The New York herald., 1865-05-05

jefferson Davis, OF Mississippi.
Jefferson Davis, who was yesterday REBEL with two
powerful armies at his back, is to-day fugitive from
justice, with price set upon his head - an assassin
There every probability that he win be captured rs4
condemned and executed Such end viii bs . nsaSng
termination 10 life marked by such crimes - treason
and murder
IN the same year QSoe thAA 0nss hitA ABRAHAM Lin
ooln Dsvis w. born cn Jnns = M was the llsgit-
mate son Of James Davis noted hosss tradsr Of Hop
kinsvic, Kentucky. The father fell under snsplcion
horse thief, and was forced TO ny from justice. He
settled, when Je1 was very young, near vicksburg,
Mississippi At that time horse and negro traders
and horse thieves when rch, admissible 10 good
(MssissippD society, and old Davis had littlo Diff
Guilty in establishing himself in life. He was
able few years after TO send his son 70 Kentucky
to complete his education ct the Transylvania
University, Lexington. He had in fact become
so popular through the influence Of his money and popu
lar be able secure for his hopeful pro-
geny an appointment to West Point which young Jer
entered at SIXTEEN forming part Of the graduating class
Of 1928 He graduated the foot of the class and
commissioned in tho First infantry as brevet second lieu
tenant the lowest rank that could be given him. He
was sent TO Florida and served very credaby with Zach
Taylor in the Black Hawk war; for which he got CON-
mission as FIRST lieutenant in the First dragons In
1882 he offended General Taylor by running away with
and marrying his daughter and the old General never
recognized Davis until they happened TO meet the bat
tie field Of Buena Vista, Mexico In 1885 Davis having
resigned his commission settled vcksbup and en-.
tered upon the Of politics. in which he
successful be elected to the lower house Of Congress-
When the Mexican war broke out Davis raised and
commanded the First regiment Of Mississippi rio The
only significant feature In his the fact that he
declined United States commission brgadier general
Of volunteers on the ground that such appointment
by the federal Executive o violation OF State rights
He political life in 1s47 having been appointed
by the Governor of Mississippi to m the vacancy the
United States Senate caused by tho death Of Mr. spegh
At the ensuing election in ls4s, he elected to oil
the term expiring in 1851 On his return to Mississippi
he became the State rights candidate for Governor but
was defeated by "Little Fidget' Foote, his lifetime
enemy, who is now lying in Ludlow street jail In this
city About the same mc he stumped the State for the
purpose OF advocating the reputation Of the State debt
and was subsequently honored as the originator and
prime mover Of that great swndle. In 1853 be was
called by Pierce to seat in his Cabinet, a. Secre
tary OF War; In 1867 he elected United States
Senator from Mississippi which he held until bis resgna
tion january 1851 the secession Of his State He
was chosen Provisional President Of the rebel confcdcra
ton OF States February T. 1861 nauguratcd Februa
years. for only half Of which time he will be permitted 10
act His administration of the affairs Of the rcbclous
States has been marked by great brliancy judg.
ment He has been the Marplo, Of almost every Of
the rebel campaigns and has done by his obstinacy
envy jealousy and malice to destroy the unity eec
vcness Of his government and It's armies than any other
OF its leaders II the confederacy had possessed leader
less obstinate in the pursuit of bad plans less envous Of
tho fame Of his subordnates and less quarrecome gene
rally, it might have existed few months longer.
What evidence the government has Of the completely
Of Davis in the conspiracy for tho assassination Of Mr.
Lincoln has not yet been dvulged Davis is not whit
too good too wise to engage in any similar infamous
or hopeless undertaking.
On the fall OF Richmond Davis acknowledging the hope
lessness of his cause, fed southwark stopping for few
days at Danvc, but afterwards pushing for tho
Florida coast He passed through Charlotte, N O., on
April % and Yorkvile the 2Sth, closely pursued by
soncmans cavalry and guarded by brigade Of cavalry
under General g. c. Dbbrel II is 10 be sincerely hoped
that he will be secured by stoncman the bockadng
feet of the Florida coast
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