The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-06-30
Terms $500 per aaaune, in adrance.
DAILY PRESS,
Thursday Morning, Juns 30, 1870.
CORTLAND

A CURIOUS SCRAP OF IIIsroHY.-Tbe otb-
er day we gave an excerpt from the testimony
OF Col. J. F. Jacques OF Illinois, touching some
important points in the history Of the rebell-
ion. The summary which we print below,
from the same source, viii be found quite as
interesting as the former one:
1t seems that p. P.csident Liucoln, who had
been much embarrassed by charges, bo'h De-
mocratic and Republican, that be could have
peace and restored Union whenever he chose
to entertain rebel propositions to that end.
but that he reiu ed to do so, determined in
May, 1864, TO send Col Jacques on secret
mission, which should put the subject in its
true light. That oficer accordingly had inter-
views with jeff. Davis, who, IN three distinct
declarations, said: 81. We are not fighting
for slavery. 2. We are fighting for indepen-
dence; and our independence We will have,
or we will have annihilaton."
1t so happened that while Jaques was on
this mission to Richmond, Mr.. Greeley was
carrying on his famous negotiations at Niaga-
IA Falls with the rebels Clay, Thompson, &c.
AS soon, therefore, as President Lincoln cot
these authoritative declarations of the Presi-
dent of the Southern Conlederacy," he saw
through the whole Niagara nonsense, and be
commissioned Col. Jaques to 20 there and
the President followed up the stroke with his
proclamation, declaring that "Any PROPOSE
ton which embraces the restoration of peace,
the integrity OF the whole Union, and the
abandonment of slavery, and which comes
from an authority that can control the armies
now at war with the United States, will be re-
ceived" by the President There was never
any more trouble on that score
Col. Jaqdes's next mission was to the De-
mOcratic cOnSult3tiO M Niaplro Falls IN do
feat Mr. Lincoln's re election. He found that
his best route thither lay through visit TO ex-
President Buchanan, at whose house, he says
he drank more liquor than in all the rest of
his life, " because it was the custom OF those
visiting him at that time" He declares that
Buchanan "was thoroughly advised and ia
miliar with all the movements of the enemy
on the border, aid in tull sympathy with them,
and PREFER. that they should succeed in their
wicked designs against the government rather
than that the Republican party should sue
ceed In saving and Keeping control OF the coun-
try"
He next took Horato Seymour in hand,
with the desire of reconciling him TO an active
support OF the war. 1t is to the credit of the
New York Governor that, when he heard jeff.
Davis's real intentions, he willingly came INTO
consultation with Governor Andrew lCoI.
Jaques paying the expenses of both to New
York City and home again) and never gave
MIR. Lincoln any further trouble. Jagues was
less successful in an attempt TO reconcile Hoi-
ace Greeley to President Lincoln, as Mr.. Gree
ley could not then get over the way in which
he thought his NIAGARA negotiations had first
been favored and then balked by Mr.. Lincoln.
He probably became wiser aiterward. So much
Tor this curious narrat ve-a leaf out oil the
voumiucus historic romance which is YET to
gather about the aIeat war.