Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-05-17

deposited" The difference In the value how.
ever is to be placed to the credit of the treasu-
ry, the depositor being only paid for the market
value OF the bullion: Other amendments were
offered and ordered printed. Without further
action the House, at 4:45, adjourned.
Jefferson Davis at Home.
[Correspondence Of Boston Herald
NEW ORLEANS, May 10-Seventy-f1ve miles
bile Railway, is the little flag station Of Beau
voir, about equ- distant from Mississippi City
and Biloxi fayorte seaside resorts Of the
is the home Of Jefferson Davis This alone
gives it celebrity and pre-eminence among the
quiet and delightful little towns along the Gulf
shore. Intending visit to the famous southern
morning for the shore. The railway runs
through country Of great interest to the
takes you past long stretches OF swamp land
GpGntanosas the early Spaniards called them),
along quiet bayous, affording glimpses Of the
curious lake dwellings of the negro fishermen,
and across miles OF trestle-work over broad
expanses of water. The road-bed Is excellent,
and is ballasted with white sand from the Gulf
shore. The elasticity Of the road bed is such
along.
MIR. DAVIS HOUSE.
Alighting from the train at Beauvoir station,
you see two or three small brown structures
grove OF pines and the white vista Of vanishing
ute refractions OF the bright sunshine for miles
along its sandy way. Taking the half-perceptlble
roadway to your right, ten or fifteen minutes
Here You see house built In the airy FASHION a
OF this region Of perpetual sunshine This is
the residence OF Rev. DR.. Lacock, an aged
the 70 ne
tleman's estate you see, fronting the beach,
another estate, the residence Of Mr.. Davis.
Ms i've te osg a a ea sas %S
the picturesque Spanish moss. Before you is a
low and spacious mansion, painted white, with
2Ioad veranaans At either side, triie nearer
The front portion OF the pavilion Is occupied
by Mr.: Davis as library and study. Here l
found him; slightly indisposed and lying upon
lounge. His manner is genial and very kindly,
with that charming courtesy Characteristic Of
years OF age, Mr.. Davis has yet fresh and
Whiskers are white In part, but bus eye is bright
! asked him II he was much visited by news
paper men. He replied that he was not, for he
had made 1t an tnvariable rule not to be inter-
viewed, and OF the repulSeS OF reporters he gave
me several instances OF an amusing nature.
"Surely," he said, 81 who am diSfranchised, not
even citizen OF the United States, and with no
political ambitions, may claim immunity from
the reporters" The conversation naturally
turned upon
THE NEWSPAPER PRESS,
ard in his estimate OF the journals Of the Old
school, as compared with the newer and .'spi-
intimate knowledge Of the history Of JOURNALISM
n this country. He spoke Of the great accuracy
OF The Murphy brothers, the Official stenograph-
rapid speaker, he always felt that he was going
TO be accurately reported when either OF the
Murphys was in the Senate gallery. MIR. Davis
reads the New Orleans dailfes of q morning,
brought out by the express. Papers are sent
him from everywhere, many OF his southern
lrlends addressing their papers to 'ex-Presi-
l asked him II, In working on his memoirs he
task. He said that he did not, that he could
work better evenings, and was, In fact, late
riser. ~ got enough Of early rising In the army
labor OF writing was, he remarked, distasteful
to him, and he sought relief In dictation,
although his thoughts come faster than the pen
only person who could ever write fast enough
for me-" he said, ''was my chief clerk when l
was Secretary OF War. He disliked composition,
and equally disliked writing. We were, there
fore, the compliments Of each other"
THE LIBRARY.
The little library In the pavilion Is arranged
very conveniently. A gallery midway up the
to handle books on the topmost Shelves e The
large library which Mr.. Davis possessed before
the war was stolen and dispersed by literary
ed through the woods. All OF his present col
lection are newly acquired. The books are OF q
character a naturally 70 be expected In states
the Congressional Globes, an imperfect set, Mr.
Davis remarked. and the american Archives"
Above, are biographies in great number, and
A large table serves for the deposit OF news
papers, and an old fashioned lghtwood desk for
writing: Mr.. Davis makes great use OF an arm
1 adverted to the Inconvenience he must ex.
perience In preparing his memoirs In a place re-
mote from the government archives and the
a o0fa kInnA Hn Ana
himself greatly 1nconvenienced at times. Mr.
Davis remarked that John quincy Adams was
probably the WIDESPREAD Of American states.
wanted, Mr.. Adams said he. "could tell you of
another which contained what you were look
Ing f0r. Mr.. Adams was what few people re.
memDer-a very witty man."
"REMINISCENCES
Early IN the afternoon lunch was served In
the little library. While we ate, Mr. Davis
talked pleasantly Of men and events In bygone
days. He has that rare cheerfulnesS OF humor
which communicates itself to his auditors, and
has, besides, quietly witty turn. What was
said by MT Davis regarding current politics,
none Of Mr.. Davis judgments of men and things
were tinged with bitterness. He seems to dis
cuss politics from the serener heights of philo:
| opinions, while earnestly believing In the doc
| tr1ne of state rights. Without the states there
could. he said, be no union, and In local SELF
| government alone lies safety.
i
Regarding certain matters which were dis:
cussed In the course OF the day, am privileged
| to speak. / asked him II he thought the negro
| exodus would assume formidable dimensions
| He said he did not attribute exaggerated I'M
| portance to the movement, nor did he think It 9
tr1fiing matter. The negroes are credulous anG
easily led. Those who have gone to Kansas Will
probably return, IL they have the means, other.
wise they will remain only to die In that colo
country. Some OF his negro laborers on his Mis-
sissippi river plantation went to Kansas In the
outset OF the exodus" They had asked his
opinion Of Kansas, and he had told them OF It'd
rigorous climate. but had said to them, II they
felt 1t to be for their best good to leave, to g
rather to q warmer region.
Mr.. Davis believes the negro alone to be per-
manently capable OF outdoor work In hot GU
mate. The negro thrives amid miasma and II
swamps Mephitic gases that would kill {
white man do not harm the negro. When the
negro sleeps he pulls the bed clothes over hi
head, and all night breathes gases which would
render white man sick, II not tnsensibie.
One word OF the master OF the estate at Beau
voir, before close. Mr.. Davis, although
found him temporarily tndispoSed, has goot
Ioo olyac rfNovo