The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1866-06-20

| mitted to walk out on the ramparts, and to
have, for the first time, misce laneous reading
matter in his cell His walk on the rampsrts
was allowed afterwards for an hour each day,
though he was too ill at first to stand more
than half an hour. "a
On the goth Of July, found Mr. Davis in a
very critical state his nervous debility extreme;
complexion livid, and pulse denotins deep
prostration of all the physical energies. Was
much alarmed, and realized with painful anx-
fiety the responsibilities of my position. II
he were to die in prison, and without trial,
subject to such seventies as had been inflicted
on his attenuated frame, the world would form
unjust conclusions, but conclusions with
enough color to pass them into history. 1t
seemed to me, let me frankly confess, due to
the honor of America, and the future glory OF
our struggle fer national existence, that this
result should not happen. Mr.. Davis asked
me could nothing be done to better his condi-
ton, or secure him the justice Of trial before
death. The effort of his people to establish q
country had failed, and they bad no country
now but America. It was for the honor Of
America, not less than for his own, and for
Justice to his cause, that he pleaded. gre
I Mr. Davis in August began to suffer from
erysipelas and from a carbuncle on bis thigh.
For these Dr.. Craven treated him. On the
21st August he made report of the prison.
er's ill-health to General Miles. Davis had
| long com planned of bis cell as having MAS
mrtic atmosphere from the moat outside, and
being damp, seriously affected him On the
! 21st of September the doctor says: /. sas r f
assured Mr.. Davis that his opinion on
| Al. 1
/ and that OF several occasions had called the
attention Of Major General Miles to the sub
ject. Satisfied that the dan ger. was now seri-
GUS if he were longer continued in such an
atmosphere, would make an official report
on the subject to the general commanding,
recommending a change of quarters" 1i'es u 9
| TIE report was sent to the War Depart
ment. It received attention, and q new room
was prepared for Mr. Davis, aud Dr. Craven
was ordered to select the room himself, which
he did in the secotd story Of the south end of
Carroll Hall, a building long used as officers
quarters, near the main sally port s3s s. \.
| SEAT times Mr.. Davis shows great soicitude
! as a husband aud father tor his wife and chill
dren, and concern as to other Especially Mr..
Clay's| health His prison fare was finally
improved by supplies from the Doctors table.
Under prison regulations hs was not allowed
to use knife and fork, and all his letters
were inspected by the government ak !" so loi'a
Mr.. DAVIS ON HIS TRIAL. aesagaia
Itwas about the first Of June that Mr.
Davis learned through conversations of the
soldiers in the guard room, who seemed to
speak loudly often, in order that he might
hear, that himself and Breckenridge had been
indicted at Washington :or treason. With
this he expressed great satisfaction, as it would
give him trial, which was all he wanted it
| BY a civil court. To military court be
would not plead. En- ars-trT III. +.
| At this time Mr.. Davis also spoke to the
Doctor on the outrage which the United
States Government was committing on him,
and remarked that if an example was to be
made, the question came up as to why he
| should be ale the victim more than Others
adding: :.
Humanity supposes every mau innocent"
urged Mr.. Davis, until the reverse shall be
proved, and the laws guarantee certain privi-
eges to persons held for trial. To hold me
here for trial, under all the rigors Of a con-
demned convict, is not warranted by law--is
revolving to the spirit of Justice In the pol
itical history of the world, there is no paral-
lei to my treatment. England and the des-
potic governments of Europe have beheaded
men accused Of treason; but even after their
conviction no such efforts as in my case have
been made to degrade them. Apart, how
ever, from my personal treatment, let lis see
how this matter stands. If the real purpose
in the matter be to test the question, of seces-
sion by trying certain persons connected
Herewith for treason, from what class or clas-
Ses should the persons SO selected be drawn ?
From those who called the State conventions,
or from those who,in their respective con-
ventions, passed the ordinance of secession
Or from the authors of the doctrine OF State
rights? Or, from those citizens who, being
absent from their States, were unconnectell
with the event, but onits occurrence returned
to their homes to share the fortunes of their
States as duty of primal allegiance? Or
from those officers OF the State who, being
sent on public service, were called home by
the ordinance, and returning, joined their fell
low citizens in Statesefvice, and followed the
course due to that relation2 To the last
class belong, who am the object Of greatest
rigor. 70 1ss1syd
t"This can only be explained on the suppo-
sition that, having been most honored,I there
fore excite most revengeful feelngs-for how
else can it be accounted for? / did not wish
for war, but peace; therefore sent commission
ers to negotiate before war commenced, and
subsequently, strove my utmost to soften the
1rigors of war, in every pause Of conflict seek
ing, if possible, to treat for peace. Numbers
OF those already practically pardoned, are
those who, at the beginning, urged that the
black flag should be hoisted, and the struggle
made one of desperation. Believing the States
to be each sovereign, and their union volun-
tary had learned from the fathers of the
constitution that a State could change its form
of government, abolishing all which had pre-.
viously existed and my only crime has been
obedience to this conscientious conviction .
! NJ Davis danies that secessinr,l A, f,ans,,,