The New York herald., 1865-01-23
Version Of the Affair as Pur-
ported to Eave Come from
tho State Department.
Our Washington Dispatches.
WASHINGTON Jan 81 1895

WASHINGTON jan Il, 1896.
PEACE RUM0Rs AND THE BFAm MISSION.
Tho national capital has been under intense excite
ent during the las. few days the question peace
Al manner Of probable and improbable possible and i'm
possible stories have been in circulation We have had
ahs rebsion closed up Je Davis flying towards Mexico
and the bulk Of the rebel Congress marching for Washing
4on 70 apply for admittance here Charges have
ade that Seward has decided to make the best
aerms possible at This has aroused the anger Of
che radicals and thoy threaten to raise row in Congress
ever The panorama Of the grand crash Of the rebel
HON has been paraded before in all Its phases, until
many persons have become convinced that is reality
Whore there 'is so much smoke there must be some
rs What is really at tho bottom Of all these stories
only be asceraned by close scrutiny Of the data to
os found In official quarters Immediately upon the
eurn Of Mr.. Blair, ST., from Richmond his son Mont
Iomeyy ndrstriousy circulated the story that Blair,
Dr. q mission entirely confined to private matters.
6e asserted that his passes endorsed on private
business and that he had nothing to say about peace
But Montgomery Blair had many times stated and re-
1erated that his father had gone Richmond
aftor known here that he had arrived at General
Grants headquarters that person took any stock In
Dis explanation Of the result Of his fathers journey to
dhe rebel capital.
But two three days elapsed after the return OF Blair
before there was considerable commoton mani cstsd in
President for the Don to be in readiness at
Q rtain time TO convey Mr.. Blair, sr, to City Point.
Blair In th, meantime paid visit to silver Springs and
came in on Thursday afternoon received his institutions,
and sailed Friday for the rebel capital This fact LETT
but Interpretation to be made one Inference to be
drawn ss the result Of his former miss That infer
once that he had received such assurances from the
leaders Richmond induce the authorities here to
believe that settlement could be reached and the war
brought q cosc Many Of those who did not believe
chat Mr. Blair had met with any while In Rch<
snond began stir themselves TO ascertain the
facts in tho casc This general activity-invcstiga-
cion without authori,y-to send for persons and
papers, and the probing OF government secrets, has
Drought the surface several versions OF the result Of
shis mysterious peace mission These different vers ons
are casual glance apparently inconsistent and con-
aradctory but upon closer analysis this Inconsistency
O. merely apparent and In reality may all be true, an
in fact part and parcel OF legitimate result of Blars
visit to the rebel capital.
rHx DIFFERENT vERsIoSs BIAfRs VISIT ro Rtcr Aorp
In the first place. there has been little amusement
On court circles the statement that 1t i said Mr.
Blair boastfuy made in regard TO his ion at tho
ursidcnce OF Jc Davis This is that he sas not only
cordially but enthusiastically received ucre; that Mrs.
Davis went into ccstacies the nom nut that sho
nim; throw her arms around his nc'A and kissed him
again and again Hc never WIS received so cor
daily In any place before that he subsequently
-dinsd with Mr.. Davis and that several prominent
Southern ladies, who forme.z .zy figured in Washington
wore present Among tnem Mrs Davis. Mrs. Cobb
and Others dressed tc, the height Of fashion, with
aoetes exceeding hng he witnessed hcrs
Also that tho table md everything connected with the
ofhir was OF the sumptuous style, with all the
elegance imaginable In short, according TO this story,
DAr was Teas ed, dned and wned 10 his hearts con.
esnt and h. stay there made enchanting md pleasant
possbls which furnished him an opportunity TO in.
fern nsc fully upon the court scenes and life
IA Re- edom, 70 say nothing q the information that he
ga-A them as to tho dashing beauties, the charming
lcs who snopolize society In the court circle al
Washington. The feeling that Mr.. Blair has created
nero In rcing these Is that the strongest i'm
precision was made upon him BY the kiss Who can
'nan brt that this v0y kiss may not lead TO q
.Nes Of crm con-, which appears TO be 50
fsehicnable In tho City OF Churches and In the
commercial metropolis This kiss certainly cannot
be interpreted In bclligeren tone, and who can tell
out that Is forcrunner Of an immediate peace be
tween the two sections Of the country That II Blar
only goes often enough TO Richmond will bring about
Chat desired obecf What matters H. therefore, II Bars
mission TO- Richmond, at tho expense Of the government
g. some wag has asserted, simply FOR the purpose OF
Scing again kissed by Mrs. President DavisY
Leaving this social part Of his mission 10 ,hose who
sh 70 gossip the court Richmond Ie, us
Glance at tho political version given out by the different
factions here. In the FIRST place. the peace democrat,
declare that Mr.. Blair brought from Richmond manu-
script letter from Jefferson Davis TO Mr. Lincoln, IN
which Mr. Davis says he Is willing now, as he alway,
sa beeu 10 send or receive commissioners 10 treat
peace in order 10 spare his country from the horrors Of
var and TO advance all Us interests They
also assert that Mr. Blair returns TO Richmond
With q letter from Mr. Lincoln, saying that h
A willing 10 send or receive commissioners to treat To-
psacs upon the basis OF undivided country This the
ysace democrats hold s the whole story In natsheh
bss equally important. thesc peace mea declare ,hs