Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-10-29
--t&tEN4 80 tsNE = sf.a. Nkfss-s0S I . n
A Curiosity Of Literature.

It is asserted that the book entitled Prison
Lite of Jefferson Davis, and purporting to be,
y the work of DR.. aCraven, }was9 written in nine
days by the late Gen. g. G. Halpine.
The above paragraphs going the rounds of
the press as an item of strange news. f;mr ge1
= The book, our readers will remember came
ous in New York soon after the release. ofeMr3
Davis on bail from his imprisonment at Fort,
ress Monroe. ltyWas the sensation OF the day,
and excited deep interest for the famous priso-
i ner, whose story of life it assumed to give
While it stirred the hearts of the Southern peo-
pie, of whoselost cause he was the official head,
it awakened the curiosity, removed tbe preju-I
dices, and enlisted the sympathies of Northern
men in behalf of one Fallen from high estate,
weary, feeble captive,gW yet challenged ad-
miration forsihe equaninity Of his bearing and
the accomplishments Of his mind. - zzw
Our readers will be .astonished to learn that
the. statement istrue, and that this popular
book, over. which somuch Of feeling, indig-
nation, pity interest, and admiration has been
created and eXpended,4is a work of imagina-
1tionza novel woven upon slender threads Of
fact. Tga7aiB
- Soon after the admission Of Mr. Dayist
bail, Craven, the Surgeon of the post, wentte.
New York, ewhere}h he met his quondam ness
mate OF the sameistaff, General Halpine. This
literary friend congratulated him forthwith on
this opportunity he had to immortalize himself
: In print and at the same time make money by,
book on Jeff Davis. The idea seemed new
TO Mr.. Craven, and he said it was impractica-S
bic. Halpne asked him where were his notes.
He replied che had none, and could not do it. y
''Then," said Halpine, give me whatever
materials you have and [ will write in your
name, and we will share the profits" This
was agreed to. Y - s..E -
Craven furnished three letters Of Mrs. Davis.
to him, and some notes written on the: margin
of Herald by Mr.: Davis, touching the points
he desired Reverdy johnson to make in de-
Tending him for treason. This was all the au-
thentlc matter supplied. ~,
At The request of Gen. Halpine Craven also
made out a. list OF officers of the post and their
days for going on duty, and other little details
of the post and garrison and of Mr.: Davis.
Halpine then called to see several Confeder
ates in lew York, and among others General
Dick Taylor He pumped them as to Mr.
Davis, his views and opinions on public mat
tiers; also in regard to leading Southern men
and Mr.. Davis relations and feelings towards
them, &c.
A PhiIadelphia publishing house now ad-
1vertised that it was soon to put forth life of
Davis, and Halpine saw the Importance of an
ticlpatiag this publication by his book. it
was arranged in New York to get it out i'm.
mediately. He agreed to furnish his publisher
forty pages Of foolscap manuscript daily And
sat down to writc-and wrote forty pages daily
for nine days, when the book was completed.
the web of his fertile brain and accomplished
mind aas u 49, sa @
I, 2 The book of great service to Mr.. Davis;
and General Halpine's share of the profits
was $1,000 last March, when he communicated
to US the above facts from his own graphic and
;.eloquentlips @zs:s G'' -.
This is one of the curiosities of literature;
and illustrates the talents of the man who
couldso pIausibly manufacture out Of whole
cloth the Prison, Life of Jefferson Davis, ~
with his private views and opinions concerning
menand things 2'zA Z2OG5%
We publish the above as Itself a curiosity.
We believe, that DR.. Craven furnished much
more than is above stated of the materials of
+, the book--and that much of it is a correct ac-
count Of the prison life and of the-opinions Of
Mr.. Davis. In'short, that it is in general, au
5thentic and reliable. III sa.