The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-12-23

greater number, being simply misdemeanor
cases, were sentenced to confinement in
the city Jail for from twenty to sixty days,
according to the grade of the offence.
SNowDEN.
The johnson Sherman Negotiation
BY Hon. s. Z. Mallory.
1t was evident to every dispassionate
mind that no further military stand could
be made, and that Mr.. Davis should secure
his safety by leaving the country in the
event Of the failure Of these negotiations
and it was deemed expedient that he
should place himself further south, to be
ready to cross the Mississippi and get into
Mexico, or to leave the coast of Florida
for the Bahamas or Cuba.
But it was no less evident that Mr.. Davis
was extremely reluctant to quit the coun-
try at all, and that he would make nc
effort to leave it SO long as he could find
an organized body of troops, however
snail, in the field. He shrunk from the
idea Of abandoning any body of men who
might still be found willing to strike for
the cause, and gave little attention to the
question of his personal safety.
In leaving Greensboro, Mr.. Reagan, Mr.
Breckenridge, and Mr.. Mallory rode with
Mr.. Davis and his three aids on horseback
and Mr.. Trenholm, Mr.. George Davis, and
Mr.. BEN amin, comprisipgithe six members
of the Cabinet, were in ambulances with
General Cooper and other officers. The
| roads were bad from recent rains and long
use of them without repairs. Their route
Law through jamestown, High Point, and
Lexington; and at the latter place, which
they reached at O'Clock P. NJ, they staid
all night-Mr. Davis and a portion Of his
Cabinet stopping at the house Of Mr.. Bar
ringer, where they were most cordially
and Hospitality received, and where Mrs.
Barringer, a cultivated and refined lady,
cvinced all the warmth and kindness of q
true daughter of the South.
The party left Lexington during the
forenoon of the next day, rode slowly, to
keep with the wagons and ambulances,
crossed the head waters Of the Pedee, and
reached Salisbury that evening. Sails
bury had been occupied by the enemy, and
much of the town, including the depot and
railroad buildings, had been destroyed.
Mr.. Davis went 10 the house Of private
| friend, where he remained all night, and
on the following afternoon the party again
started south, and stayed that night at the
little town of Concord. On the following
day they rode into Charlotte. Here the
Confederate Government had several pub
lie establishments, many local officers ;
and arrangements had been made for the
accommodation of MIR. Davis and Cabinet
at private houses; and they were received
and treated with the utmost kindness and
courtesy.
Upon all sides, however, the proofs OF
| the exploded cause were evident.
In the course of ali hour after reaching
Charlotte, and before the party had scpa-
rated for their several quarters, a dispatch
was received from Mr.. Breckenridge (who
had, with Mr.. Reagan, returned to john
stons camp at Greensboro) by Mr.. Davis,
announcing the assassination Of Mr.. Lin
coin. To a friend who met him few
minutes after he had received it, and who
expressed his incredu.ity as to its truth
fulneSs, MFR. Davis replied that true it
sounded like canard, but in such con-
dition of public affairs as the country then
presented, crime Of this kind might be
perpetrated. His friend remarked that
the news was very disastrous for the
South; for such an event would substl-
tute for the known humanity and benevo-
lence of Mr.. Lincoln feeling of vindlc-
tiveness in his successor and in Congress,
and that an attempt would doubtless be
made to connect the Government or the
people of the South with the assassination.
To this Mr.. Davis replied, sadly: - Ger
tainly have no special regard for Mr.. LIN
coin but there are great many men OF
whose end I would much rather hear than
his. fear it will be disastrous TO our
people, and regret it deeply"
The party remained at Charlotte about
one week. While here Mr.. Davis received
the propositions agreed upon between
Johnston and Sherman for peace, submit
ted them to his Cabinet, and called upon
it's members present for written opinions
mon them. These were called for at
about 10 O'Clock on the evening when the
terms were received, and the Cabinet met
him at 10 next morning. All were present
except Mr.. Breckenridge, who had APP
proved them, and who was then with John
ston. and Mr.. Trenholm, who was sick at a
private house in Charlotte.
No comparison or interchange Of opinions
had been had, and yet their views were
nearly Identical as to the condition of the
country, the character Of the terms, and
the policy of accepting them; and upon
calling upon Mr.. Trenholm he concurred
in the views Of his colleagues. They were
thus returned to Johnston approved.
Three days afterwards Mr.. Davis re-
ceiveda dispatch from Johnston announcing
that the Government Of the United States
disapproved Sherman's course, and that no
other terms than those offered by Grant to
Lee could be given.
Johnston accepted these terms, within
the time agreed upon, and surrendered his
army.
No other course now seemed open to
Mr.. Davis but to leave the country and
his immediate advisers urged him to do so
with the utmost promptitude. Troops
began to come into Charlotte, however,
escaping from JOhnSton's surrender, and
there was much talk amongst them of
crossing the Mississippi and continuing the
war. Portions OF Hampton's, Debrell'S,
Dukes, and Ferguson's commands Of cav
airy were hourly in. They seemed
determined to get across the river and fight
it out, and wherever they encountered
Mr.. Davis they cheered and sought to
encourage him. 1t was evident that he
was greatly affected by the coustancy and
spirit of these men, and that, regardless of
his own safety, his thoughts dwelt upon
the possibility Of gathering together a
body of troops to mako head against tho
foe and to arouse the people to arms.
His friends, however, saw the urgent ex-
of f,rf