The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1865-03-25
Abdietatfon Of jeff: Davis.

Abdietatfon of jeff: Davis.
For several days past reports have been !
riff. in W sbinpton that JEFF Davis has abdl- /
Gated, turnin. his power over t" "en. Lee
who thus becomes Dictator. The report mas
probably no ciber foundation than the tact,
tina, Davis, Oh pursuading the rebel congress
10 remain in session few days longer after
their recent adjournment, sent to them mes.
sage. in which he a ked til IN to clothe ham
With power that would have made him virtu-
al dictator; but if they lacked confidence in
him, then he implored them to confer such
power on some one else.
This message of JEFF. Davis is remarkable
in other respects. The naughty, confident
tone he had assumed in his previous messages
i. dropped, and instead We have subdued
and even respondent tone. He SAYS
Recent military operations of the enemy
haze been successful in the capture OF some
of our seaports, in intcrrupilng some OF our
lines OF communication. and III devastating
large districts Of our country. These events
have had the natural effect of encouraging
our foes, and dispiriting many OF our people.
The capital Of the Confederate States Is now
threatened. and is in greater danger than it
has heretofore been during the war. Inc
fact is stated, without reserve or conceaiment,
a. due 70 the people, whose servants we are
and in whose courage and constancy entire
trust is reposed; rs due to YOU in whose Wis
dom and rcsolnie spirit the people have con-
fidsd, for the adoption Of the measures re-
CURED 30 guard them from threatened psrils.
he tells the rebel congress that
The measures passed by Congress during
the session for recruiting the army and snip
piyns the additional force needed for the
public defense have been, in my judgment,
! insufficient, and am impelled, by profound
conviction of duty, and stimulated ty sense
Of the perils which surround our country, to
urge upon yoa additional lcgisla.i, n on this
subject.
He demands more vigorous conscription
law; also a more effective means for obtain
ing supplies for the army. among which he
says Two millions in gold are indispensable /;
and finally the power to suspend the writ OF
hab as corpus and virtually to arrest and
imprisou, OF place in the army, whom ne
pleases, seize what supplies he may use, and
in short. exercise unlimited control over the
persons and property of his subjects
The message also gives some curious facts
in relation TO the late attempt to ia.nugurate
nego,ioation~ for peace in Hampton Roads
After President Lincoln had told Messrs
Stephens and Hunter that he was unwilling
TO omen negotiations with either the rebel
government or The authorities of any of the
rebel states, Davis says his commissioner:
proposed 20 institute such negotiations thro
diplomatic agents or the commanding gener
al, As had often been done in Ike cases. IC
I this Mr. Lincoln made no definite reply then
b;.t few DAYS afterwards Gen. Ord, Of the
/ i.ongst.-ct. which was granted. and Ger
+ l.. informed that there was a possibility o
ending the presen, difficulties By means OF f.:
convention between the commanders OF th'
respective armies. an that if Gen. Lee de
sired AZ interview vii Gcu Grant or tn,
subjcc, i. would no; be declined. Gen. lie,
accordingly wrote to Grant. asking such in
terview, bat Gen. Grant replied that he ha,
II power to grant Il
And Da:;s, sfter making this statement
concludes
/: thus appears that neither with the Con
federal, authorities, nor the authorities q
any State. nor through tie coGinanIiaa Geu
erals. Win the Government of the Unite
States ,rcat or make any terms or a-reeHIei.
whatever for the cessation ofhostiities. Then
remains. iheG, for US no choice bu; TO cor
time the contest to tira.. issue: for III
people Of The Confederacy can be but liitl
known to him who supposes ii possible the
would ever consent 70 p,.rchas'., az the cos
Of degrade, and slavery, permission to Nv
in = country gairlsOnci - their own necrae
and governed by officers sen, by the co"s lei
! or 70 rule over hem