The Van Buren press., 1866-07-14

Denied all conversation VIII tHe very
soldiers who paced, day and night, up and
down his narrow cell, who can describe
the cheering effects OF the daily visits Of
his kind physicians?
But this source Of consolation did not
meet the approval of the humane Miles.
Hudson Lowe permitted friends, physi-
clans and guards to talk with Napoleon,
but we now have to " cap the climax Of
Miles noble conduct by showing how he
MT last denied to y surgeon Of the ex
l'rcsidcnsthc privilege OF free and unre-
stricted conversation with his patient!
If DR. Craven had not wisely publish
Cd the whole official correspondence, the
following statement would seem incredi
BILE:
On the 9th of October last, {" Mr. Da-
Wis having complained that his clothing
was too thin for the increasing cold of
a room in which there was no fire, DR..
Craven. requested "a friend to procure Il
heavy black pilot overcoat and "some
hannels for the prisoner"
These acts says Dr. Craven," ap-
pearing to me innocent, and even lauda-
able, caused me great trouble, as may be
seen by the following correspondence,
finally leading to a perempt0y order
wlO altogether broke off the previous.
" free relations | had exercised with MFR.
Davis
All of us probably recollect the delec-
table Forney's noble rage about this me-
morabe overcoat That incompatible
wretch was indignant at President Davis
having good warm clothing. When For
ney heard that tailor named Owens was
making an oyercoat for Mr.. Davis, the
Chronicle spouted mud for a week. 1t
favored Mr. Davis freezing to death and
charged that the conspiracy to keep him
warm was the work OF traitors" 1t is
consoling to reflect, however, that if there
is any heat IN Orcus, that Forney will
not require an oyercoat when the devil
gets his own. ~
As matter Of course Miles Is all at
tentiye reader OF the Chronicle, and For
ney's clamor about ex- President Davis
overcoat greatly exercised that humane
hero.
DR.. Craven states that on the 10th Of
November last, in consequence Of seer
tain comments in the newspapers upon
an oycrcoat having been ordered for Mr..
Davis, of 5. w. Owens, a tailor ofWash-
ington city, he received brief official
letter from the Major General command
ing," Miles !" inquiring if any orders
had been given him (Cravens) for an
overcoat for Jefferson Davis ?"
To this important official interrogato-
ry Craven at once replied respectfully"
that +" he did order a thick overcoat,
woolen drawers and under shirts for Mr.
Davis, because the prisoner was feeble in
health, and the winds Of the coast cold
and piercing"
Upon this reply, Miles chewed the cud
Of both bitter and sweet reflection for the
space of eight days, and on the 18th of
November hurled second official order
at Craven, to the effect that " in future
you give no order for Jefferson Davis
without first communicating with these
Head Districts, and, also, that in future
your conversations with Jefferson Davis
must be confined strictly TO professional
matters" "Head- District Miles then
closed his angry order with the follow
ing reference to the momentous ovcrcoat.
"You will also report the price paid for
Jefferson Drvis' Overcoat and by whom
paid" 10 this note Craven replied that
he did "not know the cost Of the over
|coat-had not receivedthe bill, but would
send it to General Miles when received"
A few days afterward the noble Miles,
burning with patriotic impatience, again
wrote to Craven, asking if the overcoat
furnished to the prisoner had been paid
for?' To this letter Craven had respon-
died. {" that parties unknown had paid for
the overcast without his approval, knowl-
edge, or consent" Thus ended the ia
nous "oyercoat correspondence" which
terminated the humane and pleasant in
tercourse of the illustrious prisoner and
his kind physician, and we allude to it ed.
itorially, as the picture which is elsewhere
drawn of Miles would be imperfect If this
characteristic correspondence was omit
ted &Q
--A Provost Marshal writes One OF
the provost guard brought colorcd man
into the Office, charged with stealing water
melons As he was being led awav I said