Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-08-31

Postmaster General Resgzn, Of the late
Confectionery, in letter 70 the Galveston
Eers, sindicates Mr.. Davis frosA some
accusations made against him By Jodze
Evans, Of Texas They charged him
with excessive care of bis MONEY bsgs,
and With Q scheme for Western Empire
beyond the Mississippi. Mr.. Reagan
com lstely answers them al and vinii-
Gates Mr.. Davis They we're together in
the journey from Richmond. and con-
,inued iogsfber for long way. The first
idea Of Mr.. Davis vas 70 effect q junction
between Lee and Johnston, and thns
mako stand. Bot falling in that and
bearing Of the surrender of first Lee and
then Johnston, Mr.. Davis and bis sd-
vlsors determined TO cross the Mississippi
and If possible TO continue the struggle
there, only With the same views that
governed him in Richmond But the
treasure still held by the Confederscy be
left entirely 10 charge Of others, and,
showing entire self-desisl, moved in sd-
vance. Mr.. Reagan makes the following
statement:
"In coming through Ssuih Carolina,
be and myself, riding ahead Of our com
pspy, passed cabin on the roadside.
when be asked woman who was stand
ing 10 the door for . drink Of water. On
handing il to him she said, Are yo1
President Davis 2 On his replying II
the Affirmative, she said to him, pointing
TO q little boy barely large enough to
walk little, That is your Dsnesske;
we call him JEFF. Davis He took from
his pocket q gold coin, apparently the
size OF lbree-dollsr piece or sovereign,
and handing it 10 her, toll her TO give Il
TO the little boy, saying TO me, ss be rode
Of, thsi that was his last piece Of coin.
which be had kept Is q sort of keepsake
on account Of its being coin seldom
seen in this country.
Subsequently, when 10 company with
several members Of his Cabinet, the Sab
iect Of their finances was mentioned, and
their poverty was made, among them
selves, the subject of passing amusement,
Mr.. Davis took out bis poeket-book and
counted, / think, about $275 in Confsde-
rate Treasury notes, then almost entirely
worthless, and said. lsugbingly, that vas
bis fortune in money. He then added
that il was source of gratifestion rather
than Of regret that hin,seIfand nearly all
the members Of his Cabinet had sacri-
feed their private fortunes in the strug-
gle for the liberty Of the people. will
also add, that when it was determined,
after the surrender Of Gen. Johnston, to
transfer the field OF military operations
10 the west of the Mississippi, one Of his
Cabinet told Mr.. Davis that be had
money enough TO take them both across
that river.
These facts are given TO show the in
Justice which has been done 10 one whose
hopes aud thoughts and energies were sll
wholly devoted TO the cause, then 60 dear
TO "a, in which he was engaged; and
who. amidst bis sll-eDgrossing public |
duties and responsibilities, took no
thought OF bis private fortune or OF his
personal safety. i
II am persuaded that the wise and
good and honorable, even among those |
who thought him wrong in bis support OF
the cause OF Southern independence, |
and impefilled their lives 10 opposing
him on the battle field, will accord to |
him sincerity of convictions as TO the |
righteousness Of the cause 10 which be
was engaged. integrity Of purpose, and
those great qualities Of head and heart |
which fitted him TO be the leader Of q |
heroic people in great struggle.
81 know the time has not yet fully |
come for explanations like this 10 be re:
ceived without offepse to the preJudices
Of many good people, Who have only
viewed Mr.. Davis Of late years 90 o pub |
lie enemy. But ! trust now, since that
cause has been forever abandoned, the |
generous and just will see that | but per-
form duty 10 one who, while he is in a |
distant land, is yet very dear 10 noe and
to millions of others 10 the United
States. Very respectfully,
"Joas II. REAGAN"