o,en the way
TO such ocia negotiations as will result In resor
ing peace TO the two sections OF our distracted
.sThey therefore ask an interview with the Presi-
deaf. and awaiting your reply, are
"fruly and respectfully yours"
This was signed by both OF us; aud when
the Judge called, as he had appointed we sent
i.-together with commendatory letter Ihad
received on setting out, from near relative
of Mr.. Davis-to the rebel Secretary. In
half an hour Judge Ould returned, saying,
Mr.. Benjamin sends you his compliments,
and will be happy to see you at the State De-
par,ment."
SECRETARY BENJAMIN.
We found the Secretary-a 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 watch-chain-in the northwest room
OF the United States Custom House. Over
the door of this room were the words Estate
and round its walls were hung
a few maps aud battle plans. In one corner
was tier of shelves filled with books, amcng
which noticed Headley's History" Loss
ing's Pictorial History" Parton's Butler"
american Conflict complete set
of the Rebellion Record, and dozen num-
bers and several bound volumes OF the Allan
tic Monthly, and In the centre of the apart
ment was black walnut table, covered with
green cloth, and filed with a multitude OF
"state papers," At this table sat the Secreta-
ry. He rose as we entered, and as Judge
Ould introduced us, took our hands and
said
II am glad, very glad, to meet you gentle
men. have read your note, and"-bowing
TO me-"the open letter you bring from.
Your errand commands my respect aud SYM
pathy. Pray be seated
As we took the proffered seats, the Colon
ell, drawing off his "duster," and displaying
his uniform, said
1--WE thank you for this cordial reception,
Mr.. Benjamin. We trust you will be as glad
to hear us as you are to see u.s."
mo doubt / shall be, for you come to talk
of peace. Peace Is what we all want"
at Is indeed; and for that reason we are
here 10 see Mr.. Davis. Can we see him sir ?"
"Do you bring any overtures to him from
your goyeTnment?'
mo, sir. We bring no overtures and have
no authority from our government. We state
that in our note. We would be glad, howev-
er, To know what terms will be acceptable to
Mr.. Davis. II they at all harmonize with Mr..
Lincon's views, we will report them to him
and so open the door for official negotiations"
"Are you acquainted with Mr.. Lincoln's
views."
"0ne of US is fully"
did Mr.. Lincoln, in any ,cdy, authorize
you to come here z"
mo, sir, We came with his pass, but not by
his request. We say, distinctly, we have no
official or unofficial, authority. We come as
men and Christians, not as diplomatists, hop
ing, in frank talk with Mr.. Davis, to discov-
er some way by which this war may be stop
ped"
well, gentlemen, will repeat what you
say to the President, and IL he follows ny ad-
vice-and think he will--he will meet YOU
he will be at church this afternoon; so, sup
pose you call here at nine this evening. II
anything should occur In the meantime TO pre-
vent his seeing you, | will lei you know
through Judge Ould."
After day spent In our room conversng
with the Judge, or watching the passers-by in
the street, should like TO tell who they were
and how they looked, but such information is
just now contrabind-we called again at nine
o'clock at the State Department.
JEFFERsoS DAVIS.
Mr.. Benjamin occupied his previous seat at
the table, aud at his right sat spare, thln-fes-
tured man, with iron gray hair aud beard, aud
clear gray eye full of life and vigor. He
had broad massive forehead, and mouth
and chin denoiing great energy and strength
OF will. His face was emaciated and much
wrinkled, but his features were good, especial
ly his eyes--though one of them bore a scar,
apparently made by some sharp instrument.
He wore a suit OF grayish brown, evidently of
fereign manufacture, and as he rose saw that
he was about five feet ten inches high, with a
slight stoop in the shoulders. His manners
were simple, easy and quite fascinating; and