The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-06-22

interview with Davis, though highly romantic fuli
OF interesting incidents aud replete with important
ae's f. Sennos give mere II was repOreSa oy s IN
OF Senator Harlan, appointed for the purpose,
taken down by Mr.. Sutton as repeated IT, and, ~
~ contained two important propositions, which
got from Davis, distinctly stated
FTrst-"We are not fighting Tor slavery!'
Second-"we are fighting for independence; and
our Independence we will have OF we win have ami
1t was these declarations, 50 strongly put ana III
sisted uponby MIR. Davis, together With facts deye-
loped IN my first visit TO the rebel emissaries In
Lincoln's mind SO bitterly denounced by them and
complained OF by Mr.. Greeley.
II Is little remarkable tnat the author referred
10, Mr.. Kettell In his account Of my visit to Rich
mond, should close that account by saying that
Colonel Jaquess ''came back no wiser than ne
should enter the rebel lines with his eyes ana ears
open, spend three days IN the rebel capita and nave
with the rebel e snd come
not so consider 1t. for he said, "Your informa-
ton Is worth millions TO u.s." He saw the inside
Ny second visit into the Confederate lines was
planned and executed under the following circum.
dIscovercd-from what sources need not here men
uon-distinct and definite traces OF plot to burn
GU northern cities and our shipping, steamboats,
and water craft generally. There were limitations
OF sucn Q plot floating about among US In runor,
and what some thought simple snrmise, suiiicient,
however to create some fears that 1t might be 80.
Some demonstrations had been discovered, which,
it was fhonght looked Ia that direction and resulted
In some arrests; al taken together under the con.
slderatOn of the thoughtful, seemed TO f0reahadow
stroy life life by thousands and annihiiate pro-
Canada. which was made in my true character and
real name, many persons came to me- as they did
everywhere TO make inquiry about friends ana &C;
been in the confederate lines must know something
OF everybody. Among others came a man OF genteel
name, however, for he subsequently, gave me df
ferent one, which he said was his real nancy The
doctor had learned that General Joe Johnson had
hung his brother as spy, some time on his John
sons retreat before sherman, In Northern Georgia
The doctor manifested much concern and uneasiness
about his brother. 1t had 80 happened on our
march In pursuit OF J0hns0n's retreating forces
after the battle near Resaca, Georgia, as we were
pointed out to me spreading oak tree, on "a conve.
nient limb Of which "Mr. Johnson had hung Yam
kee Tor spyin round, as he termed IL. There was
small mound Of fresh earth under the tree, indlcat
ing that something was buried there This informa-
ton did not seem to allay in the least the DOCTORS
confidential talk with him, and soon discovered
that he could be made OF use TO us, and so put him
lin soak for few days TILL could report impor
to Washington, made my report to Mr.. Lincoln IN
which he not only saw the nut Cracked"
ness. 1t was decided that l should return
TO Canada immediately, which IL did, and
found the doctor S.n Wen soaked ana ana IN good
case, and found that he one OF the detail
to burn northern cities, &c. At this time the organ
proprety Of transferring the headquarters OF the
scheme to some point In the enemy's country, In
Of e s es
proved rather uncertain and dangerous business.
Already some delay and mishaps had occurred
which, It was thought, might be avoided in future
by this change OF base OF operations.
There was an arrangement among the Coincide
e as s0r he 10
this little item OF business with the auth0ri-
ties at Richmond, and he had consented
his way clear to do It. But the reports made by me
In reference to his brothers. fate had had whole
some influence upon his fears aud he had begun TO
pers OF burning northern cities or crossing the lines
into country where 1t was currently reported that
they hung people with but little ceremony.
He was also supplied with null outfit Of papers.
documents and secret trinkets new to me- any or al
condition Of profound secresy and tnat i would
to tor look TX after his brother. Among the pa
pers which he showed me was one, well and
peculiarly executed, bearing the signature Of
John G. Breckenridge. THIS | took. He gave me the
o. Wona nd wt ns to hs
structions. at Petersburg, Va. He had never seen
MIN. gave hiui money for his journey to Resaca
OF all these facts, and also repOrt OF other
items Cleaned IN Canada simply corroborating and
strengthening my other items OF information
The great question now TO be solved was, how TO
meet the "incendiary movement" In answer TO a
direct m om me as to what should be
moods, said, ''You are in water too deep for me-"
TO organize police force SUFFICIENT TO meet
tho case was Impossible under the cir,
cumstances Let us go over and see stanton" said
Mr. Lincoln. We walked over TO the War ONCE. Mr..
Stanton was not there. ] looked upon It then, as
now, as providentia, for in wiser c0unsels plans
less efficient and successful might have been adopted.
MY mind was fully made up as to what would do
when my plan was unfolded to him that i would be
likely to lose my life. Mr.. Lincoln objected seriously
to my plan ana remonstratea WIN me On me ground
| racy" l told him that / had already been twice
over the ground and could trust my life again
! IN hope OF preventing so terrible calamity
| as seemed hanging over our people; and
| furthermore, l reminded him that he had some
time since pledged himself $40 see that my family
| should he well provided for II fell In any OF my
! perilous jonrneyings."
quest he turned to his desk and wrote two passes
| one addressed ITO whom it may concern giving
me '.fn authority ana permission to go wherever
| public or private, which might lie IN his line Of
travel, land or water, without let or hindrance.
The other said, 'Pass the bearer, Dr. -, through
! the lines,r filing the blank with the name OH my
| Breckenridge papers and signing MS name VIII
these papers proceeded to the 'front.' on strictly prl
vate business. avoided, as far as possible, any
oil recognition so that my presence In that quarter
should not become matter Of newspaper report, ant
the rebel lines. / proceeded up the James river a.
far transports were running at that time, ano
then, taxing nag OI truce DOat beyond I'LL came II
about fourteen miles OF Richmond disembarked
| found ready means Of passing our lines with my
| paper ITO whom it may concern"
! My Breckenridge paper passed me, without ques
ton or scrutiny through tine rebel lines and on
back OF rough Confederate cavalry horse, in com
pany with a small squad Of scouts made my way Il
! Petersburg; arrived late IN the afternoon OF thu
| same day, after one OF the most unpleasant day.
nde OF my whole life; had hut little trouble in ind
ing the whereabouts OF my man, but he had changet
his headquarters to Richmond, and thtther took III
my line Of march late IN the afternoon IN rfckety cal
| drawn by crazy old locomotive. reached Rich
mond after dark found lodgings, and was ready for
| work next morning. It was with some difficulty
! however, that found my man. My movements
had to be OF the most cautious character possible;
felt that was moving with rope around my neck,
| but believed myself In the line Of duty, unde
! the direction and protection Of Providence, ant
that, therefore was safe from harm. Several per
sons, OF whom inquired, assured me that my man
| was in Petersburg. Finally, about TWO O'Clock il
the afternoon, 10y what appeared 10 be the &C
cidenif there be any such thing as accident In tht
events Of this wOrld-I found my man.
Ipresented my ''Breckiniidge paper,n which HI
seemed To understand at once. said to him. IL eX
peced to find you in Petersburg eyes, said ne
81 was there but Yankee shells seemed rather uac0n
| Portable there, 80 we came here.n
ffa han 1oJt na ~