The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1865-03-21
CONVERSATIONS WITH CONFEDER-
ATE LEADERS.

The Richmond correspondent of the Liverpool
Couries, writes the following in recent letter to
that paper:
Il sent you letter, dated King George county,
Virginia, which fear has been detained by Mr.
Seward, who does not favor the freedom of the
press: 1t advised you OF move nent in high
quarters here, towards entire change in the laws
concerning slavery.
Since writing that letter, I spent day with
General R E Lee, and when this subject was in
troduced he interrupted the conversation and said,
I wish you to understand nay views on this SUBJ
ject | am favorable to the use of our servants in
the army. / think we can make better soldiers Of
them than Lincoln can. He claims to have two
hundred thousand In his service. We Can destroy
the value of all such soldiers to him by using ours
against them. do not see Why should not have
the use of such available materials as we'll as he
I would hold out to them the certainty of freedom
and home, when they shall have rendered eff
cient service He cannot give them a home. Nor
can he give them officers who can understand and
manage them we'll can
On the next day l conversed with General s.
Cooper, Adjutant and Inspector General C. S. A.
He said IL agree with General Lee in his views.
| would not await the slow action of Legislatures
on the subject. We have already used them in
place Of soldiers teamsters and 10 the engineer
service. We can use them in other ways. There
is no reason for delay. Let them be placed in the
field and give them freedom for faithful service to
the State"
The Government has inaugurated such move
ment by making during the present month ) q
draft of free and slave negroes, nominay for erec-
ton of field works, etc., but really to drill and pre-
pare them for home defence. l travelled to Rich
mond in train containing one or two carriages
crowded with these drafted negroes.
have seen President Davis, and observed him
under those circumstances which give the clue to
character, and draw out the real feeling and powers
of the man. My first interview presented him in
bis home, staying with his children, who were
asleep in the library, where, after diuner, awaited
him. awake up, JEFF you little rebel, wake up
ard go to bed ~ and then there was a scene that
drew out all tender affections of a noble heart to-
ward the beautiful children whom he loved and
was teaching to love. He lately lost fine boy,
the youngest, who fell from upstairs window.
3 / next him humble, quiet, dignifed
but devout worshipper, bowling down on his knees
before bis Maker in st. Paups Church, where
General r. E. Lee was also an humble aud deyout
worshipper.
The third interview presented him as the states
man, in his official capacity; and be rapidly dis
posed of the cases broug before him by dist;n-
gushed men, who excessively fled before him,
and as be touched his bell and called some high
authority of the Government to meet some unusual
case, l saw that the statesman could play with
his men, we'll father could play with his
child.
The Rev. Dr. III. presented petition from
clergyman and thirty others, unarmed snd peace
able citizens who had been arrested and imprisoned
By the enemy. He said: "My heart beeds over
the suferings inflicted my countrymen by
ruthless foe. will do all can to relieve them"
veteran and valued colonel, parolsd from
Federal prison., was presented. He said: "Colo-
mel, am busy. You will breakfast with me to-
morrow"
The raid on the Canada frontier was mentioned.
understood him to say something as follows
"These small pfering and burning expeditions
vex and annoy the enemy, cause great vigilance,
without bringing about peace effecting the true
object of retaliation. Should it become necessary
to wage war against tie people, as we'll as the
Government, let as strike hard-let no second blow
be needed"