Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1865-01-06
Condition Of the south--Jef. Davis on
the 81. AIbans Raid.
Correspondents of the Liverpool COurier.l
RICBOSD, Va, Nov. 3, 1864
An ANGLO REBEL LErrER.

Correspondents of the Liverpool COurier.1
RIcmoSD. Va, Nov. 5, 1864
sent you letter date.l "Eing George Cour
ty.Va.. F" which. fear. has been detained hy VI
Seward. who does not favor the freedom Of th'
press. II advises YOU Of a movement in high
quarters here, toward m entire change in th'
law concerning Slavery.
Since writing that letter. spent a day with
Gen. R. E. Lee. and when this subject wss in-
trOduced, he interrupted the conversation aa1
ssid
Il wish you 10 understand my views on this
subject | am favorable TO the use of our SER
I wants m the army. think We can make hetter
soldiers Of them than Lincoln can. lie claims
to have 200, 600 ofthem in his service We can
destroy the value Of All such soller- 70 him. hy
using ours against them do not see why
/ should rot have the Use Of such available IA ,'e.
risl as veil as he. I woull hold cut 20 the,a tb-
/ certainty Of freedom and a home when they
shall have rendered efficient service Iehus not
| given them home. Nor can he give them o''i-
GERS who can understand and manage them ~
we can
On the next day I conyerscd with Gen :
Cooper, adjutant and Inspector general. c. 5. 4.
I lie said
Il agree with Gen. Lee in hrs views. WoulI
not await the slow action OF legislatures on fhr
subject. We have already usel them IN plice
Of soldiers as teamsiers, aud in ngneer service.
We can use them in other says. There : uo
resson for DELAY. Let them be placed in ihp
nell, and give them freedom fyr futh.Jl ser-ice
% the State
The government mas inauguratei such move
ment by making during the present month";
draft o! free and slave negroes. nomiua,ly tir
erection Of field works, &c. but really 10 din
and prepare them for home defence | trs.,cie
70 Richmond in 4 train containing one or two
carriages crowded With these drafted ncg-oos
I have seen President Davis, and observed hm
under those circumstances which give the c'ue
to character ami draw out the real feelings aud
powers Of the msu. My 6rst interview pre-, n
ei him in his own h me. playing with his ch.l-
dren, who were asleep in the library, where, at
ter dinner. awaited him. 'Wake up. Jeii
you little rebel, wake up and 90 70 bed aud
then there was a scene that drew out all the
tender affections Of a noble heart toward tn,
beautiful children whom he loved ami was teach
ing 70 love. lie lately lost fine boy, the young
est, who fe from 1n upstairs windoS.
next saw him as q humble, quiet, dign.f-i
but deyout worsbiper. bosing down on hs
knees before hrs Maker ID ST Plurs Church
where Gen. r. E. Lee also was IN humble aut
deyout worshipper
The ,hiri interview presented him qs the
statesman, in hi. official capacity and, rs he
rsplly disposed Of the cases brought before him
and a. be touched bis bell and oallei some high
authority 20 the government 70 meet some uuu-
susl case, saE that the statesman could play
With men as we'll as the father coull play with
the child
The raids on the Canadian frontier we're men I
mentioned. 7 understood him 20 ssy something I
a. follows
These small pilierins and burning cxpeli- .
tons veK and annoy the enemy. ctuse great Wig P
lance, provoke hatred. anl iuiIrc private citi- .
Eens. without bringing about pelcs o cf.,ting :
the true objects Of retaliation. Should i- become +
necessary 10 wage var aguiust the people rs wei .
as the Government. 1T Us strike harl-lct no T.
second stroke be neeiel'