The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-06-02
Conference with JeR: Davis and A.
HI. Slephene. =

visit TO the steamer Clyde and OF the appear
ance of JEFF. DAVIS and A. a. SrEpAENs, and
| of his conference with the latter:
This afternoon Gen. Littlefeld, Maj. Elliott,
Major Dewey, Capt. Hays, Capt Silver, Mr..
Sears. and a number of Others, including my
self, accepted the invitation of Col. Pritchard
to 60 on board the craft containing the prison.
ers. So, in due time, we took small steamer,
and, can hardly tell you with what emotions
approached that little area of deck-room hav-
Confederacy, which we shave been battling so
long. As we swung alongside, tall, spare
man, dressed in gray, having wan, gaunt
and depressed look, his whiskers and NOUS
tache rather close cut and almost white was
walking along the space between the deck
cabin and bulwarks. and stopped for moment
to caress little girl very indiferently dressed,
and then passed in at the gangway door
These were Jeffel son Davis and daughter. I
recognized at once the features which had
once graced the Senate Chamber of the United
States: Then he had naughty, military air.
Then he was the leader of the Southern party
in Congress, debating terms to Northern
doughfaces imperiously. Now, the state pris-
oner, bent and borne down as though op-
pressed with weight of care and length Of years,
Evidently, he has passed through great deal
OF mental trouble for the last four years-how
much OF it has had its influence recently in
producing such change, perhaps no one but
himself knows. - -. - !,
Once on board, he seemed 10 be the observed
OF an observers. He was seated in corner,
his wife a plain looking lady, dressed in black,
by his side, and the two were engaged in perus.
l9g papers which had been brought to them.
His hat was drawn down pretty well over his
eyes, 30 that only when he lifted his face, could
much expression be noticed. No one wished
10 De introduced to him; at least saw no dis
position OF the kind. For myself, am sure
nothing could have induced me to touch his
blood-red hand. Two of his children, boy
and girl, looking to be about six and seven
years OF age respectively, were about every
where, seemingly unconscious of the intense
interest concentrated upon their SIRE
In the cabin below was Alexander a. Ste
phens, the Vice President, and Reagan of Tex
as, the postmaster general of the late confed
of cavalry notoriety. naturally sought the
cabin. Mr.. Stephens looks old. He has the
same stoop, the same parchment-like face, the
came keen eye and the same fragile form that
characterized him years ago-only he looks
older. Always gentleman, and bred schol-
ar, his conversation Is intensely interesting.
His manner was subdued, but not that of
prisoner. He conversed freely, desiring infor.
nation upon many points, and canvassing
without reserve reconstruction and the treat.
ment Of the subdued South, in the way exactly
that 1t struck his mind, never evin0ing the
least care or anxiety respecting himself per-
sonally.
As others appeared to be engrossing the at
tention of Mr.. Stephens, it fell to my lot to
converse chiefly with Mr.. Reagan. He is o
heavy, stout and somewhat lethergic man, but,
in conversation shows he has great deal of
ability. He desired particularly to know what
policy would be instituted in the way of recon.
ratyn hnvsA kl>4k
be the easiest in order to conciliate and hold
the South. When ! advanced the idea that
military governments would be inaugurated in
the States respectively that probably the peo-
pie in their primary capacity, would be called
upon to re-estabish civil authority, under gov
ernmental restriction, which would forever
preclude any recurrence of rebellion, found,
upon requiring an expression from him, that
he did not think there would be great deal of
difficulty, provided disfranchisment and confis-
cation were not carried too far. No slavery,
no assumption of the Confederate debt, no
more secession-these points would be con.
ceded at once; but the prohibition of every
one from the ballot.box who had held official
property, and the right Of suffrage to all, were
points, In his estimation, which should either
be omitted, or very materially modified, if we
were really DESTROYS of bringing out goodwill
to the government and fraternal relations
among ourselves. Without mincing, put the
thing at him as strong as possible, and
should do. There is great deal lost with
Southern men. I find, in failing to come up
exactly to what you mem, and do what your
judgment gives cordial assent to. A firm man
they like and respect; an irresolute one they
will use as they best can, situated as they are
at present.
In the midst of our conversation, the whistle
Of tho nnfiAo6 no that W. NM
pare to depart. Gen. Littlefeld, meanwhile,
had been talking to Mr.. Stephens. The latter,
as afterwards learned, thought the proper
way to start civil government again would be
to institute measures for the repeal of the or
dinances of secession, and by that means re-
store our original relations.
As we parted from these men in the cabin.
and especially from Mr.. Stephens, I could not
resist the temptation 10 say, that SO far as the
sentiment of the North was concerned, in his
particular instance, he would find it, probably,
much more lenient than toward Mr.. Davis.
That of the policy of the Government, of
course we could know but little; but that
since the brutal murder of our President, the
public mind was running in the direction
strongly of holding those who originated and
nurtured rebellion, to q strict accountability.
At the head of the stairs as we passed up,
still sat Jefferson Davis in the corner, his hat
still slouched over his eyes; he was still read
Ing. Inc WINDOWS, 1ull OF curious OCserVers,
attracted no attention from him whatever.
Once, while we were in the cabin, he came
down and handed Mr.. Stephens paper and
Immediately retired. Our conversation was
hushed instantly. No one desired to be made
known to him, and probably, if the move had
been in that direction by his associates, no one
but what would have resolutely refused the
profered honor and yet there were officers and
civilians among us whose greeting, given in
sincerity, and with ordinary sympathy over
misfortunes, he might have coveted. He
seemed to stand before Us as the embodiment
of the infamous rebellion and its attendant cru
elties-as the deliberate author of our ma
tional woes, and consequently as the
great criminal. There was no dispo-
sition to treat him rudely no offensive
remarks were made in his presence. It was
recognized by all that the strong hand of the
government was upon him, and that in its
keeping the memorable demands of Divine and
human justice would be safe.
From what could see and learn from other
sources, these men have no proper apprecia-
ton of the position in which they are standing
Davis himself. it is asserted, has no idea that
anything beyond Punishment will be his lot. I
eure IL wa mt mr. hs1eiuoaa "a, ovivo ovv