The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-04-21
ERATURE.


scious ignorance-that never, until the present
nine hundred pages of printed matter lay before
us, had we heardlof J. B. Jones. To be sure,
perusal OF the work leaves us pretty familiar
with the history, family, feelings, and, more
particularly, the vanity of that great man; but,
considering he is the author of number of
"wellknown" novels, we lament our ignorance.
But be that as it may, we know quite enough of
that gentleman just now. 1t is rather aggra-
waiting 10 loyal minds TO read preface dated
March, 1866, which contains references tn Jeffer-
son Davis and ]. @. Breckiuridge, as follows. We
give the introduction entire, as specimen of
treason, impudence, and vanity
This Diary was written with the knowledge of the
President and the Secretary OF War. L informed
them OF II by nore they did not deprecate crIt-
cism on their Official conducts Tor theY allowed me
stlll TO execute the functions OF very lmPOrtcsnI
position in the Government until the end OF Its
NV discriminating friends will understand why 1
accepted the poor title of clerkship, after having
declined the Chdrgeship TO Naples tendered by Mr.
Calhoun during the administration of President
Polk I'D
As we are not one of "my discriminating
friends" we do not understand his reason for
declining the Ohdrgeship, except the probable
one that IL was never seriously offered. But be-
fore we review the body of the work, we will
give our readers a specimen of the style by
quoting the opening pages. my fight to the
South" sounds very terrible, but when it is re-
membered it occurred when there was no in
terruption of travel, and no Surveillance, some
of its Munchausen daring IS apparent. This
style is preserved through the whole three
volumes. The petty details, exaggerated into
wonderful events would appear comical did
they not seem contemplate. The events of the
days of April, 1851 are still well remembered.
We quote Mr. Jones' account ..
Apnl s, 1861. BURLINGTON, New Jersey.-The
expedition sals to-day from New York. lis pur-
pose Is TO reduce Fort Mou trie Charleston harbor
and relieve Fort sumter, invested by the Confede
rate forces. Southern born, and editor of the
.Soathern Monitor, there seems alternative but to
depart immediately For years the Southern Monitor,
Philadelphia whose motto was "Ihe Union as it
was, the COnstltu ion as it 49," has foreseen and
fore,od the resistance of the Southern States in the
event Of the success Of sectional party inimcal to
the institution of African slavery, upon which the
welfare and eX stence OF the Southern people seem
to depend. And must depart immediately; for
well know that the first gun fired az Fort Sumter
will be the signal for Outburst of ungovernable
fury, and should be seIzed ana thrown into prison
must leave my tamily-mY prOperty-everythng
My family cannot 90 with me-but they may follow
The storm will not break in Its fury for month
SO. Only the most obnoxious persons deemed dan.
gerous, will be molested Immediately
O'Clock P. NJ My wire and children have been
busy packing my trunk, and making other erepara-
deem the rupture OF the States fIit accnmpH but
reek not of the horrors OF war They have contrved
to pack up, with other things, fine old portrait of
Calhoun, by Jarvis. But must leave my papers
the accumulation of twenty-five years, comprising
thousands OF letters from predestined Rebels. My
wife opposes my suggestion that they be burned
Among them are some OF the veto messages OF Pres-
dent Tyler, and many letters from him, Goyernor
in 1856 showing that tins blow would probably have
been struck then, II Fremont had been elected.
April 9-My adieus over, set out IN the broad
light Of day When the cars arrived at Camden,
proceeded, with the rest OF the Hrough passengers
in the boat to the Navy Yard without going ashore
In the city. he passengers were strangers to me-
Many could be easily recognized as Southern m N; |;
but quite as many were gong only as lar a, Wasn.
ingtOn, for their reward They were bold denouncers
OF the Rebe hon the others were sien;, thoughtful
but in earnest. r. ..
the cars left the Deawa depot, was a sign-board
on my left inscribed IN larre letters, Union Ceme-
terry" My gaze attracted the netice Of others. A
which was followed by laughter .r
For many hours was plunged in the deepest ab-
stIaction, anG spoke not a word until we were en-.
Jering the depot at Washington, just the veil of
night was falling over the scene. -. =
Then was aroused by the announcement of q
conductor that falling to have my trunk rechecked
at Baltimore. 1t had been lett in that city! Deter
mined not to lose ii, took the return train to BGtti.
and put up at BdT7lun'S Hotel Here L met
with Mr.. Abel publisher of the Baltimore Sun, an
old acquaintance. Somewhat contrary TO my eXpec-
tations, knowing him to be ma I've Or the Worth 1
he in the cause. that he denounced bOfhe Mary
land and Vlrpnla Ter their hesitancy in following
the example of the Cotton States and he invited me
to furnish his paper with correspondence from
Montgomery, or any places in the South where l
might be soiourner
April lO-Making an early start this morning, /
once more arrived at Washington city saw no
evidences of military force IN the Guy, and sup.
posed the little army to be encamped at the west
end OF the avenue, guarding the Executive mansion
We took an omnibus without delay, and projected
to the steamer As soon as we left the shore fan
cied saw many of the passengers breathing easier
and more deeply. Certainly there was more yVacity
since we were relieved of the presence of Repubh
cans And at the breakfast table there was a fret
flow of Ofspeech ana very decided manifestation Of
secession procvlties. .. l
April 10 and u.-These two davs were mainly
lost by de- avs, the floods having swept away many
bridges, which had not yet been repaired. AS we
approached Richmond, It was observed that tnt
De pretty nearly unanimous for the immediate seces
sion OF the state. Everywhere the Convention theI
in session was denounced with bitterness for its ad
herence to the Union; ana Governor Letcher wa
almost universally eXecrated tor the chocks he haC
thrown under the car of secession and Southern IN
dependence. heard very many VINO had voted fol
him regret that they had ever supported the clique
OF politicians who MANAGED to secure his nomina
ton. And now L learned that Peoples Sponta
neous Convention would assemble in Richmond OF
the 18th of the MONTH when, II the other body per
ssued in ITS opposition to the popular will, the mos
startling revolutionary measures would be adopted
involving perhaps arrests and executions SeVera
the members OF tins body with whom conVerset
bore arms upon their persons.
Apn 12-Io-doy beheid the first secession fd
that thGd met ray viston IL at Poiecat W 50 ItioH
BY all but the two or three Yankees in the tram
Alter tea called upon Governor Wise, who oC
Cupled lodgings at the same hotel He was wor
out and Frustrated by distressing cough, whic
threatened pneumonia. But ever and anon his agl
eve assumed ITS wonted brllancy He was SUI
rounded by q number of hls devoted friends VIII
listened with rapt attention to his SURPRISING elC
Quence A test question. indicative OF the purpoE
OF the Convention to adjourn without action, ha
that day been carried oY a decided majority. III
Governor once rose from his recumbent position Q
the sofa, and said, whatever the majority OF Unlo
men IN the Convention might do, or leave undon
Virginia must array herself on one side or the othe